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turingmachine

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ACCEPTED

Device and method for examination and use of an electrical field in an object under examination containing magnetic particles

The present invention relates to a device for examination and use of an electrical field in a magnetic gradient field, containing magnetic particles in an examination area of an object under examination, comprising a) at least one first arrangement for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic particles in at least one examination area of the object under examination, comprising a means for generating a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in at least one examination area, a means for detecting signals which depend on the magnetization in the object under examination, especially in the examination area, influenced by a local change in the particles, together with a means for evaluating the signals to obtain information about the, especially time-variable, spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area; and b) at least one second arrangement, comprising at least one electrical transmit and/or receive unit, comprising at least one voltage generator, at least one terminal contact connected to the voltage generator and applicable and/or fastenable to an object under examination, and a ground terminal applicable and/or fastenable to an object under examination. The invention also relates to a method of determining the, especially threedimensional, conductivity distribution in an examination area of an object under examination using a device according to the invention, a method for drug or active ingredient release, especially in locally targeted manner, in an examination area of an object under examination likewise using a device according to the invention, as well as use of a device according to the invention for electro-stimulation. The invention further relates to an electro-physiologic contrast composition, to a method for the manufacture of said contrast composition and to a method for imaging electric resistivity or conductivity in an examination area in particular to a method for imaging internal electric fields using the electro-physiologic contrast composition according to the invention.

1. A device (1) for examination and use of an electrical field in a magnetic gradient field, containing magnetic particles in an examination area of an object under examination, comprising a. at least one first arrangement (2) for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic particles in at least one examination area of the object under examination, comprising a means (14) for generating a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in at least one examination area, a means for detecting signals which depend on the magnetization in the object under examination, especially in the examination area, influenced by a local change in the particles, together with a means for evaluating the signals to obtain information about the, especially time-variable, spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area; and b. at least one second arrangement (8), comprising at least one electrical transmit and/or receive unit (6), comprising at least one voltage generator (22), at least one terminal contact (18) connected to the voltage generator and applicable and/or fastenable to an object under examination, and a ground terminal (20) applicable and/or fastenable to an object under examination. 2. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the second arrangement (8) comprises at least one pair of contact electrodes (4), especially a plurality of pairs of contact electrodes, for recording potential differences. 3. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized by at least one voltage measuring unit (24) and/or current measuring unit (26). 4. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the voltage generator (22), the voltage measuring unit (24) and/or the current measuring unit (26) may be brought into or are in active connection with a microprocessor or computer. 5. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the voltage measuring unit (24) and/or the current measuring unit (26) is/are equipped with at least one analog filter, measuring amplifier, A/D converter and/or digital filter. 6. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a measuring voltage in the range of from 10 to 200 V may be generated with the voltage generator (22). 7. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized by at least one frequency converter. 8. A device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means (14) for generating the magnetic field comprise a gradient coil arrangement for generating a magnetic gradient field which reverses direction in the first sub-zone of the examination area and exhibits a zero crossing. 9. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a means for generating a time-variable magnetic field superimposed on the magnetic gradient field for the purpose of displacing the two sub-zones in the examination area. 10. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a means, in particular at least one coil arrangement, for changing the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles varies locally. 11. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a means, in particular a coil arrangement, for changing the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area by means of superimposition of an oscillating or rotating magnetic field, especially in the first sub-zone with low field strength. 12. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by a coil arrangement for receiving signals induced by the variation over time of the magnetization in the examination area. 13. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterized by at least one means for generating a first and at least one second magnetic field superimposed on the magnetic gradient field, wherein the first magnetic field may be varied slowly over time with a high amplitude and the second magnetic field may be varied rapidly over time with a low amplitude. 14. A device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the two magnetic fields in the examination area may also extend substantially perpendicularly to one another. 15. A method of determining the, especially three-dimensional, conductivity distribution, in an examination area of an object under examination using a device as claimed in claim 1, comprising the introduction of magnetic particles into at least part of an examination area of the object under examination, generation of an electrical field at least in part of the examination area, generation of a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in the examination area, variation of the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, the detection of signals which depend on the magnetization in the examination area influenced by this change, evaluation of the signals to obtain information about the, especially time-variable, spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area, and determination of the conductivity in the examination area as a function of the magnetization status of the magnetic particles. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the magnetic measuring voltage lies in the nanoVolt range, especially in the range above 5, preferably above 30 nV. 17. A method for, especially locally targeted, drug release in an examination area of an object under examination using a device as claimed in claim 1, comprising the introduction of magnetic particles into at least part of an examination area of the object under examination, generation of an alternating electrical field at least in part of the examination area, generation of a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in the examination area, variation of the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, in particular by means of superimposition of an oscillating or rotating magnetic field, wherein magnetic particles are used whose magnetic reversal is effected predominantly by means of geometric rotation or oscillation and which at least partially comprise an outer shell of an electrophoresis gel, which contains at least one active ingredient with at least one charged functional group, wherein the oscillation or rotational frequency of the magnetic field is matched to the frequency of the electrical field in such a way that the charge of the functional group of the active ingredient experiences a constant electrical field. 18. A method as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the frequency of the alternating electrical field lies in the range of from approximately 100 Hz to approximately 500 kHz and the oscillation or rotational frequency of the magnetic particles lies in the range of from approximately 100 Hz to approximately 1 MHz. 19. A method of, especially locally targeted, electrostimulation in an examination area of an object under examination using a device as claimed in claim 1, comprising the introduction of magnetic particles into at least part of an examination area of the object under examination, generation of an alternating electrical field at least in part of the examination area, generation of a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in the examination area, variation of the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, especially by means of superimposition of an oscillating or rotating magnetic field, wherein magnetic particles are used whose magnetic reversal is effected predominantly by means of geometric rotation or oscillation and wherein the electrical field in the examination area is converted from a higher-frequency field into a lower-frequency field by interaction with rotating or oscillating particles. 20. A method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the electrical field to be converted by oscillation or rotation exhibits a frequency in the range of from approximately 100 Hz to approximately 100 kHz. 21. A method as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that the electrical field in the examination area is converted by interaction with the oscillating or rotating magnetic particles into a lower-frequency field with a frequency in the range of from approximately 1 Hz to approximately 500 Hz. 22. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that at least some of the magnetic particles exhibit anisotropic properties. 23. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the effective anisotropy of the magnetic particles exhibits a value, which is sufficient for the magnetic reversal of the particle to take place substantially by geometric (Brownian) rotation. 24. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the magnetic particle is a monodomain particle, which may be magnetically reversed substantially by means of Brownian rotation. 25. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the magnetic particle may be a hard- or soft-magnetic multidomain particle. 26. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the magnetic particles comprise hard-magnetic materials. 27. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the hard-magnetic materials constitute Al—Ni, Al—Ni—Co und Fe—Co—V alloys and/or barium ferrite (BaO 6×Fe2O3). 28. A method as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the magnetic particles, in particular the ferromagnetic particles, are in the form of lamellae or needles. 29. Use of the device as claimed in claim 1 for determining the, especially three-dimensional, conductivity distribution in the examination area of an object under examination. 30. Use of the device as claimed in claim 1 for electrostimulation of neural pathways or muscles. 31. Use of the device as claimed in claim 1 for, especially locally targeted, drug and/or active ingredient release by means of electrophoresis. 32. Use as claimed in claim 31, characterized in that the drug comprises at least one charged functional group and is present in an electrophoresis gel layer, which surrounds the magnetic particle. 33. Electro-physiologic contrast composition for magnetic particle imaging comprising electro-physiologic contrast particles that are capable of inducing anisotropic electric conductivity in the examination area and that comprise one or more magnetic particles. 34. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, wherein the electro-physiologic contrast particles have a main magnetic anisotropic direction and a main electric anisotropic direction which main magnetic anisotropic direction and main electric anisotropic direction are correlated such that, when the electric contrast particles align their main magnetic direction in an external magnetic field, also their electric anisotropy direction is at least partly aligned. 35. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 34, wherein the main magnetic anisotropic direction is parallel with the main electric anisotropic direction. 36. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, wherein the electro-physiologic contrast particle has an anisotropic shape, preferably a disc like shape. 37. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, wherein the electro-physiologic contrast particles comprise a disc shaped core of a material having a low conductivity that is covered with magnetic particles or a coating of a magnetic material. 38. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 36, wherein the ratio of the diameter to the thickness of the disc is between 0.005 and 0.8, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5. 39. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 36, wherein the diameter of the disc is below 10 micrometers. 40. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 36, wherein the disc having a low conductivity is a red blood cell. 41. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, wherein the electric contrast particles are needle shaped conductive multi-domain magnetic particles. 42. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, wherein the magnetic particles are predominantly anisotropic magnetic particles having an average internal anisotropy field of at least 2 mT 43. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 42, wherein the magnetic particles also comprise isotropic soft magnetic particles for concentration imaging contrast improvement. 44. Method for imaging internal electric fields in a living organism, wherein at least 10 weight %, preferably 20 weight %, of the red blood cells in the blood of a patient are modified to form an electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33. 45. Process for the manufacture of an electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, comprising aligning particles having electric anisotropic properties along a main electric anisotropic direction and depositing magnetic particles on said electric anisotropic particles in the presence of a magnetic field. 46. Process for the manufacture of electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 13, wherein the particles having electric anisotropic properties are disc shaped particles of a non conductive material, which disc shaped particles are aligned along a main electric anisotropic direction by depositing them substantially flat on a surface and wherein subsequently magnetic particles are deposited on the disc shaped particles in the presence of a magnetic field. 47. Method for imaging electrical resistivity or conductivity in an examination area comprising the steps of applying electrodes for generating and measuring electrical fields, introducing an electro-physiologic contrast composition for magnetic particle imaging comprising electro-physiologic contrast particles that are capable of inducing anisotropic electric conductivity in the examination area and that comprise one or more magnetic particles into the examination area, create an electrical field, scanning the examination area with the field free region-according to the method according to claim 15 and recording signals from the electric measurement electrodes as a function of the position of the field free point to spatially resolve the electrical conductivity or resistivity in the examination area. 48. Method for imaging internal electrical fields in an examination area comprising the steps of applying electrodes for measuring electrical fields, introducing an electro-physiologic composition for magnetic particle imaging comprising electro-physiologic contrast particles that are capable of inducing anisotropic electric conductivity in the examination area and that comprise one or more magnetic particles, scanning the examination area with the field free region according to the method according claim 15 and recording signals from the electric measurement electrodes as a function of the position of the field free point to spatially resolve the internal electrical fields in the examination area. 49. Magnetic particle composition having a magnetization curve having a step change, the step change being characterized in that the magnetization change, as measured in an aqueous suspension, in a first field strength window of magnitude delta around the inflection point of said step change is at least a factor 3 higher than the magnetization change in the field strength windows of magnitude delta below or in the field strength windows of magnitude delta above the first field strength window, wherein delta is less than 2000 microtesla and wherein the time in which the magnetisation step change is completed in the first delta window is less than 0.01 seconds. 50. Use of the magnetic particle composition having a magnetization curve having a step change, the step change being characterized in that the magnetization change, as measured in an aqueous suspension, in a first field strength window of magnitude delta around the inflection point of said step change is at least a factor 3 higher than the magnetization change in the field strength windows of magnitude delta below or in the field strength windows of magnitude delta above the first field strength window, wherein delta is less than 2000 microtesla and wherein the time in which the magnetisation step change is completed in the first delta window is less than 0.01 seconds in a method according to claim 15. 51. Electro-physiologic contrast composition according to claim 33, wherein the magnetic particles are a magnetic particle composition having a magnetization curve having a step change, the step change being characterized in that the magnetization change, as measured in an aqueous suspension, in a first field strength window of magnitude delta around the inflection point of said step change is at least a factor 3 higher than the magnetization change in the field strength windows of magnitude delta below or in the field strength windows of magnitude delta above the first field strength window, wherein delta is less than 2000 microtesla and wherein the time in which the magnetisation step change is completed in the first delta window is less than 0.01 seconds.

The present invention relates to a device for examination and use of an electrical field in a magnetic gradient field containing magnetic particles in an examination area of an object under examination. The invention also relates to a method of determining the conductivity or the, especially three-dimensional, conductivity distribution in an examination area of an object under examination using a device according to the invention, a method for drug release, especially in locally targeted manner, in an examination area of an object under examination using a device according to the invention, as well as use of the device according to the invention to determine the conductivity or the, especially three-dimensional, conductivity distribution in an examination area, and for targeted release of active ingredients and for electro-stimulation. The invention further relates to an electro-physiologic contrast composition, to a method for the manufacture of said contrast composition and to a method for imaging electric resistivity or conductivity in an examination area in particular to a method for imaging internal electric fields using the electro-physiologic contrast composition according to the invention. To be able to make the most accurate statements possible about the conductivity of in particular areas of tissue of living organisms, it is currently common to use impedance tomography. This method as a rule only supplies information about an area close to the surface, and not about the electrical behavior of deeper layers of tissue or organs. In addition, the reliability and resolution of this measuring method leave something to be desired, especially if it is desired to display differences in conductivity in spatially resolved manner. For example, DE 693 16 993 T2 follows the approach of reducing the effects stemming from the geometry of a body under examination by applying electrical scanning signals to the body at different frequencies. It has emerged from this that the change over time in the impedance associated with different dynamic features of the body is a function of frequency. To be able to make a reliable statement about frequency dependency, it is then necessary to differentiate again, with which dynamic feature the change in impedance is associated. The images obtainable with electrical impedance tomography are generally obtained by means of a back-projection method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,939. This method has the disadvantage that the reliability of image reproduction reduces towards the middle of the image due to a decreasing signal-to-noise ratio. To improve image reproduction or resolution, DE 693 08 324 T2 proposes to apply electrical input signals successively through at least one pair of electrodes attached to the body, wherein the measurements are effected at varying time intervals. This procedure inevitably only attempts to reduce the shortcomings of an existing method, without bringing about any substantial improvement. It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device and a method which do not suffer from the disadvantages of the prior art and which allow reliable and accurate high-resolution conductivity measurements even at a distance from the surface. Accordingly, a device for examination and use of an electrical field in a magnetic gradient field, containing magnetic particles in an examination area of an object under examination, was discovered which comprises a) at least one first arrangement for determining the spatial distribution of magnetic particles in at least one examination area of the object under examination, comprising a means for generating a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in at least one examination area, a means for detecting signals which depend on the magnetization in the object under examination, especially in the examination area, influenced by a local change in the particles, together with a means for evaluating the signals to obtain information about the, especially time-variable, spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area; and b) at least one second arrangement, comprising at least one electrical transmit and/or receive unit, comprising at least one voltage generator, at least one terminal contact connected to the voltage generator and applicable and/or fastenable to an object under examination, and a ground terminal especially connected to the voltage generator and applicable and/or fastenable to an object under examination. The second arrangement may comprise at least one pair of contact electrodes, especially a plurality of pairs of contact electrodes, for recording potential differences. In one embodiment, the second arrangement thus comprises a measuring device known from impedance tomography. In another development, the device according to the invention also preferably comprises at least one voltage measuring unit and/or current measuring unit. In addition, it has proven expedient for the voltage generator, the voltage measuring unit and/or the current measuring unit to be capable of being brought into active connection or to be at least temporarily connected with a microprocessor or computer. Particularly defect-free image reproduction is achieved as a rule when the voltage measuring unit and/or the current measuring unit is/are equipped with at least one analog filter, measuring amplifier, A/D converter and/or a digital filter. The voltage generator is appropriately equipped in such a way that, via electrodes connected thereto, an electrical input signal may be applied to at least one electrode pair, which allows a potential difference between further pairs to be picked off at terminal contacts. According to a preferred embodiment, a measuring voltage in the range of from 10 to 200 V may be generated with the voltage generator. Furthermore, according to the invention a device may be used of the type which comprises at least one frequency converter. In addition, according to a further aspect of the invention, devices may also be used of the type which comprise a means, in particular at least one coil arrangement, for changing the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles varies locally. A particularly suitable device according to the invention is also distinguished by a coil arrangement for receiving signals induced by the variation over time of the magnetization in the examination area. The object forming the basis of the invention is additionally achieved by a method of determining the, especially spatially resolved, conductivity, especially the three-dimensional conductivity distribution, in an examination area of an object under examination using a device according to the invention, comprising the introduction of magnetic particles into at least part of an examination area of the object under examination, generation of an electrical field at least in part of the examination area, generation of a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in the examination area, variation of the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, the detection of signals which depend on the magnetization in the examination area influenced by this change, evaluation of the signals to obtain information about the, especially time-variable, spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area, and determination of the conductivity in the examination area as a function of the magnetization status and/or the orientation of the magnetic particles. Satisfactory results in the examination of living organisms, especially the human body, are obtained in particular when the magnetic measuring voltage lies in the nanoVolt range, especially above 5 nV, more preferred above 30 nV. According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is proposed for, especially locally targeted, drug or active ingredient release in an examination area of an object under examination using a device according to the invention, comprising the introduction of magnetic particles into at least part of an examination area of the object under examination, generation of an alternating electrical field at least in part of the examination area, generation of a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in the examination area, variation of the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, in particular by means of superimposition of an oscillating or rotating magnetic field, wherein magnetic particles are used whose magnetic reversal is effected predominantly by means of geometric (Brownian) rotation or oscillation and which at least partially comprise an outer shell of an electrophoresis gel, which contains at least one drug or active ingredient with at least one charged functional group, wherein the oscillation or rotational frequency of the magnetic field is matched to the frequency of the electrical field in such a way that the charge of the functional group of the active ingredient experiences a constant electrical field. According to a particularly preferred development, the frequency of the alternating electrical field lies in the range of from approximately 100 Hz to approximately 500 kHz, in particular in the range of from approximately 10 kHz to approximately 200 kHz, and the oscillation or rotational frequency of the magnetic particles lies in the range of from approximately 100 Hz to approximately 1 MHz, preferably from approximately 1 kHz to approximately 1 MHz and in particular from approximately 10 kHz to approximately 500 kHz. According to an expedient development of the invention, the ratio of the frequency of the alternating electrical field to the rotational or oscillation frequency of the magnetic particle is expressed substantially as an integer. Magnetic particles are appropriately used, of which at least some exhibit anisotropic properties, especially effective anisotropy. One development may be characterized in that the effective anisotropy of the magnetic particles exhibits a value which is sufficient for the magnetic reversal of the particles to take place substantially by geometric (Brownian) rotation. It is particularly preferable for magnetic particles to be used which constitute monodomain particles, whose magnetic reversal is effected substantially by means of Brownian rotation or oscillation. In a further embodiment, the magnetic particles used constitute hard- or soft-magnetic multidomain particles. The magnetic particles preferably comprise hard-magnetic materials. Examples of suitable hard-magnetic materials are Al—Ni, Al—Ni—Co and Fe—Co—V alloys and barium ferrite (BaO 6×Fe2O3). Particularly good measurement results are obtained when the magnetic particles, in particular the ferromagnetic particles, are in the form of lamellae with low conductivity or needles with high conductivity. It has been demonstrated that, with the devices according to the invention, conductivity and the, especially three-dimensional, conductivity distribution may be determined in the examination area of an object under examination with high resolution and reliability. The device according to the invention is additionally suitable to be used for targeted electrostimulation, especially of neural pathways or muscles. In order to stimulate neural pathways in targeted manner, it is common these days, especially in the treatment of pain, to use so-called Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) (c.f. “Die Schmerzhilfe” (“Analgesia”), the journal of Deutsche Schmerzhilfe e.V., Hamburg, 1999). With this method, a current with a frequency in the range of from 1 to 10 Hz or from 60 to 100 Hz is applied as appropriate via adhesive electrodes. A disadvantage of this method is the small penetration depth. In addition, an optimum application site has to be sought for the adhesive electrodes used for each individual case of treatment, if the desired effect is to be achieved at all. Accordingly, a method was discovered of, especially locally targeted, electrostimulation in an examination area of an object under examination using a device according to the invention, comprising the introduction of magnetic particles into at least part of an examination area of the object under examination, generation of an alternating electrical field at least in part of the examination area, generation of a magnetic field with such a spatial magnetic field strength profile that a first sub-zone with low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone with higher magnetic field strength are produced in the examination area, variation of the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area, such that the magnetization of the particles changes locally, especially by means of superimposition of an oscillating or rotating magnetic field, wherein magnetic particles are used whose magnetic reversal is effected predominantly by means of geometric rotation or oscillation and wherein the electrical field in the examination area is converted from a higher-frequency field into a lower-frequency field by interaction with the rotating or oscillating particles. It is now also possible, with the device according to the invention or with the method according to the invention, to stimulate deeper-lying areas of the body without having to exercise particular caution as to how and where an electrode has precisely to be applied. In so doing, use is made of the fact that an electrical field, which is of a high frequency for the purposes of electrostimulation and which also penetrates into deeper body layers, may be specifically downconverted in localized manner by controlled rotation or oscillation of the magnetic particles present in the examination or stimulation area into a lower-frequency electrical field, which is suitable for stimulating neural pathways or portions of the musculature. For example, an electrical field with a frequency ranging from approximately 100 Hz to approximately 100 kHz, for example with frequencies of at least 3 kHz, may be downconverted by rotation or oscillation of the magnetic particles to frequency ranges of approximately 1 to 500 Hz, in particular from 1 to 100 Hz. It goes without saying that frequency ranges, such as for example from 1 to 10 Hz or from 60 to 100 Hz, may also be selected. As a rule, the conductivity or the resistance in the examination area permeated by the magnetic particles is specifically manipulated by means of the orientation of the these particles relative to the electrical field. It is advantageous, in this respect, that the sub-zone with low magnetic field strength may be of only small spatial extent in the gradient field and, in addition, may be readily displaceable in the examination area. In this way, electrostimulation may be performed in a body in a very effectively localized manner. The first arrangement of the device according to the invention substantially makes use of an arrangement as described in unpublished German patent application bearing file no. 101 51 778.5. Reference is thereby made to the above-mentioned patent application also for preferred embodiments of this arrangement. With the arrangement used according to the invention, a spatially non-homogeneous magnetic field is generated in the examination area. In the first sub-zone, the magnetic field is so weak that magnetization of the particles deviates to a greater or lesser extent from the external magnetic field, i.e. is not saturated. This first sub-zone is preferably a spatially cohesive zone; it may be a punctiform zone, but may also be a line or an area. In the second sub-zone (i.e. in the rest of the examination area outside the first sub-zone), the magnetic field is sufficiently strong to keep the particles in a state of saturation. Magnetization is saturated if magnetization of virtually all the particles is oriented in roughly the direction of the external magnetic field, such that, as the magnetic field is increased further, magnetization increases substantially less there than in the first sub-zone in the event of a corresponding increase in the magnetic field. By changing the position of the two sub-zones within the examination area, the (overall) magnetization in the examination area is varied. Therefore, if the magnetization in the examination area or physical parameters influenced thereby are measured, information may be derived therefrom about the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area. To change the spatial position of the two sub-zones in the examination area or to change the magnetic field strength in the first sub-zone, it is possible, for example, to generate a locally and/or time-variable magnetic field. Provision may also be made for the signals induced in at least one coil by the variation over time of the magnetization in the examination area to be received and evaluated to obtain information about the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles in the examination area. The largest possible signals may be achieved in that the spatial position of the two sub-zones is varied as rapidly as possible. To detect the signals, a coil may be used with which a magnetic field is generated in the examination area. However, it is preferable to use at least one separate coil. If the change in the spatial position of the sub-zones proceeds for example by means of a time-variable magnetic field, a similarly periodic signal is induced in a coil. Reception of this signal may prove difficult, however, if the signals generated in the examination area and the time-variable magnetic field are active at the same time; therefore, it is not readily possible to distinguish between the signals induced by the magnetic field and the signals induced by changing the magnetization in the examination area. However, this may be avoided in that a time-variable magnetic field in a first frequency band acts on the examination area and, from the signal received in the coil, a second frequency band, which preferably comprises higher frequency components than the first frequency band, is evaluated to obtain information about the spatial distribution of the magnetic particles. In this regard, use is made of the fact that the frequency components of the second frequency band may only arise through variation of the magnetization in the examination area as a consequence of the non-linearity of the magnetization characteristic. If the time-variable magnetic field has a sinusoidal periodic profile, the first frequency band consists of only a single frequency component—the sinusoidal fundamental oscillation. On the other hand, the second frequency band also comprises higher harmonics (so-called harmonic waves) of the sinusoidal fundamental oscillation as well as said fundamental oscillation, which harmonics may be used for evaluation. A preferred arrangement for the method according to the invention is distinguished in that the means for generating the magnetic field comprise a gradient coil arrangement for generating a magnetic gradient field which reverses direction in the first sub-zone of the examination area and exhibits a zero crossing. If the gradient coil arrangement comprises, for example, two similar windings arranged both sides of the examination area but flowed through by currents in opposite directions (Maxwell coil), this magnetic field is zero at a point on the winding axis and increases in virtually linear manner either side of this point with opposing polarity. Only in the case of the particles located in the area around this field zero point is the magnetization not saturated. The particles outside this area are magnetized to saturation. An arrangement may be provided with means for generating a time-variable magnetic field superimposed on the magnetic gradient field for the purpose of displacing the two sub-zones in the examination area. The area generated by the gradient coil arrangement is displaced around the field zero point, i.e. the first sub-zone, within the examination area by the time-variable magnetic field. If this magnetic field has a suitable time profile and orientation, the field zero point may in this way pass through the entire examination area. The change in magnetization accompanying displacement of the field zero point may be received with an appropriate coil arrangement. The coil used to receive the signals generated in the examination area may be a coil which already serves to generate the magnetic field in the examination area. It is also advantageous, however, to use a separate coil for reception, because the latter may be decoupled from the coil arrangement which generates a time-variable magnetic field. In addition, though an improved signal-to-noise ratio may be achieved with one coil, this is even more the case with a plurality of coils. The amplitude of the signals induced in the coil arrangement is the greater, the more quickly the position of the field zero point changes in the examination area, i.e. the more quickly the time-variable magnetic field superimposed on the magnetic gradient field changes. However, it is technically difficult, on the one hand to generate a time-variable magnetic field whose amplitude is sufficient to displace the field zero point at the point of the examination area and whose rate of change is sufficiently great to generate signals with a sufficient amplitude. Arrangements which are particularly well suited to this purpose are those with means for generating a first and at least one second magnetic field superimposed on the magnetic gradient field, wherein the first magnetic field may be varied slowly over time with a high amplitude and the second magnetic field may be varied rapidly over time with a low amplitude. Two magnetic fields are then generated, preferably by two coil arrangements, which may vary at different rates and with different amplitudes. As a further advantage, the field changes may be so rapid (e.g. >20 kHz) that they lie above the limit of audibility for humans. The two magnetic fields in the examination area may also extend substantially perpendicularly to one another. This allows displacement of the field-free point in a two-dimensional area. This may be expanded to a three-dimensional area by a further magnetic field with a component which extends perpendicularly to both magnetic fields. An arrangement is likewise advantageous which has a filter connected in series with the coil arrangement, which filter suppresses those signal components of the signal induced in the coil arrangement which are in a first frequency band and accepts those signal components which are in a second frequency band comprising higher frequency components than the first frequency components. In this regard, use is made of the fact that the magnetization characteristic is not linear in the area in which the magnetization passes from the unsaturated into the saturated state. This non-linearity has the effect that, for example, a temporally sinusoidally extending magnetic field with the frequency f in the area of non-linearity causes time-variable induction with the frequency f (fundamental wave) and integer multiplies of the frequency f (harmonic waves or higher harmonics). Evaluation of the harmonic waves has the advantage that the fundamental wave of the magnetic field effective at the same time for displacement of the field-free point does not have any influence on evaluation. According to the invention, the magnetic particles become saturated when an external magnetic field is applied, in particular one with a strength of approximately 100 mT or less. It goes without saying that larger saturation field strengths are also suitable for the method according to the invention. Indeed, suitable magnetic field strengths for many applications are approximately 10 mT or less. This strength is sufficient for many tissue and organ examinations. However, good measurement results are achieved even with field strengths in the range of 1 mT or less or of approximately 0.1 mT or less. For example, in the case of magnetic field strengths of approximately 10 mT or less, of approximately 1 mT or less and of approximately 0.1 mT or less, very precise conductivity values may be obtained with high spatial resolution. An external magnetic field, in which the magnetic particles pass into or are present in the saturated state, should be understood for the purposes of the present invention to mean a magnetic field in which approximately half the saturation magnetization has been achieved. Suitable magnetic particles are those which may enter saturation in a sufficiently small magnetic field. A necessary prerequisite therefore is that the magnetic particles have a minimum size or a minimum dipole moment. For the purposes of the present invention, the term magnetic particles consequently also covers magnetizable particles. Suitable magnetic particles appropriately have dimensions which are small relative to the size of the voxels whose magnetization it is desired to determine using the method according to the invention. Moreover, the particles should preferably be magnetized to saturation with the smallest possible field strengths of the magnetic field. The smaller is the field strength required therefor, the higher is the spatial resolution capacity or the weaker may be the (external) magnetic field to be generated in the examination area. Furthermore, the magnetic particles should have the highest possible dipole moment or high saturation induction, so that the change in magnetization results in the largest possible output signals. When the method is used for medical examinations, it is also important for the particles not to be toxic. According to a preferred development of the method according to the invention, it is proposed that the magnetic particle be a monodomain particle, which may undergo magnetic reversal substantially by means of Brownian rotation and in which Néel rotation contributes at most in a subordinate manner to magnetic reversal. Suitable magnetic monodomain particles are preferably so dimensioned that only a single magnetic domain (the monodomain) may form therein or Weiss domains are absent. According to a particularly preferred variant of the invention, suitable particle sizes lie in the range of 20 nm to approximately 800 nm, wherein the upper limit also depends on the material used. Magnetite (Fe3O4), maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) and/or non-stoichiometric magnetic iron oxides are preferably used for monodomain particles. In general, it is advantageous for the monodomain particles to exhibit moderate effective anisotropy. Effective anisotropy is here understood to mean the anisotropy resulting from shape anisotropy and from average crystalline anisotropy. In the above case, the change in direction of magnetization is always accompanied by rotation of the particles, unlike in the case of magnetic reversal by means of Néel rotation. Monodomain particles with a high effective anisotropy are preferably used, so ensuring that magnetic reversal is effected by Brownian or geometric rotation or oscillation when an external magnetic field is applied. In an alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the magnetic particle may be a hard- or soft-magnetic multidomain particle. These multidomain particles are generally relatively large magnetic particles, in which a number of magnetic domains may form. Such multidomain particles suitably have low saturation induction. Hard-magnetic multidomain particles exhibit substantially the same magnetic properties as monodomain particles with high effective anisotropy. Soft-magnetic multidomain particles with low saturation magnetization have the advantage that they may be of any desired shape in order to be able to be used in the method according to the invention. They are preferably needle- or rod-shaped. The invention also relates to an electro-physiologic contrast composition for magnetic particle imaging comprising electro-physiologic contrast particles that are capable of inducing anisotropic electric conductivity in the examination area and that comprise one or more magnetic particles. The electrophysiologic contrast particles can either be composed of a non-conductive material creating anisotropic conductivity or by a conductive material inducing anisotropy by guiding in an anisotropic way the electric field lines. The electro-physiologic contrast composition can be used in the method according to the invention to improve the contrast in the imaging using an electrical field or even to image internal magnetic fields even with out and applied external electrical fields, for example the internal electric fields of a heart. The composition can be used in various forms, for example in powder form or in emulsion form. In particular, it is preferred that in the electro-physiologic contrast composition the electro-physiologic contrast particles have a main magnetic anisotropic direction and a main electric anisotropic direction which main magnetic anisotropic direction and main electric anisotropic direction are correlated such that, when the electric contrast particles align their main magnetic direction in an external magnetic field, also their electric anisotropy direction is at least partly aligned. With correlation is meant that when the electro-physiologic contrast particles are aligned in a magnetic field by aligning the magnetic particles, also an electric anisotropy is induced. The main magnetic anisotropic direction can be perpendicular, but is preferably parallel with the main electric anisotropic direction. Electric anisotropic properties can be achieved in various different ways. In a preferred embodiment the electro-physiologic contrast particle has an anisotropic shape, preferably a disc like shape, of a material having a low conductivity that is covered with magnetic particles or a coating of a magnetic material. In case of a coated particle the coating must have a magnetic anisotropy and must not destroy the electric insulating properties of the disk. In this embodiment the anisotropic shape of the low conductive disc imparts the anisotropic electric conductivity. The disc may be any flat shape but preferably is circular flat shape. Preferably, the ratio of the diameter to the thickness of the disc is between 0.005 and 0.8, preferably between 0.01 and 0.5. The higher the ratio, the higher the contrast effect per unit mass of the electro-physiologic contrast composition. The advantage is that a smaller amount of the composition is required to achieve a good imaging contrast. For application a living organism, the diameter of the disc is preferably below 10 micrometers to not block the blood flow in the small blood vessels. On application of a magnetic field in the examination area, the magnetic particles on the low conductive disc force the contrast particles to align and cause anisotropic conductive properties in the examination area, which influences the applied external electrical fields. The local differences in conductive properties can be used to create an image. This can be done by using an external electric field or, in a special embodiment of the invention, even without an external electric field, using the electrical fields in the body, for example on a heart. In order to achieve imaging of internal electric fields the concentration of the magnetic contrast particles in the contrast composition and also in the examination area must be high. In particular for this application it is preferred that the disc having a low conductivity is a red blood cell. In this way a large amount of electro-physiologic contrast composition can be introduced in the body without detrimental effect. In another embodiment of the electro-physiologic contrast composition according to the invention the electric contrast particles are needle shaped conductive multi-domain magnetic particles. In this embodiment the anisotropic conductivity is created because the conductive anisotropic shaped particles guide the electric field lines preferentially along the long axis of the particle. The advantage of this embodiment is that a lower amount of the contrast composition is needed is to create sufficient electric contrast effect. This embodiment is useful in technical applications. In medical applications it is preferred that the needle shaped electric contrast particle is covered with a thin and conductive coating to prevent damage to blood vessels or tissue. A coating of organic material is preferred. For medical applications it is further preferred, that the needle shaped magnetic particles are composed of a number of small magnetic iron oxide or iron metal particles assembled to a needle shaped particle which particles touch each other to have the required conductivity, but relatively easily break down in the examination area to increase the speed of metabolisation. In view of the requirements that the contrast particles can rotate in an applied to external magnetic field it is preferred that, the magnetic particles are predominantly anisotropic magnetic particles having an average internal anisotropy field of at least 2 mT, preferably at least 3, most preferably at least 5 mT. However, in view of obtaining a good contrast in the imaging of the magnetic particles, it is preferred that the magnetic particles in the contrast particles also comprise isotropic soft magnetic particles. Preferably, the magnetic particles are semi-hard or hard magnetic particles having a high anisotropy, can only reverse in an applied external magnetic field by geometric rotation, but reach a high magnetization saturation required to provide sufficient torque to rotate the contrast particle. The invention also relates to a method for imaging internal electric fields in a living organism, wherein at least 10 weight %, preferably 20 weight %, of the red blood cells in the blood of a patient are modified to form an electro-physiologic contrast composition. The invention further relates to a process for the manufacture of an electro-physiologic contrast composition according to the invention, comprising aligning particles having electric anisotropic properties along a main electric anisotropic direction and depositing magnetic particles on said electric anisotropic particles in the presence of a magnetic field. Preferably, in the above method the particles having electric anisotropic properties are disc shaped particles of a non conductive material, which disc shaped particles are aligned along a main electric anisotropic direction by depositing them substantially flat on a surface and wherein subsequently magnetic particles are deposited on the disc shaped particles in the presence of a magnetic field. The invention further relates to a method for imaging electrical resistivity or conductivity in an examination area comprising the steps of applying electrodes for generating and measuring electrical fields, introducing an electro-physiologic contrast composition according to the invention into the examination area, create an electrical field, scanning the examination area with the field free region according to the method according to the invention and recording signals from the electric measurement electrodes as a function of the position of the field free point to spatially resolve the electrical conductivity or resistivity in the examination area. Further, in another embodiment the invention relates to a method for imaging internal electrical fields in an examination area comprising the steps of applying electrodes for measuring electrical fields, introducing an electro-physiologic composition according to the invention, scanning the examination area with the field free region according to the method according to the invention and recording signals from the electric measurement electrodes as a function of the position of the field free point to spatially resolve the internal electrical fields in the examination area. In general the magnetic particles in the magnetic particle administering composition, are chosen such that good magnetic particle images, in particular a good resolution can be obtained in a given field gradient. In unpublished German patent application number 101 51778.5 a magnetic particle imaging method is described. It is generally described that magnetic mono-domain particles having a size between 20 and 800 nanometres or a glass beat coated with a magnetic coating can be used in this method. However, in order to achieve a good magnetic imaging contrast and resolution at relatively low magnetic field gradients, improved magnetic particle compositions are highly desirable. The inventors have found magnetic particles having improved magnetic particle imaging properties. Preferably, the magnetic particles in the magnetic particle administering composition have a magnetization curve having a step change, the step change being characterized in that the magnetization change, as measured in an aqueous suspension, in a first field strength window of magnitude delta around the inflection point of said step change is at least a factor 3 higher than the magnetization change in the field strength windows of magnitude delta below and/or in the field strength windows of magnitude delta above the first field strength window, wherein delta is less than 2000 microtesla, preferably less than 1000 microtesla, and wherein the time in which the magnetisation step change is completed in the first delta window is less than 0.01 seconds, preferably less than 0.005 sec, more preferably less than 0.001, most preferably less than 0.0005 seconds. It has been found, that such magnetic particles are particularly suitable for magnetic particle imaging, in particular for obtaining a good resolution of the image. It is further preferred, that the magnetic particle composition has a magnetisation curve, wherein the step change is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30% and most preferably at least 50% of the total magnetisation of the particle composition as measured at an external magnetisation field of 1 Tesla. It is further preferred, that the magnetization change in the first field strength window of magnitude delta around the inflection point of said step change is at least a factor 4, preferably at least a factor 5 higher than the magnetization change in the field strength windows of magnitude delta below or in the field strength windows of magnitude delta above the first field strength window. The magnetic particle composition is particularly useful for use in a magnetic particle imaging technique. The particles show good spatial resolution at relatively low field strength gradients. Further, the magnetic particle composition allows for a relatively high scanning speed for examining a large examination area. For example, for application in medical magnetic particle imaging, where the step change occurs preferably at a delta value below 1000 microTesla, the particle composition has a resolution value better than between 0.1 and 10 mm at magnetic field strength gradients between 10 and 0.1 T/m. With the magnetic particle imaging technique using the magnetic particle compositions according to the invention extremely good resolution can be obtained, for example in a range from 0.1 to 10 micrometres in applications, where are very high magnetic field is gradients can be achieved, for example in microscopy. It is noted that strictly speaking, magnetic field strength is expressed in H (A/m). However, in the present application, when reference is made to magnetic field strength, B-fields are meant. A magnetic fields B of 2000 μT as described above corresponds to an H field of 2 mT/μ0=1.6 kA/m, that is the equivalent H field that would produce a B field of 2 mT in vacuum. Preferably, the magnetic particles in the electro-physiologic contrast compositions according to the invention and the method according to the invention as described above comprise magnetic particles that meet the specified step change requirements of the magnetic particle composition according to the invention as described above. A method for measuring the magnetisation curve and the required step change is as follows. A sample of a magnetic particle composition is suspended in water, optionally with the help of a simple detergent. To prevent clumping and/or to de-agglomerate the magnetic particles an ultrasound treatment possible can be used. The concentration of the magnetic particle composition is less than 0.01 gr core mass per liter of solvent. With core mass is meant the mass of the magnetic material in the magnetic particle composition. The suspension is brought into a fast magnetometer. (i.e. a device that measures the magnetization of the sample while an external field is applied). Suitable fast magnetometers are known to the expert. The magnetometer is equipped with means allowing to produce an external field at the sample position in at least two orthogonal directions simultaneously, i.e. to produce any magnetic field below a given maximum amplitude and a given maximum speed of change. The magnetisation is measured also in at least two orthogonal directions in the same plane. First the saturation magnetisation is measured. For this, a magnetic field of about one Tesla is applied in one direction and the magnitude of magnetization is measured after at least 10 seconds. Then the measurement sequences for determining the step change starts. The sequence starts with choosing a field vector with an external field magnitude below 20 mT. This field is applied for at most 100 seconds. Then a second direction is chosen. This direction defines the scalar values of the field H and the magnetization M. The field is rapidly changed, preferably less than 1 millisecond, so that it lies now in −H direction with some magnitude below 20 mT. Then the field is changed from −H to +H e.g. in a linear way and the (now scalar i.e. projected) magnetization is recorded. The magnetization curve is recorded in less than 0.01 s but longer than 1 μs. Where the magnetisation curve shows a step change, a first window of size delta is positioned centrally on the inflection point of the magnetisation step change. Similarly, a window of size delta is positioned below and above the first window, and the required step change is evaluated by determining the change in magnetisation in each of the windows. Whether or not a given magnetic particle composition has the required step change depends in a complicated way on many variables, for example of the size of the particles, the particle size distribution, the shape of the particles, the damping constant for Neel rotation, the type of magnetic material, the crystallinity and the stochiometry of the composition of the magnetic material. It has been found that it is particularly important that the particle size distribution of the particle composition is narrow. Preferably, the magnetic particle composition according to the invention has a narrow particle size distribution wherein at least 50 weight % of the particles have a particle size between plus or minus 50%, preferably 25%, more preferably 10% of the average particle size. Preferably, the amount of particles within the specified windows, is at least 70 wt %, preferably at least 80 wt %, and most preferably at least 90 wt %. Particularly good results are obtained with mono-domain particles have a low magnetic anisotropy with a field needed for inducing Neel rotation of substantially below 10 mT, preferably below 5 mT, more preferably below 2 mT. Preferably, the magnetic particles are mono-domain particles having an average particle size between 20 and 80 nanometres, more preferably between 25 and 70 nanometres, must preferably between 30 and 60 nanometres, wherein at least 50, preferably at least 60, more preferably at least 70 weight % of the particles have a particle size between the average particle size plus or minus 10 nanometre. In an alternative embodiment of the magnetic particle composition according to the invention, the magnetic particle is a multi-domain particle having substantially a needle shape having a demagnetisation factor of less than 0.001. This magnetic particle composition is particularly useful in non-medical applications where the needles shape is not a disadvantage. In another alternative embodiment, the magnetic particle composition according to the invention comprises magnetic particles comprising a non-magnetic core covered with a magnetic coating material, wherein the thickness of the coating is between 5 and 80 nanometres and wherein the demagnetisation factor is less than 0.01 and a diameter below 300 μm. Also in these alternative embodiments it is advantageous to have a small particle size distribution as described above. The physical parameters of the magnetic particles in these embodiments are preferably chosen to meet the step change requirement as described above for achieving good imaging properties. The magnetic particle composition according to the invention can be manufactured by first forming magnetic particles, for example by precipitation, for example by contacting a solution comprising ferrous and ferric ions with a solution comprising sodium hydroxide as described above. In principle, a known precipitation process can be used. It is also possible to grind the particles from bulk material, for example using a high speed ball mill. The essential next step for obtaining a good magnetic particle composition is the selection and separation of the particles. The first step is to perform a size selection process by filtering and/or centrifuge methods. The next step is to perform a selection process based on the magnetic properties of the particles, for example, using oscillating magnetic gradient fields. The present invention is based on the surprising discovery that conductivity may be determined with high resolution in objects under examination, especially in bodies of living organisms. In this respect, it is of particular advantage that the conductivity values may be assigned to very precisely and closely defined areas in the object under examination. It is thus possible, with simple apparatus, to obtain good conductivity images even of deeper-lying tissue with high imaging accuracy and to be able to represent changes in the state of the tissue very precisely. It is additionally advantageous that active ingredients or drugs may be released in a targeted manner. To this end, it is sufficient to use a device such as is also used to determine the spatially resolved conductivity measurement. All that is needed for this is to use active ingredients, which comprise a charged functional group in the molecule and are contained in a coating, especially a layer of electrophoresis gel, surrounding the magnetic particle, and to match the rotation behavior of the magnetic particles to the frequency of the alternating electrical field. In this way, active ingredients may be released in targeted manner at a locally closely defined treatment site. For example, active ingredients may be used which may be damaging to healthy tissue as the initial embedding of the active ingredients in the gel layer surrounding the magnetic particle allows risk-free transport to the site of use without the active ingredient being released prematurely. This makes targeted treatment of tumors or metastases possible, for example. The invention will be further described with reference to examples of embodiment shown in the drawings to which, however, the invention is not restricted. In the Figures FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention with an object under examination; and FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a transmitting and measuring unit according to the invention. FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention, comprising an arrangement 2, provided for determining the conductivity in an object under examination A, and an arrangement 8 for generating a localized, field-free or weak-field point or zone 12. The arrangement 2 for determining the conductivity in an object under examination A has a plurality of surface contact electrodes 4 on the surface of the object under examination, which are arranged in such a way that a desired examination area is detected. Each contact 4 is connected with a schematically represented transmit and receive unit 6. The transmit and receive unit 6 is explained in detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The object under examination A is located in the arrangement 8, with which a magnetic gradient field comprising a sub-zone with higher field strength 10 and a locally variable sub-zone 12 with lower field strength is generated at least in the object under examination A by means of a Maxwell coil arrangement 14. Magnetic or magnetizable particles introduced into the object under examination may be brought to saturation or magnetically reversed in the sub-zone 12 by superimposition of an additional magnetic field or by local variation of the sub-zone 12, a situation which may be readily detected by means of the coil arrangement 14 or other, separate coil arrangements (not shown). Given that, by using magnetic particles which may be magnetically reversed primarily by geometric rotation or oscillation, the conductivity behavior in an object under examination may be manipulated at least slightly, a conductivity signal received via the transmit and receive unit 6 may be precisely located when the precise position of the sub-zone 12 in the object under examination is known. The transmit and receive apparatus 6 used may be equipped with suitable filters, which, for example, suppress the transmitting frequencies or frequency bands of the arrangement 8 or of the voltage generators 22 of the transmit and receive unit 6 (c.f. FIG. 2). Analog filters, digital filters, measuring amplifiers and/or A/D converters may be used here for example, on their own or in any desired combination. With the device illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising the arrangements 2 and 8, it is possible to obtain both a spatially highly resolved image of the conductivity distribution in object A and perform locally controlled electrophoresis or electrostimulation. For this purpose, the transmitter power of the unit 6 should optionally be increased in relation to the conductivity measurement and the receive part of the unit 6 may be dispensed with. FIG. 2 shows a transmit unit 16 of the transmit and receive unit 6 in the form of a voltage generator 22, as may be used for example for local conductivity measurement. For greater clarity, only two terminal contacts 18 and 20 are shown, of which one is the signal terminal contact 18 and the other the ground terminal contact 20, which are connected via leads to a voltage generator 22. The voltage present between the contacts 18 and 20 is detected by means of the voltage measuring apparatus 24, while a suitable current measuring unit 26 may be connected therebetween for current measurement. To detect conductivity, further terminal contacts are provided on the object under examination A in the vicinity of contacts 18 and 20, these being connected via leads to a voltage measuring apparatus and forming a receive unit (not illustrated). These additional terminal contacts allow detection of the locally varying potential differences generated by the transmit unit 16. It goes without saying that not only the transmit unit 16, the receive unit, the voltage measuring apparatus 24 and the current measuring unit 26 but also the voltage measuring apparatus of the receive unit, comprising the terminal contacts for detecting the transmit signals, may be connected to a microprocessor or computer for the purpose of control or processing of the data for suitable image display (indicated by leads 28). The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, the drawings and the claims may be fundamental to implementation of the invention in its various embodiments either individually or in any desired combination. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1 Device according to the invention 2 First arrangement 4 Terminal contacts 6 Transmit and receive unit 8 Second arrangement 10 Sub-zone with high magnetic field strength 12 Sub-zone with low magnetic field strength 14 Maxwell coil arrangement 16 Transmit unit 18 Signal terminal contact 20 Ground terminal contact 22 Voltage generator 24 Voltage measuring apparatus 26 Current measuring unit 28 Supply leads to a computer A Object under examination

20051011

20130910

20061026

70247.0

A61B5055

GUPTA, VANI

Device and method for examination and use of an electrical field in an object under examination containing magnetic particles

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61B

ACCEPTED

Portable electronic device capable of alternate data conveyance operations responsive to an invariable activation command

The portable electronic device (10) comprises an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device (12) operatively linked to the electronic circuit (14), with an invariable activation command being issued when the control device is triggered; first and second data conveyance functions programmed in the electronic circuit; a cue receiver (18) for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source (9) external to the portable electronic device; and a power connector or an internal power source (20) for providing power to the portable electronic device. In use, upon the control device being selectively triggered to issue the invariable activation command, the electronic circuit will accomplish the first data conveyance function if an activation cue was received by the cue receiver and the second data conveyance function if no cue was received by the cue receiver.

1. A portable electronic device, comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; a user interface device operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a data transceiver operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a cue receiver for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source external to said portable electronic device; a data conveyance switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit, said switching element being in an activated state upon an activation cue having been received by said cue receiver, and being in an inactive state when no activation cue was received by said cue receiver; and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command: if said switching element is in said activated state, a data exchange will be initiated through the instrumentality of said data transceiver for exchanging data between said electronic circuit and an external data exchange device; if said switching element is in said inactive state, data will be conveyed from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. 2. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein said user interface device is a display screen. 3. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein said data transceiver comprises a data transmitter and a data receiver distinct from said data transmitter. 4. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 3, wherein said cue receiver is said data receiver. 5. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein said control device is a biometric parameter detector. 6. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 5, wherein said biometric parameter detector is a fingerprint scanner capable of obtaining a fingerprint scan, and whereby said control device is triggered when the fingerprint scan matches a fingerprint image pre-saved in said electronic circuit. 7. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein said control device is a manually activated button, and whereby said control device is triggered when the button is pressed. 8. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit comprises said switching element. 9. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 8, wherein said electronic circuit comprises a microchip, and wherein said switching element is a series of instructions programmed onto said microchip. 10. A portable electronic device as defined in claim 1, wherein said switching element comprises a decisional logical circuit. 11. A data exchange system comprising: a data exchange device comprising a first electronic circuit, a first data transceiver and a cue emitter; and a portable electronic device, comprising: a second electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; a user interface device operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a second data transceiver operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a data conveyance switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit, said switching element being in an activated state upon an activation cue having been received by said cue receiver, and being in an inactive state when no activation cue was received by said cue receiver; and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command: if said switching element is in its activated state, a data exchange will occur between said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver, thereby exchanging data between said data exchange device and said portable electronic device; if said switching element is in its inactive state, data is forwarded to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. 12. A portable electronic device comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; first and second data conveyance functions programmed in said electronic circuit; a cue receiver for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source external to said portable electronic device; and power means, for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command, said electronic circuit will accomplish said first data conveyance function if an activation cue was received by said cue receiver and said second data conveyance function if no cue was received by said cue receiver. 13. A method for data exchange with a portable electronic device of the type comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output, a control device operatively linked to said circuit, a user interface device operatively linked to said circuit, communication ports operatively linked to said circuit, a switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit and being in a default inactive state, and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: awaiting for an activation cue to be received at a predetermined one of said communication ports; if an activation cue is received at one of said communication ports, changing the state of said switching element from its default inactive state to an activated state; and selectively triggering said control device to issue an invariable activation command, whereby said method will further comprise one of the two following steps: if said switching element is in its activated state, initiating a data exchange with an external data exchange device through at least one of said communication ports; and if said switching element is in its inactive state, conveying data from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. 14. A method as defined in claim 13, wherein said activation cue is received at one of said communication ports distinct from another one of said communication ports used for data exchange with the external data exchange device. 15. A method as defied in claim 13, wherein the additional following step occurs after selectively triggering said control device if said switching element is in said activated state: conveying data from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a portable electronic device capable of alternate data conveyance operations responsive to an invariable activation command. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional portable electronic or magnetic devices are used for many different applications. Such portable devices can be for example access devices such as keycards, identification devices, or credit or debit devices such as the so-called smart cards. Electronic identification devices are widely used by banks, credit companies, stores, to allow automated monetary transactions without the assistance of a bank teller. For conventional credit cards, a magnetic strip is encoded with a small amount of coded information identifying the cardholder, such as an identification code and a personal identification number (PIN). To access the information held by such cards after or during a transaction, a suitable transaction interface machine comprising an appropriate magnetic card reader is required. Transaction or other account-related information can be outputted on a display screen located on the transaction machine. Some prior art identification or transaction cards incorporate greater storage capacity and data processing means in the form of a microchip carried by the plastic main body of a smart card. These smart cards can store more data than standard magnetic cards. These cards, however, still require the use of a card reader interface machine to access the information comprised thereon, and a supplementary screen on the interface machine is required to view their content. Some prior art identification cards have been provided with an in-built display screen and an information decoder cooperating with each other to access, decode and visualize coded information comprised in a memory unit located on the card. These prior art devices, however, necessitate multiple controls thereon to accomplish different functions of the card. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; a user interface device operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a data transceiver operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a cue receiver for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source external to said portable electronic device; a data conveyance switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit, said switching element being in an activated state upon an activation cue having been received by said cue receiver, and being in an inactive state when no activation cue was received by said cue receiver; and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command: if said switching element is in said activated state, a data exchange will be initiated through the instrumentality of said data transceiver for exchanging data between said electronic circuit and an external data exchange device; if said switching element is in said inactive state, data will be conveyed from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. In one embodiment, said user interface device is a display screen. In one embodiment, wherein said data transceiver comprises a data transmitter and a data receiver distinct from said data transmitter. In one embodiment, said cue receiver is said data receiver. In one embodiment, said control device is a biometric parameter detector, such as a fingerprint scanner capable of obtaining a fingerprint scan, whereby said control device is triggered when the fingerprint scan matches a fingerprint image pre-saved in said electronic circuit. In one embodiment, said control device is a button, and said control device is triggered when the button is pressed. In one embodiment, said electronic circuit comprises said switching element. In one embodiment, said electronic circuit comprises a microchip, and wherein said switching element is a series of instructions programmed onto said microchip. In one embodiment, said switching element comprises a decisional logical circuit. The invention also relates to a data exchange system comprising: a data exchange device comprising a first electronic circuit, a first data transceiver and a cue emitter; and a portable electronic device, comprising: a second electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; a user interface device operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a second data transceiver operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a data conveyance switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit, said switching element being in an activated state upon an activation cue having been received by said cue receiver, and being in an inactive state when no activation cue was received by said cue receiver; and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command: if said switching element is in its activated state, a data exchange will occur between said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver, thereby exchanging data between said data exchange device and said portable electronic device; if said switching element is in its inactive state, data is forwarded to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. The invention further relates to a portable electronic device comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; first and second data conveyance functions programmed in said electronic circuit; a cue receiver for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source external to said portable electronic device; and power means, for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command, said electronic circuit will accomplish said first data conveyance function if an activation cue was received by said cue receiver and said second data conveyance function if no cue was received by said cue receiver. The invention also relates to a method for data exchange with a portable electronic device of the type comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output, a control device operatively linked to said circuit, a user interface device operatively linked to said circuit, communication ports operatively linked to said circuit, a switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit and being in a default inactive state, and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: awaiting for an activation cue to be received at a predetermined one of said communication ports; if an activation cue is received at one of said communication ports, changing the state of said switching element from its default inactive state to an activated state; and selectively triggering said control device to issue an invariable activation command, whereby said method will further comprise one of the two following steps: if said switching element is in its activated state, initiating a data exchange with an external data exchange device through at least one of said communication ports; and if said switching element is in its inactive state, conveying data from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. In one embodiment, said activation cue is received at one of said communication ports distinct from another one of said communication ports used for data exchange with the external data exchange device. In one embodiment, the additional following step occurs after selectively triggering said control device if said switching element is in said activated state: conveying data from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the annexed drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a data exchange system, showing a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention and a data exchange device, and further suggesting in dotted lines a communication link being established between the portable electronic device and the data exchange device; FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic view of the portable electronic device of FIG. 1, showing the electronic circuit thereof in greater detail; and FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a portable electronic device according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention cooperating with an alternate corresponding data exchange device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a data exchange system 8 comprising a portable electronic device 10 according to the present invention and a data exchange device 9. Portable electronic device 10 can be used for example for monetary transactions or identification purposes. Device 10 comprises a rigid or semi-rigid main body 11 on which are operatively mounted: a control device 12, an electronic circuit 14, a display screen 16, a transceiver 18 and power means 20. Main body 11 can be made from a plastic material for example. As illustrated in FIG. 2, electronic circuit 14 comprises a central unit 40 cooperating with a memory unit 42 and an Input/Output (I/O) controller 44. I/O controller 44 comprises I/O ports 44a and a data forwarding switching element 44b. I/O ports 44a handle the inputting and outputting of the data, and switching element 44b directs the data flow towards an appropriate destination, as detailed hereinafter. Central unit 40 is operatively linked to I/O controller 44. Central unit 40 is able to process data electronically stored in memory unit 42, and is further capable of storing data thereon. Central unit 40 collaborates with I/O controller 44, and is capable of processing data incoming therefrom and of sending data thereto in order for this data to be appropriately outputted to components operatively connected to I/O controller 44. Memory unit 42 of circuit 14 can comprise pre-stored data thereon. For example, this pre-stored data may comprise data related to the cardholder, such as the cardholder's name, address, his bank balance, his date of birth, or any other desired information. In one embodiment, the pre-stored data can further comprise validation data about the cardholder that will be used to authenticate the user, for example a personal identification number (PIN) or a fingerprint image. In another embodiment, the pre-stored data comprises electronic money usable to purchase goods and services according to known electronic wallet transaction methods. Electronic circuit 14 comprises three essential functions: processing data, storing data, and inputting and outputting data to other components. The diagram of FIG. 2 shows a specific layout of operational blocks comprised within electronic circuit 14 and cooperating with each other to provide these three functions thereto. It is understood that alternate schematic circuit layouts could illustrate these three functions without departing from the scope of the present invention. Electronic circuit 14 is operatively connected through the instrumentality of its I/O controller 44 to control device 12, screen 16 and transceiver 18. In one embodiment, electronic circuit 14 is a programmable microchip, as found on smart cards. Screen 16 is capable of displaying information transferred thereto from electronic circuit 14 through the instrumentality of I/O controller 44. Display screen 16 can be a LCD (liquid crystal display) screen embedded into main body 11 of the device. In one embodiment of the present invention, screen 16 is replaced with another user interface device, for example a speaker with voice emission software which would transform information forwarded thereto to speech understandable by the portable electronic device holder. Control device 12 can be any suitable device allowing the portable electronic device holder to selectively trigger a data conveyance operation as detailed hereinafter. Control device 12 can be for example a single manually activated button provided on the portable electronic device main body 11 (as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) which, when pressed, issues an activation command that triggers a particular data conveyance as described hereinbelow. Alternatively, control device 12 can include validation means such as a biometric parameter detector, for example a fingerprint scanner capable of obtaining a fingerprint image, which can be compared by central unit 40 to a fingerprint image pre-saved in memory unit 42. A fingerprint image match would validate that the user of portable electronic device 10 is authorized to use the latter, and then trigger the data conveyance operation. In another alternate embodiment, control device 12 could include validation means in the form of a keypad allowing the portable electronic device holder to type in a personal identification number (PIN) which will be compared by central unit 40 to a PIN pre-saved in memory unit 42, with a PIN match validating the portable electronic device user and triggering the data conveyance operation. In yet another embodiment, control device 12 is a validation button required to be pressed and on which a fingerprint scanner is provided: the card holder may thus concurrently apply his fingerprint on the scanner and press on the button to respectively validate and trigger the data conveyance operation. Any other suitable control device may be used. Generally, control device 12 is considered to be triggered when the portable electronic device holder has successfully accomplished the necessary steps for control device 12 to issue an activation command, for example when the PIN or fingerprint scan was authenticated, or when the validation button was pressed, or when the button was pressed while the fingerprint scan was authenticated. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, control device 12 and LCD screen 16 can be replaced with a single touch-screen display, whereby information can be outputted, and whereby validation information can be captured. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a communication link can be established between the electronic device transceiver 18 and the transceiver 9a of data exchange device 9. Data exchange device 9 can be any sort of data exchange device comprising an electronic circuit (not shown) therein and a data transceiver 9a therein able to cooperate with transceiver 18 of device 10. In one embodiment, data exchange device 9 is another portable electronic device 10. Data exchange device 10 can alternately be a computer, an interface machine such as an automatic teller machine, or any other suitable data exchange device. The communication link can be a contact or contactless link, for example an infrared or radio wave communication link. Thus, the electronic device transceiver 18 can be any suitable emitting and receiving device capable of communication with the data exchange device transceiver 9a. In an embodiment wherein circuit 14 is a microchip similar to the ones found on smart cards, transceiver 18 could include a series of electrical contacts located on the surface of the microchip destined to cooperate with a corresponding type of electronic device reader, as known in the art. Transceiver 18 is also a cue receiver, whereby an activation cue can be received by electronic device 10 from data exchange device transceiver 9a. This activation cue is in the form of a data communication of a specific type which will be recognized by electronic device 10 as an activation cue, for example a predetermined bit sequence. Switching element 44b can be any type of device allowing data to be conveyed according to alternate data conveyance operations in response to an activation cue being received by transceiver 18 or not, as described hereinafter. According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, electronic circuit 14 comprises switching element 44b. In an embodiment wherein electronic circuit 14 comprises a microchip, switching element 44b can be a series of instructions programmed onto the microchip whereby the data conveyance operation will be automatically executed according to whether or not an activation cue was received by transceiver 18. Alternately, switching element 44b can comprise a decisional logical circuit. Generally, switching element 44b can be a physical structure, a virtual program, or both. According to the invention, at any given time, switching element 44b will consequently be in either one of the two following states: a) an activated state wherein an activation cue was received by transceiver 18; or b) an inactive state wherein no activation cue was received by transceiver 18. By default, switching element 44b is in its inactive state. Power means 20 can be any type of power source suitable for providing power to the portable electronic device components that require power, or for receiving power from an external source to re-distribute it to the portable electronic device components that require power. For example, power means 20 can be a battery, or a connector destined to be engaged by a corresponding external connector linked to a power source. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2, power means 20 is illustrated as being connected to all the portable electronic device components; it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that power means 20 could be connected only to one or a few components that require a power source to operate, depending on the exact nature of portable electronic device 10 and of each of its components. In use, upon control device 12 being selectively triggered by the portable electronic device holder, an activation command will be issued by control device 12 to electronic circuit 14, in reaction to which data will be conveyed within portable electronic device 10, and possibly additionally conveyed to and from portable electronic device 10, according to a pre-determined data conveyance operation. The exact nature of this data conveyance operation will depend on the state of switching element 44b. More particularly, if no activation cue is received by portable electronic device 10, then switching element remains in its inactive state. Upon control device 12 being selectively triggered by the portable electronic device holder, data will be forwarded from electronic circuit 14 to user interface device 16, for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. However, upon an activation cue being received by portable electronic device 10, switching element 44b switches to its activated state. If control device 12 is selectively triggered by the portable electronic device holder while switching element 44b is in this activated state, a data exchange will be initiated between portable electronic device 10 and the external data exchange device 9. This data exchange may be in the form of a data download from electronic device 10 to data exchange device 9, of a data upload to electronic device 10 from data exchange device 9, or of a data download and a data upload—with this last alternative being the most likely in many applications. Thus, upon control device 12 being selectively triggered to issue an activation command by the portable electronic device holder, one of two alternate data conveyance operations will be initiated within portable electronic device 10. In the case where no activation cue was received by portable electronic device 10, data will be communicated to the portable electronic device holder by means of user interface device 16. However, if an activation cue was previously received by portable electronic device 10, a data exchange will be initiated between portable electronic device 10 and data exchange device 9. It is noted that, according to the present invention, the activation command issued when control device 12 is triggered, is an invariable activation command. That is to say that the portable electronic device holder will not be able to select to issue different activation commands by means of control device 12 depending on whether the user considers that a data exchange operation should be accomplished with an external data exchange device 9, or whether the user wishes to display information on screen 16 on the basis of data stored in memory 42. The same invariable activation command will thus be issued upon control device 12 being triggered, and it is the state of switching element 44b, resulting from the receipt or non-receipt of an activation cue by portable electronic device 10, that will be decisive as to the type of data conveyance that will occur. It is further noted that the above-mentioned triggering of control device 12 may comprise a single step, such as pressing a single button, or more than one step, such as pressing a button and concurrently applying one's fingerprint on a fingerprint scanner provided over the button, or typing in a PIN on a keypad provided on the portable electronic device. However, this control device triggering operation is accomplished in a same manner notwithstanding whether a data exchange between portable electronic device 10 and an external data exchange device 9 is to be accomplished, or whether a data conveyance occurs exclusively within portable electronic device 10, between electronic circuit 14 and screen 16. Consequently, it can be said that control device 12 will issue an invariable activation command when it is triggered, even if control device 12 may include more than one button, biometric parameter detector, etc. . . . that need to be concurrently or sequentially activated for control device 12 to issue a single, invariable activation command. Of course, this single invariable activation command will trigger alternate data conveyance operations responsively to the reception or non-reception of an activation cue, so ulterior alternate commands within electronic circuit 14 will occur depending on the data conveyance operation type, but the initial activation command will not depend on the reception or non-reception of an activation cue. One example of a particular application of the present invention is the use of a portable electronic device 10 as a quick payment means, such as for paying public transportation fares. In such a case, data exchange device 9 would represent the payment debit machine, and portable electronic device 10 would be a payment card with pre-stored electronic money thereon. When the cardholder would want to use the public transportation services, he would approach the area of access to public transportation where a debit machine 9 would be provided. Debit machine 9 would continuously, or at regular time intervals, or when prompted to do so, emit an activation cue in the form of a predetermined contactless data transmission. Upon the cardholder approaching his payment card within a range allowing it to receive the activation cue from the debit machine, he could then trigger his control device 12 whereby a data exchange in the form of an electronic money transaction would occur between the payment card 10 and the debit machine 9. This data exchange could include any type of information required for electronic money transactions, as known in the art. For example, the following data exchange could occur, in addition to the reception of the activation cue: a message is sent from portable electronic device 10 to debit machine 9 to inquire as to the fare for passage; the fare for passage is transferred from debit machine 9 to payment card 10; after verification by the card electronic circuit 14 that the card memory 42 still stores a sufficient amount of electronic money, payment card 10 then sends a right-of-passage message to data exchange device 9; and debit machine 9 sends a confirmation of right-of-passage to payment card 10, the latter then debiting the passage fare from the total electronic money amount stored in the card memory 42. Debit machine 9 also sends the required information to an exterior passage control device to allow passage of the cardholder to the public transportation services. If, on the other hand, control device 12 is triggered at any time when switching element 44b is in its inactive state, i.e. not within the activation cue emission range of a public transportation service debit machine 9, then data from electronic circuit 14 will be sent to display screen 16 to display the total amount of electronic money remaining in card memory 42. No data exchange with an external debit machine would then be attempted by card 10. Thus, in the above example, upon triggering control device 12, an invariable activation command would be issued that would result in two different possible data conveyance operations: if an activation cue has been previously received from a nearby debit machine 9, payment for right-of-passage would be made to allow the cardholder to use the public transportation services; on the other hand, if no activation cue has been previously received from a debit machine 9, then verification of the electronic money amount stored on the card memory 42 would be made. Portable electronic device 10 could also have a plethora of other alternate purposes. For example, portable identification device 10 could be used as an electronic passport. This passport, when its control device is triggered, could be used to transmit identification data of the electronic passport owner to a data exchange device 9 if an activation cue has been received by the electronic passport, or to simply display this information on the display screen of the electronic passport if no activation cue has been received by the electronic passport. The present invention is thus particularly advantageous, in that the portable electronic device holder needs only trigger control device 12 to issue an invariable activation command, for either the data exchange or the data display to occur. By means of the switching element 44b and transceiver 18 acting as a cue receiver, both located on portable electronic device 10, the proper data conveyance within portable transaction device will occur automatically upon this invariable activation command being issued. Thus, no alternate controls need to be provided on the portable electronic device 10. However, in one embodiment, other controls could be provided on portable electronic device 10 for accomplishing additional actions with portable electronic device 10. It is noted that the data downloaded to an external data exchange device 9 during a data exchange therewith, and the data conveyed internally from electronic circuit 14 to display screen 16, may be the same data (as is the case in the above example of the electronic passport) or different data (as is the case in the above example of the payment card), depending on the purpose of portable electronic device 10. The state of switching element 44b may be reset to its default inactive state upon one or more pre-determined conditions being met. In the embodiment where electronic circuit 14 is a microchip, these conditions may be programmed therein. For example, electronic circuit 14 may send a reset command to switching element 44b at regular time intervals, or a certain amount of time after switching element 44b has switched to its activated state. According to one embodiment, when switching element 44b is in its activated state, upon selective triggering of control device 12, in addition to a data exchange occurring with an external data exchange device, an internal data conveyance from electronic circuit 14 to display screen 16 would also occur. Thus, according to this embodiment, an internal data conveyance would not be exclusive to the inactive state of switching element 44b, while a data exchange with an external data exchange device would be exclusive to the activated state of switching element 44b. In the above example of the payment card, this alternative of the invention would have the remaining amount of electronic money in the payment card displayed concurrently when a passage fare is paid with the card. FIG. 3 shows an alternate data exchange system 8′ comprising an alternate embodiment of a portable electronic device 10′ and an alternate data exchange device 9′, wherein elements that are similar to those of the first embodiment have primed reference numerals. Portable electronic device 10′ includes a transceiver that comprises multiple communication ports, namely a data transmitter 18a, a data receiver 18b, and a cue receiver 19. Data transmitter 18a and data receiver 18b could use distinct communication modes. For example, transmitter 18a could be a radio wave transmitter, and receiver 18b could be an infrared wave receiver. Cue receiver 19, which is distinct from data receiver 18b in the embodiment of FIG. 3, can be of any type suitable for receiving an activation cue from data exchange device 9′. Data exchange device 9′ is equipped with a corresponding cue emitter 9b. For example, cue emitter 9b can be a data transmission device emitting data by means of a different medium than that used by data receiver 18b—for example cue emitter 9b can emit radio waves while data transceiver 9a could be capable of emitting and receiving infrared waves. Cue receiver 19 could alternately comprise electrical contacts that would cooperate with corresponding electrical contacts 9b. In one embodiment, cue receiver 19 could be a button to be engaged by an automated finger device (the cue emitter 9b) in a slot of the data exchange device in which portable electronic device 10 is to be inserted. In any event, cue receiver 19 represents any suitable structure capable of receiving an activation cue from data exchange device 9, for indicating a data exchange opportunity between portable electronic device 10′ and data exchange device 9′. Any further modification, which does not deviate from the scope of the present invention, is considered to be included therein.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Conventional portable electronic or magnetic devices are used for many different applications. Such portable devices can be for example access devices such as keycards, identification devices, or credit or debit devices such as the so-called smart cards. Electronic identification devices are widely used by banks, credit companies, stores, to allow automated monetary transactions without the assistance of a bank teller. For conventional credit cards, a magnetic strip is encoded with a small amount of coded information identifying the cardholder, such as an identification code and a personal identification number (PIN). To access the information held by such cards after or during a transaction, a suitable transaction interface machine comprising an appropriate magnetic card reader is required. Transaction or other account-related information can be outputted on a display screen located on the transaction machine. Some prior art identification or transaction cards incorporate greater storage capacity and data processing means in the form of a microchip carried by the plastic main body of a smart card. These smart cards can store more data than standard magnetic cards. These cards, however, still require the use of a card reader interface machine to access the information comprised thereon, and a supplementary screen on the interface machine is required to view their content. Some prior art identification cards have been provided with an in-built display screen and an information decoder cooperating with each other to access, decode and visualize coded information comprised in a memory unit located on the card. These prior art devices, however, necessitate multiple controls thereon to accomplish different functions of the card.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to a portable electronic device, comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; a user interface device operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a data transceiver operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a cue receiver for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source external to said portable electronic device; a data conveyance switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit, said switching element being in an activated state upon an activation cue having been received by said cue receiver, and being in an inactive state when no activation cue was received by said cue receiver; and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command: if said switching element is in said activated state, a data exchange will be initiated through the instrumentality of said data transceiver for exchanging data between said electronic circuit and an external data exchange device; if said switching element is in said inactive state, data will be conveyed from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. In one embodiment, said user interface device is a display screen. In one embodiment, wherein said data transceiver comprises a data transmitter and a data receiver distinct from said data transmitter. In one embodiment, said cue receiver is said data receiver. In one embodiment, said control device is a biometric parameter detector, such as a fingerprint scanner capable of obtaining a fingerprint scan, whereby said control device is triggered when the fingerprint scan matches a fingerprint image pre-saved in said electronic circuit. In one embodiment, said control device is a button, and said control device is triggered when the button is pressed. In one embodiment, said electronic circuit comprises said switching element. In one embodiment, said electronic circuit comprises a microchip, and wherein said switching element is a series of instructions programmed onto said microchip. In one embodiment, said switching element comprises a decisional logical circuit. The invention also relates to a data exchange system comprising: a data exchange device comprising a first electronic circuit, a first data transceiver and a cue emitter; and a portable electronic device, comprising: a second electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; a user interface device operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a second data transceiver operatively linked to said electronic circuit; a data conveyance switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit, said switching element being in an activated state upon an activation cue having been received by said cue receiver, and being in an inactive state when no activation cue was received by said cue receiver; and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command: if said switching element is in its activated state, a data exchange will occur between said first data transceiver and said second data transceiver, thereby exchanging data between said data exchange device and said portable electronic device; if said switching element is in its inactive state, data is forwarded to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. The invention further relates to a portable electronic device comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output; a control device operatively linked to said electronic circuit, with an invariable activation command being issued when said control device is triggered; first and second data conveyance functions programmed in said electronic circuit; a cue receiver for receiving a selectively emitted activation cue from a source external to said portable electronic device; and power means, for providing power to said portable electronic device; wherein upon said control device being selectively triggered to issue said invariable activation command, said electronic circuit will accomplish said first data conveyance function if an activation cue was received by said cue receiver and said second data conveyance function if no cue was received by said cue receiver. The invention also relates to a method for data exchange with a portable electronic device of the type comprising: an electronic circuit capable of storing data therein, capable of processing data, and capable of data input and output, a control device operatively linked to said circuit, a user interface device operatively linked to said circuit, communication ports operatively linked to said circuit, a switching element operatively linked to said electronic circuit and being in a default inactive state, and power means for providing power to said portable electronic device, said method comprising the steps of: awaiting for an activation cue to be received at a predetermined one of said communication ports; if an activation cue is received at one of said communication ports, changing the state of said switching element from its default inactive state to an activated state; and selectively triggering said control device to issue an invariable activation command, whereby said method will further comprise one of the two following steps: if said switching element is in its activated state, initiating a data exchange with an external data exchange device through at least one of said communication ports; and if said switching element is in its inactive state, conveying data from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder. In one embodiment, said activation cue is received at one of said communication ports distinct from another one of said communication ports used for data exchange with the external data exchange device. In one embodiment, the additional following step occurs after selectively triggering said control device if said switching element is in said activated state: conveying data from said electronic circuit to said user interface device for communicating information to the portable electronic device holder.

20060227

20091208

20061123

61090.0

G09G318

HESS, DANIEL A

PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE CAPABLE OF ALTERNATE DATA CONVEYANCE OPERATIONS RESPONSIVE TO AN INVARIABLE ACTIVATION COMMAND

SMALL

ACCEPTED

G09G

ACCEPTED

Low-mycotoxin coffee cherry products

A coffee cherry is harvested, preferably in a sub-ripe state, and quick-dried to provide a basis for numerous nutritional products. Such coffee cherries and portions thereof may be particularly characterized by their extremely low concentration of mycotoxins, including various aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxins, and/or vomitoxin (DON, deoxynivalenol).

1. A food product that comprises a preparation of a coffee cherry that is quick-dried such that a mycotoxin level of the coffee cherry is less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins. 2. The food product of claim 1 wherein the preparation of the coffee cherry comprises a ground fragment of the coffee cherry. 3. The food product of claim 2 wherein the preparation of the coffee cherry comprises an extract from a ground fragment of the coffee cherry. 4. The food product of claim 1 wherein the preparation of the coffee cherry comprises at least one of a bean of the coffee cherry, a pulp of the coffee cherry, a mucilage of the coffee cherry, and a hull of the coffee cherry. 5. The food product of claim 1 wherein the preparation of the coffee cherry comprises an extract from at least one of a bean of the coffee cherry, a pulp of the coffee cherry, a mucilage of the coffee cherry, and a hull of the coffee cherry. 6. The food product of claim 1 wherein the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry and has a primarily green color with less than 25% red color. 7. The food product of claim 1 wherein the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry and has a primarily red color with less than 25% green color. 8. The food product of claim 1 wherein the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry and has a primarily red color with less than 5% blemished area. 9. The food product of claim 1 wherein the coffee cherry is quick-dried in a dryer using heated air. 10. The food product of claim 1 wherein the coffee cherry is quick-dried in a dryer using solar radiation. 11. The food product of claim 1 wherein the coffee cherry is quick dried by exposing the coffee cherry to at least one of ambient air and sun light. 12. The food product of claim 1 wherein the food product is a tea brewed from the coffee cherry. 13. The food product of claim 1 wherein the food product is a beverage comprising an extract of the coffee cherry. 14. The food product of claim 1 wherein the food product is nutritional supplement in liquid or solid form and comprising an extract of the coffee cherry. 15. A tea that is brewed from a comminuted quick-dried coffee cherry or portion thereof. 16. The tea of claim 15 wherein the coffee cherry has a mycotoxin level of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins. 17. The tea of claim 16 having a polyphenol concentration of at least 10 mg/oz. 18. The tea of claim 15 wherein the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry. 19. A quick-dried coffee cherry or portion thereof that has a mycotoxin level of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins. 20. The quick-dried coffee cherry of claim 19 wherein the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is food products, and especially food products prepared from whole quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries, or fragments/portions thereof. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various parts of the coffee tree have been used for nutritional purposes for a relatively long time (see e.g., Pendergrast, M. Uncommon Grounds. Basic Books: New York, 1999). For example, coffee tree leaves and fresh, ripe coffee cherries were boiled to make tea. In other examples, the pulp of the coffee cherry can be fermented to produce wine as described in Chinese Patent CN 1021949. In a still further well known example, the seeds (i.e., the beans) of the coffee tree are extracted from the cherry, dried, roasted, ground, and extracted with hot water to provide the beverage that many users enjoy as coffee. Unfortunately, coffee cherries, and especially the pulp and husk tend to rapidly spoil in the presence of molds, fungi, and other microorganisms, and therefore contain almost always significant levels of mycotoxins (see e.g., Pittet, A., Tornare, D., Huggett, A., Viani, R. Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Ochratoxin A in Pure and Adulterated Soluble Coffee Using anf Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup Procedure. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1996, 44, 3564-3569; or Bucheli, P., Kanchanomai, C., Meyer I., Pittet, A. Development of Ochratoxin A during Robusta (Coffea canephora) Coffee Cherry Drying. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2000, 48, 1358-1362). Thus, beverages produced from the coffee pulp, husk, mucilage, and/or whole coffee cherry generally failed to find acceptance as beverage ingredients (Although one product is advertised as “coffee cherry tea” [http://www.paradiserelocation.com/paradisetogo/foodproducts.htm], the product is actually made from coffee cherry pulp and was recently determined to have substantial quantities of mycotoxins). Even in situations where the pulp, mucilage, and hull is removed, mycotoxins may still be present on and/or in the coffee bean. Consequently, considerable efforts have been undertaken to detoxify coffee beans and other food products. For example, where the mycotoxin is already present in the food product, selected mycotoxins can be extracted from the food product using various solvents and procedures as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,756 to Canella et al. On the other hand, various mycotoxins can be adsorbed from the food product onto a mineral carrier as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,623 to Alonso-Debolt. In still other methods, selected mycotoxins can be degraded using enzymes as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,820 to Duvick et al. The inventors in the '820 reference even contemplate that the genes encoding for such enzymes may be cloned to produce transgenic plants that are then thought to be less contaminated with mycotoxins. Alternatively, microorganisms may be employed to destroy enzymatically mycotoxins found in food products as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,188 to Duvick et al. Where mycotoxins are not yet produced by a microorganism present on a plant or other food stuff, pesticides or other compositions that control microbial growth or production of mycotoxins in microorganisms may be employed. For example, Emerson et al. describe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,794 use of a saponin as a synergist to control colonization and/or growth of plant and animal pathogens. Alternatively, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,606 to Bland, propionic acid on a carrier may be employed as a diffusible growth inhibitor for various microorganisms. Further known compositions (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,599 to Subbiah or U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,323 to Leary) may be employed to suppress or at least reduce synthesis of mycotoxins in a microorganism. Alternatively, mycotoxin-containing food products may be blended with uncontaminated food products to a concentration that is acceptable and/or below the maximum allowable amount of mycotoxins in food products (see e.g., Herrman, T. and Trigo-Stockli, D.; Mycotoxins in Feed Grains and Ingredients; Kansas State University, May 2002), or (at least potentially) mycotoxin-containing coffee cherry products may be employed in a non-food product. In still other uses, the mycotoxin content may not be considered relevant as the coffee cherry product is incinerated and thus the mycotoxins are at least partially destroyed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,752, GB 2026839, or CA 1104410. Here, the inventor teaches that the coffee cherries may be compressed, dehydrated, ground, and roasted to yield a smokable product. However, while most of the known methods reduce the concentration of mycotoxins to at least some degree, numerous disadvantages remain. Among other things, additional processing steps will require dedicated equipment, thereby increasing processing time and costs. Moreover, and especially where pesticides and/or fungicides are used, new problems with residual toxic chemicals may arise. Thus, despite numerous beneficial properties of coffee cherries and its components, whole coffee cherries are generally not used as food products as mycotoxins are typically present in substantial quantities in the ripe and overripe fruit. Therefore, there is still a need to provide improved methods and compositions for coffee cherries, and especially for products comprising coffee cherries with low or no mycotoxin content for human and veterinary consumption. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to compositions and methods that include quick-dried (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherries or portions thereof, wherein the coffee cherries are substantially devoid of, or have a very low content of mycotoxins. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a food product comprises a preparation of a coffee cherry that is quick-dried such that a mycotoxin level of the coffee cherry is less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins. Preferred preparations in such food products include the bean, pulp, mucilage, and/or hull of the quick-dried coffee cherry, or ground fragments of the coffee cherry, or an extract thereof. It is further preferred that the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry. Preferred food products include a tea brewed from the quick-dried (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherries, or a beverage comprising an extract of the coffee cherry. Alternatively, suitable food products also include nutritional supplements in liquid or solid form comprising an extract of the coffee cherry. Contemplated sub-ripe coffee cherries have a primarily green color with less than 25% red color, more preferably a primarily red color with less than 25% green color, and even more preferably a primarily red color with less than 5% blemished area. The (sub-ripe) coffee cherries may be quick-dried using various methods, however, it is generally preferred that the coffee cherries are quick dried using heated air or exposure to sun and/or ambient air. In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a tea is brewed from a comminuted or ground quick-dried (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherry or portion thereof, wherein the coffee cherry has a mycotoxin level of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins, and preferably has a polyphenol concentration of at least 10 mg/oz (most preferably at a chlorogenic acid to caffeine ratio of at least 2.7). Thus, viewed from another perspective, it is contemplated that a quick-dried coffee cherry or portion thereof has a mycotoxin level of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins, preferably having a chlorogenic acid content of at least 2% (wt/wt) and a polyphenol content of at least 3.2% (wt/wt). Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The inventors have discovered that low-mycotoxin or even mycotoxin-free tea and other food products may be produced from whole, substantially non-damaged coffee cherries that are preferably picked at a sub-ripe stage, and wherein the coffee cherry is quick-dried after harvest. Among other advantages, the inventors discovered that such coffee cherries significantly reduce the likelihood of infestation of the coffee cherry with mold and fungi known to produce mycotoxins. Still further, the inventors discovered that sub-ripe coffee cherries (in contrast to completely unripe coffee cherries) provide a desirable level of flavor and an aroma profile in the coffee cherry product (e.g., coffee cherry tea) as well as relatively high levels of polyphenols, polysaccharides, and other nutrients. The term “food product” as used herein refers to any product that is ingested by a human and/or animal for nutritional, health-maintenance, health-improvement, and/or recreational purpose. Particularly preferred food products include those consumed by human, wherein such food products may be solid products (e.g., dietary supplement, snack bar, bagged tea, etc.) or liquid products (e.g., tea or other beverage, syrup or elixir, etc.). As also used herein, the term “coffee cherry” refers to the fruit of the coffee tree (Coffea spec., Family Rubiaceae) in which exocarp and outer mesocarp (i.e., the pulp) surround the inner mesocarp (i.e. the mucilage) and endocarp (i.e., the hull), which in turn surround the seeds (i.e., the beans). Thus, the term coffee cherry specifically refers to a whole coffee cherry, which may or may not include the stem of the cherry. The term “sub-ripe coffee cherry” refers to a coffee cherry that has not yet reached the ripe stage, which is generally characterized by susceptibility to or presence of a fungal infection and/or presence of mycotoxins. Thus, a sub-ripe coffee cherry is at a ripeness stage in which the coffee cherry—when quick-dried—will exhibit mycotoxin levels that are below 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, below 5 ppm for total fumonisins, below 5 ppm for total vomitoxins, and below 5 ppb for ochratoxins. Consequently, quick-dried coffee cherries are typically dried within 0-48 hours (and more preferably between 6-24 hours) of the harvest such that the residual water content is no higher than 20% (wt/wt), and more typically no higher than 6-12% (wt/wt). Viewed from an other perspective, sub-ripe coffee cherries generally have a complete or almost complete (at least 95% of the cherry) red color (or in some cases yellow color), and typically include various surface defects (e.g., blemishes, cuts, and/or holes covering an area of more than 5% of the cherry). Thus, a sub-ripe coffee cherry will typically exhibit at least some green color (at least 5%, more typically at least 10%) and will typically be free of any surface defects (e.g., blemishes, cuts, and/or holes covering an area of less than 5% of the cherry). Sub-ripe coffee cherries may also be characterized in that they will remain on the coffee tree for a subsequent round of picking where the coffee cherries are hand picked and used for the production of coffee beans. Alternatively, a color sorting machine with CCD equipment may be employed to identify and select sub-ripe coffee cherries on a quantitative color basis where the coffee cherries are mass-harvested and automatically sorted. It should further be appreciated that while many of the following aspects and examples employ coffee cherries in a sub-ripe state, completely ripe coffee cherries are also contemplated suitable herein, especially where such ripe coffee cherries are substantially devoid of surface damage (i.e., no more than 5% of surface area) or microbial infection (i.e., infestation that results in mycotoxin levels of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins, less than 5 ppm for total vomitoxins, and less than 5 ppb for ochratoxins on a dry weight basis). Thus, all contemplated food products and/or coffee cherries may comprise completely ripe as well as sub-ripe coffee cherries in varying proportions. For example, suitable proportions include 100% ripe: 0% sub-ripe, preferably 90% ripe: 10% sub-ripe, more preferably 75% ripe: 25% sub-ripe, even more preferably 50% ripe: 50% sub-ripe, and most preferably less than 25% ripe: more than 75% sub-ripe. As further used herein, the term “quick-dried” coffee cherry means that the whole coffee cherry is dried under a protocol that limits growth of molds, fungi, and/or yeast to an extent such that the dried coffee cherry will exhibit mycotoxin levels that are below 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, below 5 ppm for total fumonisins, below 5 ppm for total vomitoxins, and below 5 ppb for ochratoxins. Consequently, quick-dried coffee cherries are typically dried within 0-48 hours (and more preferably between 6-24 hours) of the harvest such that the residual water content is no higher than 20% (wt/wt), and more typically no higher than 6-12% (wt/wt). As still further used herein, the term “mycotoxin” refers to any toxic product formed in a mold, fungus, and/or yeast that exhibits significant toxicity to a human or animal when ingested. Thus, specifically contemplated mycotoxins include aflatoxins (and particularly B1, B2, G1, and G2), fumonisins (and particularly B1, B2, and B3), ochratoxin, deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin), T-2 toxin, and zearalenone. The term “total aflatoxins” therefore refers to the sum of all aflatoxin variants, the term “total fumonisins” refers to the sum of all fumonisin variants, and the term “total ochratoxins” therefore refers to the sum of all ochratoxin variants. In one exemplary aspect of the inventive subject matter, whole undamaged sub-ripe (e.g. semi ripe or almost ripe) coffee cherries are hand picked and within about one hour quick-dried using a dry air drier at about 140° F. until constant weight is obtained. The so obtained coffee cherries typically possess significant storage stability, high resistance to infection by fungi, and lower shipping weight than wet cherry. It is generally contemplated that the sub-ripe coffee cherries may be derived from various sources, and the particular use of the sub-ripe coffee cherries will at least in part determine the particular source(s). However, it is preferred that the sub-ripe coffee cherries are derived from a single coffee species (e.g., coffea arabica), which is cultivated under similar growth conditions (e.g., shade-grown). Among other advantages, it is contemplated that a single source of coffee cherries will facilitate quick-drying the sub-ripe coffee cherries. It should be recognized, however, that once the sub-ripe coffee cherries are quick-dried, various coffee species and/or coffee cherries from various growth conditions may be blended to achieve a mixture with particularly preferred characteristics. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that depending on the particular product or use for the coffee cherry, the degree of ripeness of the coffee cherry may vary considerably. For example, where extraction of polyphenols and/or chlorogenic acid from the whole coffee cherry is desired, semi-ripe (stage 1 or stage 2) coffee cherries may be used. On the other hand, where the coffee cherry is used for the production of a coffee cherry tea and flavor and aroma are paramount, almost ripe coffee cherries may be picked. In still further contemplated aspects, unripe coffee cherries, or any reasonable mixtures of varying ripeness degrees may be used. Especially where the coffee cherry is a ripe coffee cherry, it is contemplated that the whole cherry is preferably free of surface defects, including cracks, splits, holes, or other openings. However, while not preferred, coffee cherries with surface defects may also be used. While not limiting to the inventive subject matter, it is generally preferred that the sub-ripe coffee cherries (or coffee cherry mixtures) are washed with water or other aqueous solution (e.g., diluted hypochlorite solution) to remove soil particles and other debris before drying. Quick-drying is preferably performed immediately after picking to up to about two days after picking until a constant weight is obtained (or until the outer pulp of the cherry has dried). Thus, and depending on the particular heat source available, it is generally preferred that quick-drying is performed at a temperature of about 100° to about 180° F. for a period of about 6-48 hours. For example, where electrical (or other) energy is readily available, the sub-ripe coffee cherries may be dried in a warm air drier in a stationary or rotating drum, or in a refractance window drying process. Alternatively, the sub-ripe coffee cherries may also be freeze dried. On the other hand, and especially where energy sources are not readily available, the sub-ripe coffee cherries may be sun dried. However, regardless of the particular drying method, it should be recognized that the sub-ripe coffee cherries are quick-dried to prevent production of mycotoxins from fungi, molds, and/or yeast that are already present and/or colonize (e.g., via infection or sporulation) the coffee cherry. Thus, sub-ripe coffee cherries are advantageously dried on a surface that is clean and free of sources of mycotoxin contamination. In further alternative aspects of the inventive subject matter, the sub-ripe coffee cherries may also be frozen and stored/transported until quick-drying can be implemented. The so obtained quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries may then without further mycotoxin detoxification be employed for various uses in numerous food products. For example, where the whole quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry is used in a food product, the coffee cherry may be admixed with another consumable (e.g., admixture with grain for animal feed, or coating with chocolate for human consumption). In another especially preferred example, the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry is ground and used as a food additive or as a basis for brewing coffee cherry tea (e.g., for use as loose tea, grinding to a size of 500-3000 μm is preferred, or for bagged teas, grinding to a size of 200-1000 μm is preferred). Alternatively, it should be recognized that only parts of the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry may be employed in a food product. For example, where the sub-ripe coffee cherry is in an almost ripe state, it is contemplated that the pulp, mucilage, and/or hull may be separated from the seeds, which are then (optionally admixed with other seeds) roasted to commercial grade coffee beans. The remaining pulp, mucilage, and/or hull from the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry may then be employed as food additive or basis for extraction of one or more desired components (e.g., polyphenols). In still further contemplated uses of so obtained quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries, it is contemplated that the coffee cherries (or portions thereof) may be employed as starting material for extraction of various beneficial components. For example, the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries may be extracted with an aqueous (e.g., water, water-ethanol mixture) or non-aqueous solvent (e.g., critical point CO2, dimethylformamide) to isolate one or more components that can be used in a food product. For example, quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries may provide an excellent source of polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, and/or caffeine. The term “polyphenol” as used herein refers to a diverse group of compounds produced by a plant, wherein the compounds include a phenol ring to which at least one OH group, and more typically at least two OH groups are covalently attached. For example, representative polyphenols include ellagic acid, tannic acid, vanillin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, catechins (e.g., epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin), flavonols (e.g., anthocyanidins, quercetin, kaempferol), and various other flavonoids, and their glycosides and depsides. Furthermore, contemplated polyphenols may also be in oligomeric or polymeric form (e.g., oligomeric proanthocyanidins or condensed tannins). In another preferred aspect of the inventive subject matter, the inventors contemplate use of whole quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries in the production of various beverages. For example, it was observed that teas produced from unripe (green) and semi-ripe stage 1 whole quick-dried coffee cherries possess relatively low aroma and flavor characteristics. Thus, extracts or at least partially condensed teas from unripe (green) and semi-ripe stage 1 whole quick-dried coffee cherries may be added as low-flavor additive to a commercially available beverage to enhance the nutritional properties. As ripeness increases, more aroma and flavor is evident in the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries. Consequently, tea produced from semi-ripe stage 2 and almost ripe whole coffee cherries will possess high aroma and fruity flavor, and the inventors contemplate that semi-ripe and almost ripe coffee cherries could be used directly after quick-drying and grinding for a “Whole Coffee Fruit Tea”, either by itself or after placing into tea bags. As illustrated below, such a tea would provide high levels of polyphenols, typically 60-70 mg per 6 oz. cup. Furthermore, teas prepared from whole quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries generally possess relatively high ratios of chlorogenic acid to caffeine (typically about 2-4.5) as compared to beverages made from roasted coffee (typically about 0.4). Therefore, it should be appreciated that tea prepared from quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries is much more nutritional (based upon polyphenols and chlorogenic acid) than roasted coffee. Therefore, the inventors contemplate a food product that includes a preparation of a (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherry that is quick-dried such that a mycotoxin level of the coffee cherry is less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins. Alternatively, contemplated mycotoxin levels may also be in the range of 20-50 ppb, but more preferably less than 15 ppb, even more preferably less than 10 ppb, and most preferably less than 5 ppb for total aflatoxins. Similarly contemplated mycotoxin levels also include a range of 10-30 ppb, but more preferably less than 5 ppb, even more preferably less than 3 ppb, and most preferably less than 2 ppb for total ochratoxins. Likewise, contemplated mycotoxin levels also include a range of 5-20 ppm, but more preferably less than 15 ppm, even more preferably less than 10 ppm, and most preferably less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins and/or vomitoxins. As already discussed above, the preparation of the sub-ripe coffee cherry may include the whole coffee cherry, comprise a ground fragment of the whole coffee cherry, or include the bean, the pulp, the mucilage, and/or the hull of the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry. Alternatively, it should be recognized that the preparation may also comprise an extract from the whole quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry (or fragment or portion thereof). Contemplated food products especially include beverages prepared from contemplated quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries (or fragments or portions thereof), or beverages to which extracts or pieces from contemplated quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries (or fragments or portions thereof) have been added. Similarly, further contemplated food products include baked goods (e.g., bread, crackers, etc.), snacks (e.g., candy or energy bars), cereals, and other solid nutrients to which extracts or pieces from contemplated quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries (or fragments or portions thereof) have been added. Alternatively, contemplated food products also include a nutritional supplement in liquid or solid form that comprises an extract of the quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry. Depending on the particular purpose, it should be recognized that such food products may be prepared from quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries having a primarily green color with less than 25% red color, more preferably with less than 25% green color, and most preferably from quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries having primarily (no less than 90%, most typically no less than 95%) red color with less than 5% blemished area. Still further contemplated compositions and methods are disclosed in our co-pending U.S. patent application with the title “Methods for Coffee Cherry Products”, filed on or about Apr. 16, 2003, which is incorporated by reference herein. EXAMPLES The following examples are provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use compositions according to the inventive subject matter and to illustrate exemplary compositions and methods generally described herein. Harvest of Whole Coffee Cherries The ripeness of the coffee cherries was determined by visually estimating the amount of green and red color (or yellow, where applicable) of the whole cherries. As the cherries ripen, the green cherries will typically increase in size and subsequently develop increasing amounts of red color. For the present examples, the coffee cherries were collected at four stages of ripeness: Completely, or almost completely green (unripe; typically less than 5% of the coffee cherry red or yellow), primarily green with some red (semi-ripe, stage 1; typically less than 25% of the coffee cherry red or yellow), primarily red with some green (semi-ripe, stage 2; typically less than 25% of the coffee cherry green), and unbroken, unblemished red (almost ripe; typically less than 10% of the coffee cherry green; area of blemishes, cuts, or otherwise broken surface less than 5%). As much as possible, whole, unbroken and uncut cherries were collected. Quick-Drying of the Whole Coffee Cherries Whole coffee cherries for sample extraction were prepared by drying the cherries within 1-12 hours after harvest on separate trays of an air dryer according to the following procedure. Coffee cherries (400-600 g) were weighed into beakers and washed two times with tap water, followed by a single wash with distilled water. The so washed coffee cherries were placed on a tray of an air dryer to drain, and then dried at 150-160° F. for 16-18 hours to constant weight. Drying was stopped when the weight at two consecutive one-hour intervals differed by less than 1 g. Typical yields of dried whole cherry were 160-220 g. Further analysis indicated 6-12% residual water content in the dried cherry. Mycotoxin Analysis In order to determine the viability of the whole coffee cherry at the unripe, semi-ripe, and almost ripe stages (see above) for use in a nutritional product (and especially for use in tea), the level of selected mycotoxins was measured and compared against comparative products and red, ripe coffee cherry by-product from coffee production. As can be clearly seen in Table 1 below, quick-dried coffee cherries of all sub-ripe harvest stages had a mycotoxin level below the detection limit of 1 ppb (as measured for aflatoxin and ochratoxin). The mycotoxin concentration was determined in an independent laboratory by both ELISA and HPLC analysis. Based on the below results, the inventors conclude that all samples from the different sub-ripe harvest stages are suitable for direct use in a nutritional product for both human and veterinary consumption. In contrast, the by-product of coffee production (predominantly consisting of pulp, mucilage, and hull from coffee cherries) from ripe cherries of red color with blemishes (typically greater than 20% of the cherry surface) had a substantial content in both aflatoxins and ochratoxins. Similarly, the comparative product “Paradise to Go Tea” (made from coffee cherry pulp) exhibited mycotoxins in double-digit concentrations. TABLE 1 RIPENESS COLOR AFLATOXIN OCHRATOXIN Unripe, Green <1 ppb <1 ppb quick-dried Semi-ripe Stage Mostly green <1 ppb <1 ppb 1, quick-dried with some red Semi-ripe Stage Mostly red <1 ppb <1 ppb 2, quick-dried with some green Almost ripe, Red, Blemished <1 ppb <1 ppb quick-dried Area <5% Ripe (by-product Red, Blemished >200 ppb >500 ppb of Coffee Area >20% Production) Paradise to Go N/A >25 ppb >40 ppb Tea (dry matter) Polyphenol (PP), Chlorogenic Acid (CG), and Caffeine (CF) Analysis for Quick-Dried Sub-Ripe Whole Coffee Cherries In a further series of experiments, the levels of total polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, and caffeine from quick-dried whole coffee cherry at various sub-ripe stages were measured and compared against green and roasted coffee beans. Table 2 summarizes the results of this analysis. Interestingly, while the polyphenol (PP) level of quick-dried coffee cherries of all sub-ripe harvest stages was somewhat less than the level of green or roasted coffee beans, significant quantities of polyphenols in quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherries still remain. Similarly, the chlorogenic acid (CG) content of quick-dried whole coffee cherry at various sub-ripe stages remained at substantial high levels as compared to roasted coffee, but was somewhat lower as compared to green beans. The caffeine (CF) level of quick-dried coffee cherries of all sub-ripe harvest stages was substantially within the caffeine level of green and roasted coffee beans (It should be pointed out that all data given are on a dry matter basis and are not normalized to the dry weight of the bean). Polyphenol analysis: Dried whole coffee cherry (or green beans or roasted beans) (1.00 g) were ground in a rotating steel knife coffee grinder for 30 seconds to produce a ground sample. The ground sample was added to 100 mL distilled water and the resulting mixture heated to boiling in an Erlenmeyer flask for 30 minutes. The heat was removed and the mixture allowed to cool to room temperature. The resulting suspension was transferred to a 100 mL graduated cylinder and water added to bring the volume to 100 mL. The mixture was then transferred back to the Erlenmeyer flask, stirred briefly, and the solids allowed to settle. An aliquot (˜3 mL) of the supernatant solution was filtered through an 0.45 μm Acrodisc filter, and the resulting clear solution was diluted 1:10 with distilled water using a volumetric flask (1.00 mL diluted with 9.00 mL distilled water). The Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to measure the polyphenol content of the diluted solution as follows. One mL of the diluted solution was added to a test tube, mixed with 1 mL of 0.2N Folin-Ciocalteu's Phenol reagent (Sigma solution, 2N, diluted 1:10 with water), and allowed to stand 5 minutes at room temperature. One mL of 1N NaHCO3 was added and the reaction mixture left at room temperature for 2 hours. The polyphenol level was determined using a UV-visible spectrophotometer standardized against catechin, at λmax=750 nm against distilled water as blank. Chlorogenic acid: Determination of chlorogenic acid was done using HPLC separation of the filtered clear solution prepared above using standard analytical and separation protocols well known in the art. Similarly, determination of caffeine was done using HPLC separation of the filtered clear solution prepared above using standard analytical and separation protocols well known in the art (for exemplary protocols see e.g., Bispo M. S., et al. in J. Chromatogr. Sci.; 2002, January; 40(1):45-8, or Nakakuld, H. et al. in J. Chromatogr. A.; 1999, Jul. 2; 848(1-2):523-7). TABLE 2 RIPENESS COLOR % PP % CG % CF CG/CF Unripe, Green 3.80 2.64 1.03 2.56 quick-dried Semi-ripe stage Mostly green 3.28 2.70 1.00 2.70 1, quick-dried with some red Semi-ripe stage Mostly red with 3.54 2.00 0.70 2.86 2, quick-dried some green Almost ripe, Red, Blemished 3.35 N/D N/D N/D quick-dried Area <5% Green Coffee Green 4.58 3.31 0.95 3.48 beans Roasted Brown 3.93 0.50 1.20 0.42 Coffee beans Polyphenol (PP), Chlorogenic Acid (CG), and Caffeine (CF) Analysis for a Tea Brewed from Quick-Dried Sub-Ripe Whole Coffee Cherries Quick-dried sub-ripe coffee cherry were ground in a rotating steel knife coffee grinder for 10-30 seconds to produce a ground sample. To the ground sample (1.00 g) was added 90 mL (approx. 3 fluid oz.) boiling distilled water and the resulting mixture allowed to stand in an Erlenmeyer flask for 10 minutes to produce a coffee cherry tea. An aliquot (˜3 mL) of the supernatant solution was filtered through a 0.45 μm Acrodisc filter, and the resulting clear solution was diluted 1:10 with distilled water using a volumetric flask (1.00 mL diluted with 9.00 mL distilled water). The Folin-Ciocalteu method as described above was used to measure the polyphenol content (on dry matter basis, catechin equivalents) of the so prepared coffee cherry tea. Table 3 summarizes the results. TABLE 3 RIPENESS SOLVENT % PP % CG % CF CG/CF Unripe, Water 10.93 8.61 3.04 2.83 quick-dried Semi-ripe stage Water 9.38 7.58 2.72 2.78 1, quick-dried Semi-ripe stage Water 8.51 6.74 1.71 3.95 2, quick-dried Almost ripe, Water 6.92 1.34 0.29 4.61 quick-dried Brewing of Teas from Whole Coffee Cherry of Different Ripeness The following procedure was used to prepare teas from whole coffee cherry of different ripeness for aroma and taste testing. Whole dried coffee cherry (10-20 g) was ground in a rotating steel knife coffee grinder for 10-30 seconds to produce a ground sample. The ground coffee cherry (2.0 g) was placed in a ceramic cup and of nearly boiling water (6 oz., 190-200° F.) added. The slurry was stirred and allowed to stand for 3 minutes, at which time the aroma and taste of the supernatant liquid were noted. Results are shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 PP/6 OZ. RIPENESS COLOR AROMA TASTE TEA Unripe, Green None Almost no 76 mg quick-dried taste Semi-ripe Mostly green Very Slight fruit 66 mg stage 1, with some red mild flavor quick-dried fruity Semi-ripe Mostly red Mild Mild fruit 71 mg stage 2, with some fruity flavor quick-dried green Almost ripe, Red, Fruity Rich fruit 67 mg quick-dried Blemished flavor Area <5% Thus, specific embodiments and applications of low-mycotoxin coffee cherry products have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Various parts of the coffee tree have been used for nutritional purposes for a relatively long time (see e.g., Pendergrast, M. Uncommon Grounds . Basic Books: New York, 1999). For example, coffee tree leaves and fresh, ripe coffee cherries were boiled to make tea. In other examples, the pulp of the coffee cherry can be fermented to produce wine as described in Chinese Patent CN 1021949. In a still further well known example, the seeds (i.e., the beans) of the coffee tree are extracted from the cherry, dried, roasted, ground, and extracted with hot water to provide the beverage that many users enjoy as coffee. Unfortunately, coffee cherries, and especially the pulp and husk tend to rapidly spoil in the presence of molds, fungi, and other microorganisms, and therefore contain almost always significant levels of mycotoxins (see e.g., Pittet, A., Tornare, D., Huggett, A., Viani, R. Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Ochratoxin A in Pure and Adulterated Soluble Coffee Using anf Immunoaffinity Column Cleanup Procedure. J. Agric. Food Chem. 1996, 44, 3564-3569; or Bucheli, P., Kanchanomai, C., Meyer I., Pittet, A. Development of Ochratoxin A during Robusta ( Coffea canephora ) Coffee Cherry Drying. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2000, 48, 1358-1362). Thus, beverages produced from the coffee pulp, husk, mucilage, and/or whole coffee cherry generally failed to find acceptance as beverage ingredients (Although one product is advertised as “coffee cherry tea” [http://www.paradiserelocation.com/paradisetogo/foodproducts.htm], the product is actually made from coffee cherry pulp and was recently determined to have substantial quantities of mycotoxins). Even in situations where the pulp, mucilage, and hull is removed, mycotoxins may still be present on and/or in the coffee bean. Consequently, considerable efforts have been undertaken to detoxify coffee beans and other food products. For example, where the mycotoxin is already present in the food product, selected mycotoxins can be extracted from the food product using various solvents and procedures as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,756 to Canella et al. On the other hand, various mycotoxins can be adsorbed from the food product onto a mineral carrier as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,623 to Alonso-Debolt. In still other methods, selected mycotoxins can be degraded using enzymes as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,820 to Duvick et al. The inventors in the '820 reference even contemplate that the genes encoding for such enzymes may be cloned to produce transgenic plants that are then thought to be less contaminated with mycotoxins. Alternatively, microorganisms may be employed to destroy enzymatically mycotoxins found in food products as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,188 to Duvick et al. Where mycotoxins are not yet produced by a microorganism present on a plant or other food stuff, pesticides or other compositions that control microbial growth or production of mycotoxins in microorganisms may be employed. For example, Emerson et al. describe in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,794 use of a saponin as a synergist to control colonization and/or growth of plant and animal pathogens. Alternatively, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,606 to Bland, propionic acid on a carrier may be employed as a diffusible growth inhibitor for various microorganisms. Further known compositions (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,599 to Subbiah or U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,323 to Leary) may be employed to suppress or at least reduce synthesis of mycotoxins in a microorganism. Alternatively, mycotoxin-containing food products may be blended with uncontaminated food products to a concentration that is acceptable and/or below the maximum allowable amount of mycotoxins in food products (see e.g., Herrman, T. and Trigo-Stockli, D.; Mycotoxins in Feed Grains and Ingredients; Kansas State University, May 2002), or (at least potentially) mycotoxin-containing coffee cherry products may be employed in a non-food product. In still other uses, the mycotoxin content may not be considered relevant as the coffee cherry product is incinerated and thus the mycotoxins are at least partially destroyed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,752, GB 2026839, or CA 1104410. Here, the inventor teaches that the coffee cherries may be compressed, dehydrated, ground, and roasted to yield a smokable product. However, while most of the known methods reduce the concentration of mycotoxins to at least some degree, numerous disadvantages remain. Among other things, additional processing steps will require dedicated equipment, thereby increasing processing time and costs. Moreover, and especially where pesticides and/or fungicides are used, new problems with residual toxic chemicals may arise. Thus, despite numerous beneficial properties of coffee cherries and its components, whole coffee cherries are generally not used as food products as mycotoxins are typically present in substantial quantities in the ripe and overripe fruit. Therefore, there is still a need to provide improved methods and compositions for coffee cherries, and especially for products comprising coffee cherries with low or no mycotoxin content for human and veterinary consumption.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed to compositions and methods that include quick-dried (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherries or portions thereof, wherein the coffee cherries are substantially devoid of, or have a very low content of mycotoxins. In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, a food product comprises a preparation of a coffee cherry that is quick-dried such that a mycotoxin level of the coffee cherry is less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins. Preferred preparations in such food products include the bean, pulp, mucilage, and/or hull of the quick-dried coffee cherry, or ground fragments of the coffee cherry, or an extract thereof. It is further preferred that the coffee cherry is a sub-ripe coffee cherry. Preferred food products include a tea brewed from the quick-dried (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherries, or a beverage comprising an extract of the coffee cherry. Alternatively, suitable food products also include nutritional supplements in liquid or solid form comprising an extract of the coffee cherry. Contemplated sub-ripe coffee cherries have a primarily green color with less than 25% red color, more preferably a primarily red color with less than 25% green color, and even more preferably a primarily red color with less than 5% blemished area. The (sub-ripe) coffee cherries may be quick-dried using various methods, however, it is generally preferred that the coffee cherries are quick dried using heated air or exposure to sun and/or ambient air. In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a tea is brewed from a comminuted or ground quick-dried (preferably sub-ripe) coffee cherry or portion thereof, wherein the coffee cherry has a mycotoxin level of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins, and preferably has a polyphenol concentration of at least 10 mg/oz (most preferably at a chlorogenic acid to caffeine ratio of at least 2.7). Thus, viewed from another perspective, it is contemplated that a quick-dried coffee cherry or portion thereof has a mycotoxin level of less than 20 ppb for total aflatoxins, less than 10 ppb for total ochratoxins, and less than 5 ppm for total fumonisins, preferably having a chlorogenic acid content of at least 2% (wt/wt) and a polyphenol content of at least 3.2% (wt/wt). Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060809

20101019

20061123

65517.0

A23F500

YOO, HONG THI

LOW-MYCOTOXIN COFFEE CHERRY PRODUCTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A23F

ACCEPTED

Way cover improvements

A way cover section is shaped with a continuous lateral arc by pre-stressing so that its top panel has a radius in its top panel from one side panel of the cover section to the other. A wiper at the leading edge of the cover sections that may also serve as a bumper. The wiper has an elastomeric wiper section at one end and an elastomeric bumper section at the other end, with an intermediate section of a harder and more lubricious material that fits on a rolled over edge of the cover section to which the wiper is attached.

1. In a telescopic way cover of the type that has cover sections telescopically arranged with one another, each section having a top wall and side walls and at least some sections fitting at least partially below other sections, the improvement wherein the top wall of at least some of the sections is arched so that it forms a continuous curve in a lateral plane that extends between sides of the section and wherein the cover section includes a wiper at a leading edge thereof, the leading edge of the cover being rolled over so as to define an inner wall with a rearwardly facing surface at a rear edge of the inner wall and a forwardly facing surface at a front edge of the cover, and wherein the wiper abuts the rearwardly facing surface and the forwardly facing surface so as to restrain the wiper forwardly and rearwardly relative to the cover. 2. In a telescopic way cover of the type that has cover sections telescopically arranged with one another, each section having a top wall and side walls and at least some sections fitting at least partially below other sections, the improvement wherein the top wall of at least some of the sections is arched so that it forms a continuous curve in a lateral plane that extends between sides of the section and wherein the top wall has tabs which fit into slots in a flange of the cover section and the slots are arranged in a continuous arc pattern. 3. In a telescopic way cover of the type that has cover sections telescopically arranged with one another, each section having a top wall and side walls and at least some sections fitting at least partially below other sections, the improvement wherein the top wall of at least some of the sections is arched so that it forms a continuous curve in a lateral plane that extends between sides of the section, and wherein the cover section includes a wiper at a leading edge thereof, the wiper being co-molded of an elastomeric material and a relatively harder material and forming a snap fit with the leading edge of the cover. 4. The improvement of claim 3, wherein wiper forms a snap fit with the cover. 5. The improvement of claim 4, wherein a trailing edge of the wiper includes an elastomeric section that acts as a bumper. 6. In a telescoping way cover of the type that has cover sections telescopically arranged with one another, at least some of the sections having a front edge and a wiper on the front edge that wipes on the cover section below the cover section with the wiper, the improvement wherein the front edge is rolled over so as to define an inner wall with a rearwardly facing surface at a rear edge of the inner wall and a forwardly facing surface at a front edge of the cover, and the front edge mounts a wiper so that the wiper abuts the rearwardly facing surface and the forwardly facing surface to restrain the wiper relative to the cover. 7. In a telescoping way cover of the type that has cover sections telescopically arranged with one another, at least some of the sections having a front edge and a wiper on the front edge which wipes on the cover section below the cover section with the wiper, the improvement wherein the front edge is rolled over and mounts a wiper with a form fit between the wiper and the rolled over edge and wherein the wiper is snap fit to the front edge. 8. The improvement of claim 7, wherein the wiper is co-extruded of two materials of different hardnesses. 9. The improvement of claim 8, wherein the wiper includes an elastomeric bumper at a trailing end thereof that is beneath the cover to which the wiper is attached. 10. The improvement of claim 9, wherein the wiper includes a middle section of a relatively harder material than a wiper at a leading end of the wiper, the middle section being positioned between the front edge of the cover to which the wiper is attached and the next cover section down.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/463,831 filed Apr. 17, 2003. STATEMENT CONCERNING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to telescoping way covers, and in particular to a structure and method for forming the way cover sections to regularize their shape and increase their strength, and to a new bumper which absorbs the impact between adjacent cover sections upon extension and retraction of the cover. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Telescoping covers, such as the telescoping machine tool way covers shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,391 B1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, are typically made up of a number of sheet metal sections which are telescoped together. The sections have end walls or flanges that catch on one another so that when one end of the cover is pulled to extend or pushed to retract the cover, the cover extends or retracts and remains covering the way as it is moving by the end walls or flanges of each section abutting end walls or flanges of the next adjacent section until the cover is totally extended or retracted. Way covers are typically flat, or made of two flat panels which are tented in the center. In either event, the walls of adjacent sections are relatively close to each other such that even minor imperfections in the shapes, such as small dents or bends, can result in rubbing of one section wall on the next adjacent section wall which creates friction, noise and scratching of the section surfaces. It also creates assembly problems when initially assembling the cover, as nearly all imperfections need to be taken out manually (e.g., with a hammer) so that at least initially the cover sections do not contact one another. However, in use, heavy tools are dropped on the way cover or someone may step on it, which can bend the section sufficiently so that adjacent sections rub. In addition, bumpers have normally been used to dampen the impact as the end walls or flanges of adjacent cover sections bump up against one another when extending or retracting the cover. These bumpers have typically been elastomeric pads placed in between the abutting walls of the adjacent way cover sections, typically at the trailing ends of the cover sections. For example, in many prior art designs, replacement of the bumpers required substantial disassembly of the way cover. In addition, the bumpers gained some of their strength from the sheet metal of the cover themselves, and so the sheet metal had to be made relatively thick to support the bumper. In addition, as the bumpers were made of elastic materials, if the bumpers would rub between adjacent sections, excessive friction forces could result from the elastomer rubbing on the adjacent section. Prior art way covers have also included wipers, typically elastomeric and installed at the leading ends of the cover sections. The purpose of the wipers is to prevent cut metal chips, oil and other debris from building up between the cover sections. They work like a windshield wiper or window squegee to clear the top surface of the cover section below the cover section to which the wiper is mounted. These also can rub between adjacent cover sections so as to create excessive friction forces, and can be difficult to install, remove and replace. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a cover section that is shaped with a continuous arc from side to side so that its top panel is not flat but has a radius in its top panel from one side panel of the cover section to the other. Forming the cover section into this shape regularizes the shape so as to take out any initial imperfections in the flatness of the sheet which forms the cover section, and also reinforces the ability of the cover section to support the loads, for example if someone steps on it or drops a heavy tool on it. Preferably, the cover section is arched by pre-stressing it into that shape when making the cover section. A preferred method of pre-stressing the cover section is to secure it at one end in the arched shaped against a flange of the cover section. In another aspect of the invention, a wiper is provided at the leading edge of the cover sections, which may also serve as a bumper. Preferably, the wiper has an elastomeric wiper section that wipes on the next section down at one end of the wiper to prevent excessive chips, oil and other debris from getting between the cover sections, and at the other end of the wiper has an elastomeric bumper section. Preferably, between the two elastomeric sections, there is provided an intermediate section that is made of a harder and more lubricious material that can rub on the surface of the next section down with relatively less friction, if need be. In another aspect, the wiper is preferably shaped to be fitted onto a rolled over edge of the cover section to which it is attached. The rolling over of the edge strengthens the cover section against bending, which enables using lighter gauge sheet metal to make the section, with correspondingly reduces the weight of the cover sections and the inertia forces which must be absorbed by the bumper when extending and retracting the cover. These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an end view (taken in a lateral plane) of three cover sections telescopically arranged with respect to each other; FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view from the plane of the line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one cover section; FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a flange of the cover section in FIG. 3; and FIG. 5 is a detail view of a wiper mounted on a leading edge of one of the cover sections. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1-3 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,397 B1 illustrate a prior art construction of a way cover in which the cover sections are tented with a peak in the middle and FIGS. 4-7 illustrate cover sections which are flat topped. The present invention differs from either of the prior art configurations illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,397 B1, as shown in FIG. 1, by the sections being arched with a continuous arc laterally, i.e. in the direction from side to side. Thus, it can be seen in FIG. 1, that each section 12, 14, 16 has a respective top wall 18, 20 or 22 which, when viewed in a lateral plane, is shaped to have a continuous radius from side to side, i.e. from side wall 12A to 12B in the case of the cover section 12, from side wall 14A and 14B in the case of cover section 14 and from side wall 16A to 16B in the case of cover section 16. Each cover section 12, 14 and 16 also has respective inwardly turned bottom flanges at the bottom of the side walls 12C and 12D, 14C and 14D, and 16C and 16D, respectively. Referring particularly to FIG. 2, each cover section also includes a respective flange 12E, 14E or 16E. Cover section 12, which is an end section, may also be provided with an end wall or flange 30 which closes the end opposite from the flange 12E, or at lease partially closes it. Bumpers 32, made of an elastomeric material, may also be provided on the flanges 12E and 14E to absorb impacts as the cover is retracted. It should be noted that the cover 10 may be formed of any number of cover sections, only three being illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, which illustrate cover section 16 only, with the body section 16F shown in phantom behind the flange 16E, it is seen that the arc is formed in the top wall 22 of the body section 16F by forming slots 16G an arcuate pattern in the flange 16E. Corresponding tabs 22A, which extend from the rear edge of the body section 16F for approximately the thickness of the flange 16E, fit into the slots 16G so as to form the arch or radius in the top wall 22. The body section 16F is welded or otherwise affixed to the flange 16E at suitable positions along the junction between the body section 16F and the flange 16E at suitably spaced positions. The body 16F may be welded to the flange 16E at positions along the bottom side flanges 16C and 16D, along the junction between the side walls 16A and 16B, and at the junctions with the top wall 22. This helps impart a continuous lateral (side to side) arch in the top wall 22, which extends for the length of the top wall 22, from the flange 16E to the opposite edge 38 at which the wiper 40 is positioned. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the edge 38 to which the wiper 40 is assembled is formed inwardly, or hemmed, at 180 degrees to the main portion of the top wall 22. This helps to reinforce the edge 38 and helps it to resist vertically downward loads. As mentioned above, the arching of the top wall 22 from side to side, i.e. so that it is arched in a lateral plane, with the axis about which it is arched generally parallel to the direction of extension and retraction of the cover and below the cover, also helps reinforce the entire top wall and helps it resist vertically downward forces. Only section 16 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Sections 18 and 20 are substantially the same, except as otherwise described or illustrated. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the wiper 40 extends for substantially the entire width (laterally from side to side) of the edge 38 so that the wiper 40 extends laterally across each cover section to which the wiper 40 is assembled. The wiper 40 is a composite of a harder more lubricious middle section 44 and softer elastomeric end sections 46 and 48 which are strongly adhered, or molded in one piece with, the middle section 44 in a co-extrusion co-molding process. Referring to FIG. 5, the harder, more lubricious middle section 44 gives strength to the wiper 40 to hold onto the rolled over edge 38 with a form fit, preferably a snap fit, the middle section 44 having a lip 50 which fits between the inner side 52 of the edge 38 and the outer side 54 of the edge 38. By form fit it is meant that the shapes of the edge 38 and wiper 40 interfit with one another to hold the wiper 40 onto the edge 38 in normal operation of the cover 10. The lip 50 is joined to the inner side 56 of the mid-section 44 by inner end wall 58 to which is attached bumper 46, which is made out of the softer, elastomeric material. The leading or front edge of mid-section 44 is curved to follow the radius of the inner edge 38 and that portion of the mid-section 44 is over-molded with a thin layer 45 of elastomeric material which continues into the end section 48 that forms a wiper, that wipes chips, oil and other debris from the top of the cover section which is below the wiper 40. The middle section 44 is sufficiently flexible so that end 50 can be hooked over the inner end of wall 52 and the wiper 40 snapped over the rounded front edge of the edge 38 that joins the inner wall 52 to the outer wall 54 of the edge 38, so that the snap fit of the wiper 40 onto the edge 38 holds the wiper 40 onto the edge 38. Also, this enables the wiper 40 to be easily assembled and disassembled from the edge 38 without removing the cover sections individually from the entire cover 10. Since the mid section 44 is exposed to the next cover down from the cover to which the wiper 40 is assembled, if the seal 40 rubs on that cover, it will rub with a lubricious and hard, long wearing surface 47. A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in considerable detail. Many modifications and variations to the embodiment described will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the embodiments described, but should be defined by the claims that follow.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Telescoping covers, such as the telescoping machine tool way covers shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,391 B1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference, are typically made up of a number of sheet metal sections which are telescoped together. The sections have end walls or flanges that catch on one another so that when one end of the cover is pulled to extend or pushed to retract the cover, the cover extends or retracts and remains covering the way as it is moving by the end walls or flanges of each section abutting end walls or flanges of the next adjacent section until the cover is totally extended or retracted. Way covers are typically flat, or made of two flat panels which are tented in the center. In either event, the walls of adjacent sections are relatively close to each other such that even minor imperfections in the shapes, such as small dents or bends, can result in rubbing of one section wall on the next adjacent section wall which creates friction, noise and scratching of the section surfaces. It also creates assembly problems when initially assembling the cover, as nearly all imperfections need to be taken out manually (e.g., with a hammer) so that at least initially the cover sections do not contact one another. However, in use, heavy tools are dropped on the way cover or someone may step on it, which can bend the section sufficiently so that adjacent sections rub. In addition, bumpers have normally been used to dampen the impact as the end walls or flanges of adjacent cover sections bump up against one another when extending or retracting the cover. These bumpers have typically been elastomeric pads placed in between the abutting walls of the adjacent way cover sections, typically at the trailing ends of the cover sections. For example, in many prior art designs, replacement of the bumpers required substantial disassembly of the way cover. In addition, the bumpers gained some of their strength from the sheet metal of the cover themselves, and so the sheet metal had to be made relatively thick to support the bumper. In addition, as the bumpers were made of elastic materials, if the bumpers would rub between adjacent sections, excessive friction forces could result from the elastomer rubbing on the adjacent section. Prior art way covers have also included wipers, typically elastomeric and installed at the leading ends of the cover sections. The purpose of the wipers is to prevent cut metal chips, oil and other debris from building up between the cover sections. They work like a windshield wiper or window squegee to clear the top surface of the cover section below the cover section to which the wiper is mounted. These also can rub between adjacent cover sections so as to create excessive friction forces, and can be difficult to install, remove and replace.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides a cover section that is shaped with a continuous arc from side to side so that its top panel is not flat but has a radius in its top panel from one side panel of the cover section to the other. Forming the cover section into this shape regularizes the shape so as to take out any initial imperfections in the flatness of the sheet which forms the cover section, and also reinforces the ability of the cover section to support the loads, for example if someone steps on it or drops a heavy tool on it. Preferably, the cover section is arched by pre-stressing it into that shape when making the cover section. A preferred method of pre-stressing the cover section is to secure it at one end in the arched shaped against a flange of the cover section. In another aspect of the invention, a wiper is provided at the leading edge of the cover sections, which may also serve as a bumper. Preferably, the wiper has an elastomeric wiper section that wipes on the next section down at one end of the wiper to prevent excessive chips, oil and other debris from getting between the cover sections, and at the other end of the wiper has an elastomeric bumper section. Preferably, between the two elastomeric sections, there is provided an intermediate section that is made of a harder and more lubricious material that can rub on the surface of the next section down with relatively less friction, if need be. In another aspect, the wiper is preferably shaped to be fitted onto a rolled over edge of the cover section to which it is attached. The rolling over of the edge strengthens the cover section against bending, which enables using lighter gauge sheet metal to make the section, with correspondingly reduces the weight of the cover sections and the inertia forces which must be absorbed by the bumper when extending and retracting the cover. These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

20051013

20080311

20061012

79124.0

E06B312

PUROL, DAVID M

WAY COVER IMPROVEMENTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

E06B

ACCEPTED

Radio packet communication method and radio packet communication apparatus

In a wireless packet communication method for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channel and the MIMO, a mandatory channel that is always used for transmission is set. The wireless packets are transmitted by using the wireless channel(s) including the mandatory channel only when the mandatory channel is idle. That is, in case of transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously, transmission is performed by using the wireless channel(s) including the mandatory channel, and transmission is not performed when the mandatory channel is not idle.

1. A wireless packet communication method for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO, the method characterized by comprising: setting a mandatory channel that is always used for transmission; and transmitting the wireless packets by using a wireless channel/wireless channels that includes/include the mandatory channel, only when the mandatory channel is idle. 2. A wireless packet communication method for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO, the method characterized by comprising: distinguishing an STA A from an STA B, the STA A for which a mandatory channel is set, the STA B for which no mandatory channel is set, the mandatory channel being always used for transmission; and when wireless packets are addressed to said STA A, transmitting the wireless packets to said STA A by using a wireless channel/wireless channels that includes/include the mandatory channel, only when the mandatory channel is idle; and when wireless packets are addressed to said STA B, transmitting the wireless packets to said STA B by using idle wireless channel(s). 3. The wireless packet communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are set to have a same or equivalent packet time length that corresponds to a packet size or a transmission time. 4. The wireless packet communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by further comprising simultaneously transmitting Wireless packets selectively using the multiple wireless channels or the MIMO in accordance with a number of pieces of data or a number of MIMOs that depends on a channel condition. 5. A wireless packet communication apparatus for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO, the apparatus characterized by comprising a unit setting a mandatory channel that is always used for transmission, and transmitting the wireless packets only when the mandatory channel is idle by using a wireless channel or wireless channels that includes/include the mandatory channel. 6. A wireless packet communication apparatus for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO, the apparatus characterized by comprising a unit distinguishing an STA A from an STA B and determining destinations of the wireless packets so as to transmit wireless packets addressed to said STA A only when said mandatory channel is idle by using a wireless channel or wireless channels that includes/include a mandatory channel, and to transmit wireless packets addressed to said STA B by using idle wireless channel or channels, the mandatory channel being always used for transmission, the STA A for which the mandatory channel is set, the STA B for which no mandatory channel is set. 7. The wireless packet communication apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the plurality of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are set to have a same or equivalent packet time length that corresponds to a packet size or a transmission time. 8. The wireless packet communication apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by further comprising: a unit simultaneously transmitting wireless packets selectively using the multiple wireless channels or the MIMO in accordance with a number of pieces of data or a number of MIMOs that depends on a channel condition.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a wireless packet communication method and a wireless packet communication apparatus for simultaneously transmitting a plurality of wireless packets by using multiple wireless channels or Multiple Input Multiple Output (hereinafter, MIMO). BACKGROUND ART In a conventional wireless packet communication apparatus, a wireless channel to be used is determined in advance. Prior to transmission of a data packet, the wireless packet communication apparatus performs carrier sense to detect whether or not that wireless channel is idle. Only when that wireless channel is idle, the wireless packet communication apparatus transmits one data packet. This management allows a plurality of stations (hereinafter, STA) to share one wireless channel in a staggered manner ((1) IEEE 802.11 “MAC and PHY Specification for Metropolitan Area Networks”, IEEE 802.11, 1998, (2) “Low-powered Data Communication System/Broadband Mobile Access Communication System (CSMA) Standard”, ARIB SDT-T71 version 1.0, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, settled in 2000). On the other hand, a wireless packet communication method is known in which, when multiple wireless channels are found idle by carrier sense, a plurality of wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the wireless channels. This method is generally described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13(1) shows a case where two wireless channels are idle for three wireless packets. Two of the three wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the two wireless channels. FIG. 13(2) shows a case where three wireless channels are idle for two wireless packets. All (two) wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the two wireless channels. FIG. 14 shows a case where a known MIMO technique (Kurosaki et al., “100 Mbit/s SDM-COFDM over MIMO Channel for Broadband Mobile Communications”, Technical Reports of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, A·P 2001-96, RCS2001-135(2001-10)) is used together. In MIMO, different wireless packets are transmitted from a plurality of antennas at the same time on the same wireless channel. Those wireless packets transmitted at the same time on the same wireless channel are separated from each other by digital signal processing that can deal with a difference between propagation coefficients of the wireless packets received by a plurality of antennas in an opposed STA. The number of MIMOs is determined in accordance with the propagation coefficients and the like. FIG. 14(1) shows a case where three wireless channels are idle for seven wireless packets when the number of MIMOs of each wireless channel is two. When MIMO is applied to each of the three wireless channels, up to six wireless packets can be transmitted simultaneously. Therefore, six of the above seven wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the three wireless channels. FIGS. 14(2) and (3) show cases where three wireless channels are idle for four wireless packets when the Number of MIMOs of each wireless channel is two. When MIMO is applied to each of the three wireless channels, up to six wireless packets can be transmitted simultaneously. However, the number of transmission-standby wireless packets is four. Therefore, MIMO is applied to a part of the three wireless channels. For example, one of the wireless channels transmits two wireless packets by using MIMO, while each of the remaining two wireless channels transmits one wireless packet without using MIMO, as shown in FIG. 14(2). Thus, four wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the three wireless channels in total. Alternatively, four wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously on two wireless channels each using MIMO, as show in FIG. 14(3). In the case where center frequencies of multiple wireless channels used at the same time are close to each other, an effect of leakage power from one wireless channel to a frequency region used by another wireless channel becomes large. In general, in case of transferring a wireless packet, a transmit-side STA transmits the wireless packet and thereafter a receive-side STA transmits an acknowledgment packet (Ack) for the received wireless packet to the transmit-side STA. When the transmit-side STA tries to receive this acknowledgment packet (hereinafter, ACK packet), the effect of leakage power from another wireless channel used for simultaneous transmission becomes a problem. For example, a case is considered where center frequencies of wireless channels #1 and #2 are close to each other and transmission times of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously from the respective wireless channels are different from each other, as shown in FIG. 15. In this case, the wireless packet transmitted on the wireless channel #1 is shorter. Thus, when an ACK packet (Ack1) for that wireless packet is received, the wireless channel #2 is performing transmission. Therefore, the wireless channel #1 may not receive that ACK packet (Ack1) because of leakage power from the wireless channel #2. In this situation, throughput cannot be improved even if simultaneous transmission is performed using multiple wireless channels at the same time. In a wireless LAN system, for example, data sizes of data frames input from a network are not constant. Thus, in case of sequentially converting the input data frames into wireless packets for transmission, packet time lengths of the wireless packets are also different. Therefore, even when a plurality of wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously at the same time, as shown in FIG. 15, the transmission time of each wireless packet is different. This increases a possibility of unsuccessful receiving of the ACK packet. In order to overcome the above problem, there is a known method in which transmission of a plurality of wireless packets is terminated at the same time or substantially at the same time by making equal or equivalent packet time lengths (time required to transmit the wireless packets) of the wireless packets transmitted simultaneously. In this case, a transmit-side STA is not performing transmission at a timing at which ACK packets for the respective wireless packets reach the transmit-side STA. Thus, the transmit-side STA can receive all the ACK packets without being affected by leakage power between wireless channels or the like. Therefore, the throughput can be improved. However, even if the packet time lengths of the wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are made the same, the effect of leakage power may become a problem. This case is now described with reference to FIG. 16. At timing t1, wireless channels #1 and #2 of a transmit-side STA are idle, while a wireless channel #3 is busy. Thus, the transmit-side STA transmits wireless packets having the same packet time length by using the idle wireless channels #1 and #2. Therefore, the effect of leakage power can be avoided between the wireless channels #1 and #2. When the wireless channel #3 becomes idle during transmission of those wireless packets (at timing t2), another STA may determine that the wireless channel #3 is idle and may transmit a wireless packet to the above transmit-side STA by using the wireless channel #3. However, the transmit-side STA is transmitting the wireless packets by using the wireless channels #1 and #2 and therefore cannot receive the wireless packet on the wireless channel #3 because of leakage power from the wireless channels #1 and #2. In other words, the STA in transmission cannot receive a wireless packet transmitted on a wireless channel that is adjacent to the wireless channel being in transmission. This problem occurs not only in case of simultaneous transmission using multiple wireless channels but also in a conventional case where wireless packets are transmitted by using one wireless channel and an adjacent wireless channel that is affected by leakage power receives the wireless packets. It is an object of the present invention to avoid leakage power from affecting an adjacent channel so as to improve throughput by simultaneous transmission. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The invention of claim 1 provides a wireless packet communication method for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO. The wireless packet communication method includes setting a mandatory channel that is always used for transmission and transmitting the wireless packets by using a wireless channel or wireless channels that includes/include the mandatory channel, only when the mandatory channel is idle. In other words, for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously, transmission is performed by using the wireless channel(s) including the mandatory channel. Transmission is not performed when the mandatory channel is not idle. Moreover, wireless packets are always transmitted via wireless channels including the mandatory channel, and when the mandatory channel is busy, transmission is not performed even if there is another wireless channel. In other words, the mandatory channel can be regarded as a wireless channel having the highest priority among wireless channels that have a plurality of priorities. The invention of claim 2 provides a wireless packet communication method for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO. The wireless packet communication method includes distinguishing an STA A, for which a mandatory channel always used for transmission is set, from an STA B for which no mandatory channel is set. Wireless packets addressed to the STA A are transmitted by using the wireless channel(s) including the mandatory channel, only when the mandatory channel is idle. Wireless packets addressed to the STA B are transmitted by using the idle wireless channel(s). The STA A has a similar function as that of the invention of claim 1. The STA B for which no mandatory channel is set, is made transmittable even when the mandatory channel is busy. The invention of claim 3 is such that the plurality of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are set to have the same or equivalent packet time length that corresponds to a packet size or a transmission time in the invention of claim 1 or 2. The invention of claim 4 is such that in the invention recited in claim 1 or 2, wireless packets are simultaneously transmitted selectively using the multiple wireless channels or MIMO in accordance with the number of pieces of data or the number of MIMOs that depends on a channel condition. The invention of claim 5 provides a wireless packet communication apparatus for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO. The wireless packet communication apparatus includes a unit setting a mandatory channel that is always used for transmission and transmitting the wireless packets by using the multiple wireless channels or the wireless channel that include/includes the mandatory channel, only when the mandatory channel is idle. The invention of claim 6 provides a wireless packet communication apparatus for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels determined to be idle by carrier sense, a single wireless channel determined to be idle and MIMO, or the multiple wireless channels and the MIMO. The wireless packet communication apparatus includes a unit distinguishing an STA A, for which a mandatory channel that is always used for transmission is set, from an STA B for which no mandatory channel is set, and determining destinations of the wireless packets. In case of wireless packets addressed to the STA A, the unit transmits the wireless packets by using the multiple wireless channels or the wireless channel that include/includes the mandatory channel, only when the mandatory channel is idle. In case of wireless packets addressed to the STA B, the unit transmits the wireless packets by using idle wireless channel or channels. The invention of claim 7 is such that in the invention recited in claim 5 or 6, the plurality of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are set to have the same or equivalent packet time length that corresponds to a packet size or a transmission time. The invention of claim 8 is such that in the invention recited in claim 5 or 6, wireless packets are simultaneously transmitted selectively using the multiple wireless channels or MIMO in accordance with the number of pieces of data or the number of MIMOs that depends on a channel condition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a flowchart according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a time chart of an exemplary operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 explains methods for reconstructing a data packet. FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a time chart of an exemplary operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless packet communication apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 13 explains exemplary methods for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels. FIG. 14 explains exemplary methods for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels (and MIMO). FIG. 15 explains an effect of leakage power of a wireless channel. FIG. 16 explains a case where the effect of leakage power becomes a problem even if packet time lengths of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are made the same. FIG. 17 shows a structure of a wireless packet used in the wireless packet communication apparatus of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a time chart of the wireless communication method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, wireless channels #1, #2, and #3 are provided, and the wireless channel #1 is set as a mandatory channel for every STA. Each STA is regularly notified of the mandatory channel. When the mandatory channel is busy, each STA does not perform transmission even if there is other idle wireless channel. That is, no transmission is performed. It is assumed that the wireless channels #1, #2, and #3 affect each other due to a leakage and that when one of the wireless channels is in transmission, the other channels cannot receive data. When data is stored in a transmission buffer, an idle wireless channel is searched by carrier sense (S1 and S2). In this example, it is found that the wireless channel #3 is busy at a timing data is generated (1), and the wireless channels #1 and #2 are idle. Then, it is determined whether or not the mandatory channel is idle (S3). When the mandatory channel is busy, a procedure goes back to the search of an idle wireless channel. On the other hand, when the mandatory channel is idle, data packets are reconstructed to data packets having the same packet time length for every wireless channel in accordance with the number of idle channels and the number of transmission stand-by data packets. The reconstructed data packets are transmitted (simultaneously) (S4). In this example, since the wireless channel #1 as the mandatory channel is idle, the wireless packets is simultaneously transmitted by using two wireless channels as the wireless channels #1 and #2. The following three methods are known data packet reconstruction methods. In the case where there is one data packet and two idle channels, for example, two data packets having the same packet time length are generated by fragmenting the data packet, as shown in FIG. 3(1). In the case where there are three data packets and two idle channels, a data packet 2 is divided into two portions and the two portions are connected to data packets 1 and 3, respectively, for example, as shown in FIG. 3(2). In this manner, two data packets having the same packet time length are generated. Alternatively, the two data packets having the same packet time length can be generated by connecting the three data packets into one block and then dividing the block into two. Alternatively, the data packets 1 and 2 may be aggregated to each other and dummy data is added to the data packet 3, as shown in FIG. 3(3), thereby obtaining two data packets having the same packet time length. Moreover, in the case where multiple wireless channels having different transmission rates are used, the packet time lengths of data packets are adjusted to be the same by associating a size ratio of each data packet with a ratio of the transmission rates. Even when the wireless channel #3 becomes idle, another STA does not perform transmission because the wireless channel #1 set as the mandatory channel is busy. On the other hand, at a timing data is generated (2), all the wireless channels including the wireless channel #1 set as the mandatory channel are idle. Therefore, each STA becomes transmittable. For example, in the case where an STA transmits the wireless packets at the timing data is generated (1), another STA transmits a wireless packet to the STA having transmitted at the timing data is generated (2). Second Embodiment FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a time chart of that wireless packet communication method. In this embodiment, there are an STA A for which a mandatory channel is set and an STA B for which no mandatory channel is set. There is no specific limitation to transmission to the STA B, while transmission to the STA A is allowed only when the mandatory channel is idle, and is not performed when the mandatory channel is busy even if another wireless channel is idle. Please note that in the first embodiment a mandatory channel is set for every STA so that packet transmission is always performed via wireless channels including the mandatory channel without an address of a wireless packet being considered. First, when data is stored in a transmission buffer, an idle wireless channel is searched by carrier sense (S1 and S2). In this example, it is found that at a timing data is generated (1), a wireless channel #3 is busy and wireless channels #1 and #2 are idle. Then, an address of one data packet stored in the transmission buffer is decoded (S11), and it is determined whether or not any mandatory channel is set for an STA that is the decoded address (S12). When a mandatory channel is set for the receive-side STA, it is determined whether or not that mandatory channel is idle (S13). When that mandatory channel is idle, transmission stand-by data packets are reconstructed to have the same packet time length for every wireless channel in accordance with the number of idle channels and the number of the transmission stand-by data packets. The reconstructed data packets are transmitted (simultaneously) (S4). In this example, for wireless packets addressed to the STA A, simultaneous transmission is performed using two wireless channels as the wireless channels #1 and #2 because the wireless channel #1 set as the mandatory channel is idle. On the other hand, when no mandatory channel is set for the receive-side STA in S12, the state of the mandatory channel need not be considered so that the transmission stand-by data packets are reconstructed to have the same packet time length for every wireless channel in accordance with the number of idle channels and the number of the transmission stand-by data packets. The reconstructed data packets are transmitted (simultaneously) (S4). Moreover, when the mandatory channel is not idle in S13, the wireless packet cannot be transmitted to the STA A for which the mandatory channel is set. Therefore, it is then determined whether or not there is another data packet in the transmission buffer (S14). With a presence of a data packet therein, a procedure returns to decoding of an address of the data packet in S11. With no data packet, an idle channel is searched in S2. In this example, when the wireless channel #3 becomes idle, transmission of a wireless packet to the STA B in which no mandatory channel is set using the wireless channel #3 becomes possible. On the other hand, transmission of a wireless packet to the STA A using the wireless channel #3 is not performed because the wireless channel #1 is busy, and has to wait until the wireless channel #1 becomes idle. At a timing data is generated (2), the wireless channels #1 and #2 are idle. Therefore, wireless packets addressed to the STA A for which the mandatory channel is set and to the STA B for which no mandatory channel is set can be transmitted by-using the wireless channels #1 and #2. Third Embodiment FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a feature in using MIMO additionally for simultaneous transmission of wireless packets in the first embodiment as well as in reconstructing wireless packets in S4 in the first embodiment such that reconstructed wireless packets have the same packet time length for the number of simultaneous transmissions that corresponds to a total number of MIMOs of idle channels (S5). Except for the above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Fourth Embodiment FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has the following feature. In case of applying MIMO to simultaneous transmission of wireless packets, antenna correlation is obtained from propagation coefficients prior to reconstruction of wireless packets to wireless packets having the same packet time length for the number of simultaneous transmissions that corresponds to a total number of MIMOs of idle channels in S5 in the third embodiment. Then, the number of MIMOs that that can be multiplexed in one channel is obtained by using a predetermined threshold value (S6). Except for the above, this embodiment is the same as the third embodiment. Fifth Embodiment FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a feature that simultaneous transmission using multiple wireless channels as described in the first embodiment or simultaneous transmission using MIMO as described in the third embodiment is selected in accordance with the number of pieces of data stored in the transmission buffer or the number of MIMOs as described in the fourth embodiment that depends on a channel condition (S7). In accordance with this selection, wireless packets are reconstructed to have the same packet time length for the number of idle channels or the Number of MIMOs. The reconstructed packets are transmitted simultaneously (S4 and S8). Except for the above, this embodiment is the same as the first embodiment. Sixth Embodiment FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a feature that MIMO is applied to simultaneous transmission of wireless packets in the second embodiment. More specifically, wireless packets in S4 in the second embodiment is reconstructed in such a manner that reconstructed wireless packets have the same packet time length for the number of simultaneous transmissions that corresponds to a total number of MIMOs of idle channels (S5). Except for the above, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Seventh Embodiment FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has the following feature. In case of applying MIMO to simultaneous transmission of wireless packets, antenna correlation is obtained from propagation coefficients prior to reconstruction of wireless packets to wireless packets having the same packet time length for the number of simultaneous transmissions that corresponds to a total number of MIMOs of idle channels in S5 in the sixth embodiment. Then, the number of MIMOs that can be multiplexed in one channel is obtained by using a predetermined threshold value (S6). Except for the above, this embodiment is the same as the sixth embodiment. Eighth Embodiment FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a wireless packet communication method according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment has a feature that simultaneous transmission using multiple wireless channels as described in the second embodiment or simultaneous transmission using MIMO as described in the sixth embodiment is selected in accordance with the number of pieces of data stored in the transmission buffer or the number of MIMOs described in the seventh embodiment that depends on a channel condition (S7). In accordance with this selection, reconstruction of wireless packets is performed in such a manner that reconstructed wireless packets have the same packet time length for the number of idle channels or the Number of MIMOs. The reconstructed wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously (S4 and S8). Except for the above, this embodiment is the same as the second embodiment. Exemplary Structure of a Wireless Packet Communication Apparatus FIG. 12 shows an exemplary structure of a wireless packet communication apparatus of the present invention. Although the following description will be directed to the structure of the wireless packet communication apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving three wireless packets simultaneously by using three wireless channels #1, #2, and #3, the number of simultaneously transmittable/receivable wireless packets may be set arbitrarily. Where MIMO is used for each wireless channel, wireless packets can be transmitted and received simultaneously in the number of simultaneous transmissions that is equal to the sum of MIMO numbers of multiple wireless channels. However, the MIMO will not be taken into consideration in the following description as well as a case where multiple wireless channels are independently used. In FIG. 12, the wireless packet communication apparatus includes a transmission/reception block 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3, a transmission buffer 21, a data packet generating block 22, a data frame management block 23, an analyzer of channels' occupation status 24, a packet switching block 25, a packet order management block 26, and a data frame extraction block 27. The transmission/reception blocks 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3 perform wireless communication via different wireless channels #1, #2, and #3, respectively. These wireless channels are independent of each other because they have different wireless frequencies from each other, therefore, the blocks can perform wireless communication using multiple wireless channels at the same time. Each transmission/reception block 10 includes a modulator 11, a transmitter 12, an antenna 13, a receiver 14, a demodulator 15, a frame selection block 16, and a carrier sense block 17. Radio frequency signals transmitted from another wireless packet communication apparatus via different wireless channels #1, #2, and #3 are input to the receivers 14 through the antennas 13 of the transmission/reception block 10-1, 10-2, and 10-3, respectively. Each receiver 14 corresponding to each wireless channel performs a reception processing on the input radio frequency signal. The reception processing contains frequency conversion, filtering, quadrature detection, and AD conversion. A radio frequency signal on a wireless propagation path of each wireless channel is always input to the corresponding receiver 14 except during periods the antenna 13 connected to the receiver 14 is used for transmission. The receiver 14 outputs, to the carrier sense block 17, an RSSI signal indicating a received electric field strength of each wireless channel. When receiving a radio frequency signal on the corresponding wireless channel, the receiver 14 outputs to the demodulator 15 a baseband signal for which the reception processing is performed. The demodulator 15 performs a demodulation processing on the baseband signal input from the receiver 14, and outputs a resulting data packet to the frame selection block 16. The frame selection block 16 performs CRC check on the input data packet. In the case where the data packet has been received correctly, the frame selection block 16 determines whether or not the data packet is directed to an own STA. More specifically, the frame selection block 16 determines whether or not a receive-side STA ID of the data packet is coincident with ID of the own STA. Then, the frame selection block 16 outputs the data packet addressed to the own STA to the packet order management block 26 while transmitting to the modulator 11 an ACK packet generated in an ACK packet generating block (not shown) and performs a reply processing. In transmission of the ACK packet, a transmission mode may be set in such a manner that a transmission rate is set or MIMO is not applied. On the other hand, when the data packet is not directed to the own STA, the frame selection block 16 discards the data packet. The packet order management block 26 checks sequence numbers added to received data packets and rearranges the received data packets in an appropriate order, i.e., in order of sequence numbers. The rearranged data packets are output to the data frame extraction block 27 as received data packets. The data frame extraction block 27 removes a packet header from each of the data packets contained in the received data packets, and outputs the resulting data packets as received data frames. When receiving an RSSI signal, the carrier sense block 17 compares a value of a received electric field strength represented by the RSSI signal with a preset threshold value. When a state where the received electric field strength is smaller than the threshold value continues for a predetermined period, the carrier sense block 17 determines that the assigned wireless channel is idle. Otherwise, the carrier sense block 17 determines that the assigned wireless channel is busy. The carrier sense blocks 17 corresponding to the respective wireless channels output the determination results as carrier sense results CS1 to CS3. Please note that in each transmission/reception block 10, no RSSI signal is input to the carrier sense block 17 while the antenna 13 is in transmission. Moreover, in the case where the antenna 13 has already been in a transmission state, it is not possible to simultaneously transmit another data packet as a radio frequency signal by means of the same antenna 13. Therefore, when receiving the RSSI signal, each carrier sense block 17 outputs the carrier sense result indicating that the wireless channel assigned thereto is busy. The carrier sense results CS1 to CS3 that are output from the carrier sense blocks 17 corresponding to the respective wireless channels are input to the analyzer of channels' occupation status 24. The analyzer of channels' occupation status 24 manages an idle status of each wireless channel based on the corresponding carrier sense result and notifies the data frame management block 23 of information on an idle wireless channel, the number of idle channels, and the like (FIG. 12, a). On the other hand, sent data frames to be transmitted are input to and buffered in the transmission buffer 21. The sent data frames consists one or more data frames. The transmission buffer 21 successively notifies the data frame management block 23 of the number of data frames the transmission buffer 21 currently stores, ID information of a receive-side wireless packet communication apparatus, a data size, address information indicating a position in the buffer, and other information (b). The data frame management block 23 determines how to generate data packets from which data frame and on which wireless channel to transmit, according to information about data frames for each receive-side STA ID from the transmission buffer 21 and information about the wireless channels from the analyzer of channels' occupation status 24. The data frame management block 23 then notifies the transmission buffer 21, the data packet generating block 22, and the data packet switching block 25 of the determined data frame, generation manner, and wireless channel, respectively (c, d, and e). For example, in the case where the number N of idle wireless channels including the mandatory channel is smaller than the number K of transmission stand-by data frames in the transmission buffer 21, the number N of idle wireless channels including the mandatory channel is determined as the number of data packets transmitted simultaneously. The transmission buffer 21 is notified of address information to designate N data frames from the K data frames (c). The data packet generating block 22 is notified of information necessary for generating N data packets from data frames input from the transmission buffer 21 (d). The packet switching block 25 is instructed to associate the N data packets generated by the data packet generating block 22 with the idle wireless channels (e). According to an output instruction, the transmission buffer 21 outputs the data frames to the data packet generating block 22 (f). The data packet generating block 22 extracts data fields from the respective data frames to generate a plurality of data blocks having the same packet time length, and adds a packet header and a CRC code (FCS region) to each of the data blocks to generate data packets shown in FIG. 17. The packet header contains ID information on a receive-side STA as a destination of the corresponding data packet, control information such as a sequence number indicating an order of the data frame, and other information. The control information also contains information required for a receive-side STA to convert a data packet into the original data frame when it receives the data packet. The packet switching block 25 associates the data packets input from the data packet generating block 22 with the respective wireless channels. As a result, the data packet associated with the wireless channel #1 is input to the modulator 11 in the transmission/reception block 10-1; the data packet associated with the wireless channel #2 is input to the modulator 11 in the transmission/reception block 10-2; and the data packet associated with the wireless channel #3 is input to the modulator 11 in the transmission/reception block 10-3. When receiving a data packet from the packet switching block 25, each modulator 11 performs a predetermined modulation processing on the data packet and outputs the processed data packet to the transmitter 12. Each transmitter 12 performs a transmission processing on the modulated data packet input from the modulator 11. The transmission processing contains DA conversion, frequency conversion, filtering, and power amplification. After the transmission processing, each transmitter 12 transmits the processed data packet as a wireless packet on the corresponding wireless channel via the corresponding antenna 13. The processings described in the first to eight embodiments are performed under a control of the data frame management block 23 with the mandatory channel taken into consideration. This can prevent a situation that a wireless packet cannot be received by use of multiple wireless channels because of leakage of power from one channel to an adjacent channel. INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY According to the present invention, while a transmit-side STA is in transmission using one or more wireless channels including a mandatory channel, the other STAs do not perform transmission to the transmit-side STA. Thus, it is possible to avoid a situation that the transmit-side STA cannot receive a wireless packet addressed to an own STA. On the other hand, the other STAs can surely transfer a wireless packet to the transmit-side STA by transmitting the wireless packet after the mandatory channel becomes idle. Thus, throughput can be improved. Moreover, in the case where there is an STA for which no mandatory channel is set, transmission is enabled between STAs including the STA even when the mandatory channel is busy. Thus, reduction of the throughput can be suppressed.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In a conventional wireless packet communication apparatus, a wireless channel to be used is determined in advance. Prior to transmission of a data packet, the wireless packet communication apparatus performs carrier sense to detect whether or not that wireless channel is idle. Only when that wireless channel is idle, the wireless packet communication apparatus transmits one data packet. This management allows a plurality of stations (hereinafter, STA) to share one wireless channel in a staggered manner ((1) IEEE 802.11 “MAC and PHY Specification for Metropolitan Area Networks”, IEEE 802.11, 1998, (2) “Low-powered Data Communication System/Broadband Mobile Access Communication System (CSMA) Standard”, ARIB SDT-T71 version 1.0, Association of Radio Industries and Businesses, settled in 2000). On the other hand, a wireless packet communication method is known in which, when multiple wireless channels are found idle by carrier sense, a plurality of wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the wireless channels. This method is generally described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 . FIG. 13 ( 1 ) shows a case where two wireless channels are idle for three wireless packets. Two of the three wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the two wireless channels. FIG. 13 ( 2 ) shows a case where three wireless channels are idle for two wireless packets. All (two) wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the two wireless channels. FIG. 14 shows a case where a known MIMO technique (Kurosaki et al., “100 Mbit/s SDM-COFDM over MIMO Channel for Broadband Mobile Communications”, Technical Reports of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, A·P 2001-96, RCS2001-135(2001-10)) is used together. In MIMO, different wireless packets are transmitted from a plurality of antennas at the same time on the same wireless channel. Those wireless packets transmitted at the same time on the same wireless channel are separated from each other by digital signal processing that can deal with a difference between propagation coefficients of the wireless packets received by a plurality of antennas in an opposed STA. The number of MIMOs is determined in accordance with the propagation coefficients and the like. FIG. 14 ( 1 ) shows a case where three wireless channels are idle for seven wireless packets when the number of MIMOs of each wireless channel is two. When MIMO is applied to each of the three wireless channels, up to six wireless packets can be transmitted simultaneously. Therefore, six of the above seven wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the three wireless channels. FIGS. 14 ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) show cases where three wireless channels are idle for four wireless packets when the Number of MIMOs of each wireless channel is two. When MIMO is applied to each of the three wireless channels, up to six wireless packets can be transmitted simultaneously. However, the number of transmission-standby wireless packets is four. Therefore, MIMO is applied to a part of the three wireless channels. For example, one of the wireless channels transmits two wireless packets by using MIMO, while each of the remaining two wireless channels transmits one wireless packet without using MIMO, as shown in FIG. 14 ( 2 ). Thus, four wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously by using the three wireless channels in total. Alternatively, four wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously on two wireless channels each using MIMO, as show in FIG. 14 ( 3 ). In the case where center frequencies of multiple wireless channels used at the same time are close to each other, an effect of leakage power from one wireless channel to a frequency region used by another wireless channel becomes large. In general, in case of transferring a wireless packet, a transmit-side STA transmits the wireless packet and thereafter a receive-side STA transmits an acknowledgment packet (Ack) for the received wireless packet to the transmit-side STA. When the transmit-side STA tries to receive this acknowledgment packet (hereinafter, ACK packet), the effect of leakage power from another wireless channel used for simultaneous transmission becomes a problem. For example, a case is considered where center frequencies of wireless channels # 1 and # 2 are close to each other and transmission times of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously from the respective wireless channels are different from each other, as shown in FIG. 15 . In this case, the wireless packet transmitted on the wireless channel # 1 is shorter. Thus, when an ACK packet (Ack 1 ) for that wireless packet is received, the wireless channel # 2 is performing transmission. Therefore, the wireless channel # 1 may not receive that ACK packet (Ack 1 ) because of leakage power from the wireless channel # 2 . In this situation, throughput cannot be improved even if simultaneous transmission is performed using multiple wireless channels at the same time. In a wireless LAN system, for example, data sizes of data frames input from a network are not constant. Thus, in case of sequentially converting the input data frames into wireless packets for transmission, packet time lengths of the wireless packets are also different. Therefore, even when a plurality of wireless packets are transmitted simultaneously at the same time, as shown in FIG. 15 , the transmission time of each wireless packet is different. This increases a possibility of unsuccessful receiving of the ACK packet. In order to overcome the above problem, there is a known method in which transmission of a plurality of wireless packets is terminated at the same time or substantially at the same time by making equal or equivalent packet time lengths (time required to transmit the wireless packets) of the wireless packets transmitted simultaneously. In this case, a transmit-side STA is not performing transmission at a timing at which ACK packets for the respective wireless packets reach the transmit-side STA. Thus, the transmit-side STA can receive all the ACK packets without being affected by leakage power between wireless channels or the like. Therefore, the throughput can be improved. However, even if the packet time lengths of the wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are made the same, the effect of leakage power may become a problem. This case is now described with reference to FIG. 16 . At timing t 1 , wireless channels # 1 and # 2 of a transmit-side STA are idle, while a wireless channel # 3 is busy. Thus, the transmit-side STA transmits wireless packets having the same packet time length by using the idle wireless channels # 1 and # 2 . Therefore, the effect of leakage power can be avoided between the wireless channels # 1 and # 2 . When the wireless channel # 3 becomes idle during transmission of those wireless packets (at timing t 2 ), another STA may determine that the wireless channel # 3 is idle and may transmit a wireless packet to the above transmit-side STA by using the wireless channel # 3 . However, the transmit-side STA is transmitting the wireless packets by using the wireless channels # 1 and # 2 and therefore cannot receive the wireless packet on the wireless channel # 3 because of leakage power from the wireless channels # 1 and # 2 . In other words, the STA in transmission cannot receive a wireless packet transmitted on a wireless channel that is adjacent to the wireless channel being in transmission. This problem occurs not only in case of simultaneous transmission using multiple wireless channels but also in a conventional case where wireless packets are transmitted by using one wireless channel and an adjacent wireless channel that is affected by leakage power receives the wireless packets. It is an object of the present invention to avoid leakage power from affecting an adjacent channel so as to improve throughput by simultaneous transmission.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a flowchart according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a time chart of an exemplary operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 explains methods for reconstructing a data packet. FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a time chart of an exemplary operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless packet communication apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 13 explains exemplary methods for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels. FIG. 14 explains exemplary methods for transmitting a plurality of wireless packets simultaneously by using multiple wireless channels (and MIMO). FIG. 15 explains an effect of leakage power of a wireless channel. FIG. 16 explains a case where the effect of leakage power becomes a problem even if packet time lengths of wireless packets transmitted simultaneously are made the same. FIG. 17 shows a structure of a wireless packet used in the wireless packet communication apparatus of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051014

20071009

20061019

96334.0

H04B7216

TRINH, SONNY

WIRELESS PACKET COMMUNICATION METHOD AND WIRELESS PACKET COMMUNICATION APPARATUS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04B

ACCEPTED

Methods and system for instant voice messaging and instant voice message retrieval

A system for instant voice messaging comprising an IVM server operative to essentially simultaneously receive from an initiating user at least one voice message fragment and stream the at least one voice fragment to at least one target user; and a switch coupled to the IVM server and operative to effect communications between the initiating user and each target user and the IVM server, as well as between the users themselves. The streaming operation ends with an entire instant voice message being transmitted to the target user(s). Each target user may instantly retrieve a message by using a smart notification provided by the IVM server. Special numbering systems facilitate both the instant voice messaging and the instant message retrieval aspects.

1. In a communications network, a system for instant voice messaging comprising: a. an instant voice messaging (IVM) server operative to essentially simultaneously receive from an initiating user at least one voice message fragment and stream said at least one voice fragment to at least one target user, and b. a switch coupled to said IVM server and operative to effect communications between said initiating user and each said at least one target user and said IVM server, as well as between said initiating and said at least one target users; whereby each voice message originating from said initiating user may be instantly transmitted over the communications network to said at least one target user. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said communication network is selected from the group consisting of a telephony network and a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) network telephony network, and wherein said switch is respectively selected from the group consisting of a telephony switch and a VoIP switch. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said IVM server includes a fragment storage and streaming module operative to provide said essentially simultaneous reception and transmission of said at least one voice fragment. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein said telephony network is selected from the group consisting of a cellular network and a wire-line network. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said cellular network implements a technology selected from the group consisting of a 1st generation (1G), 2nd generation (2G), 2.5 generation (2.5G), and 3rd generation (3G) cellular technology. 6. The system of claim 2, wherein said operativeness of said switch to effect communications between each said initiating and target users and said IVM server is facilitated by an IVM number assigned to each said user. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said IVM number is selected from the group of an individual user IVM number and a multiple target user IVM number. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein each said individual user IVM number includes a session identifier and a telephone number or Internet Protocol (IP) address. 9. The system of claim 9, wherein said session identifier is selected from the group consisting of a prefix located before said telephone number or IP address and a suffix located after said telephone number or IP address. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said prefix and said suffix each include a three-digit number. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein said multiple target user IVM number includes, in order, an IVM session identifier, a multiple target user identifier, and a telephone number or IP address of each said at least one target user. 12. The system of claim 1 1, wherein said IVM session identifier is a three-digit number. 13. The system of claim 2, further comprising an instant retrieval module preferably included in said IVM server and operative to provide a first smart notification to said at least one target user in case said pushing of said instant voice message fails, and a second notification to said initiating user about a status of said message. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein said status is selected from a rejection of said message by said at least one target user and acceptance of said message by said at least one target user. 15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a short messaging service center coupled to said IVM server and said switch, wherein said smart notification is selected from the group consisting of a short message service (SMS) notification and a smart caller identification (ID). 16. The system of claim 4, further comprising a presence status subsystem coupled to said IVM server and operative to provide a status parameter of said at least one target user. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said presence status subsystem is selected from the group of a presence status module included in said IVM server and an external presence status server coupled to said IVM server. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said cellular network is a global system for mobile communications (GSM) network, and wherein said presence status server is further coupled to a home location register. 19. The system of claim 2, further comprising a paging system selected from the group consisting of a text paging system and a voice paging system, said paging system coupled to said IVM server, wherein said IVM server further includes i. a voice recognition module operative to convert voice messages into voice paging messages, and ii. a text-to-speech recognition module operative to convert voice messages into text messages, and wherein said paging system is operative to communicate said voice paging messages and said text messages to a pager belonging to said at least one target user. 20. The system of claim 2, further comprising a push-to-talk (PTT) module included in said IVM server and operative to facilitate instant voice messaging between said initiating user and said at least one PUT target user 21. A method for relaying an instant voice message from an initiating user to at least one target user over a communications network, comprising the steps of: a. at an instant voice messaging (IVM) server, receiving at least one voice message fragment from an initiating user; and b. essentially simultaneously with said step of receiving, streaming said at least one voice fragment to at least one target user. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of receiving at least one voice message fragment from an initiating user includes i. providing a switch coupled to the IVM server and operative to effect communications between each said initiating and target users and said IVM server, as well as between said initiating user and said at least one of target user; ii. providing a unique instant voice messaging (IVM) number to each target user, and iii. accessing said IVM server, and wherein said step of streaming said at least one voice fragment to at least one target user, until the entire instant voice message is relayed to said at least one target user includes iv. at said IVM server, starting to record and store fragments of said instant voice message while accessing said target user; 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of: c. if said at least one target user answers said IVM server, streaming already stored fragments of said instant voice message to said at least one target user until the entire message is transmitted; or d. if said at least one target user does not answer said IVM server, processing said instant voice message at the IVM server according to predetermined rules. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one target user is a single target user, and wherein said step of providing an IVM number to said single target user includes providing an individual two-part number that includes an IVM session identifier and a telephone number or IP address that uniquely identifies said target user. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein said at least one target user includes a plurality of target users, and wherein said step of providing an IVM number to said plurality of target users includes providing a three-part, multiple target user number that includes an IVM session identifier, a multiple target user identifier, and a telephone number or IP address of each of said target users. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein said step of streaming already stored fragments is followed by an operation selected from the group of, by said at least one target user, moving to full-duplex session with said initiating user and further processing said instant voice message. 27. A method for instant retrieval of a voice message sent from an initiating user to a target user through an instant voice messaging (IVM) server, comprising the steps of: a. by the target user, receiving a smart notification from the IVM server that said target user is provided with a particular instant voice message; and b. by said target user, directly accessing said particular message. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said step of receiving a smart notification includes receiving a notification selected from the group consisting of a caller ID notification and a short message service (SMS) notification. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of receiving a caller ID notification further includes receiving a notification comprising an access code to an IVM instant retrieval module, a unique identification code for said particular instant voice message, and a message type. 30. The of claim 29, wherein said message type is selected from the group consisting of an instant voice message, a voice-mail, a multi-media service message and a unified message. 31. The method of claim 27, wherein said step of directly accessing said particular message includes accessing said message while said message is being sent by an initiating user. 32. The method of claim 27, wherein said step of directly accessing said particular message includes accessing said message after said message has been sent in its entirety by an initiating user. 33. An instant voice messaging (IVM) server comprising: a. a mechanism for receiving at least one voice message fragment from a first user and for essentially simultaneously streaming said at least one voice message fragment to at least one second user; and b. a communication mechanism to communicate with said first user and said at least one second user. 34. The IVM server of claim 33, wherein said mechanism for reception and essentially simultaneous streaming of said at least one voice fragment includes a fragment streaming and storage module operative to recognize the format of said voice message and to save said message in fragments of a given size. 35. The IVM server of claim 33, further comprising an instant retrieval module operative to provide a smart notification to said at least one second user that said instant voice message is being sent to said at least one second user. 36. In a communications network, a system for instant voice messaging comprising: a. an instant voice messaging (IVM) server operative to essentially simultaneously receive from an initiating user having an initiating user handset at least one voice message fragment and stream said at least one voice fragment to at least one target user having a respective target user handset; and b. a switch coupled to said IVM server and operative to effect communications between said initiating user and each said at least one target user and said IVM server, as well as between said initiating and said at least one target users; c. a mechanism included in each said handset for allowing a one-push access to said server for sending or listening to said voice message, whereby each voice message originating from said initiating user may be instantly transmitted over the communications network to said at least one target user. 37. The system of claim 36, wherein said mechanism includes at least one button, and wherein said one-push operation includes activation of said at least one button.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to telecommunications, in particular wire-line and wireless telephony and telephony signaling systems, and communications carried over public switching telephony networks such as PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and more specifically to signaling system No.7 (SS7). The present invention also relates to cellular telephony technologies, both 1st generation (“1G”, i.e. analog cellular technology), 2nd generation (“2G”, e.g. Global System for Mobile communications or GSM, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), 2.5 generation (“2.5G”, e.g. General Packet Radio Services or GPRS) and 3rd generation (3G) cellular technologies such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) and 1×RTT (1×) radio transmission technology). The present invention also relates to messaging, both immediate messaging and voice messaging. Immediate messaging is a relatively new concept, originally suggested by the ICQ Corp. The invention further relates to Instant Messaging and Presence Services (IMPS) and to Push-to-Talk (PTT) voice over Internet protocol (P) telephony (PTT over VoIP), also called immediate or instant voice communication (IVC). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Existing IVC Technologies Several technologies enable immediate voice communication. Though telephony voice communication can be easily established via a circuit switched line such as a telephony connection, it still has its delays (e.g. connection delay), which do not exist in PTT technologies such as iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network) or TETRA (Terrestial Trunked Radio). First introduced in 1994, iDEN is being used in the cellular telephony communication field. Its installation base is very low in comparison to that of other cellular technologies. In iDEN, a user can push a button and speak into his handset while his designated group receives his spoken words immediately. iDEN thus resembles a radio ‘walkie-talkie’ technology. The target audience can immediately reply, also very similar to a ‘walkie-talkie’ system. TETRA is an open standard for a single, cohesive two-way radio network supporting multiple government agencies throughout the country that communicate together on the same network. etc.), and has a small installed base within the consumer sector. Other IVC technologies include “Private Mobile Radio”, which is a short-range radio service with limited capabilities that is mainly used by work groups, and “Walkie Talkie. Terminals” such as ‘Cobra’ and ‘Talkabout’, which represent a growing market in the consumer segment (theme parks, ski resorts, etc.), but have a limited transmission range. PTT technologies have a small installed base within the cellular market in comparison with other popular cellular technologies such as GSM, CDMA, and TDMA. Recently, an emerging ‘always-on’ concept for data networks has been developed. In this concept, a user is always connected with his/her cellular handset to a data network. This can be seen in the GPRS cellular technology where an IP network is added to a GSM cellular voice network. This permanent data connectivity has developed a lot of hope for IVC over a large installed base of cellular users. VoIP can transmit voice over data networks and as such it is expected to become a key technology for the IVC concept over data networks. However, such a VoIP implementation requires modification of the end-user's handset in order to enable this handset to support encoding and decoding of voice over the IP network. Such a modification can be called ‘client software’. Existing Immediate Messaging Solutions ICQ is a widely used immediate messaging technology, started as an Internet-based (and thus data-based) technology. The ICQ technology enables people to communicate by text messages that are immediately forwarded over the Internet. One can attach a voice file to an ICQ message, but the technology is not voice-based and voice is only an attachment. Though ICQ is implemented over advanced cellular networks such as the GPRS network, it uses the data part and not the voice part of the cellular network. The ICQ technology requires ‘client software’ to be installed on the end-user devices. Other ICQ-like technologies exist, for example ‘AOL messenger’. Short messaging services (SMS) represent another immediate messaging platform that enables immediate text messages with up to 160 characters to be transmitted over a signaling sub-network of a telephony (especially cellular) system. EMS (Enhanced SMS) is a technology that enables concatenation of short SMS messages, thus enabling transmission of images or pictures. Another immediate voice messaging method can be seen as a multi media service (MMS)-based ‘record and send’ service. In this service, a user records his message in his MMS supporting handset, then sends the message to another MMS ‘record and send’ supporting handset. The message is stored within the target user's handset and can be played. This service requires an MMS supporting network as well as dedicated handsets, and requires a lot of interoperability efforts in order to run among various networks and handsets. Another immediate voice messaging method is voice paging (VP). VP is based on calling a certain phone number and then entering a subscriber identification number (IDN) followed by relaying of the voice message. The message is sent to a voice-paging device. The appearance of 2.5G cellular technologies such as GPRS enable immediate messages to be transmitted over an always-connected data network. SMS messages can be similarly transmitted. Recent efforts at standardizing the instant communication or instant messaging technologies include the ‘Wireless Village’ Forum founded by Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia in April 2001 to define and promote a set of universal specifications for mobile instant messaging and presence services. The Wireless-Village proposes a standard protocol for instant messaging and presence service (IPMS), which includes presence information management, instant messaging, group management and shared content. Another forum is PAM—the Presence and Availability Management forum. The PAM forum is an independent, non-profit consortium established to standardize the management and sharing of presence and availability information across multiple services and networks. The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) has a group that deals with the Instant Messaging and Presence Protocol (IMPP). The IMPP group is working on protocols and data formats necessary to build an Internet-scale end-user presence awareness, notification and instant messaging system. The most recently established group (Oct. 31, 2002) is the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) working group within the IETF. Existing Voice-mail Technologies Leaving voice messages over a telecommunication network is a common behavior supported by voice-mail systems. These forward a call to a voice-mail answering machine that enables the calling user to leave a voice message. Voice-mail systems are built to different capacity and sizes: systems for telecommunication carriers, for medium size organizations or even for private customers (an answering machine at home). These systems enable the calling user to leave a message in case the called party does not answer, in case the called number is busy, or even in case of call waiting. It is also possible to leave a message in case the called party is a cellular client within an area without proper radio coverage. Another way for leaving a voice message is by dialing directly to the voice-mail system (without calling the target user), including the target user's phone number. Thus, dialing for example 151-54-123456 will enable leaving a voice and/or fax message to subscriber No. 054 123456 without even calling him/her. When a voice (and/or a fax) message is left for a target customer, the customer can find out about this event either by getting an SMS notification; by getting a small icon e.g. that will be displayed on his/her handset display; or by simply lighting an indicator on his/her phone (which can be a wire-line phone connected to a wire-line telecom network or a PBX (private exchange)). Another way to find out whether new voice-mails have arrived to one's voice-mailbox is simply by calling the voice-mail system and hearing how many new messages are waiting. Message retrieval is done by calling the voice-mail system, hearing the interactive voice reply (IVR) and following the instructions of the IVR. Voice-mail technologies are common. Comverse (29 HaBarzel Street, Ramat Hachayal, Tel Aviv 69710, Israel) has developed and leads the market with voice-mail technology. Voice-mail technologies can use SS7 signaling system interconnections in order to be connected to the telephony system. Other voice-mail systems are implemented over data networks. These voice-mail systems use VoIP technologies in order to receive and send voice to the data networks that these voice-mail systems are connected to. Some voice-mail systems (such as Comverse's) enable the user who leaves a message to mark this message as “urgent”. In such cases, all urgent messages will be played to the target user before the ‘regular’ messages (those that have not been market urgent). The playing order of the urgent messages is according to the chronological time they were left. Existing VoIP implementations for Instant Voice Communication In prior art, there are a few attempts made to implement instant voice communication over data networks. These implementations try to emulate the usage experience of ‘push to talk’ technologies. For example, Mobile Tornado (6 Galgaley Haplada Street, P.O. Box 4043, Herzlya 46140, Israel) uses cellular data networks (e.g. GPRS, 1× RTT, etc.), which have the feature of being always connected to the end-user. Thus, the user is always connected to the network and therefore is always available to receive a message in a very short time. Because the networks mentioned above are built for data transmission, voice can be transmitted over such networks only as VoIP. VoIP requires a special network installation, special handsets, special interoperability issues, therefore time to market is much longer, the number of users that can use this system is lower and there are many interoperability open issues. Also, VoIP networks suffer from a low quality of service (QoS) because of typical characteristics of VoIP systems such as jitter (variable delay), delay, bandwidth problems etc. Disadvantages of Existing Solutions Existing solutions do not provide instant voice messaging with almost real time experience of voice communication for ALL telephony systems and technologies—both wire-line and cellular. Most existing solutions require client software on the end-user terminal. Most existing solutions have a limited installed base such as iDEN technology or TETRA technology. Existing VoIP solutions for instant voice communications over 2.5G cellular data networks such as GPRS data network have a lower voice quality than circuit switched voice networks. This is mainly because of the improved voice quality that circuit switched voice networks can provide. Circuit switched voice networks are dedicated telephony connections, wherein data networks are packet-based. A VoIP technology is required when packed based networks (data networks) are used to transmit voice, and the quality of the transmitted voice is lower than the quality of voice transmitted over a circuit switched network Existing methods for retrieval of voice and/or fax messages require a user to call the system, listen to system greetings and new messages that were received prior to the desired message, then finally retrieve the desired message. Existing PTT technologies do not necessary provide a “store and forward” engine. In other words, a message that was not heard is actually lost, similar to the situation in two-way radio communication. A lack of store and forward engine makes PTT intrusive, i.e. a handset may suddenly begin to make an intrusive noise when playing an incoming voice message. iDEN for example does not allow storing a sent message. Therefore, if the targeted user is not listening, the message would be lost. Furthermore, no indication that a message tried to reach a target user will be provided to the target user. Also, no indication for reception or non-reception is provided to the initiating user. A major disadvantage of existing message retrieval methods is that the target user cannot reach and retrieve a specific message without hearing all previous messages. Furthermore, even in case that the target user is notified of an expected voice (and/or a fax) message that is very important and/or urgent, the target user still has to call his/her voice-mail system and hear all the previous messages. Another disadvantage of known voice-mail retrieval methods is the need to listen to the greetings part and the operational instructions of the IVR. One recently introduced method that enables instant voice-mail retrieval is provided by Comverse and called ‘visual voice-mail’. This method requires a dedicated ‘client software’ or a dedicated handset as well as an additional communication link (e.g. IP based session) with the voice-mail system. In fact, according to this method, the end-user can have a browsing session with the voice-mail in which the user will find out what messages were left for him/her, and then can choose a message to be played. The message will be played as requested. This method definitely requires a special end-user device as well as an IP-based session with the voice-mail server. U.S. patent application No. 20020146097 discloses a method, apparatus and system for short voice message (SVM), which is sent as a SMS message, a SMS-like message, or as an instant message. The method of operation suggested by the patent application includes one of the following: using the MMS protocol on new user terminals and networks; utilizing existing SMS point-to-point service by concatenating packet data unit (PDU) strung together to form a short voice message; applying a voice to text converter on the recorded message and a text to voice converter as the message is played; or by sending the voice message on data networks. Canadian Patent No. 2355420 describes an apparatus and method for transmission of information over an electronic network in the form of a user-to-user voice messaging service between mobile phone subscribers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system is provided as a voice SMS platform, comprising a voice SMS server and an application user interface layer coupled with a Graphic User Interface (GUI). The invention may be applicable based on of the following technologies: browser-based interface based on Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or HTML or C-HTML; SIM Application ToolKit (SAT); and Interactive Voice Response (IVR). U.S. patent application No. 20020146097 and Canadian Patent No. 2355420 do not disclose solutions that may be implemented with existing standard network and end-user equipment, allowing the full end-user flexibility and real-time usability. There is therefore a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have methods and systems for instant voice messaging and voice message retrieval that do not exist in prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses novel instant (immediate) voice-messaging (IVM) methods and systems. Some of the IVM methods disclosed herein provide acknowledgments for message reception or non-reception. The IVM methods disclosed herein differ from prior art instant voice communication methods (such as the PPT method) in that they can be easily implemented over all cellular networks as well as wire-line telephony networks and all existing end-user telephony devices. According to the present invention there is provided in a communications network, a system for instant voice messaging comprising an IVM server (described in detail below) operative to essentially simultaneously receive from an initiating user at least one voice message fragment and to stream the at least one voice fragment to at least one target user; and a switch coupled to the IVM server and operative to effect communications between the initiating user and each target user and the IVM server, as well as between the initiating and at least one target users; whereby each voice message originating from the initiating user may be instantly transmitted over the communications network to the at least one target user. According to the present invention there is provided a method for relaying an instant voice message from an initiating user to at least one target user over a communications network, comprising the steps of: at an IVM server, receiving at least one voice message fragment from the initiating user, and essentially simultaneously with the step of receiving, streaming the at least one voice fragment to the at least one target user. According to the present invention there is provided a method for instant retrieval of a voice message sent from an initiating user to a target user through an IVM server, comprising the steps of: by the target user, receiving a smart notification from the IVM server that a particular instant voice message has been sent to him/her; and by the target user, directly accessing the particular message. According to the present invention there is provided an instant voice messaging (IVM) server comprising a mechanism for receiving at least one voice message fragment from a first user and for essentially simultaneously streaming the at least one voice message fragment to at least one second user, and a communication mechanism for the IVM server to communicate with the first user and the at least one second user. The present invention discloses systems and methods for sending instant voice, fax and multimedia messages through existing standard cellular and PSTN networks and standard end-user terminal technology. A message is preferably sent to the end-users using a “push” method of operation and using a streaming technology that allows users to start listening to the message while it is still being recorded, and to retrieve recorded messages using a single function (e.g. a button on a handset). Users may also easily switch to a full bidirectional (full-duplex) conventional phone conversation. The present invention also provides an improvement of voice paging (VP) by enabling VP integration with the instant voice messaging service disclosed herein. This enables the IVM service to be extended to voice paging devices. A telephony user will simply have to store a telephone number that includes: (a) an instant messaging server number followed by (b) a voice paging server number followed by (c) a target user paging identification number. When this telephone number is dialed, the IVM server will connect to the voice-paging server, yielding an intuitive and simple instant voice paging service with a possibility to initiate it from a regular telephony device. The present invention enables sending PTT messages to telephone users who do not have a PTT phone, or who are not subscribers of a PTT service. This can be done by sending a PTT message to the IVM server, which converts this message into an IVM message and sends it to any telephony user. Furthermore, this invention enables each telephony user to send an IVM message to the IVM server, which converts this message into a PTT format and sends it to a PTT system. The PTT system then delivers this PTT message to any PTT user specified by the telephony user. The present invention discloses a special numbering feature (method) that enables instant access to the IVM server, enabling the implementation of this service over existing telephony networks, in particular networks using the SS7 signaling system. This feature enables to create an instant voice message, while simultaneously initiating a voice session with the target user(s). For example, dialing “152” and after that dialing a telephone number of a target user, e.g. 152-054-123456, will start an instant session with the IVM server which in turn will simultaneously start an IVM session with the 054 123456 telephone user. In this example “152” is a special “IVM prefix” that indicates to the switch that the session is an IVM session and therefore should be forwarded to the IVM server. The voice session with the target user(s) will preferably include a special notification for the target user(s) that lets the target user(s) know that the session includes an instant voice messaging communication. The IVM server enables the initiating user to create his/her message while the target user(s) can already begin hearing the message. The initiating user can be notified whether his/her message is being heard during its creation by insertion of a special notification (e.g. “beep”) into the voice session that the initiating user has with the IVM server. Alternatively, the initiating user can be also notified that his/her message was heard a little while after the initiating user has finished his/her voice session with the IVM server. This notification can be done either by a SMS or by a message that can be created by the IVM server and sent to the initiating user. The initiating user and the target user may be both connected to the IVM server, but do not normally have a telephony, two-way communication channel between them, although such a channel can be easily established. Thus, the IVM service is a content-based call-teaser or content-based call-screening service, i.e. a phone call can be established (call-teasing) or not (call-screening) depending on the content of a certain message. Nevertheless, the IVM service enables the initiating user to choose in advance (by using different dial numbers) whether he/she is sending an instant voice message or whether he/she would rather have a conversation with the target user. The innovative numbering method disclosed herein enables the users (both initiating and target) to choose whether to use a messaging mode or a conversation mode right from the initiation of the session, as there are different numbers for a conversation session and a messaging session. The instant voice messages can be limited in duration (e.g. a limitation of being no longer then 2 minutes, etc.). The method and system described herein also provides an add-hoc, one-to-many conference call establishment. The process may begin with an instant voice message of one-to-many users saying for example “please join me in a conference”, and will continue as a conference call. Sending a short message to many users saying “please join me to a conference call” will enable target users to press a key on their phone and join a regular conversation with the initiating user. The present invention further discloses a method and system for instant retrieval of regular voice and/or fax and/or instant voice messages. The system enables direct access to a specific voice and/or fax and/or multi-media and/or unified message, without the need to listen to previous messages and/or to system greetings and/or to system operational instructions. After the user is notified that a certain message has been left for him/her, e.g. by a SMS notification that states: “you have a new voice (and/or fax) message from phone No.: +972 3 123456”, the user can call a voice-mail system described herein while using the information received with the notification (in this case the number +972 3 123456). In order for the retrieval to be “instant”, the notification needs to be “smart”, for example a SMS with a “smart” Caller ID, e.g. 153 972 3 123456 1997. In this example, “153” is a prefix, which, when dialed, will tell the switch that this is an instant retrieval of an instant voice message. Therefore, the switch will forward this call to the IVM server, but with one difference to the “152” prefix in the accessing of the server above. “152” reflects a message creation session, while “153” reflects a message retrieval session. The IVM server will treat a call with a 153 prefix as a retrieval call. “1997” is an example of a suffix that can specify the particular message to be instantly retrieved. A combination of an initiating user number with the suffix can allow a shorter suffix, because in such case the suffix will have to specify only the messages left by that particular initiating user, and not all messages left within the system. An exemplary text (content) of the SMS may be as follows: “you have an instant voice message from 972 3 123456; in order to retrieve it instantly, please dial the number of this message sender”. The user can then simply use the number within the SMS by pressing the CALL or SEND button on his/her handset. The methods and systems for instant retrieval of regular voice, fax and instant voice messages also enable direct and instant access to an unheard (un-listened to) instant voice message that has become a voice-mail message. This may be done as follows: when the IVM message is transferred from the IVM server to another storage e.g. a voice-mail, the IVM server can communicate with the other storage (in this case the voice-mail) server and get a special pointer for instantly accessing that message within the new storage. The receiving (target) user does not have to know whether the message has been transferred to another storage or not. The user simply uses the numbering method for instant access to a message stored within the IVM server. In case the message has been transferred, the IVM server can still access it and play it instantly. Alternatively, every message stored within conventional storage systems such as voice-mail, may get an instant access pointer, and a smart notification as described above may be sent to the receiving user, enabling him/her to instantly retrieve that message, without using the IVM server. The present invention is suitable for implementation with all cellular technologies as well as with wire-line telephony technologies. In contrast with existing methods, the present invention uses preferably circuit switched networks for its instant voice messaging service, thereby providing a high quality of the transmitted voice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference will be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to these particular embodiments. The structure, operation, and advantages of the present preferred embodiment of the invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein: FIG. 1a shows a schematic block diagram of a basic preferred embodiment of an instant voice messaging (IVM) system according to the present invention; FIG. 1b shows an exemplary individual IVM number; FIG. 1c shows an exemplary multiple target user IVM number; FIG. 2a shows an exemplary flow chart that illustrates the main steps in a preferred embodiment of the method for IVM according to the present invention that performs an IVM “push” function; FIG. 2b shows details of the steps in the flow chart of FIG. 2a; FIG. 2c shows alternative additional steps of processing the IVM sent in FIG. 2b; FIG. 2d shows an exemplary flow chart that illustrates the main steps in a preferred embodiment of the method for instant voice messaging according to the present invention that performs an IVM instant retrieval function; FIG. 2e shows details of the steps in the flow chart of FIG. 2d; FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of an IVM system according to the present invention; FIG. 4 shows an exemplary flow chart of an IVM server-to-initiating user notification procedure in the case of a message sent to a single target user; FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flow chart of an IVM server-to-initiating user notification procedure in the case of a message sent to a plurality of target users; FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the IVM system of the present invention that comprises a number of optional components in addition to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3; FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the IVM system of the present invention, in which the IVM server is connected to an IP (data) domain by VoIP technology; FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of the IVM system of the present invention, in which the IVM server is connected to a legacy PTT system and/or VoIP based PTT system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention discloses methods and systems for instant voice messaging and voice message retrieval. FIG. 1a shows a schematic block diagram of a basic preferred embodiment of an instant voice messaging system 100 according to the present invention. The system comprises an initiating end-user device (“initiating user”) 102 coupled through a telephony or VoIP switch 104 to an instant voice messaging (IVM) server 106 installed in a telephony (cellular or wire-line) or VoIP network 108. The initiating user may be connected through switch 104 to one or more target end-user devices (“target users”) 110. The discussion will continue with reference to one target user, with the understanding that the invention applies equally well to a plurality of such users. The initiating and target end-user devices may be a cellular handset (either analog and/or digital 2G, 2.5G or 3G), a wire-line telephone set or a VoIP set, and may have an optional memory that can store numbers. Hereinafter, all such devices will be referred to simply as “handsets”. Each user is assigned an instant voice-messaging number, described in more detail below. This represents a first major innovative feature of the present invention. Dialing the IVM number of a target user will instantly set up (initiate) a session with IVM server 106, which will enable the initiating user to create an instant voice message. Essentially simultaneously, server 106 initiates a session with one or more target user. Uniquely and inventively, parts (fragments) of the message already created by the initiating user are then transmitted (streamed) by the IVM server to the target user while the initiating user still creates other fragments, in contrast with all known existing voice message techniques. A first main enabling feature that facilitates the simultaneous creation of an IVM by the initiating user and the initiation of a session between the IVM server and a target user is the unique and inventive IVM numbering system disclosed herein below. A second main feature enabling simultaneous message fragment storage and streaming to a target user is a “fragment storage and streaming” module 120 preferably included in IVM server 106. Module 120 is operative to recognize the format of the received message and to start saving the message in a given format, for example MP3. The module is further operative to save the message in fragments of a given size, and to stream (forward) these segments to the target user even before the entire message has been received by the IVM server. System 100 may comprise an optional “instant retrieval” module 122 preferably (but not necessarily) included in server 106. When included, module 122 is operative to provide a “smart” notification (e.g. a “smart” Caller ID or SMS) to the target user. This notification may be used by the target user if the “push” operation failed, or in the case he/she accesses an already heard and previously saved. This notification provides the target user with instant access to the saved message. In the context of the present invention, “smart” means a numbering system that allows instant retrieval of the specific message. System 100 may optionally further comprise a presence status module 326 preferably included in the IVM server and operative to provide the status of the target user, as described in more detail below. Module 122 creates a way for identification of stored messages by pointing out these messages so that they will be instantly retrieved. Furthermore, this module creates the smart notification. The IVM server does not necessarily have to store IVM messages. For example, in case that the target user has heard the message during its preparation and did not ask to save it or forward it etc., the message can be simply discarded. In this case, the IVM server performs only a buffering activity instead of a storage activity. Furthermore, an operator can define that an IVM messages should not be stored but only buffered, and heard only in case it was heard during its preparation. FIG. 1b shows an exemplary individual IVM number (for a session between an initiating user and a single target user). FIG. 1c shows an exemplary multiple target user IVM number (for a session between an initiating user and a plurality of target users). When the initiating user dials the number, the switch recognizes this as a call to be forwarded to the IVM server. Furthermore, the IVM server recognizes this as an instant voice message to be “pushed” (sent instantly, even before the message is completed, i.e. completely recorded at the server to a target user with a telephone number included in the IVM number. An individual IVM number may include either two or three parts. A two part IVM number includes an IVM prefix 152 and a target user number 154, for example 152 054 123456, where “152” is the prefix, and 054-123456 is the target user number. As usually done with telephony networks, the zero (0) at the start of the number can be omitted when a prefix is added. Therefore, target user number 154 can also look like 54123456. In general, if it includes three parts 152 (IVM prefix), 154 (target user number) and 156 (IVM suffix, e.g. “789”)) as shown in FIG. 1b, either prefix or suffix may suffice to identify the session as an IVM session. That is, the telephony or VoIP switch can use either the prefix or the suffix as notification to forward this message to the IVM server. Part 154 allows the IVM server to instantly ‘ask’ the telephony or VoIP switch to connect to the target number. The target user's IVM number can be immediately accessed and the session can be immediately initiated. “152”, “154” and “156” can be also numbers that represent IP address and have the format of an IP address (e.g. “152” can look like 172.24.204.205). Table 1 shows exemplary entries into a phone memory. The stored numbers are IVM numbers having a prefix “152”. The dialing of each number will send an IVM to the user having the number following the prefix. TABLE 1 Instant Voice Message - Mum 152 054 123456 Instant Voice Message - Dad 152 054 654321 IMVM Sharon 152 053 334455 IMVM Dana 152 053 576632 When there is a plurality (or “group”) of target users, the multiple target user IVM number also has preferably three parts, as shown in FIG. 1c. In other words, a multiple target user IVM number includes an IVM session identifier, a multiple target user identifier, and a telephone number or IP address (e.g. in Internet based systems) of each target user. A first part 160 “informs” the telephony or VoIP switch that the initiated session is an IVM session. A second part 162 informs the IVM server that this is a request for an IVM session between an initiating user and a plurality of target users. A third part 164 includes all the telephone numbers of the group of target users. All telephone numbers of all target users can be entered directly one after another or separated by an agreed sign. As indicated in FIG. 1c, an exemplary multiple target user IVM number may look like 152*054 123456 #054 765432 #053 234876, where “152” (part 160) stands for “initiating IVM session”. “*” (part 162) stands for a session with a plurality of end-users, and “#” stands for separation between various group member telephone numbers (the three numbers 054 123456, 054 765432 and 053 234876 forming here part 164). The entire multiple target user IVM number may be saved in the initiating user device under a given name such as “IVM to my class mates”. Furthermore, groups of users can be defined by dialing 152 to the IVM server and then keying in a certain code, e.g. 777. They will get an IVR (interactive voice response) that will guide them to enter the group members' numbers. Following, such a group will get a group identification number, e.g. “54321”, and then an IVM message could be left to the whole group by simply dialing e.g. 152 54321. It is also always possible to access the IVM server via the Internet (WEB interface) and define user groups. The IVM server is involved in, and is the conduit for all communications between the initiating user and the target end-user(s) during an IVM session. However, any user (target or initiating) may ask the IVM server to change the mode of communication from an IVM session into a two-way telephone call (for two participants) or into a conference call (for more than two participants). In such a case, the initiating user a can press some agreed keys (e.g. pressing ##) and the IVM server will signal the telephony or VoIP switch to initiate the two-way or conference call. The IVM server can have recorded messages that can be played to all users connected to it, at various times during their connection. Such messages can instruct initiating and target users with regard to various functions that can be performed, such as setting up a regular voice telephone conversation by keying in certain keys, etc. The IVM server may include a function of limiting the instant voice-message length. In order to eliminate the possibility of telephony network overload by instant voice-messages that are too long, the IVM server may stop the creation of an IVM after a limiting duration (e.g. 2 minutes). A notification can then be sent to the initiating user to create a message no longer than the given limiting duration. FIG. 2a shows an exemplary flow chart that illustrates the two main steps in a preferred embodiment of the method for instant voice messaging according to the present invention that performs an IVM “push” function. These include receiving at least one voice message fragment from an initiating user at the IVM server in step 200, and essentially simultaneously with the step of receiving, streaming the at least one voice fragment to at least one target user in step 202. These steps are now described in more detail in FIG. 2b. As shown in FIG. 2b, step 200 further includes the following: a typical IVM “push” procedure starts with the initiating user providing the IVM number of a target user to the IVM server (i.e. establishing a signaling session) through the switch in step 210. The IVM server is accessed by the initiating user (i.e. a voice session is established) using this number in step 212. After being accessed, the IVM server preferably sends a notification signal e.g. a beep to the initiating user, indicating to the initiating user that he/she can begin recording the message. In step 214, two processes occur in parallel: the IVM server starts to record the message provided by the initiating user (using fragment storage and streaming module 120) and essentially simultaneously accesses the target user. The IVM server continues to record and store the message fragments until the entire message is transmitted by the initiating user. As further shown in FIG. 2b, step 202 further includes the following: The target user may or may not answer the IVM server after being accesses by it. If the target user does answer, the IVM server streams the already stored fragments until the entire message is transmitted in step 216. The target user may at any streaming stage move to a full-duplex session with the initiating user (step 218). In addition, in case the target user has answered the incoming IVM message, the initiating user can at any time, press a certain key on his handset and change the IVM session into two-way phone conversation. Either user can notify the server that he/she would like to have a full-duplex session with the other party. This can be notified by e.g. a DTMF (Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency) signal that was created by pressing on any key on the handset. Also, other notifications are possible, e.g. in IP telephony any command based on a data code that can be generated within the end-user handset. Upon getting the notification, the IVM server connects the involved users to a full-duplex session through the server, or commands the telephony (or VoIP) switch to connect these users to a full-duplex session directly through the switch. Alternatively, the target user may further process the message, e.g. by saving it, replying to it or forwarding it, as described in more detail with reference to steps 248-258 of FIG. 2c. If the target user does not answer the server (step 215) the server may further process the message according to predetermined rules. This processing may include for example storage within the IVM server, transfer to a voice-mail system, or attempts to resend the IVM message. For example, if the message is still stored within the IVM server, the message is played instantly. If the message is not stored, then the IVM server either contacts the voice-mail system and performs a smart retrieval (in which case the message is played instantly), or does not do anything “smart” and just connects the retrieving user to the voice-mail system (in which case there's a regular message retrieval). Alternatively, a user can always access his/her voice-mail and try to retrieve any existing messages there. If the message spoken is within the voice-mail system, the user will simply hear it. FIG. 2c shows a more detailed flow chart of an exemplary IVM process according to the present invention. After a process start, an initiating user chooses (or “keys in”) a number and preferably presses a “send” function on his/her handset in step 232. A connection between the initiating user and the IVM server is established instantly in step 234. The IVM server provides an acknowledgement (e.g. a “go-ahead” notification) to the initiating user in step 236. Two steps (identical with 212/222) then follow essentially simultaneously: the initiating user begins to record his message within the IVM server in step 238, while the IVM server calls the target user in step 240. A check to see if the target user answered the incoming call is run in step 242. If it did (“yes”), the IVM server starts playing the already recorded parts (fragments) of the message to the target user in step 244. The target user can then choose, by preferably pressing a DTMF key on his/her handset, one of six optional actions in step 246: save the message in step 248, or; reply with an instant voice message in step 250, or; in step 256, reply to all users, i.e. the initiating user and all target users, in case there are more than one target users, or; forward the message as an IVM to another user in step 252, or; establish a full-duplex phone conversation with the initiating user in an instant way in step 254, or; delete the message in step 258. Alternatively, the target user may just end the session. If the target user did not answer the call (“No” in step 242), the recorded message is played when accessed by the target user in step 260, or, if not accessed for a given period of time, the recorded message may be transferred to a voice-mail in step 262, and the process ends. FIG. 2d shows an exemplary flow chart that illustrates the two main steps in a preferred embodiment of the method for instant voice messaging according to the present invention that performs an IVM instant retrieval function. These include receiving, by a target user, a “smart” notification from the IVM server that an instant message (voice, fax, etc.) has been sent to him/her in step 264, and directly accessing the particular instant message in step 266. These steps are now described in more detail in FIG. 2e. Prior to step 264, the IVM server sends the target user the “smart” notification, which may be for example a “CALLER ID” saying: “an instant voice message from ABC#XYZ*W054 123456”. Here “ABC” stands for the access code to an IVM instant retrieval module located either in the IVM server (i.e. module 122) or in any other system capable of storing messages. “#XYZ” stands for a unique identification code for the specified message, and “*W” stands for the message type (voice-mail, MMS message, unified message or IVM). For example W=1 means a voice-mail message, W=2 means an MMS message, W=3 means a unified message and W=4 means an instant voice message. In case the target user did not see the caller ID and missed (did not answer) the incoming IVM message, the target user who sees the ‘missed instant voice messages’ notification may read the list of the missed (unanswered) instant voice messages including the prefixes (step 276), and may dial manually the prefix of a particular message in order to instantly retrieve it (step 278). In step 278, the target user may also just press the ‘DIAL’ or ‘CALL’ button on the handset, while looking at a certain ‘missed’ message notification. In this case the handset will automatically dial the prefix. Alternatively, the notification may be an SMS message, as described in more detail below. The target user checks if the notification is a Caller ID or an SMS message in step 270. If an SMS message (step 272) the target user reads the message in step 280, accesses the number of the SMS sender in step 282 as indicated and is promptly connected to the IVM server in a message retrieval mode in step 284. If a Caller ID notification (step 274), the Caller ID is displayed on the target user's handset display in step 276, and the target user accesses the displayed number in step 278 as indicated, being then connected to the IVM server in step 284. A check 285 is run by the IVM server to see if the message is still stored within the IVM server. The message may be stored in storage module 623 (see FIG. 6) for later instant retrieval. If yes, the target user directly accesses and retrieves that message in step 287 as indicated. If no, the IVM server checks if the message was transferred to another storage server (not shown in step 289. Such as a voice-mail server (not shown) is coupled to server 106. Alternatively yet, the multi-media message may be kept within a MMS server (not shown) and the unified message may be kept in a unified messaging system (UMS) (not shown). These types of servers and their connection to a telephony or VoIP system or network are well known in the art. If yes, the IVM server further checks if there is a smart connection with the storage server in step 292. If such a connection exists (yes) the IVM server provides the storage server with the stored message ID number, enabling it to instantly access the message and play it to the target user in step 296. If no, the target user is connected to the storage server by the IVM server and is guided by the storage server's menu as to what to do in step 294. If the message was not transferred to another storage server in step 289, the retrieval process ends. Steps 289 and on describe a “delayed” instant message retrieval. The “instant retrieval” refers to direct access to the specific voice and/or fax and/or multi-media and/or unified message, without the need listen to previous messages and/or system's greetings and/or system's operational instructions. This function is enabled by the instant retrieval module 122. Alternatively, after step 276, if the message is still stored within the IVM server, the message is played instantly. If the message is not stored then either the IVM server contacts the voice-mail system and performs a smart retrieval (in which case the message is played instantly), or the IVM server does not do anything “smart” and just connects the retrieving user to the voice-mail system (in which case there's a regular message retrieval). Alternatively, a user can always access his/her voice-mail and try to retrieve any existing messages there. This may be done without the IVM server mediation, as explained above. If the message spoken is within the voice-mail system, the user will simply hear it. The basic system described in FIG. 1a can be enlarged by the addition of optional elements to perform added functions. These are described below. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of an instant voice messaging system of the present invention. The figure shows a system 300 that comprises all elements of system 100 in FIG. 1a, plus an optional presence server 302. Presence servers allow a user to define whether he/she is available for receiving a message or not. Presence servers are well known in the art. Existing presence engines include those provided by ICQ, Odigo, Comverse (‘Next 2 Me’), and AOL (AOL ‘messenger’). In case a GMS cellular system is involved in the IVM, the presence server can be connected to a Home Location Register (HLR) 306. Presence server 302 is coupled to IVM server 106, and enables each user to define his/her presence parameter. This can be done for example by using another “smart” numbering method—e.g. by dialing “152 #0” the user defines him/herself as “off-line” and by dialing “152 #1 the user defines him/herself as “on-line”. The HLR stores information about cellular users. A simple presence criterion may be for example the fact that the target user's handset is switched ON or OFF. An ON or OFF handset switching action is registered by the HLR. The presence server interrogates the HLR gets this information and uses it as a simple presence (availability) criterion. A presence parameter is a status that a user chooses to be in, as far as his/her availability or willingness to receive instant voice-messages is concerned. Such a status may for example include ‘on-line’, which means that the user is available and can receive an IVM; ‘send me a message’, which means the user is actually asking to receive instant voice messages; and ‘off-line’, which means the user is not available for instant voice messages. The presence status can be defined by dialing a dedicated number, which can be kept in the target user's device memory, and can therefore be dialed quickly and easily. This dedicated presence status number preferably includes two parts: the first part is the IVM prefix described above. The second part is a code that the IVM server interprets as a presence status. Therefore, if the IVM server receives a presence status command, it initiates communication with presence server 302 and updates a database located in the presence server (not shown). In an exemplary case, assume that an initiating user wants to update its presence status to ‘off-line’. The user dials for example 152 #*111 054 987654. The IVM prefix “152” tells the telephony switch that this is an IVM session, and therefore this session is connected to the IVM server. “#*” tells the IVM server that this is a presence status update command. Therefore, the IVM server initiates a communication session with presence server 302. “111” tells the presence server that the user wants to become ‘off-line’. The user is identified either by his/her caller ID or by the number that follows the presence status (in this case 054 87654). Accordingly, the presence server updates the presence status of the user whose telephone number is 054 87654 as ‘off-line’ in its database. In case a numbering method is adopted as setting the presence feature, or in case the presence status is obtained from the HLR, the presence server can be a module within the IVM server. Before setting up an instant voice messaging session with one or more target users, the IVM server can check the presence status of each target user, be it a single user or a user belonging to the group. In case the presence status is ‘off-line’, an IVM session will not be set, and the voice message will be stored within the IVM server until the target end-user becomes available for an IVM session. If a target user is unavailable for receiving an IVM session, a notification is sent to the initiating user during the creation of the IVM. The notification is preferably inserted as a special beep that will be sent by the IVM server to the initiating user. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary flow chart of an IVM server-to-initiating user notification procedure. The notifications are provided by the IVM server to an initiating user that initiates and sends an IVM message to a single target user. Immediately after the establishment of a voice session between the initiating user and the IVM server, the IVM server provides the initiating user (102) a ‘Go Ahead’ signal (beep etc.) in step 402. The initiating user starts recording his message in step 404. Essentially simultaneously in step 405, the IVM server can check the presence status of the target user, by communicating with the presence server (302 in FIG. 3). In case the target user in ‘off-line’ and cannot accept the IVM message, the IVM server notifies the initiating user by using a voice signal (by e.g. a series of fast repeating beeps) in step 420. IVM server-to-initiating user notifications may be sent by a short text message (SMS) or by initialization of an IVM session between the IVM server and the initiating user. The initialization of this session can be done by the server, which will have pre-recorded voice notifications. In case of SMS notifications, the IVM server will initiate communication with SMSC 605. Notification text messages may be stored within the IVM server and sent via the SMSC to a user as a text SMS message. It should be mentioned that in telephony networks, the SMSC is connected to the telephony switch as shown in FIG. 6 In case the target user is ‘on-line’ and able to receive the IVM message, the IVM server calls the target user in step 406. At this stage, the target user can choose to do the following: answer the incoming message call in step 410, reject the incoming message call in step 412, or do nothing and just let the phone ring (in which case no notification will be sent by the IVM server to the initiating user). The IVM server can ask the switch to notify it that the target user has answered the session. In such a case, the IVM server will notify the initiating user (e.g. insert a special beep into the voice session it has with the initiating user) in step 414 that the target user has answered the session or has accepted the message. The IVM server may receive from the switch the duration of the session with the target user (CDR—Call Duration Registry). If this duration resembles the duration of the original message left by the initiating user, the IVM server can establish that the session was not only answered but also the message was heard. In case the target user has rejected the incoming IVM message in step 412 (e.g. by pressing ‘end’ on his handset), the IVM server can notify the initiating user by a voice signal (e.g. beeps) in step 416. Note that the target user may define an ‘invisible status’ in which the initiating user will not be able to receive notifications from the IVM server about the reception, rejection, etc. of the message that the initiating user has sent to target user. This can be done by dialing a dedicated number in a similar manner as the presence status is defined. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary flow chart of an IVM server-to-initiating user notification procedure in the case of a message sent to a plurality of target users. The message is sent as described above to a plurality of target users in step 502. Because each target user can hear the incoming message at a different time (e.g. one anwers after one ring tone, the second after three ring tones, etc.) there is a need for a different method for notifying the initiating user about real time status such as the message having been accepted (heard) or rejected. The notification may be sent to the initiating user in step 504 either when ALL target users have heard the IVM message, or after the passage of a predetermined period of time. In the latter case, the IVM may identify to the initiating user those target users who have listened to the message, and those who have not. The notification is sent in step 506, using one of the procedures described above. FIG. 6 shows yet another embodiment of the IVM system 600 of the present invention that comprises a number of optional components in addition to those shown in FIGS. 1a and 3. These optional components may be added to the basic system configuration of FIG. 1a either individually, or in various combinations. For example, system 600 may comprise a voice and/or text paging system 602 that communicates with the IVM server, a text pager 604 that receives paging messages (voice or text) from paging system 602 and which, in some cases, can reply to the initiating user with a voice or text message, via the paging system, and an optional short message service center (SMSC) 605. SMSC 605 is coupled to IVM server 106, and, in a telephony or VoIP network such as network 108, further coupled to telephony or VoIP switch 104. System 600 may further comprise a voice recognition module 606 used for converting voice messages into text messages, a voice paging module 608, a text-to-speech module 610, an SMSC module 612, and an IVM creation module 614. These modules are preferably included in the IVM server. Network 108 may be further coupled to other telephony or VoIP networks 630 An initiating user can dial an instant messaging access number (e.g. 152) followed by a number that is unique to voice paging massages (e.g. 99999), and further followed by a target paging user number (identification code, e.g. 3963). In case that the paging system is a voice-paging system, the IVM server transforms this message into a voice-paging message (having a voice paging format) within voice-paging module 608, then transfers this message to voice paging system 602, which uses the target paging user's number in order to send him/her the message as a voice paging message. In order to send a text message, after the IVM access code (e.g. 152), a number that is unique to text paging messages (e.g. 88888) followed by a target paging user number (e.g. identification code, e.g. 4175), is preferably dialed. Voice recognition module 606 is used to convert a voice message into a text message. In case the text paging system has a reply function (text reply), the replied text message from text pager 604 is transferred via text paging system 602 to the IVM server. This text message is transformed within the server from text-to-speech by module 610 and transformed into an IVM format by module 614. The message is then sent to the initiating user as an IVM message. Text-to-speech module 610 is needed also is the case when a text SMS message is sent to an initiating or target user, and when the SMSC number of this message is a number that belongs to SMSC module 612. By specifying a SMSC number that “belongs” to the IVM server (through module 612), the text SMS message will be received within the SMSC module 612, transferred to speech in text-to-speech module 610, transformed into an IVM format by module 614 and sent as an IVM message by the IVM server to the respective user. Yet another case in which the text to speech′ module is needed is in the case where the text message may be an IP based text message (such as an ICQ message or e-mail message) or another type of text message. In such a case, an ICQ or e-mail message will be sent to a target user via the IVM server using the numbering method disclosed herein For example, the IVM server can have an e-mail domain e.g. “IVM.com”, and each user can have an e-mail address such as “123456@ IVM.com”. In case a user gets an e-mail, the IVM server will convert it into an IVM message using the text-to-speech module. In the case of ICQ, the IVM server can be identified as a user that has many ICQ numbers. Each ICQ number belongs to a different target user, and stored in a database within the IVM server. When an ICQ user sends an ICQ message to a target user, the ICQ message will reach the IVM server that is virtually registered as that ICQ user. The IVM server will then convert the ICQ text message into a speech message within the text-to-speech module, and send it as an IVM message to the target user that represents that ICQ number within the IVM server's data base. IVM module 614 is used in case the IVM server has to send IVM messages that need to be prepared within the IVM server, e.g. notification messages. This module may also provide the IVM format to text messages or voice-paging messages that were transformed into IVM messages. In another possible scenario, a telephony user would like to send an ICQ user a message that was originally a voice message (IVM). The ICQ user can be an IP device 704 (FIG. 7) running an instant text messaging software such as ICQ. In fact each ICQ user can be given a unique telephone number for this scenario (for receiving an instant voice messages). That telephone number will belong to the IVM server that receives the IVM message and will also have a list assigning such a phone number to ICQ number. The IVM server will transform the voice message into text in module 606 and will send this text message via an IP domain 702 (see description below in FIG. 7) to an IP user 704 (see description below in FIG. 7). In a case in which one or more target users receive an instant voice message and cannot reply by speaking loudly (for example when in a meeting etc), the IVM may be displayed on each handset, for example as a message saying: “an instant voice message from . . . ”. The target user(s) may then reply by an SMS. The reply by an SMS message can be done by using the sender's number, which is provided within the “caller ID”. The IVM server may further optionally comprise a “matching module” 650, which enables users to reach it either via the Internet or via a phone call and an IVR (Interactive Voice Response), and to establish a set of criteria for enabling the IVM server to send back an IVM message. In such a case, the IVM server will be able to send an IVM to several users at a time and these users will also be able to instantly establish a two-way voice conversation among themselves. The IVM server may further optionally comprise a “smart charging” module 660, which enables the telephony system to provide a ‘smart’ charging for the IVM service, e.g. in case when the target user chooses to establish a two-way phone call after receiving an IVM message. The smart charging module will notify the billing system of the telephony system that at this stage the party to be charged is the target user. The system of the present invention, in any of its embodiments, may further include a special handset 670 provided to each user. Handset 670 comprises a set of buttons that included “dedicated” buttons such as a dedicated IVM button 672, a dedicated SMS button 674, a dedicated PTT button 676 etc. The initiating user chooses a target telephone number, then presses the dedicated button for the required functionality. Thus, pressing IVM button 672 automatically enables the initiating user to send an IVM to the target user, pressing SMS button 674 automatically enables the initiating user to send an SMS to the target number, pressing PTT button 676 automatically enables the initiating user to send a PTT message to the target user etc. The same may be done with email, paging (voice, text), instant IP text messages (e.g. ICQ) etc. The set of buttons is thus improving the menu-based handset operation. FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which the IVM server is optionally connected to an IP (data) domain 702. This allows instant voice messaging to be sent from a telephone device of a user to one or more IP devices 704, which can be VoIP phones or personal computers (PCs), or any other device with a data (IP) connection running text or voice messaging software. The IVM server can identify an instant voice message that is targeted to a VoIP client by, for example, simply adding a suffix to the number dialed by the initiating user. This number can be an IVM access number e.g. “152” or an IVM access number followed by regular phone numbers that were assigned to IP devices. After this suffix, there is a target IP user's IP address 192.168.100.11 where instead of ‘.’ a “#” can be used. The whole number to dial can be for example 152 192#168#100#11 or 152 54 123456 192#168##11#11, where 54123456 is an IP user's assigned phone number. Also, a suffix may be omitted if each IP user gets a dedicated (regular, telephony) phone number. or another IP identification (e.g. e-mail address). A device 704 (a including telephony software client running on a PC) may send instant voice messages to circuit switched telephony (regular telephony) users by, for example, indicating the IP address of the IVM server followed by the target user's telephone number(s). Note that IP devices can be textual devices such as ICQ or email running on a PC, or VoIP devices e.g. a VoIP software running on a PC. In case the target device is a textual IP device (i.e. the target user is defined as a text user), the initial IVM message is preferably transformed into a text message using voice recognition module 606. Each IP user can be assigned a telephone number. This number will be kept together with the IP address of that user within a database in the IVM server. Telephony system 108 will assign these telephone numbers to the IVM server, and each time the initiating user will send an IVM message to that telephone number, the IVM server will receive that message, will transform it into a text message as described, and will send it as a text message to the text IP based user 704. In case the target IP user 704 is a VoIP user (VoIP software running on a PC), the initial IVM message will not be transformed into a text message. The database within the IVM server is updated regarding the IP target user nature (textual or voice). This database includes a special set of telephone numbers that are registered within the IVM server and which enable the IVM server to perform this interconnection with the IP data world. Alternatively, a suffix can be added to the dialed number (e.g. suffix *01 for a text user and *02 for a voice user), providing the IVM server with the information whether the target user is a text or a voice user. FIG. 8 shows yet another embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which the IVM server includes a PTT module 802 and is connected to a legacy PTT system 804 or an IP based (VoIP) PTT system 806, in order to enable instant voice messages to be sent and/or received to/from PTT systems. This connectivity can be implemented for example by using yet another numbering format, e.g. using a prefix “154” instead of dialing the exemplary “152” prefix (which indicates that this is an IVM session). The “154” prefix will be identified by the telephony switch as a call to the IVM server. However, the IVM server will identify “154” as a message that goes to a PTT system, followed by the number of a PTT target user 806 or a VoIP PTT user 812. When a PTT user 810 or a VoIP PTT user 812 decides to send a PTT message to a certain telephone number and, if a PTT system recognizes the target number as not belonging to a PTT registered user, the PTT system will transfer this message to the IVM server. The IVM server will then convert the PTT type message into an IVM format, and send this message to the required target user(s). Alternatively, the IVM server can be a PIT subscriber having a PTT module 802 that will receive and/or send PTT messages (the same way a done by a PTT user 810 or a VoIP user 812) to and/or from PTT systems. However, each IVM user will preferably have a unique ‘PTT’ user number that will be registered within the PTT system as an IVM number. Therefore, the PTT message will be transferred to the IVM server. The IVM server will have a database that will match PTT numbers with regular telephone numbers, and each user will have such a unique match. Therefore, the received PTT message will be received in PTT module 802, then transformed to IVM format in IVM creation module 614 and sent to the target IVM user. The IVM user will be able to e.g. reply 250 the message which will require the IVM server to transform the reply into PTT format (by PTT module 802) and send the reply to legacy PTT system 804 or IP PTT system 806, which will forward this message to respectively legacy PTT users 810 or VoIP PTT users 812. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Existing IVC Technologies Several technologies enable immediate voice communication. Though telephony voice communication can be easily established via a circuit switched line such as a telephony connection, it still has its delays (e.g. connection delay), which do not exist in PTT technologies such as iDEN (integrated Digital Enhanced Network) or TETRA (Terrestial Trunked Radio). First introduced in 1994, iDEN is being used in the cellular telephony communication field. Its installation base is very low in comparison to that of other cellular technologies. In iDEN, a user can push a button and speak into his handset while his designated group receives his spoken words immediately. iDEN thus resembles a radio ‘walkie-talkie’ technology. The target audience can immediately reply, also very similar to a ‘walkie-talkie’ system. TETRA is an open standard for a single, cohesive two-way radio network supporting multiple government agencies throughout the country that communicate together on the same network. etc.), and has a small installed base within the consumer sector. Other IVC technologies include “Private Mobile Radio”, which is a short-range radio service with limited capabilities that is mainly used by work groups, and “Walkie Talkie. Terminals” such as ‘Cobra’ and ‘Talkabout’, which represent a growing market in the consumer segment (theme parks, ski resorts, etc.), but have a limited transmission range. PTT technologies have a small installed base within the cellular market in comparison with other popular cellular technologies such as GSM, CDMA, and TDMA. Recently, an emerging ‘always-on’ concept for data networks has been developed. In this concept, a user is always connected with his/her cellular handset to a data network. This can be seen in the GPRS cellular technology where an IP network is added to a GSM cellular voice network. This permanent data connectivity has developed a lot of hope for IVC over a large installed base of cellular users. VoIP can transmit voice over data networks and as such it is expected to become a key technology for the IVC concept over data networks. However, such a VoIP implementation requires modification of the end-user's handset in order to enable this handset to support encoding and decoding of voice over the IP network. Such a modification can be called ‘client software’. Existing Immediate Messaging Solutions ICQ is a widely used immediate messaging technology, started as an Internet-based (and thus data-based) technology. The ICQ technology enables people to communicate by text messages that are immediately forwarded over the Internet. One can attach a voice file to an ICQ message, but the technology is not voice-based and voice is only an attachment. Though ICQ is implemented over advanced cellular networks such as the GPRS network, it uses the data part and not the voice part of the cellular network. The ICQ technology requires ‘client software’ to be installed on the end-user devices. Other ICQ-like technologies exist, for example ‘AOL messenger’. Short messaging services (SMS) represent another immediate messaging platform that enables immediate text messages with up to 160 characters to be transmitted over a signaling sub-network of a telephony (especially cellular) system. EMS (Enhanced SMS) is a technology that enables concatenation of short SMS messages, thus enabling transmission of images or pictures. Another immediate voice messaging method can be seen as a multi media service (MMS)-based ‘record and send’ service. In this service, a user records his message in his MMS supporting handset, then sends the message to another MMS ‘record and send’ supporting handset. The message is stored within the target user's handset and can be played. This service requires an MMS supporting network as well as dedicated handsets, and requires a lot of interoperability efforts in order to run among various networks and handsets. Another immediate voice messaging method is voice paging (VP). VP is based on calling a certain phone number and then entering a subscriber identification number (IDN) followed by relaying of the voice message. The message is sent to a voice-paging device. The appearance of 2.5G cellular technologies such as GPRS enable immediate messages to be transmitted over an always-connected data network. SMS messages can be similarly transmitted. Recent efforts at standardizing the instant communication or instant messaging technologies include the ‘Wireless Village’ Forum founded by Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia in April 2001 to define and promote a set of universal specifications for mobile instant messaging and presence services. The Wireless-Village proposes a standard protocol for instant messaging and presence service (IPMS), which includes presence information management, instant messaging, group management and shared content. Another forum is PAM—the Presence and Availability Management forum. The PAM forum is an independent, non-profit consortium established to standardize the management and sharing of presence and availability information across multiple services and networks. The IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) has a group that deals with the Instant Messaging and Presence Protocol (IMPP). The IMPP group is working on protocols and data formats necessary to build an Internet-scale end-user presence awareness, notification and instant messaging system. The most recently established group (Oct. 31, 2002) is the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) working group within the IETF. Existing Voice-mail Technologies Leaving voice messages over a telecommunication network is a common behavior supported by voice-mail systems. These forward a call to a voice-mail answering machine that enables the calling user to leave a voice message. Voice-mail systems are built to different capacity and sizes: systems for telecommunication carriers, for medium size organizations or even for private customers (an answering machine at home). These systems enable the calling user to leave a message in case the called party does not answer, in case the called number is busy, or even in case of call waiting. It is also possible to leave a message in case the called party is a cellular client within an area without proper radio coverage. Another way for leaving a voice message is by dialing directly to the voice-mail system (without calling the target user), including the target user's phone number. Thus, dialing for example 151-54-123456 will enable leaving a voice and/or fax message to subscriber No. 054 123456 without even calling him/her. When a voice (and/or a fax) message is left for a target customer, the customer can find out about this event either by getting an SMS notification; by getting a small icon e.g. that will be displayed on his/her handset display; or by simply lighting an indicator on his/her phone (which can be a wire-line phone connected to a wire-line telecom network or a PBX (private exchange)). Another way to find out whether new voice-mails have arrived to one's voice-mailbox is simply by calling the voice-mail system and hearing how many new messages are waiting. Message retrieval is done by calling the voice-mail system, hearing the interactive voice reply (IVR) and following the instructions of the IVR. Voice-mail technologies are common. Comverse (29 HaBarzel Street, Ramat Hachayal, Tel Aviv 69710, Israel) has developed and leads the market with voice-mail technology. Voice-mail technologies can use SS7 signaling system interconnections in order to be connected to the telephony system. Other voice-mail systems are implemented over data networks. These voice-mail systems use VoIP technologies in order to receive and send voice to the data networks that these voice-mail systems are connected to. Some voice-mail systems (such as Comverse's) enable the user who leaves a message to mark this message as “urgent”. In such cases, all urgent messages will be played to the target user before the ‘regular’ messages (those that have not been market urgent). The playing order of the urgent messages is according to the chronological time they were left. Existing VoIP implementations for Instant Voice Communication In prior art, there are a few attempts made to implement instant voice communication over data networks. These implementations try to emulate the usage experience of ‘push to talk’ technologies. For example, Mobile Tornado (6 Galgaley Haplada Street, P.O. Box 4043, Herzlya 46140, Israel) uses cellular data networks (e.g. GPRS, 1× RTT, etc.), which have the feature of being always connected to the end-user. Thus, the user is always connected to the network and therefore is always available to receive a message in a very short time. Because the networks mentioned above are built for data transmission, voice can be transmitted over such networks only as VoIP. VoIP requires a special network installation, special handsets, special interoperability issues, therefore time to market is much longer, the number of users that can use this system is lower and there are many interoperability open issues. Also, VoIP networks suffer from a low quality of service (QoS) because of typical characteristics of VoIP systems such as jitter (variable delay), delay, bandwidth problems etc. Disadvantages of Existing Solutions Existing solutions do not provide instant voice messaging with almost real time experience of voice communication for ALL telephony systems and technologies—both wire-line and cellular. Most existing solutions require client software on the end-user terminal. Most existing solutions have a limited installed base such as iDEN technology or TETRA technology. Existing VoIP solutions for instant voice communications over 2.5G cellular data networks such as GPRS data network have a lower voice quality than circuit switched voice networks. This is mainly because of the improved voice quality that circuit switched voice networks can provide. Circuit switched voice networks are dedicated telephony connections, wherein data networks are packet-based. A VoIP technology is required when packed based networks (data networks) are used to transmit voice, and the quality of the transmitted voice is lower than the quality of voice transmitted over a circuit switched network Existing methods for retrieval of voice and/or fax messages require a user to call the system, listen to system greetings and new messages that were received prior to the desired message, then finally retrieve the desired message. Existing PTT technologies do not necessary provide a “store and forward” engine. In other words, a message that was not heard is actually lost, similar to the situation in two-way radio communication. A lack of store and forward engine makes PTT intrusive, i.e. a handset may suddenly begin to make an intrusive noise when playing an incoming voice message. iDEN for example does not allow storing a sent message. Therefore, if the targeted user is not listening, the message would be lost. Furthermore, no indication that a message tried to reach a target user will be provided to the target user. Also, no indication for reception or non-reception is provided to the initiating user. A major disadvantage of existing message retrieval methods is that the target user cannot reach and retrieve a specific message without hearing all previous messages. Furthermore, even in case that the target user is notified of an expected voice (and/or a fax) message that is very important and/or urgent, the target user still has to call his/her voice-mail system and hear all the previous messages. Another disadvantage of known voice-mail retrieval methods is the need to listen to the greetings part and the operational instructions of the IVR. One recently introduced method that enables instant voice-mail retrieval is provided by Comverse and called ‘visual voice-mail’. This method requires a dedicated ‘client software’ or a dedicated handset as well as an additional communication link (e.g. IP based session) with the voice-mail system. In fact, according to this method, the end-user can have a browsing session with the voice-mail in which the user will find out what messages were left for him/her, and then can choose a message to be played. The message will be played as requested. This method definitely requires a special end-user device as well as an IP-based session with the voice-mail server. U.S. patent application No. 20020146097 discloses a method, apparatus and system for short voice message (SVM), which is sent as a SMS message, a SMS-like message, or as an instant message. The method of operation suggested by the patent application includes one of the following: using the MMS protocol on new user terminals and networks; utilizing existing SMS point-to-point service by concatenating packet data unit (PDU) strung together to form a short voice message; applying a voice to text converter on the recorded message and a text to voice converter as the message is played; or by sending the voice message on data networks. Canadian Patent No. 2355420 describes an apparatus and method for transmission of information over an electronic network in the form of a user-to-user voice messaging service between mobile phone subscribers. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system is provided as a voice SMS platform, comprising a voice SMS server and an application user interface layer coupled with a Graphic User Interface (GUI). The invention may be applicable based on of the following technologies: browser-based interface based on Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or HTML or C-HTML; SIM Application ToolKit (SAT); and Interactive Voice Response (IVR). U.S. patent application No. 20020146097 and Canadian Patent No. 2355420 do not disclose solutions that may be implemented with existing standard network and end-user equipment, allowing the full end-user flexibility and real-time usability. There is therefore a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have methods and systems for instant voice messaging and voice message retrieval that do not exist in prior art.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention discloses novel instant (immediate) voice-messaging (IVM) methods and systems. Some of the IVM methods disclosed herein provide acknowledgments for message reception or non-reception. The IVM methods disclosed herein differ from prior art instant voice communication methods (such as the PPT method) in that they can be easily implemented over all cellular networks as well as wire-line telephony networks and all existing end-user telephony devices. According to the present invention there is provided in a communications network, a system for instant voice messaging comprising an IVM server (described in detail below) operative to essentially simultaneously receive from an initiating user at least one voice message fragment and to stream the at least one voice fragment to at least one target user; and a switch coupled to the IVM server and operative to effect communications between the initiating user and each target user and the IVM server, as well as between the initiating and at least one target users; whereby each voice message originating from the initiating user may be instantly transmitted over the communications network to the at least one target user. According to the present invention there is provided a method for relaying an instant voice message from an initiating user to at least one target user over a communications network, comprising the steps of: at an IVM server, receiving at least one voice message fragment from the initiating user, and essentially simultaneously with the step of receiving, streaming the at least one voice fragment to the at least one target user. According to the present invention there is provided a method for instant retrieval of a voice message sent from an initiating user to a target user through an IVM server, comprising the steps of: by the target user, receiving a smart notification from the IVM server that a particular instant voice message has been sent to him/her; and by the target user, directly accessing the particular message. According to the present invention there is provided an instant voice messaging (IVM) server comprising a mechanism for receiving at least one voice message fragment from a first user and for essentially simultaneously streaming the at least one voice message fragment to at least one second user, and a communication mechanism for the IVM server to communicate with the first user and the at least one second user. The present invention discloses systems and methods for sending instant voice, fax and multimedia messages through existing standard cellular and PSTN networks and standard end-user terminal technology. A message is preferably sent to the end-users using a “push” method of operation and using a streaming technology that allows users to start listening to the message while it is still being recorded, and to retrieve recorded messages using a single function (e.g. a button on a handset). Users may also easily switch to a full bidirectional (full-duplex) conventional phone conversation. The present invention also provides an improvement of voice paging (VP) by enabling VP integration with the instant voice messaging service disclosed herein. This enables the IVM service to be extended to voice paging devices. A telephony user will simply have to store a telephone number that includes: (a) an instant messaging server number followed by (b) a voice paging server number followed by (c) a target user paging identification number. When this telephone number is dialed, the IVM server will connect to the voice-paging server, yielding an intuitive and simple instant voice paging service with a possibility to initiate it from a regular telephony device. The present invention enables sending PTT messages to telephone users who do not have a PTT phone, or who are not subscribers of a PTT service. This can be done by sending a PTT message to the IVM server, which converts this message into an IVM message and sends it to any telephony user. Furthermore, this invention enables each telephony user to send an IVM message to the IVM server, which converts this message into a PTT format and sends it to a PTT system. The PTT system then delivers this PTT message to any PTT user specified by the telephony user. The present invention discloses a special numbering feature (method) that enables instant access to the IVM server, enabling the implementation of this service over existing telephony networks, in particular networks using the SS7 signaling system. This feature enables to create an instant voice message, while simultaneously initiating a voice session with the target user(s). For example, dialing “152” and after that dialing a telephone number of a target user, e.g. 152-054-123456, will start an instant session with the IVM server which in turn will simultaneously start an IVM session with the 054 123456 telephone user. In this example “152” is a special “IVM prefix” that indicates to the switch that the session is an IVM session and therefore should be forwarded to the IVM server. The voice session with the target user(s) will preferably include a special notification for the target user(s) that lets the target user(s) know that the session includes an instant voice messaging communication. The IVM server enables the initiating user to create his/her message while the target user(s) can already begin hearing the message. The initiating user can be notified whether his/her message is being heard during its creation by insertion of a special notification (e.g. “beep”) into the voice session that the initiating user has with the IVM server. Alternatively, the initiating user can be also notified that his/her message was heard a little while after the initiating user has finished his/her voice session with the IVM server. This notification can be done either by a SMS or by a message that can be created by the IVM server and sent to the initiating user. The initiating user and the target user may be both connected to the IVM server, but do not normally have a telephony, two-way communication channel between them, although such a channel can be easily established. Thus, the IVM service is a content-based call-teaser or content-based call-screening service, i.e. a phone call can be established (call-teasing) or not (call-screening) depending on the content of a certain message. Nevertheless, the IVM service enables the initiating user to choose in advance (by using different dial numbers) whether he/she is sending an instant voice message or whether he/she would rather have a conversation with the target user. The innovative numbering method disclosed herein enables the users (both initiating and target) to choose whether to use a messaging mode or a conversation mode right from the initiation of the session, as there are different numbers for a conversation session and a messaging session. The instant voice messages can be limited in duration (e.g. a limitation of being no longer then 2 minutes, etc.). The method and system described herein also provides an add-hoc, one-to-many conference call establishment. The process may begin with an instant voice message of one-to-many users saying for example “please join me in a conference”, and will continue as a conference call. Sending a short message to many users saying “please join me to a conference call” will enable target users to press a key on their phone and join a regular conversation with the initiating user. The present invention further discloses a method and system for instant retrieval of regular voice and/or fax and/or instant voice messages. The system enables direct access to a specific voice and/or fax and/or multi-media and/or unified message, without the need to listen to previous messages and/or to system greetings and/or to system operational instructions. After the user is notified that a certain message has been left for him/her, e.g. by a SMS notification that states: “you have a new voice (and/or fax) message from phone No.: +972 3 123456”, the user can call a voice-mail system described herein while using the information received with the notification (in this case the number +972 3 123456). In order for the retrieval to be “instant”, the notification needs to be “smart”, for example a SMS with a “smart” Caller ID, e.g. 153 972 3 123456 1997. In this example, “153” is a prefix, which, when dialed, will tell the switch that this is an instant retrieval of an instant voice message. Therefore, the switch will forward this call to the IVM server, but with one difference to the “152” prefix in the accessing of the server above. “152” reflects a message creation session, while “153” reflects a message retrieval session. The IVM server will treat a call with a 153 prefix as a retrieval call. “1997” is an example of a suffix that can specify the particular message to be instantly retrieved. A combination of an initiating user number with the suffix can allow a shorter suffix, because in such case the suffix will have to specify only the messages left by that particular initiating user, and not all messages left within the system. An exemplary text (content) of the SMS may be as follows: “you have an instant voice message from 972 3 123456; in order to retrieve it instantly, please dial the number of this message sender”. The user can then simply use the number within the SMS by pressing the CALL or SEND button on his/her handset. The methods and systems for instant retrieval of regular voice, fax and instant voice messages also enable direct and instant access to an unheard (un-listened to) instant voice message that has become a voice-mail message. This may be done as follows: when the IVM message is transferred from the IVM server to another storage e.g. a voice-mail, the IVM server can communicate with the other storage (in this case the voice-mail) server and get a special pointer for instantly accessing that message within the new storage. The receiving (target) user does not have to know whether the message has been transferred to another storage or not. The user simply uses the numbering method for instant access to a message stored within the IVM server. In case the message has been transferred, the IVM server can still access it and play it instantly. Alternatively, every message stored within conventional storage systems such as voice-mail, may get an instant access pointer, and a smart notification as described above may be sent to the receiving user, enabling him/her to instantly retrieve that message, without using the IVM server. The present invention is suitable for implementation with all cellular technologies as well as with wire-line telephony technologies. In contrast with existing methods, the present invention uses preferably circuit switched networks for its instant voice messaging service, thereby providing a high quality of the transmitted voice.

20060621

20120417

20061130

86500.0

H04L1216

PHAN, MAN U

METHODS AND SYSTEM FOR INSTANT VOICE MESSAGING AND INSTANT VOICE MESSAGE RETRIEVAL

SMALL

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

Impact mechanism for a repeatedly striking hand-held machine tool

A percussion mechanism for a repetitively hammering hand power tool, whose striking frequency and striking intensity are controllable independently of one another, has a striker (2), movable axially forward and backward in a guide barrel (1), and a device (5) exerting pressure on the striker (2), as a result of which the striker can be set into a forward motion in the direction of a tool bit (4) that is insertable into the hand power tool. A blocking element (10) is also provided, with which the striker (2) is blockable in its forward motion, and the striking frequency of the striker (2) is adjustable by controlling the blocking time of the blocking element (10).

1. A percussion mechanism for a repetitively hammering hand power tool—preferably a drill hammer and/or percussion hammer—that has a striker (2), movable axially forward and backward in a guide barrel (1), having a device (5) that exerts pressure on the striker (2), by which the striker (2) is capable of being set into a forward motion in the direction of a tool bit (4) that is insertable into the hand power tool, characterized in that a blocking element (10) is provided, with which the striker (2) is blockable in its forward motion; and that the striking frequency of the striker (2) is adjustable by controlling the blocking time of the blocking element (2). 2. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the device exerting pressure on the striker (2) comprises a pressure reservoir (5) that is fillable with a gas and that is located on the side of the striker (2) diametrically opposite the tool bit (4). 3. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the gas—preferably air—is deliverable to the pressure reservoir (5) via an inlet valve (6). 4. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the quantity of the delivered gas and thus the pressure exerted on the striker (2) are controllable. 5. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that a pump device (7) is provided, which delivers the gas to the pressure reservoir (5). 6. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the pump device (7) is located in the hand power tool. 7. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the pressure reservoir (5) has an outlet valve (8), which limits the gas pressure to a predeterminable maximum value. 8. The percussion mechanism in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the blocking time of the blocking element (10) is controllable as a function of a fixedly predetermined or user-selectable striking frequency and/or as a function of the pressure level in the pressure reservoir (5).

PRIOR ART The present invention relates to a percussion mechanism for a repetitively hammering hand power tool—preferably a drill hammer and/or percussion hammer—that has a striker which can move axially forward and backward in a guide barrel, and having a device that exerts pressure on the striker, by which the striker can be set into a forward motion in the direction of a tool bit that can be inserted into the hand power tool. One such compression percussion mechanism that executes repetitive striking motions for an electropneumatic drill hammer and/or percussion hammer, as is taught by German Patent DE 198 10 088 C1, comprises an eccentric drive, a piston, and a striker. With these three elements, a rotary motion is converted into a reciprocating motion. The axial forward and backward motion of the striker in a guide barrel happens in the following way: The piston moved in the forward direction by the eccentric drive compresses the air cushion between the piston and the striker, causing the striker to shoot freely onto the tool bit inserted into the power tool. The striker transfers its percussion energy to the tool bit and there receives a pulse in the reverse direction. Simultaneously, the piston is likewise moved backward by the eccentric drive, creating a certain underpressure in the air cushion between the piston and the striker. As soon as the piston has reached its turning point and the striker shoots still farther against the piston, the air cushion between the two is compressed, resulting in compression, with the consequence that upon the next forward motion of the piston, the striker shoots forward against the tool bit at an even higher speed. A compression percussion mechanism of this kind is technically relatively complex, since besides the striker that moves in the axial direction it requires an eccentric drive with a piston that is likewise displaceable in the axial direction. A mutually independent adjustment of the striking frequency and the striking intensity is not possible in a compression percussion mechanism of this kind. It is therefore the object of the invention to disclose a percussion mechanism of the type defined at the outset which can be implemented with the simplest possible technical means. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION The stated object is attained with the characteristics of claim 1 in that there is a device that exerts pressure on the striker, as a result of which the striker can be set into a forward motion in the direction of a tool bit that can be inserted into the hand power tool, and that a blocking element is provided, with which the striker can be blocked in its forward motion, and the striking frequency of the striker can be adjusted by controlling the blocking time of the blocking element. The percussion mechanism according to the invention requires few moving mechanical parts and is therefore less subject to wear. Moreover, this percussion mechanism, which unlike conventional compression percussion mechanisms has no eccentric drive and no piston, makes a compact design possible. Furthermore, the striking frequency of the percussion mechanism and the striking intensity can be controlled independently of one another. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims. Advantageously, the device exerting pressure on the striker comprises a pressure reservoir that is can be filled with a gas and that is located on the side of the striker diametrically opposite the tool bit. The gas—preferably air—can be delivered to the pressure reservoir via an inlet valve, and the quantity of gas delivered, and thus the pressure exerted on the striker, are controllable. For delivering gas to the pressure reservoir, a pump device may be provided, which is located for instance in the hand power tool. It is expedient that the pump device is located in the hand power tool. Advantageously, the blocking time of the blocking element can be controlled as a function of a fixedly predetermined or user-controllably selectable striking frequency and/or as a function of the pressure level in the pressure reservoir. DRAWINGS The invention is described in further detail below in terms of an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. Shown are: FIG. 1, a longitudinal section through a drill hammer and/or percussion hammer with a percussion mechanism; and FIG. 2, a detail of the percussion mechanism with control for the striker. DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a drill hammer and/or percussion hammer is shown in longitudinal section, as an example of a repetitively hammering hand power tool; FIG. 1 is essentially limited to those parts that belong to the percussion mechanism of the drill hammer and/or percussion hammer. The drill hammer and/or percussion hammer has a guide barrel 1, in which a striker 2 is supported, movably axially forward and backward. The guide barrel 1 is adjoined by a tool bit holder 3, in which a tool bit 4, such as a drill or chisel, is inserted, likewise movable within certain limits in the axial direction. In the guide barrel 1, on the backside of the striker 2, which is the side of the striker 2 diametrically opposite the tool bit 4, there is a pressure reservoir 5 filled with a gas—preferably air. This pressure reservoir 5 is filled with gas via an inlet valve 6 by a pump device 7. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the pump device 7 is located in the hand power tool itself. However, the pump device 7 may also be located outside the hand power tool and may communicate with the inlet valve 6 via a pressure line. The quantity of the gas delivered to the pressure reservoir 5 from the pump device 7 may be controlled via the inlet valve 6, which is for instance an electrically controllable valve. The pressure exerted on the striker 2 and thus the striking intensity exerted by the striker 2 on the tool bit 4 depends on the quantity of gas delivered to the pressure reservoir 5. In other words, the striking intensity of the drill hammer and/or percussion hammer can be controlled via the quantity of gas delivered to the pressure reservoir 5. In the pressure reservoir 5, it is expedient to provide an outlet valve 8 which limits the gas pressure in the pressure reservoir 5 to a predeterminable maximum value. In the view shown in FIG. 1, the striker 2 is located in an outset position, in which it closes a gas outlet opening 9 located in the guide barrel 1. In this outset position, the striker 2 is restrained by a blocking element 10. The blocking element 10, in a very simple embodiment, is for instance a bolt, which can penetrate through an opening 11 in the side wall of the guide barrel 1 into an indentation 12 in the striker 2. If the blocking element 10 is now pulled out of the indentation 12 in the striker 2, the striker 2, because of the gas pressure in the pressure reservoir 5, shoots in the forward direction toward the tool bit 4 and simultaneously uncovers the gas outlet opening 9 in the guide barrel 1. Thus while the striker 2 is shooting at the tool bit 4 and imparting its percussion impetus to the tool bit 4, the gas pressure is discharged through the gas outlet opening 9 on the backside of the striker 2 facing toward the pressure reservoir 6. The reverse percussion impetus at the tool bit 4 causes the striker 2 to move in the reverse direction toward the pressure reservoir 5 and to re-close the gas outlet opening 9. The rearward motion of the striker 2 can also be reinforced by a compression spring 13, located on the front side oriented toward the tool bit 4, or by a similarly acting mechanical (for instance pneumatic) or electrically acting device. Once the striker 2, after its rearward motion, has regained its outset position in this way, it is blocked by the blocking element 10, which again penetrates into the indentation 12 in the striker 2. If the blocking element 10 is pulled out of the indentation 12 of the striker 2 again, then the striker 2 executes a new forward motion and in the process exerts a further impact on the tool bit 4. It can be seen that the striking frequency of the striker 2 is controllable solely by the length of the blocking time of the blocking element 10. In conjunction with FIG. 2, one possible version of control of the blocking element 10 will now be described in further detail. This view shows a detail of the striker 2 with the blocking element 10 and with the device for controlling for a blocking element 10. The control of the blocking element into a locking or unlocking position can be done for instance on the principle of an electromagnet. The blocking element 10 then forms a core of ferromagnetic material of a coil 14 to which current can be supplied. The coil 14 is located in a dome 15 placed on the guide barrel 1 over its opening 1 1. When current is supplied to the coil 14, the blocking element 10 is pulled into the dome 15 by electromagnetic forces, causing the blocking element 10 to move out of the indentation 12 in the striker 2 and to unblock the striker 2. As soon as the flow of current through the coil 14 is interrupted, a spring 16 located in the dome presses the blocking element 10 back through the opening 11 in the guide barrel 1 onto the striker 2. If the striker 2 is moving rearward and its indentation 12 reaches the location of the blocking element 10, then the blocking element 10 automatically slides into the indentation 12 because of the spring force 16 and blocks the striker 2 in its outset position. The current flow through the coil 14 and thus the blocking time of the blocking element 10 are controlled by a control unit 17. Final control elements for the control unit 17 may for instance be an actuator 18, actuatable by the user of the hand power tool, for the striking frequency, or a pressure sensor 19, which detects the gas pressure in the pressure reservoir 5. It is thus possible to control the blocking time of the blocking element 10 as a function of a user-selectable striking frequency and/or as a function of the pressure level in the pressure reservoir 5. However, equally well, a fixed striking frequency can be predetermined for the control unit 17, which controls the current flow through the coil 14 accordingly. The control unit 17 may, however, also be supplied with still other controlling variables for the striking frequency. The control unit 17 may furthermore be used to control the gas pressure in the pressure reservoir 5 via the electrically controllable inlet valve 6. The striking intensity can thus be controlled. For that purpose, a further final control element 20, actuatable by the user of the hand power tool, should be provided.

20051014

20090414

20060907

78856.0

E02D702

NASH, BRIAN D

IMPACT MECHANISM FOR A REPEATEDLY STRIKING HAND-HELD MACHINE TOOL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

E02D

ACCEPTED

Intervertebral implant

Disclosed is an intervertebral implant (1) comprising a central axis (2), a bottom cover plate (3) and a top cover plate (4), which are respectively provided with an exterior surface (7; 8) that extends transversal to the central axis (2), and a central part (10). Said central part (10) is located between the cover plates (3; 4) and is provided with a sleeve (12) encompassing a fiber system (5) that is connected to the cover plates (3; 4) and is embedded in an enveloping body (25) made of a homogeneous material. In analogy with the anatomic structure of the natural disk, the inventive intervertebral implant (1) can transfer occurring compressive forces onto the cover plates (3, 4) thereof as tensile forces that are applied to the individual fibers of the fiber system (5) thereof.

1. An intervertebral implant (1) with a central axis (2), comprising A) a bottom cover plate (3) and a top cover plate (4), each with an external surface (7, 8) extending transversely to the central axis (2), B) a central part (10) with a sheathing (12) that surrounds a fibre system (5) provided between the cover plates (3, 4), wherein C) the fibre system (5) is joined with the cover plates (3, 4) at least partially, characterised in that D) the fibre system (5) is guided over the external surfaces (7, 8) of both cover plates (3, 4) and surrounds at least partially the central part as well as both cover plates (3, 4), and E) the sheathing (12) comprises an elastic sheathing body (25) that surrounds the central part (10) on the periphery and is made from a homogeneous material and is passed through by the fibre system (5). 2. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the entire fibre system is embedded in the elastic sheathing body (25). 3. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the fibre system is only partially embedded in the elastic sheathing body (25). 4. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the fibre system (5) has a radial thickness δ relative to the central axis (2) and the sheathing body (25) has a radial thickness d, and the δd×100% ratio is in a range between 80% and 350%. 5. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fibre system (5) can move relative to the sheathing body (25). 6. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is so mounted that it cannot move relative to the sheathing body (25). 7. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the entire fibre system (5) is joined with the cover plates (3, 4). 8. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the sheathing body is made from an elastic, biocompatible material, preferably an elastomer, in particular based on polyurethane or silicone rubber, polyethylene, polycarbonate urethane or polyethylene terephthalate. 9. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the central part (10) is filled at least partially with an incompressible medium. 10. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 9, characterised in that the incompressible medium is a liquid. 11. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 10, characterised in that the central part (10) comprises an incompressible liquid core (13) and an elastic formed body (9) provided around it. 12. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the central part (10) has a cavity (11). 13. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is mechanically anchored on or in the cover plates (3, 4). 14. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is adhered to the cover plates (3, 4). 15. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the central part (10) with the integrated fibre system (5) is joined with the cover plates (3, 4) in a form-locking manner. 16. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is formed by an endless fibre, preferably in the form of a fabric or is knitted. 17. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that each cover plate comprises on its periphery a lateral surface (21, 22) and grooves (18) distributed on the circumference and radially penetrating into the lateral surfaces (21, 22) and that the fibre system (5) can be anchored in these grooves (18). 18. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that channels (19) are mortised in the external surfaces (7, 8) of the cover plates (3, 4) to accommodate the fibre system (5). 19. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is formed by a woven material. 20. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterised in that the central part (10) is essentially hollow-cylindrical, hollow-prismatic or is in the form of a body of rotation, an ellipsoid, a partial sphere or barrel-shaped with an axis of rotation that is coaxial with the central axis (2). 21. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that the woven material is formed from first and second fibres (6a, 6b), and the first fibres (6a) include an angle α with the central axis (2) and the second fibres (6b) include an angle β with the central axis (2). 22. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 21, characterised in that the first and second fibres (6a, 6b) are interwoven with one another. 23. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 22, characterised in that the elastic formed body (9) has at right angles to the central axis (2) a cross-sectional surface FF, the central part has at right angles to the central axis (2) a cross-sectional surface FM and the FF/FM ratio of these two cross-sectional surfaces is between 30% and 65%. 24. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 23, characterised in that the angle α is between 15° and 60°. 25. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterised in that the angle β is between 15° and 60°. 26. An intervertebral implant (1) according to-any one of claims 11 to 25, characterised in that the elastic formed body (9) is surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane and in the interior of the elastic formed body (9) preferably physiological table salt solution is present. 27. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterised in that with regard to the central axis (2) the fibre system (5) is single-layered. 28. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterised in that with regard to the central axis (2) the fibre system (5) is multi-layered, preferably 2-6 layered. 29. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 28, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is wound on the elastic formed body (9). 30. An intervertebral implant (1) according to claim 29, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is wound on the elastic formed body (9) in two different directions, preferably rotationally symmetrically. 31. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterised in that the fibre system (5) is made from UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene). 32. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 31, characterised in that a closing plate (14, 15) can be fastened on each cover plate (3, 4), the closing plate having at right angles to the central axis (2) an external surface (16, 17) with a macroscopic structure, preferably in the form of teeth. 33. An intervertebral implant (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 32, characterised in that the diameter of the fibres is in a range of 0.005 mm and 0.025 mm.

The invention concerns an intervertebral implant according to the preamble of patent claim 1. An intervertebral disc prosthesis of the generic type is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,718 Lee. This known intervertebral disc prosthesis comprises a central core, that is so formed from a biocompatible elastomer, that it is almost corresponds to that of the nucleus pulposus of a natural intervertebral disc, as well as from a multi-layer laminate from fibres bound in an elastomer, arranged around the core. Each laminate layer has its own yarn system, so that a plurality of fibre groups are present. The fibres of the individual layers have various orientations, whereby the angles of the fibres relative to the central axis of the intervertebral disc are in the range of ±20° and ±50°, preferably 0°, +45° and −45°. From WO 90/00374 Klaue a hip prosthesis is known, the shaft of which is made from a tubular mesh, i.e. a structure, that comprises at least two series of fibres crossing one another. In this application the interior of the tubular mesh remains empty as the shaft of the femur component. In the case of the prosthesis disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,718 Lee, although the individual fibres are integrated in the laminate that is made from an elastomer or another type of synthetic material, their ends are, however, adhered only to the end plates, so that they do not surround the core and consequently, in the case of a radial expansion of the core, cannot accept any tensile force. When adhering the lateral walls, cut out from the fibrous matrix compound, to the end plate, a fixing of the integrated fibres on the end plate is quite difficult, only the cross-section of the fibre offers a contact surface for the chemical joint. Therefore increased stresses occur especially on these joining places of the fibres on the end plate. Furthermore, in the case of Lee the length of the individual fibres is only from the bottom cover plate to the top cover plate, what corresponds to the sheathing height or a diagonal of the projected sheathing height. Thus the forces occurring can be reduced only along these lengths due to the transfer of the shearing force of the fibres to the elastomer. Thus positions of increased stresses result at the fixings, i.e. on the ends of the fibres. The prosthesis disclosed in WO 90/00374 Klaue comprises a system of fibres, the individual fibres of which are not fixed on both ends, as well as there is no deformable core. Therefore in the case of an axial compression of the prosthesis the axial compression forces occurring cannot be transferred as tensile forces to the fibres. From U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,728 Stubstad et al. an intervertebral disc prosthesis is known, that has an elastomeric sandwich structure with a fibre system. A disadvantage of this known prosthesis is that the fibre system, joined with the cover plates, is either not embedded in the sheathing body or in another embodiment is embedded in a multi-layer laminate of an elastomer. This is where the invention wants to provide remedy. The object of the invention is to produce an intervertebral implant, that comprises a fibre system joined with the cover plates, by virtue of which a sheathing body, surrounding the central part and made from a homogeneous material, will be reinforced. The inventions achieves this objective with an intervertebral implant having the features of claim 1. The basic advantages, achieved by the invention, are that with the intervertebral implant according to the invention the fibre system can be first wound around the central part and following this poured into an elastomer forming the elastic sheathing body, so that the sheathing, enveloping the central part, can be easily produced, by applying the elastic material around the fibre system after its winding, the anchoring of the fibre system is possible by various means, for example also on the opposing inner surfaces of the cover plates, the central part allows a movement of both adjacent bodies of the vertebra in the case of a compression, flexion or extension, lateral bending and torsion, the momentary centre of rotation or the momentary axes of rotation are not determined by the intervertebral implant itself, and they can position themselves according to the rule of minimum forces or moments occurring, by varying the number of fibres in the circumferential direction, the cross-section of the fibres and the choice of material, the behaviour of the intervertebral implant can be so adjusted, that under varying loads the movements occur as in the case of the natural intervertebral disc, and by varying the arrangement and the execution of the fibre system certain movement limitations can be placed on the intervertebral implant, and from a certain deformation a limit region occurs, where despite the further increasing forces no deformation takes place or in the case of moments occurring the implant will no longer tilt. The axial compression forces occurring under a load on the spinal column are transmitted to the central part via the two end plates. The compression forces deform the central part situated between the two end plates, in particular an elastic formed body situated therein, in such a manner that the central part radially buckles. This expansion of the central part is restricted by the fibre system surrounding the central part and the radial compression forces arising can be absorbed by the fibre system as a tensile force. Thus a further, disadvantageous buckling of the central part can be limited. By anchoring the fibre system in both cover plates, the intervertebral implant remains stable even under the greatest loads and the fibre system is capable to withstand even considerable tensile forces. In a preferred embodiment the entire fibre system is embedded in the elastic sheathing body, so that the fibre system does not necessarily need to be made from a biocompatible material. In a further embodiment the fibre system is only partially embedded in the elastic sheathing body, while the fibre system has a radial thickness δ relative to the central axis and the elastic sheathing body has a radial thickness d, and the δ/d×100% ratio is in a range of 80% and 350%. By virtue of this the advantages can be achieved, that the large relative movements in the peripheral region of the cover plates occurring during a flexion/extension movement-or a lateral movement of the adjacent bodies of the vertebra are not subjected to a great resistance by the elastic sheathing body and due to this the danger of a fissure formation in the sheathing body is slighter. The embedding of the fibre system in the elastic sheathing body can be carried out various embodiments in such a manner, that a) the fibre system can be moved relative to the elastic material of the sheathing body, or b) the fibre system cannot be moved relative to the elastic material of the sheathing body. In yet another embodiment the entire fibre system is anchored on the cover plates, so that greater tensile forces can be accepted by the fibre system, and consequently the intervertebral implant obtains a great torsional rigidity. In another embodiment the sheathing body, accommodating the fibre system, is made from an elastic, biocompatible material, preferably an elastomer, produced in particular based on polyurethane (PUR). However, silicone rubber, polyethylene, polycarbonate urethane (PCU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) may also be used. In yet another embodiment the central part is filled at least partially with an incompressible medium, preferably a liquid. In another embodiment the central part comprises an incompressible liquid core and an elastic formed body provided around it, while the liquid can be accommodated, for example, in a cavity provided in the formed body. This brings with it the advantage, that by virtue of the liquid core a mechanical behaviour of the intervertebral implant is similar to that of a physiological intervertebral disc. The axial deformation of the elastic central part will result in the radial expansion of the incompressible liquid and consequently in the radial expansion of the wall of the central part containing the fibre system. The tensile forces, occurring due to the radial expansion and/or the buckling of the wall of the central part, are basically absorbed by the fibres. The anchoring of the fibres on the cover plates can be carried out, for example, in the following manner: a) Mechanically by guiding the endless fibres through grooves and over the external surfaces of the cover plates from one groove to another one. Thus the fibres surround the central part together with the cover plates. By guiding the fibres in the grooves the fibre system can be so anchored on the cover plates, that in the case of tensile forces acting on the fibres no slipping of the fibres on the lateral sides is possible because the fibres can absorb only tensile forces, b) Mechanically by a wedge-shaped construction of the grooves, so that the fibres extending from cover plate to cover plate can be firmly clamped in the grooves, and/or c) By adhering the fibre system on the cover plates. In yet another embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention each cover plate comprises on its periphery a lateral surface and grooves distributed on the circumference and radially penetrating into the lateral surfaces. The fibres, part of this fibre system, are guided through these grooves. In a further embodiment the central part and the fibre system are joined with the cover plates in a form-locking manner. In yet a further embodiment the fibre system is guided over the external surfaces of both cover plates, so that it will surround the central part as well as the cover plates. When using an endless fibre, that covers the entire implant, the stresses preferably are distributed on the entire circumference of this winding. The fibre system is preferably in the form of a woven material, fabric or is knitted. In another embodiment channels are mortised in the external surfaces of the cover plates to accommodate the fibre system. In yet another embodiment the central part is essentially hollow-cylindrical, hollow-prismatic or is a body of rotation, an ellipsoid, a partial sphere or barrel-shaped with an axis of rotation that is coaxial with the central axis. By virtue of such configurations the advantage, that the positions of the axes of rotation of the adjacent intervertebral discs correspond, as far as possible, to that of the natural intervertebral disc, can be achieved. The fibre system can be made, for example, from UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) or from PET (polyethylene terephthalate). In a further embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention a closing plate is fastened on each cover plate for placing the adjacent bodies of the vertebra on the base plate or cover plate, each of the said closing plate having an external surface at right angles to the central axis with a macroscopic structure. The structure may be, for example, in the form of teeth. The macroscopic structure allows a primary stabilisation of the intervertebral implant immediately after the operation. Thus a mechanical anchoring of the intervertebral implant at a time when the growing of the bone on the intervertebral implant has not yet taken place, can be achieved. In yet a further embodiment the woven material is formed from first and second fibres, wherein the first fibres include an angle α with the central axis and the second fibres include an angle β with the central axis. The angles for α or β are preferably between 15° and 60°. In another embodiment the first and second fibres are interwoven with one another. In yet another embodiment the elastic formed body has at right angles to the central axis a cross-sectional surface FF, while the central part has at right angles to the central axis a cross-sectional surface FM and the FF/FM ratio of these two cross-sectional surfaces is between 30% and 65%. In a further embodiment the elastic formed body is surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane, while in the interior of the elastic formed body preferably physiological table salt solution is present. With regard to the central axis the fibre system may be single-layered or multi-layered, preferably 2-6 layered. Furthermore, the fibre system can be wound on the elastic formed body. The winding on the elastic formed body can be in two different directions, preferably rotationally symmetrically. In yet another further embodiment a closing plate can be fastened on each cover plate, the closing plate having at right angles to the central axis an external surface with a macroscopic structure, preferably in the form of teeth. The diameter of the fibres is in a range of 0.005 mm and 0.025 mm. A yarn (roving) is preferably produced from a plurality of fibres, whereby 500-2000 fibres form a yarn with a cross-sectional surface of 0.5 mm2 to 2 mm2. In those embodiments, wherein the fibre system has fibre sections crossing one another, in the case of flexion movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion) of the patients some fibre sections will be unilaterally clamped and in case of shearing the fibre sections extending tangentially to the shearing direction absorb the forces. The invention and developments of the invention are explained in detail in the following based on partially schematic illustrations of several embodiments. They show in: FIG. 1—a side view of an embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention, FIG. 2—a top view on the embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 3—a side view of another embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention, FIG. 4—a section through the embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention, illustrated in FIG. 3, FIG. 5a—a perspective illustration of the fibre system of an embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention, FIG. 5b—a top view on the fibre system illustrated in FIG. 5a, FIG. 6a—a perspective illustration of the fibre system of an embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention, FIG. 6b—a top view on the fibre system illustrated in FIG. 6a, and FIG. 7—a section through a further embodiment of the intervertebral implant according to the invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the intervertebral implant 1 according to the invention, that comprises a top cover plate 3 and a bottom cover plate 4, each with an external surface 7, 8 extending at right angles to the central axis 2 and having a lateral surface 21, 22 on the periphery. Between the cover plates 3, 4 there is a central part 10 provided with a central cavity 11 and a sheathing 12, that surrounds the fibre system 5. For the purpose of anchoring the fibres 6 of the fibre system 5 on the cover plates 3, 4, each of the peripheral lateral surfaces 21, 22 has grooves 18, distributed on the circumference and radially protruding into the lateral surfaces 21, 22, so that the fibre system 5 can be anchored in these grooves 18. In the central cavity 11 there is an elastically deformable formed body 9 with an incompressible core, preferably a liquid core 13. Due to the incompressibility of the liquid core 13 during a compression of the cover plates 3, 4 parallel to the longitudinal axis 2, for example, the elastic formed body 9 and the sheathing 12 with the fibre system 5 will buckle radially, i.e. at right angles to the longitudinal axis 2, consequently the fibres 6 will be under tension. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of the intervertebral implant 1 according to the invention, that comprises two cover plates 3, 4, provided at right angles to the central axis 2, and an elastically deformable central part 10 situated between them. The central part 10 comprises a hollow-cylindrical sheathing 12 that is coaxial with the central axis 2 and a central cavity 11. In the central cavity 11 an elastic formed body 9 with an incompressible core is provided, preferably a liquid core 13. The formed body 9 is surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane, whereas the sheathing 12, that surrounds the fibre system 5 and an elastic sheathing body 25 passed through by the fibre system 5, is made from a synthetic material. The closing plates 14, 15 are firmly joined with the cover plates 3, 4 and have axially protruding surfaces 16, 17, which can be brought to rest on the end plates of two adjacent bodies of the vertebra. The fibre system 5 is anchored on the cover plates 3, 4 and is integrated in the sheathing 12 and its purpose is to absorb the forces on the central part 10, said forces acting on the intervertebral implant 1 via the bodies of the vertebra adjacent to the closing plates 14, 15, i.e. torsional forces due to the rotation of the bodies of the vertebra about the central axis 2 relative to one another or bending moments due to lateral bending and/or flexion/extension of the spinal column. For example, a compression force, acting on the intervertebral implant 1 parallel to the central axis 2, is transferred by both closing plates 14, 15 via both cover plates 3,4 to the central part 10, while as the result the elastic formed body 9 will buckle at right angles to the central axis 2. This expansion movement of the elastic formed body 9 is transferred to the sheathing 12 with the fibre system 5 and contained by this. Since the fibre system 5 is anchored on the cover plates 3, 4, the compression force, acting transversely to the central axis 2, generates tensile forces in the fibres of the fibre system 5. The fibre system 5 in this case is made from synthetic fibres, preferably from UHMWPE-fibres (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) or from PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and comprises a mesh from first and second fibres 6a, 6b, that are interwoven with one another. By doing so, the first fibres 6a include an angle α and the second fibres 6b an angle β with the central axis 2. In the embodiment of the intervertebral implant 1 according to the invention illustrated here, the angles α and β are equal and are between 15° and 60°. The fibres 6a, 6b are anchored on the cover plates 3, 4 by means of grooves 18 that are arranged on the circumference of the cover plates 3, 4 parallel to the central axis 2, so that the fibres 6a, 6b are passed through the grooves 18 and can be guided to the next groove 18 over the surfaces 7, 8 in a channel 19. The cover plates 3, 4 are made from synthetic material, whereas the closing plates 14, 15, arranged externally, are made from titanium or a titanium alloy. The externally arranged closing plates 14, 15 are joined with the cover plates 3, 4 either by form-locking or frictional locking. In particular they can be adhered or welded to one another. In FIGS. 5a and 5b a fibre system 5 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the intervertebral implant 1 according to the invention, wherein the fibres 6 extending over the end plates 3, 4 form chords on the circular surfaces 7, 8 of the cover plates 3, 4. In FIGS. 6a and 6b a fibre system 5 is illustrated according to an embodiment of the intervertebral implant 1 according to the invention, wherein the fibres 6 extending over the end plates 3, 4 cross at the point of intersection of the central axis 2 and the end plates 3, 4. When compared with the arrangement of the fibres 6 (FIGS. 6a, 6b), the guiding of the fibres 6 as chords (FIGS. 5a, 5b) over the surfaces 7, 8 of the end plates 3, 4 has the following advantages: due to the better distribution of the crossing points of the fibres 6 no concentration will occur, especially between the external surfaces 7, 8 of the cover plates 3, 4 and the closing plates 14, 15 (FIGS. 3 and 4), and with the aid of a winding technique the fibre system 5 can be symmetrically produced relative the central axis 2 while the intervertebral implant 1 can be clamped in at the points of intersection between the central axis 2 and the cover plates 3, 4. FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment, that differs from the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 only by that the periphery of the sheathing 12 provided on the central part 10 comprises an elastic sheathing body 25 only partially passed through by the fibre system 5, the thickness of the sheathing body d being smaller than the radial thickness δ of the fibre system.

20060725

20080930

20061123

96981.0

A61F244

YANG, ANDREW

INTERVERTEBRAL IMPLANT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61F

ACCEPTED

Watermark information detection method

There is provided a watermark information detecting method capable of detecting confidential information accurately from a document including confidential information. In this method, a filtering process is performed on the whole surface of an input image (S310), and a position of signal is obtained by using a signal position searching template in order for the sum of filter output value to be maximum (S320). Then a signal border is determined (S340). Even when the image is expanded or contracted due to displacement of paper, etc., the signal position can be correctly detected and confidential information can be correctly detected from a document including confidential information.

1. A watermark information detecting method comprising: image inputting step for reading a printed document with confidential information embedded as an input image, by preparing plural dot patterns with a direction of wave and/or wavelength changed according to an arrangement of dots, giving one symbol to one of the dot patterns and arranging the dot patterns combined with each other; a filtering step for obtaining, in each pixel of the input image, a filter type matrix related to a type of detection filter with a maximum output value among all detection filters and a filter output value matrix related to the output value of the detection filter, by performing filtering of the input image after preparing the detection filter having the same wave direction and wavelength as the dot patterns to be the same number of types in order to detect the dot patterns from the input image; a position searching step for determining the position of the dot patterns in order for the sum of the output values of the detection filter corresponding to a grid point of a position searching template to be maximum, while moving the position searching template in each area divided in a predetermined size with regard to the filter output value matrix; a symbol determining step for obtaining a symbol matrix by determining the symbol of the dot patterns embedded in a location determined in the position searching step from the type of the detection filter in the filter type matrix, corresponding to the location; a border determining step for determining a border of the area; and an information decoding step for decoding the confidential information embedded in the printed document based on the dot patterns embedded inside the border. 2. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1, wherein, in the border determining step, the border of the area is determined by the dot patterns embedded based on the predetermined dot patterns embedded in the printed document in advance. 3. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1, wherein, in the border determining step, a row and a column with the specific dot patterns embedded are determined as the border of the area with the confidential information embedded, for the row and the column in the symbol matrix. 4. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1, wherein the position searching step comprises an initial position searching step for searching the initial position of the position searching template for detecting the dot patterns with high degree of accuracy. 5. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 4, wherein, in the initial position searching step, the initial position of the position searching template is determined at almost the central position of the input image. 6. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 4, wherein, in the initial position searching step, the initial position of the position searching template is determined at the position with most nondense distribution of a pixel with small luminance value of the input image. 7. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1, wherein, in the position searching step, the position of the dot patterns is determined by referring to the output value of the detection filter at the neighborhood as well as the output value of the detection filter at the position of the dot patterns to be determined, when searching the position of the dot patterns by the position searching template. 8. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1 further comprising: a dot pattern number decoding step for decoding information on the number of dot patterns embedded in the printed document from the input image; and a position correcting step for correcting the position of the dot patterns when the number of the dot patterns detected from the input image does not match the number of the dot patterns decoded in the dot pattern number decoding step. 9. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1 further comprising an alteration detecting step including a step of extracting a feature quantity of the printed document and a step of calculating the feature quantity of the input image. 10. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 9, wherein the alteration detecting step further comprises a step of binarizing the input image for binarizing the input image per area in accordance with a binarized parameter per area embedded in the printed document. 11. A watermark information detecting method according to claim 1, wherein, in the border determining step, the dot patterns that can be searched from the symbol matrix are determined in advance between embedding means and detecting means in the confidential information, to determine the border based on the dot patterns.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of adding confidential information in a form other than character to a document image, and relates to a technology of detecting confidential information from a printed document including confidential information. BACKGROUND ART In “electronic watermark” with information for preventing copying and counterfeiting and confidential information invisibly embedded, storing and data passing are assumed to be carried out on electronic media, which makes it possible to detect information reliably without deterioration and loss of information embedded watermarked. Similarly to this, there is required a method of embedding confidential information, which is not visually unsightly in a form of other than character and cannot be falsified easily, in a printed document in order to prevent alteration and copying of a document printed on a paper medium. As an information embedding method for monochrome binary document used most widely for a printed matter, the following technology is known. [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-78006 “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EMBEDDING AND DETECTING WATERMARK INFORMATION IN BLACK-AND-WHITE BINARY DOCUMENT PICTURE” A minimum rectangle surrounding an arbitrary character string is divided into some blocks, which are divided into two groups (group 1 and 2) (the number of groups may be three or more). When a signal is 1, for example, a feature quantity in each block of group 1 is increased while a feature quantity in a block of group 2 is reduced. When a signal is 0, a reverse operation is carried out. The feature quantity in a block is such as the number of pixels and weight of character in a character area, a distance from the point of scanning the block vertically and to the point of reaching the character area first. [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2001-53954 “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING INFORMATION AND READING INFORMATION, DIGITAL WATERMARK SYSTEM AND RECORDING MEDIUM” Setting the width and height of the maximum rectangle surrounding one character as the feature quantity for the character, a symbol is assumed to be indicated by a classified pattern of magnitude relation of the feature quantity among two or more characters. For example, six feature quantities can be defined from three characters, and listing the combinations of the patterns of magnitude relation, and classifying these combinations into two groups to give a symbol. When the information to be embedded is “0” and the combination pattern of the feature quantity of character selected to indicate this is “1”, one of the six feature quantities is varied by expanding its character area. The pattern to be varied is selected in order for the amount of varying to be minimum. [Patent Document 3] JP-A-09-179494 “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD” It is assumed that a printer with 400 dpi or more is used for printing. Information is quantified to express the information by a distance from a reference point mark to a position determination mark (dot number). [Patent Document 4] JP-A-10-200743 “DOCUMENT PROCESSING UNIT” Information is expressed according to whether a screen line of a multi-line screen (a special screen configured by minute parallel lines) is moved backward or not. In the Patent Documents 1 and 2, however, changing font and layout becomes required due to the changes of pixel configuring the character of document image, character spacing and line spacing. In the Patent Documents 3 and 4, in addition, since there is required high-accuracy detection process per pixel of the input image read out from an input device such as scanner in detecting, dirt on paper and addition of noise in printing and reading have a great impact on information detecting accuracy. In the Patent Documents 1 to 4, as described above, when detecting confidential information embedded by inputting the printed document in a computer again by an input device such as scanner, image deformation caused by dirt on the printed document and rotation generated in inputting allow a noise component to be included in the input image, which makes it difficult to extract the confidential information correctly. As the case of having a large impact on the information detecting accuracy with regard to the Patent Documents 3 and 4, there are the case of inclining of the printed document in reading from an input device and the case of local expansion and contraction of image due to displacement of paper in printing or inputting an image. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been achieved in view of the aforementioned problems in the conventional watermark information detecting method, and an object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved watermark information detecting method capable of detecting confidential information correctly from a document including confidential information. According to the present invention, in order to solve the problems, there is provided a watermark information detecting method comprising the following steps: (1) image inputting step for reading a printed document with confidential information embedded as an input image, by preparing plural dot patterns with a direction of wave and/or wavelength changed according to an arrangement of dots, giving one symbol to one of the dot patterns and arranging the dot patterns combined with each other; (2) a filtering step for obtaining, in each pixel of the input image, a filter type matrix related to a type of detection filter with a maximum output value among all detection filters and a filter output value matrix related to the output value of the detection filter, by performing filtering of the input image after preparing the detection filter having the same wave direction and wavelength as the dot patterns to be the same number of types in order to detect the dot patterns from the input image; (3) a position searching step for determining the position of the dot patterns in order for the sum of the output values of the detection filter corresponding to a grid point of a position searching template to be maximum, while moving the position searching template in each area divided in a predetermined size with regard to the filter output value matrix; (4) a symbol determining step for obtaining a symbol matrix by determining the symbol of the dot patterns embedded in a location determined in the position searching step from the type of the detection filter in the filter type matrix, corresponding to the location; (5) a border determining step for determining a border of the area with the dot patterns embedded based on the predetermined dot patterns embedded in the printed document in advance; and (6) an information decoding step for decoding the confidential information embedded in the printed document based on the dot patterns embedded inside the border. According to this method, the position of dot patterns can be obtained in order for the sum of filter output value to be maximum by performing filtering process on the whole surface of the input image and by using the signal position searching template. Accordingly, even when the image is expanded or contracted due to displacement of paper, etc., the position of dot patterns can be correctly detected and confidential information can be correctly detected from the printed document. Here, “dot pattern” includes various conceptions: (1) “signal unit” with a rectangular composed by a predetermined width and height as a unit of signal; (2) “symbol unit” with a concrete symbol assigned to the signal unit; (3) “unit pattern” with a specific symbol given to the number of repetitions of the symbol unit and to an arrangement pattern; and so on. In the border determining step, a row and a column with the specific dot patterns embedded continuously can be determined as the border of the area with the confidential information embedded, for the row and the column in the symbol matrix. Embedding specific dot patterns continuously in the border of the area with the confidential information embedded makes it possible to detect the border easily. The position searching step can comprise an initial position searching step for searching the initial position of the position searching template for detecting the dot patterns with high degree of accuracy. For example, the initial position of the position searching template can be determined at almost the central position of the input image. At almost the central position of the input image, it is possible to detect the dot patterns with high accuracy due to little impact caused by displacement of input image. Or, in order to avoid the area including the character, etc. of the input image, the initial position of the position searching template can be determined at the position with most nondense distribution of a comparatively dark pixel corresponding to character (a pixel with small luminance value) of the input image. In the position searching step, the position of the dot patterns can be determined by referring to the output value of the detection filter at the neighborhood as well as the output value of the detection filter at the position of the dot patterns to be determined, when searching the position of the dot patterns by the position searching template. According to this method, as in the case, for example, where the character area of the input image is included in the position of the dot patterns to be determined, even when the output value of the detection filter cannot be sufficiently obtained, the position of the dot patterns can be determined appropriately. There can be further comprised: a dot pattern number decoding step for decoding information on the number of dot patterns embedded in the printed document from the input image; and a position correcting step for correcting the position of the dot patterns when the number of the dot patterns detected from the input image does not match the number of the dot patterns decoded in the dot pattern number decoding step. According to this method, detecting the information on the number of dot patterns from the input image and referring to the information make it possible to correct even when there is a mistake in the position searching by the position searching template. With this, the position of the dot patterns can be detected more correctly and confidential information can be correctly detected from the printed document. There can be further comprised an alteration detecting step including a step of extracting a feature quantity of the printed document and a step of calculating the feature quantity of the input image. According to this method, in addition to the above effects, alteration of the contents of printed document can be detected if they are altered. The alteration detecting step can further comprise a step of binarizing the input image for binarizing the input image per area in accordance with a binarized parameter per area embedded in the printed document. According to this method, even when a certain area in the input image is largely altered and the number of black pixels is different from the number of black pixels in an original document image, going beyond an area of correct binary threshold, a correct binary threshold can be set by referring to the information on the binary threshold of the neighborhood area. In the border determining step, the dot patterns that can be searched from the symbol matrix may be determined in advance between embedding means and detecting means in the confidential information, to determine the border based on the dot patterns. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a watermark information embedding device and a watermark information detecting device. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark image forming part 12. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit A. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit B. FIG. 4 is a sectional view seeing a change of pixel value in FIG. 3A from a direction of arctan (1/3). FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit C. FIG. 5D is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit D. FIG. 5E is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit E. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a background image that indicates the case where the unit E is defined as a background unit and set as the background of watermark images closely arranged. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a background image that indicates an example of embedding the unit A in the background image of FIG. 6A. FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram showing a background image that indicates an example of embedding the unit B in the background image of FIG. 6A. FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of embedding confidential information in the watermark image. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding confidential information in the watermark image. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermarked document image. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of partially enlarged view of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a signal detection filtering step (step S310) in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a signal position searching step (step S320) in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a signal border determining step (step S340) in the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information restoring step (step S305) in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of process of a method of restoring a data code. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of restoring a data code. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of restoring a data code. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a second embodiment. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an iterative signal position searching step (step S360) in the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a third embodiment. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an expanded signal position searching step (step S370) in the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a signal position correcting step (step S380) in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a watermark information embedding device and a watermark information detecting device in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of an alteration judging part 33. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a feature comparing step (step S450). FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a feature comparing step (step S450). BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of a watermark information detecting method according to the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings. Same reference numerals are attached to components having same functions in following description and the accompanying drawings, and a description thereof is omitted. FIRST EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a watermark information embedding device and a watermark information detecting device according to this embodiment. Watermark Information Embedding Device 10 A watermark information embedding device 10 configures a document image based on document data and confidential information to be embedded in a document and performs printing on a paper medium. The watermark information embedding device 10 includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a document image forming part 11; a watermark image forming part 12; a watermarked document image synthesizing part 13; and an output device 14. Document data 15 is data created by a document creating tool, etc. Confidential information 16 is information (character string, image and sound data) to be embedded in a form other than character in a paper medium. In the document image forming part 11, an image is created with the document data 15 printed on a paper. More specifically, a white pixel area in a document image is a part without printing while a black pixel area is a part with black coating applied. In this embodiment, although it is assumed that printing is performed on white paper by using a black ink (monochrome), the present invention is not restricted to this example. The present invention can also be applied to the case of performing color printing (polychrome). The document image forming part 11 is not necessarily required. In this case, a document image is used instead of the document data 15, to be input to the watermark image forming part 12. The watermark image forming part 12 performs N-dimensional coding (N is two or more) for the confidential information 16 digitized and converted to numerical value and assigns each symbol of codeword to signals prepared in advance. The signals express a wave having an arbitrary direction and wavelength by arranging dots in a rectangular area with an arbitrary size, and the symbol is assigned to the direction of wave and the wavelength. The watermark image is configured by arranging these signals on an image according to a certain rule. The watermarked document image synthesizing part 13 creates a watermarked document image by overlapping the document image with the watermark image. The output device 14 is an output device such as printer and prints the watermarked document image on a paper medium. Therefore, the document image forming part 11, the watermark image forming part 12 and the watermarked document image synthesizing part 13 may be realized as one function in a printer driver. A printed document 20 is constituted by printing by embedding the confidential information 16 in the original document data 15, and physically stored and managed. Watermark Information Detecting Device 30 A watermark information detecting device 30 is a device for loading a document printed on a paper medium as an image and restoring the embedded confidential information 16. The watermark information detecting device 30, as shown in FIG. 1, includes an input device 31 and a watermark detecting part 32. The input device 31 is an input device such as scanner and loads the document 20 printed on paper into a computer as a gray image with multilevel tone. The watermark detecting part 32 performs filtering process for the input image and detects the embedded signal. The symbol is restored from the detected signal and retrieves the embedded confidential information 16. There will be described operations of the watermark information embedding device 10 and watermark information detecting device 30 thus configured. First, the operation of the watermark information embedding device 10 will be described in reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. Document Image Forming Part 11 The document data 15 is data including font information and layout information and assumed to be created by a word-processing program. The document image forming part 11 creates the image with a document printed on paper page by page based on the document data 15. This document image is a monochrome binary image, in which a white pixel (value is 1) on the image is a background while a black pixel (value is 0) is a character area (an area with an ink applied). Watermark Image Forming Part 12 The confidential information 16 is various data such as character, sound and image. The watermark image forming part creates a watermark image to be overlapped as a background of document image from the information. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of the watermark image forming part 12. First, the confidential information 16 is converted into an N-dimensional code (step S101). Although N can be arbitrarily determined, N is set at 2 to facilitate the description in this embodiment. Therefore, the code generated in step S101 is a two-dimensional code and expressed by a bit string of 0 and 1. In step S101, data may be coded as it is, or encoded data may be coded. Next, a watermark signal is assigned to each symbol of codeword (step S102). The watermark signal expresses a wave having arbitrary wavelength and direction according to the arrangement of dot (black pixel), and will be described later. Further, a signal unit corresponding to the bit string of coded data is arranged on the watermark image (step S103). In the step S102, the watermark signal assigned to each symbol of codeword will be described. FIGS. 3A and 3B are an explanatory diagrams showing an example of the watermark signal. The width and height of the watermark signal are set as Sw and Sh, respectively. Although Sw and Sh may be different, there is set as Sw=Sh to facilitate the description in this embodiment. The unit of length is expressed by the number of pixels, and there is set as Sw=Sh=12 in the example of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The size of the signal printed on paper depends on the resolution of the watermark image. For example, when the watermark image is an image with 600 dpi (dot per inch: unit of resolution, dot number per inch), the width and height of the watermark signal in FIGS. 3A and 3B become 12/600=0.02 (inch) on the printed document. Hereinafter, a rectangle with its width and height at Sw and Sh will be referred to as “signal unit” as a unit of signal. In FIG. 3A, the distance between dots is dense in the direction of arctan (3) (arctan is an inverse function of tan) with regard to a horizontal axis, and the propagation direction of wave is arctan (−1/3). Hereinafter, this signal unit is referred to as unit A. In FIG. 3B, the distance between dots is dense in the direction of arctan (−3) with regard to a horizontal axis, and the propagation direction of wave is arctan (1/3). Hereinafter, this signal unit is referred to as unit B. FIG. 4 is a sectional view seeing a change of pixel value in FIG. 3A from a direction of arctan (1/3). In FIG. 4, the part with dots arranged is an antinode of minimum value (the point with largest amplitude) while the part without dots arranged is an antinode of maximum value. In addition, since there are two areas per unit where the dots are densely arranged, the frequency per unit becomes 2 in this example. Since the propagate direction of wave is vertical to the direction where the dots are densely arranged, the wave of unit A becomes arctan (−1/3) with regard to a horizontal direction while the wave of unit B becomes arctan (1/3). In this embodiment, symbol 0 is assigned to the watermark signal expressed by unit A while symbol 1 is assigned to the watermark signal expressed by unit B. These will be referred to as a symbol unit. Other than the dot arrangements of watermark signal shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the dot arrangements may be considered as shown in FIGS. 5C to 5E, for example. In FIG. 5C, the distance between dots is dense in the direction of arctan (1/3) with regard to a horizontal axis, and the propagation direction of wave is arctan (−3). Hereinafter, this signal unit is referred to as unit C. In FIG. 5D, the distance between dots is dense in the direction of arctan (−1/3) with regard to a horizontal axis, and the propagation direction of wave is arctan (3). Hereinafter, this signal unit is referred to as unit D. In FIG. 5E, the distance between dots is dense in the direction of arctan (1) with regard to a horizontal axis, and the propagation direction of wave is arctan (1). In FIG. 5E, however, there can be considered that the distance between dots is dense in the direction of arctan (1) with regard to a horizontal axis, and the propagation direction of wave is arctan (1). Hereinafter, this signal unit is referred to as unit E. As described above, there may be plural patterns of unit combination to which symbols 0 and 1 are assigned, other than the combinations of assignment carried out in advance. Accordingly, it is also possible to make it impossible for the third party (rigger) to decode the embedded signal easily without disclosing which watermark signal is assigned to which symbol. Further in step S102 shown in FIG. 2, when the confidential information is coded by four-dimensional code, it is also possible, for example, to assign a symbol 0 of codeword to the unit A, to assign a symbol 1 of codeword to the unit B, to assign a symbol 2 of codeword to the unit C and to assign a symbol 3 of codeword to unit D. In the examples of watermark signal shown in FIGS. 3A to 5E, since all numbers of dots per unit are equal, close arrangement of these units makes an apparent contrast of the watermark image uniform. Therefore on the printed paper, it seems that a gray image with a single density is embedded as a background. To create such an effect, for example, the unit E is defined as a background unit (a signal unit without a symbol assigned), and this is closely arranged to make the background of the watermark image. When the symbol unit (units A and B) is embedded in the watermark image, the background unit (unit E) at the position for the symbol unit to be embedded and the symbol unit (units A and B) are replaced. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing the case where the unit E is defined as a background unit, and this is closely arranged to make the background of the watermark image. FIG. 6B shows an example where the unit A is embedded in a background image of FIG. 6A while FIG. 6C shows an example where the unit B is embedded in a background image of FIG. 6A. In this embodiment, although there will be described the method of setting the background unit as the background of the watermark image, the watermark image may be generated by arranging only the symbol unit. Next, there will be described the method of embedding one symbol of codeword in the watermark image in reference to FIG. 7A to 7C. FIG. 7A to 7C are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. Here, there will be described the case of embedding a bit string “0101”, as an example. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the same symbol unit is repeatedly embedded. This is to prevent the case where the character in the document cannot be detected in signal detection when the character is overlapped on the embedded symbol unit. The number of repetitions of symbol unit and the arrangement pattern thereof (hereinafter, referred to as unit pattern) are arbitrary. As an example of unit pattern, therefore, the number of repetitions can be set at four (four symbol units exist in one unit pattern) as shown in FIG. 7A while the number of repetitions can be set at two (two symbol units exist in one unit pattern) as shown in FIG. 7B, or, the number of repetitions may be set at one (only one symbol unit exists in one unit pattern). Although one symbol is assigned to one symbol unit in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the symbol may be assigned to the arrangement pattern of symbol unit as shown in FIG. 7C. How many bits of information can be embedded in one page of watermark image depends on the size of signal unit, the size of unit pattern and the size of document image. The number of signals embedded in horizontal and vertical directions, which is assumed to be well-known, may be calculated by signal detection, or by calculating back from the size of the image input from an input device and the size of signal unit. Assuming that the numbers of unit patterns that can be embedded are Pw in a horizontal direction and Ph in a vertical direction in one page of watermark image, the unit pattern at an arbitrary position in the image is to be expressed as U (x, y), x=1˜Pw, y=1˜Ph, and U (x, y) will be referred to as “unit pattern matrix”. The number of bits that can be embedded in one page is referred to as “embedded bit number”, which is expressed by Pw×Ph. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of embedding the confidential information 16 in the watermark image. Here, there will be the case of embedding the same information repeatedly in a single (one page of) the watermark image. This is for making it possible to retrieve the embedded information by embedding the same information repeatedly, even when the embedded information is lost with the whole of one unit pattern covered when overlapping the watermark image with the document image. First, the confidential information 16 is converted into an N-dimensional code (step S201), which is the same as step S101 in FIG. 2. Hereinafter, the coded data is referred to as data code while the expression of data code by the combination of unit patterns is referred to as data code unit Du. Next, there is calculated the number of repetitive embeddings of the data code unit in one image from the code length (here, bit number) of data code and the number of embedded bits (step S202). In this embodiment, the code length data of the data code is inserted in the first row of the unit pattern matrix. Alternately, there may be considered the case where, the code length of the data code being set as a fixed length, the code length data is not embedded in the watermark image. The number Dn of embeddings of the data code unit is calculated by the following expression, setting the data code length as Cn: Dn = ⌊ Pw × ( Ph - 1 ) Cn ⌋ ⁢ ⌊ A ⌋ ⁢ wherein [A] is the maximum integer not exceeding A. Here, setting a residue at Rn (Rn=Cn−(Pw×(Ph−1))), the data code unit with the number of Dn and the unit pattern corresponding to the first Rn bits of the data code are to be embedded in the unit pattern matrix. However, it is not necessary to embed the Rn bits in the residue part. In the description of FIG. 9, the size of the unit pattern matrix is set at 9×11 (11 rows and 9 columns) while the data code length is set at 12 (what is attached with numbers 0 to 11 in this Figure expresses each code word of data code). Next, the code length data is embedded in the first row of the unit pattern matrix (step S203). In the example of FIG. 9, although there is described the example where the code length is expressed by 9-bit data and embedded only once, it is also possible to embed the code length data repeatedly similarly to the data code when the width Pw of unit pattern matrix is large enough. Further, the data code unit is repeatedly embedded in the second row and thereafter of the unit pattern matrix (step S204). As shown in FIG. 9, there is embedded in a row direction from MSB (most significant bit) of the data code or LSB (least significant bit) thereof. The example of FIG. 9 shows the example of embedding the data code unit seven times and embedding the first 6 bits of data code. The data may be embedded so as to be successive in a row direction as shown in FIG. 9 or a column direction. The watermark image in the watermark image forming part 12 has been described. Next, the watermarked document image synthesizing part 13 in the watermark information-embedding device 10 will be described. Watermarked Document Image Synthesizing Part 13 In the watermarked document image synthesizing part 13, the document image created in the document image forming part 11 and the watermark image created in the watermark image forming part 12 are overlapped. The value of each pixel in the watermarked document image is calculated by a logic operation (AND) of the pixel values corresponded to the document image and the watermark image. In other words, when either the document image or the watermark image is 0 (black), the pixel value of the watermarked document image is 0 (black). In other cases, the pixel value thereof is 1 (white). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermarked document image. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of partially enlarged view of FIG. 10. Here, the pattern of FIG. 7A is used as the unit pattern. The watermarked document image is output from the output device 14. The operation of the watermark information-embedding device 10 has been described as above. Next, the operation of the watermark information detecting device 30 will be described in reference to FIGS. 12 to 19. Watermark Detecting Part 32 FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of the watermark detecting part 32. First, the watermarked document image is input to a memory, etc. of a computer by using the input device 31 such as scanner (step S301). This image is referred to as an input image. The input image is a multilevel image and will be described as a gray image with 256 gradations. Although the resolution of the input image (resolution when reading in the input device 31) may be different from that of the watermarked document image created in the watermark information embedding device 10, description will be given assuming that the resolution is the same as that of the image created in the watermark information embedding device 10. In addition, there will be described the case where one unit pattern is configured by one symbol unit. <Signal Detection Filtering Step (Step S310)> In step S310, the whole of input image is subjected to a filtering process, and the calculation and comparison of the filter output value are performed. The calculation of filter output value is performed by using a filter called Gabor filter shown below and by a convolution between the filter and image in all pixels in the input image. Hereinafter, there will be shown a Gabor filter G (x, y), x=0˜gw−1, y=0˜gh−1, in which gw and gh are filter sizes, which are the same as the signal unit embedded by the watermark information embedding device 10: G ⁡ ( x , y ) = exp ⁡ [ - π ⁢ { ( x - x ⁢ ⁢ 0 ) 2 A 2 + ( y - y ⁢ ⁢ 0 ) 2 B 2 } ] × exp ⁡ [ - 2 ⁢ π ⁢ ⁢ i ⁢ { u ⁡ ( x - x ⁢ ⁢ 0 ) + v ⁡ ( y - y ⁢ ⁢ 0 ) } ] i: imaginary number unit x=0˜gw−1, y=0˜gh−1, x0=gw/2, y0=gh/2 A: effective width, B: effective height tan−1 (u/v): direction of wave, √{square root over (u2+v2)}: frequency The filter output value at an arbitrary position in the input image is calculated by a convolution between the filter and image. In the case of Gabor filter, since there are a real number filter and an imaginary number filter (a filter with the phase thereof deviated from a real number filter by half-wavelength), the square mean value of them is set as a filter output value. For example, when the convolution between a luminance value in a certain pixel (x, y) and a real number filter in a filter A is Rc and the convolution between the luminance value and an imaginary number filter is Ic, a filter output value F (A, x, y) is calculated by the following expression. F(A,x,y)=√{square root over (Rc2+Ic2)} After calculating the filter output values for all filters corresponding to each signal unit as described above, the filter output values thus calculated are compared in each pixel, and the maximum value F (x, y) is stored as a filter output value matrix. Also, the number of the signal unit corresponding to a filter with the maximum value is stored as a filter type matrix (FIG. 13). More specifically, when there is expressed as F (A, x, y)>F (B, x, y) in a certain pixel (x, y), F (A, x, y) is set as the value (x, y) of filter output value matrix and “0” indicating a signal unit A is set as the value (x, y) of filter type matrix (in this embodiment, the numbers of A and B are set as “0” and “1”, respectively). Although the number of filters is two in this embodiment, it suffices if there are stored the maximum value of plural filter output values and the signal unit number corresponding to the filter at the time also when the number of filters is more than two. <Signal Position Searching Step (Step S320)> In step S320, the signal unit position is determined by using the filter output value matrix obtained in step S310. More specifically, when the size of the signal unit is constituted by Sh×Sw, a signal position searching template is created (FIG. 14), in which the space of grid point in a vertical direction is Sh, the space in a horizontal direction is Sw and the number of grid points is expressed by Nh×Nw. The size of the template thus created becomes Th (Sh*Nh)×Tw (Sw*Nw), in which suitable values may be used for Nh and Nw so as to search the signal unit position. Next, the filter output value matrix is divided by the size of template. Further, in each divided area, moving the template in a unit of pixel on the filter output value matrix in a range not overlapping the signal unit in an adjacent area (horizontal direction ≅Sw/2, vertical direction ±Sh/2), there is calculated a sum V of the filter output value matrix value F (x, y) on a template grid point by using the following expression (FIG. 14). The grid point of the template with the largest sum is set as the signal unit position of the area. V ⁡ ( x , y ) = ∑ u = 0 Nw - 1 ⁢ ∑ v = 0 Nh - 1 ⁢ F ⁡ ( x + Sw * u , y + Sh * v ) Xs - Sw / 2 < x < Xe + Sw / 2 , Ys - Sh / 2 + < y < Ye + Sh / 2 (Xs, Ys): upper left coordinate of divided area, (Xe, Ye): lower right coordinate of divided area This example shows the case of calculating the filter output value for all pixels in step S310, in which filtering can be performed for only pixels spaced at a certain interval. For example, in the case of performing filtering every two pixels, the space of the grid points of the signal position searching template may be set at ½. <Signal Symbol Determining Step (Step S330)> In step S330, the signal unit is determined as A or B by referring to the value of the filter type matrix at the signal unit position determined in step S320 (signal unit number corresponding to the filter). As above, the judgment result of the determined signal unit is stored as a symbol matrix. <Signal Border Determining Step (Step S340)> In step S320, the filtering process is performed for the whole surface of the image whether the signal unit is embedded or not. Accordingly, it becomes necessary to determine where the signal unit is embedded. In step S340, the signal border is obtained by searching the pattern determined in advance when embedding the signal unit from the symbol matrix. It is determined that, at the border where the signal unit is embedded, the signal unit A is embedded without fail. With this, the number of the signal units A is calculated in a horizontal direction of the symbol matrix determined in step S330, and the position with the largest number of the signal units A is determined as upper-end/lower-end of the signal border, going upward and downward from the central point. In the example of FIG. 15, since the signal unit A in the symbol matrix is expressed by “black” (value “0”), the number of the signal units A can be calculated by calculating the number of black pixels in the symbol matrix. According to the frequency distribution thereof, the upper-end/lower-end of the signal border can be obtained. The leftmost/rightmost, which is different in the direction of calculation of the number of the units A, can be obtained similarly. The method of obtaining the signal border is not restricted to the above method, and it suffices if the pattern that can be searched from the symbol matrix is determined in advance on the sides of embedding and detecting. Getting back to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the following step S305 will be described. In step S305, the original information is restored from the part corresponding to the internal part of the signal border in the symbol matrix. In this embodiment, since one unit pattern is configured by one symbol unit, the unit pattern matrix becomes equivalent to the symbol matrix. <Information Decoding Step (Step S305)> FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information restoring. The step of restoring information is as follows. (1) The symbols embedded in each unit pattern are detected (FIG. 16(1)). (2) The data code is restored by coupling symbols (FIG. 16 (2)). (3) The embedded information is retrieved by decoding the data code (FIG. 16 (3)). FIGS. 17 to 19 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of a method of restoring a data code. The restoring method is an inverse process of FIG. 8 basically. First, the part of the code length data is retrieved from the first row of the unit pattern matrix to obtain the data length of the data code embedded (step S401). Next, the number Dn of embedding the data code unit and the residue Rn are calculated based on the size of the unit pattern matrix and the code length of the data code obtained in step S401 (step S402). Next, the data code unit is retrieved with the inverse method in step S203 from the second row and the followings of the unit pattern matrix (step S403). In the example of FIG. 18, there is resolved by twelve pattern units (U (1, 2)˜U (3, 3), U (4, 3)˜U (6, 4), . . . ) from U (1, 2) (second row and first column). In the case of Dn=7 and Rn=6, the twelve pattern units (data code unit) are retrieved seven times and six (upper six data code units) unit patterns (U (4, 11)˜U (9, 11)) are retrieved as residues. Next, performing a bit certainty factor operation for the data code unit retrieved in step S403, the embedded data code is restructured (step S404). Hereinafter, the bit certainty factor operation will be described. The data code units retrieved first from the second row and first column of the unit pattern matrix are set as Du (1, 1)˜Du (12, 1), and as Du (1, 2)˜Du (12, 2), . . . , sequentially as shown in FIG. 19. The residue parts are set as Du (1, 8)˜Du (6, 8). In the bit certainty factor operation, the value of each symbol of the data code is determined by deciding by majority for each element of the data code unit, or with other methods. Thereby even when the signal cannot be detected correctly from an arbitrary unit in an arbitrary data code unit (bit inversion error, etc.) due to overlapping with a character area or dirt on paper, the data code can be restored correctly eventually. More specifically, the first bit of the data code is judged to be “1” when there are more cases where the signal detection results in Du (1, 1), Du (1, 2), . . . , Du (1, 8) fall into the case of “1”. The first bit of the data code is judged to be “0” when there are more cases where the signal detection results therein fall into the case of “0”. Similarly, the second bit of the data code is judged by deciding by majority according to the signal detection results in Du (2, 1), Du (2, 2), . . . , Du (2, 8) while the twelfth bit of the data code is judged by deciding by majority according to the signal detection results in Du (12, 1), Du (12, 2), . . . , Du (12, 7), in which Du (12, 8) does not exist. Here, although there has been described the case of embedding the data code repeatedly, it is possible to realize such a method of not performing the repetition of the data code unit by using an error-correcting code, etc. in coding data. Advantage of First Embodiment According to this embodiment, as described above, performing filtering process on the whole surface of the input image and using the signal position searching template make it possible to obtain the signal unit position so as for the sum of the filter output value to be maximum. Accordingly, even when the image is expanded or contracted due to displacement of paper, etc., the signal unit position can be correctly detected and confidential information can be correctly detected from a document including confidential information. SECOND EMBODIMENT In the first embodiment described above, the signal position is searched in each divided area in which the filter output value matrix is divided by the size of the signal position searching template. In the second embodiment, on the other hand, the position at which the signal position is searched by the signal position searching template is initially set at such a position at which the signal position can be obtained as the center of paper, when searching the signal position. Then the signal position is searched at the initial position and when the signal position can be determined, the peripheral signal positions are sequentially determined based on the determined signal position. Since the configurations of a watermark information embedding device 10 and a watermark information detecting device 30 in this embodiment are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, the overlapped description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 20 shows a flowchart in the second embodiment. A signal position searching step (step S320) in the first embodiment is replaced by an initial signal position searching step (step S350) and an iterative signal searching step (step S360). Hereinafter, only different points will be described. <Initial Signal Position Searching Step (Step S350)> In step S350, the initial position of the signal position searching template is determined. The initial position to be determined is set at the position at which the signal unit can be detected with high accuracy. For example, the central position of the input image, or the position with most nondense distribution of a comparatively dark pixel corresponding to character (a pixel with small luminance value) so as to avoid the area including the character of the input image, are applicable. <Iterative Signal Searching Step (Step S360)> In step S360, setting the initial position of the signal position searching template determined in step S350 as a base point, the positions of the adjacent templates are sequentially determined. One position of the template is determined in the initial position with the same method as the signal position searching step (step S320) in the first embodiment. Next, the adjacent areas on the top and bottom or the left and right of the determined template are set as the next template searching position to search the next template position. Similar processes are repeated to determine the template positions on the whole of the input image (FIG. 21). With regard the order of the adjacent template position, there is searched in the first quadrant, for example, to the end of the image in a positive direction on an x-axis and then proceeds in a positive direction on a y-axis by one area to be searched in a positive direction on an x-axis. Next, there can be searched in the second, third and fourth quadrants, in which the searching directions are different. Advantage of Second Embodiment According to this embodiment, as described above, the next template can be searched from the adjacent position to a certain signal position searching template. Even in the case of including a displacement with larger size than the signal unit with regard to the initial position, such as the case of accumulating a displacement toward the edge of the image due to rotation of image, the signal unit can be properly detected. THIRD EMBODIMENT In the first embodiment, the filter output value matrix is divided by the size of the signal position searching template and the signal position is searched by referring only to the filter output value inside the signal position searching template. In the third embodiment, on the other hand, the signal position is searched by creating an expanded template including the signal position searching template and having the size larger than the signal position searching template and by using the expanded template capable of referring also to the filter output value existing around the divided area. Since the configurations of a watermark information embedding device 10 and a watermark information detecting device 30 in this embodiment are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, the overlapped description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 22 shows a flowchart in the third embodiment. A signal position searching step (step S320) in the first embodiment is replaced by an expanded signal position searching step (step S370). Hereinafter, only different points will be described. <Expanded Signal Position Searching Step (Step S370)> In step S370, the signal position searching template is created with the same method as the signal position searching step (step S320) in the first embodiment and a larger expanded template is created to arrange the signal position searching template inside it (FIG. 23). The expanded template has the same grid points as those in the signal position searching template, and the number of the grid points is determined by Mh×Mw (Mh≧Nh, Mw≧Nw). The size of the created expanded template is determined by Eh (Sh*Mh)×Ew (Sw*Mw). The inside signal position searching template is arranged at the center and the filter output value matrix is divided into the size of the signal position searching template as in the signal position searching step (step S320). Further, moving the expanded template in a unit of pixel within a range in order for the inside signal position searching template not to be overlapped with the signal unit of the adjacent area, and calculating a sum W of the filter output value matrix value F (x, y) on the grid points, the position of the expanded template with the largest value of the sum W is determined. From the determined expanded template, the position of the inside signal position searching template is determined and the grid point is set as the signal unit position of the divided area. W ⁡ ( x , y ) = ∑ u = - u ⁢ ⁢ 0 u ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ∑ v = - v ⁢ ⁢ 0 v ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ F ⁡ ( x + Sw * u , y + Sh * v ) Mh = v ⁢ ⁢ 1 + v ⁢ ⁢ 0 + 1 , Mw = u ⁢ ⁢ 1 - u ⁢ ⁢ 0 + 1 (u0, v0): coordinate of upper left grid point of signal position determining template in the case of setting upper left grid point of expanded template as origin Xs−Sw/2<x<Xe+Sw/2,Ys−Sh/2+<y<Ye+Sh/2 (Xs, Ys): upper left coordinate of divided area, (Xe, Ye): lower right coordinate of divided area Advantage of the Third Embodiment According to this embodiment, as described above, the signal position can be identified by using the filter output value in the neighborhood area as well as the filter output value in the divided area. Even when the filter output value in the divided area cannot be obtained such as the case of including a character area of the input image in the divided area, the signal can be properly detected. FOURTH EMBODIMENT In the first embodiment, the signal border is obtained by determining the signal unit position by using the signal position searching template and by the symbol matrix obtained thereafter. In the fourth embodiment, on the other hand, embedding the number of signal units in horizontal/vertical directions as well as the confidential information at the same time in advance and determining the signal unit position and the signal border, the above information embedded is detected as required and the signal unit position according to the information. Since the configurations of a watermark information embedding device 10 and a watermark information detecting device 30 in this embodiment are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, the overlapped description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, the operation in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 24 shows a flowchart in the fourth embodiment. A signal number decoding step (step S375) and a signal position correcting step (step S380) are added to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a method of correcting the signal unit position will be described. <Signal Number Decoding Step (Step S375)> In step S375, as in the information decoding step (step S305) in the first embodiment, information is decoded based on the signal border determined in the signal position searching step (step S320) and the signal border determining step (step S340), to detect the number of signal units in horizontal/vertical directions as well as the confidential information that are embedded in advance, from the decoded data. The place where the information is embedded may be wherever detectable reliably such as directly inside the signal border capable of detecting stably. Further in coding/decoding, it is only necessary to embed by coding using an arbitrary method such as using an error-correcting code and by using the signal unit assigned to each symbol. <Signal Position Correcting Step (Step S380)> FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a process of correcting signal position. In step S380, the number of signal units in horizontal/vertical directions is obtained based on the signal border determined in the signal position searching step (step S320) and the signal border determining step (step S340). Then comparing with the number of signal units detected in step S375, the signal unit position is corrected in the case of not matching. As the correcting method, when the number in the horizontal direction is smaller comparing with the information embedded, the space between the signal unit positions detected in each horizontal direction as in FIG. 25 and a new signal unit position is added in the midpoint of the largest space between the signal unit positions. When the number of the signal units corrected by adding the signal unit position is smaller than the number of the extracted signal units as this case, the above process is repeated until being equal to the number of the detected signal units. In the case of being larger, on the other hand, one signal unit position is deleted sequentially from the minimum space in the horizontal direction of the signal unit position. The signal unit position can be corrected also in the vertical direction as in the horizontal direction. Advantage of Fourth Embodiment According to this embodiment, as described above, detecting the number of the signal units embedded in advance and referring to the information make it possible to correct the signal unit position even when the signal unit position has been wrongly searched by the template, and the signal unit position can be detected more correctly. As a result, confidential information can be correctly detected from a document including confidential information. FIFTH EMBODIMENT In the first embodiment as described above, only the detection of confidential information from the printed document is performed. In the fifth embodiment, on the other hand, adding an alteration judging part to the first embodiment, using the signal unit position obtained in the signal position searching step (step S320) and comparing the feature quantity of document image (image data before embedding watermark) in each signal unit position with the feature quantity of input image (image in which a printed document with watermark embedded is read by a scanner, etc.), it is judged whether the contents of the printed document are altered or not. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a processing configuration in the fifth embodiment, in which an alteration judging part 33 is added to the first embodiment. The alteration judging part 33 judges the alteration of the contents of printed document by comparing the feature quantity of the document image embedded in advance with the feature quantity of the input image. FIG. 27 shows a flow of process of the alteration judging part 33. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a process of the alteration judging part 33. In step S410, the watermarked document image embedded by an input device 31 such as scanner is input to a memory, etc. of a computer similarly to the first embodiment (this image is called an input image). <Document Image Feature Quantity Extracting Step (Step S420)> In step S420, the feature quantity of the document image embedded in advance is extracted from the data decoded in the information decoding step (step S305) in the watermark detecting part 32. As the document image feature quantity in this embodiment, a reduced binary image is used in which the upper left coordinate of the area with the signal unit embedded is set as a reference point (a reference point P in FIG. 28) in the watermarked document image as in FIG. 28. Since the document image on the embedding side is a binary image, it is only necessary to perform a reducing process using a well-known technology. The image data may be embedded by using the signal unit assigned to each symbol after compressing a data quantity using a compression method for a binary image such as MR and MMR. <Input Image Binarizing Processing Step (Step S430)> In step S430, the input image is binarized. In this embodiment, the information on a binary threshold embedded in advance is extracted from the data decoded in the information decoding step (step S305) in the watermark detecting part 32. Determining the binary threshold from the extracted information, the input image is binarized. The information on the binary threshold only has to be embedded by coding with an arbitrary method such as using an error-correcting code and by using the signal unit assigned to each symbol, as in the case of the number of signal units in the fourth embodiment. An example of the information on the binary threshold is the number of black pixels included in the document image when embedding. In such a case, it is only necessary to set the binary threshold so that the number of black pixels of the binary image obtained by binarizing the input image normalized to have the same size as the document image may match the number of black pixels included in the document image when embedding. Further, dividing the document image into some areas and embedding the information on the binary threshold in each area make it possible to binarize per area of the input image. Thereby even when a certain area in the input image is largely altered and the number of black pixels is different from the number of the black pixels in the original document image, going beyond an area of correct binary threshold, a correct binary threshold can be set by referring to the information on the binary threshold of the neighborhood area. With regard to binarizing an image, an image may be binarized by determining a binary threshold by using a well-known technology. However, adopting the above method makes it possible to create almost the same data also on the side of detecting watermark as the binary image of a document image when embedding. <Input Image Feature Quantity Creating Step (Step S440)> In step S440, the feature quantity of the input image is created from the input image, the signal unit position obtained in the signal position searching step (step S320) and the signal border obtained in the signal border determining step (step S340). More specifically, setting the upper left coordinate of the signal border as a reference point (a reference point Q in FIG. 28) and dividing plural signal units as one unit, the reduced image of input image to which the coordinate position corresponds in the unit. In FIG. 28, there is indicated as an example of a certain area divided as above a rectangle with the upper left coordinate (xs, ys) and the lower right coordinate (xe, ye). A reducing method may be the same method on the embedding side. In addition, when calculating the reduced image, after setting the upper left coordinate of the signal border as a reference point (a reference point Q in FIG. 29), dividing plural signal units as one unit and creating the corrected image of input image to which the coordinate position corresponds in the unit, the corrected image may be reduced. <Feature Quantity Comparing Step (Step S450)> In step S450, comparing the features obtained in the document image feature quantity extracting step (step S420) and the input image feature quantity creating step (step S440), and in the case of not matching, it is judged that the printed document corresponding to the position is altered. More specifically, the alteration is judged by comparing the reduced binary image of the input image in a unit of the signal unit obtained in step S440 (rectangle setting a coordinate (xs, ye)−(xs, ye) as an upper left/lower right vertex with the reference point Q in FIG. 28) with the reduced binary image of the corresponding document image extracted in the document image feature quantity extracting step (step S420) (rectangle setting a coordinate (xs, ys) - (xe, ye) as an upper left/lower right vertex with the reference point P in FIG. 28). When the number of pixels with different luminance values is equal to a predetermined threshold value or more in two images to be compared with each other, for example, it is only necessary to judge that the printed image corresponding to the signal unit is altered. Although a reduced binary image is used as a feature quantity in the above embodiment, it is applicable to use coordinate information and text data in a printed document instead. In this case, referring the data of the input image corresponding to the coordinate information, performing character recognition for the image information by using a well-known OCR technology and comparing the recognition result with the text data, the alteration can be judged. Advantage of Fifth Embodiment According to this embodiment as described above, comparing the feature quantity of the document image embedded in advance with the feature quantity of the input image obtained by reading by a scanner the printed document with confidential information embedded, based on the signal unit determined by using the signal position searching template, makes it possible to detect the alteration of the contents of the printed document. The signal unit position can be correctly obtained according to the first embodiment, which alters the comparison of feature quantity and makes it possible to judge the alteration of the printed document. Although the preferred embodiment of the watermark information detecting method according to the present invention has been described referring to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not restricted to such examples. It is evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be modified or changed within a technical philosophy thereof and it is understood that naturally these belong to the technical philosophy of the present invention. According to the present invention as described above, the signal unit position can be obtained in order for the sum of filter output value to be maximum by performing filtering process on the whole surface of the input image and by using a signal position searching template. Accordingly, even when the image is expanded or contracted due to displacement of paper, etc., the signal unit position can be correctly detected and confidential information can be correctly detected from the document including confidential information. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is applicable to a method of adding confidential information in a form other than character to a document image, and relates to a technology of detecting confidential information from a printed document including confidential information.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In “electronic watermark” with information for preventing copying and counterfeiting and confidential information invisibly embedded, storing and data passing are assumed to be carried out on electronic media, which makes it possible to detect information reliably without deterioration and loss of information embedded watermarked. Similarly to this, there is required a method of embedding confidential information, which is not visually unsightly in a form of other than character and cannot be falsified easily, in a printed document in order to prevent alteration and copying of a document printed on a paper medium. As an information embedding method for monochrome binary document used most widely for a printed matter, the following technology is known. [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-78006 “METHOD AND DEVICE FOR EMBEDDING AND DETECTING WATERMARK INFORMATION IN BLACK-AND-WHITE BINARY DOCUMENT PICTURE” A minimum rectangle surrounding an arbitrary character string is divided into some blocks, which are divided into two groups (group 1 and 2) (the number of groups may be three or more). When a signal is 1, for example, a feature quantity in each block of group 1 is increased while a feature quantity in a block of group 2 is reduced. When a signal is 0, a reverse operation is carried out. The feature quantity in a block is such as the number of pixels and weight of character in a character area, a distance from the point of scanning the block vertically and to the point of reaching the character area first. [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2001-53954 “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR EMBEDDING INFORMATION AND READING INFORMATION, DIGITAL WATERMARK SYSTEM AND RECORDING MEDIUM” Setting the width and height of the maximum rectangle surrounding one character as the feature quantity for the character, a symbol is assumed to be indicated by a classified pattern of magnitude relation of the feature quantity among two or more characters. For example, six feature quantities can be defined from three characters, and listing the combinations of the patterns of magnitude relation, and classifying these combinations into two groups to give a symbol. When the information to be embedded is “0” and the combination pattern of the feature quantity of character selected to indicate this is “1”, one of the six feature quantities is varied by expanding its character area. The pattern to be varied is selected in order for the amount of varying to be minimum. [Patent Document 3] JP-A-09-179494 “CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION RECORDING METHOD” It is assumed that a printer with 400 dpi or more is used for printing. Information is quantified to express the information by a distance from a reference point mark to a position determination mark (dot number). [Patent Document 4] JP-A-10-200743 “DOCUMENT PROCESSING UNIT” Information is expressed according to whether a screen line of a multi-line screen (a special screen configured by minute parallel lines) is moved backward or not. In the Patent Documents 1 and 2, however, changing font and layout becomes required due to the changes of pixel configuring the character of document image, character spacing and line spacing. In the Patent Documents 3 and 4, in addition, since there is required high-accuracy detection process per pixel of the input image read out from an input device such as scanner in detecting, dirt on paper and addition of noise in printing and reading have a great impact on information detecting accuracy. In the Patent Documents 1 to 4, as described above, when detecting confidential information embedded by inputting the printed document in a computer again by an input device such as scanner, image deformation caused by dirt on the printed document and rotation generated in inputting allow a noise component to be included in the input image, which makes it difficult to extract the confidential information correctly. As the case of having a large impact on the information detecting accuracy with regard to the Patent Documents 3 and 4, there are the case of inclining of the printed document in reading from an input device and the case of local expansion and contraction of image due to displacement of paper in printing or inputting an image.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a watermark information embedding device and a watermark information detecting device. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark image forming part 12 . FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit A. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit B. FIG. 4 is a sectional view seeing a change of pixel value in FIG. 3A from a direction of arctan (1/3). FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit C. FIG. 5D is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit D. FIG. 5E is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermark signal of unit E. FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram showing a background image that indicates the case where the unit E is defined as a background unit and set as the background of watermark images closely arranged. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a background image that indicates an example of embedding the unit A in the background image of FIG. 6A . FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram showing a background image that indicates an example of embedding the unit B in the background image of FIG. 6A . FIG. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. FIG. 7C is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding a symbol in the watermark image. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a method of embedding confidential information in the watermark image. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of embedding confidential information in the watermark image. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a watermarked document image. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of partially enlarged view of FIG. 10 . FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a first embodiment. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a signal detection filtering step (step S 310 ) in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a signal position searching step (step S 320 ) in the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a signal border determining step (step S 340 ) in the first embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of information restoring step (step S 305 ) in the first embodiment. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow of process of a method of restoring a data code. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of restoring a data code. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method of restoring a data code. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a second embodiment. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an iterative signal position searching step (step S 360 ) in the second embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a third embodiment. FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an expanded signal position searching step (step S 370 ) in the third embodiment. FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of a watermark detecting part 32 in a fourth embodiment. FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a signal position correcting step (step S 380 ) in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing configurations of a watermark information embedding device and a watermark information detecting device in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing a flow of process of an alteration judging part 33 . FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a feature comparing step (step S 450 ). FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a feature comparing step (step S 450 ). detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060818

20081021

20070104

75819.0

H04L900

BITAR, NANCY

WATERMARK INFORMATION DETECTION METHOD

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

Exchange and conference communication method therefor

An exchange capable of increasing the number of participants in a conference without increasing conference circuits for conference communications. The exchange (2) switches connections either between a line wire (11) and a plurality of extensions (10a) to (10c) or between plural extensions and plural line wires. The exchange (2) comprises: a memory (27) registered with plural telephone numbers grouped; and a controller (26) which is notified of a demand of the conference communications from an extension telephone (3a) connected with the extensions (10a) to (10c), for acquiring other telephone numbers of the same group of the telephone number of the extension telephone (3a) thereby to form a channel for unidirectional communications, and which is notified of a demand from the extension telephone (3a) for bidirectional communications with the telephone selected from the other telephones in the unidirectional communications, for forming a channel so that the unidirectional communications with the telephone of the selected telephone number may be the bidirectional communications.

1. An exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when said controller receives a conference opening demand for the conference communications via a first extension and a group number, said controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of said first extension having demanded the conference communications, from said memory; and controls said time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from said first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination. 2. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls, in said unidirectional communications when it receives an additional participation demand together with another new extension number via said first extension, a conference calling termination on the demanded extension number. 3. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein said controller controls, in said unidirectional communications when it receives an excluding demand and one extension number of the other extensions via said first extension, said time-division switch so as to cut the communication with the extension number demanded. 4. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein said controller performs the conference calling termination and starts a time measurement, and stops, when a predetermined time elapses before the other extension responds, the conference calling termination at the unresponding other extension. 5. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein said controller transmits, when it controlled said unidirectional communications, a signal for the unidirectional communication display to said first extension and the other extension. 6. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein the conference calling can terminate not only at the other extension for the conference calling termination but also at the extension. 7. An exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch, connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller, controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when said controller receives a conference opening demand together with a group number communications via a first extension and the group number, said controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of said first extension having demanded the conference communications, from said memory; and controls said time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from said first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, and wherein said controller further controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for said unidirectional communications, said time-division switch so that said extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications. 8. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein, in case the bidirectional communication demand was made from the other extension, the control of said bidirectional communications is made after a response of approval was received from said first extension. 9. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller controls said conference trunk in addition to said time-division switch to perform the bidirectional communications, and transmits the signal synthesized by said conference trunk, as a reception voice to the other extension not participating in the bidirectional communications, so that the other extension not participating in the bidirectional communications can be attended. 10. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller controls, in said bidirectional communications when it receives an additional participation demand and another new extension number via said first extension, a conference calling termination on the demanded extension number. 11. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller controls, in said bidirectional communications when it receives a selecting demand together with one extension number of the other extensions via said first extension, said time-division switch so that the demanded extension number may change from said bidirectional communications to said unidirectional communication. 12. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller controls, in said unidirectional communications when it receives an excluding demand and one extension number of the other extensions via said first extension, said time-division switch so as to cut the communication with extension number demanded. 13. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller performs the conference calling termination and starts a time measurement, and stops, when a predetermined time elapses before the other extension responds, the conference calling termination at the unresponding other extension. 14. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller transmits, when it controlled said unidirectional communications, a signal for said unidirectional communication display to said first extension and the other extension. 15. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein said controller transmits, when it controlled said bidirectional communications, a signal for said bidirectional communication display to said first extension and the other extension. 16. The exchange according to claim 7, wherein the conference calling can terminate not only at the other extension for the conference calling termination but also at the line wire. 17. The exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when said controller receives a conference opening demand together with a group number via a first extension, said controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from said memory; and controls said time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from said first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, wherein said controller controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, said time-division switch and said conference trunk so that the extension having demanded said bidirectional communications and said first extension may make bidirectional communications, and wherein in said bidirectional communications among three or more said of the first extension and the other extensions, said controller controls, when it selects the extension for a secret from the extensions of the bidirectional communications and receives a secret communication demand via said first extension, said time-division switch for the secret communications so that only the extension selected and said first extension. 18. The exchange according to claim 17, wherein said controller further includes a tone generator and controls said time-division switch and said tone generator for transmitting a standby holding sound from said tone generator to the other extension which has been controlled from said bidirectional communications to a control not to participate in said secret communications. 19. The exchange according to claim 17, wherein said controller: controls said conference trunk in addition to said time-division switch to perform the bidirectional communications; transmits the signal synthesized by said conference trunk, as a reception voice between the other extensions controlled not to participate in said secret communications from said bidirectional communications; and makes said bidirectional communications between the other extensions, which are controlled from said bidirectional communications to the control not to participate in said secret communications. 20. The exchange according to claim 17, wherein said controller controls, in said secret communications when it receives a secret ending demand via said first extension, said time-division switch and said conference trunk so that said bidirectional communications may be made again between the extensions having made said bidirectional communications. 21. A conference communication method for an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and the extension, thereby to form a channel, wherein another exchange includes: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein the controller comprises: a conference opening demanding step of receiving a conference opening demand via a first extension and the group number; a conference calling termination step of performing a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of said first extension having demanded said conference communications, from the memory; and a unidirectional communication step of controlling said time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from said first extension to the other extensions responding to said conference calling termination, and wherein said controller further comprises: a bidirectional communication demanding step of receiving a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for said unidirectional communications; a bidirectional communication step of controlling the time-division switch and said conference trunk so that the extension having demanded said bidirectional communications and said first extension may make bidirectional communications; and an attending step of transmitting the signal synthesized by said conference trunk, as a reception voice to the other extension not participating in the bidirectional communications, so that the other extension not participating in said bidirectional communications can be attended. 22. The exchange according to claim 10, wherein said controller performs the conference calling termination and starts a time measurement, and stops, when a predetermined time elapses before the other extension responds, the conference calling termination at the unresponding other extension.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an exchange capable of performing conference communications with plural extension telephones and, more particularly, to an exchange capable of increasing the number of participants in a conference and changing the communication modes of the conference. BACKGROUND INFORMATION An exchange used in the conference system of the prior art includes register means for registering the calling numbers of plural telephones as one group from the outside so that all the telephones can communicate by calling all the telephones belonging to the group in response to the call of a special number from the telephone of one calling number belonging to that group (as referred to JP-A-2000-36873). This conference system exchange, as disclosed in Patent Publication 1, is provided with registration means capable of registering the calling numbers of the telephones belonging to the group from the outside so that the participants of the conference can be freely set. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the exchange of the exchange system disclosed in Patent Publication 1, however, all the telephones belonging to the group can communicate with each other. In order to synthesize the voices of the individual communications, therefore, it is necessary to prepare the conference circuits in the number of lines belonging to that group. As a result, the scale of the conference circuit is enlarged to raise the cost for the exchange. An object of the invention is to provide an exchange capable of increasing the number of participants in a conference without increasing conference circuits for conference communications. According to the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand for the conference communications via a first extension and the group number, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, wherein the exchange further comprises a conference trunk for synthesizing voices, and wherein the controller further controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, the time-division switch so that the extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications. In the exchange of the invention described above, the communications from the telephone demanded the conference communications are made unidirectional with the telephone having the other telephone number of the group, to which the demanding telephone number belongs, and this unidirectional communications with the telephone having the selected telephone number are made bidirectional by demanding the bidirectional communications with the telephone which has been selected from the other telephones in the unidirectional communications. As a result, the number of lines for the bidirectional communications can be determined on the side of the telephone having demanded the conference communications so that the number of lines for the bidirectional communications to be used for the conference communications can be reduced to the necessary minimum. Therefore, the conference circuits can be reduced, and the plural groups can make the conference communications simultaneously. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand for the conference communications via a first extension and a group number, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination. As a result, in response to the notification from the extension telephone demanding the conference communications, the exchange makes terminations all at once at the extensions or line wires of the participants with reference to the group setting information registered in the memory (in the case of the partner on the line wire, the exchange transmits the telephone number from the line interface to the line wire and terminates via the public network or the leased line), and the communications with the responding partner (e.g., the extension telephone or the telephone of the line wire) are made unidirectional, so that the conference can be held without any conference trunk. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand together with a group number via a first extension, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, and wherein the controller further controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, the time-division switch so that the extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications. There is also provided a conference communication method for the exchange. As a result, the number of lines for the bidirectional communications can be determined from the side of the telephone having demanded the conference communications so that the number of the lines for the bidirectional communications to be used for the conference communications can be reduced to the necessary minimum. Therefore, the number of conferences can be reduced. Moreover, the bidirectional communications can be made by transmitting the demand for the bidirectional communications from the side of the telephone having the other telephone number of the same group as that of the telephone number of the telephone having demanded the conference communications. In the exchange, moreover, the channel is formed such that the bidirectional communications with the selected telephone are made into the unidirectional communications by notifying the demand for the unidirectional communications with the telephone selected from the telephones with the bidirectional communications with the telephone having demanded the conference communications. As a result, the communications with the line wire partner or the extension telephone in the bidirectional communications can be returned to the unidirectional communications from the side of the telephone having demanded the conference communications. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand together with a group number via a first extension, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, wherein the controller controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, the time-division switch and the conference trunk so that the extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications, and wherein in the bidirectional communications among three or more of the first extension and the other extensions, the controller controls, when it selects the extension for a secret from the extensions of the bidirectional communications and receives a secret communication demand via the first extension, the time-division switch for the secret communications so that only the extension selected and the first extension. As a result, the telephone of another telephone number of the same group can be selected from the side of the telephone having demanded the secret communications thereby to perform the individual one-to-one secret communications can be done in the bidirectional conference communications. During the secret communications, moreover, the standby participant not participating in the secret communications is connected with the standby holding sound source or the standby voice message source of the tone generator so that the participant can hear the standby holding sound source or the voice message urging the standby. Moreover, the conference trunk is controlled to realize the bidirectional communications between all the members not participating in the secret communications. It is further possible to transfer the communications easily from the bidirectional ones to the secret ones or vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conference system using an exchange according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 presents diagrams for explaining the contents of a memory of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a hardware of the exchange of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an exterior view of an extension telephone of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the extension telephone of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel of the extension telephone of a participant of a conference; FIG. 7 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange; FIG. 8 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange; FIG. 9 presents diagrams for explaining the actions of a conference trunk in bidirectional communications; FIG. 10 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange; FIG. 11 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange; FIG. 12 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange; FIG. 13 presents diagrams showing display examples of secret communications in the display panel of the extension telephone; FIG. 14 presents diagrams for explaining the actions of the conference trunk in secret communications; FIG. 15 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange; and FIG. 16 is a sequence chart for explaining the actions of the exchange. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A configuration of a conference system using an exchange according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conference system using the exchange according to the embodiment of the invention. Of FIG. 2 presenting diagrams for explaining the contents of a memory, FIG. 2(a) shows an example of group setting information, and FIG. 2(b) shows an example of user's name setting information. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the exchange of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an exterior view of an extension telephone of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the extension telephone of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of the display panel of the extension telephone of a participant of the conference. First of all, the configurations of the conference system and the exchange of the embodiment are described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a conference system 1 includes: an exchange 2; an extension telephone 3 (as so numbered when the extension telephone is generally called); a voice storage 4; and a PC telephone 5 or a personal computer (as will be abbreviated into “PC”) having a telephone function. The exchange 2 is provided with communication lines of plural kinds for connecting those components. Of the lines, an extension line 10 can connect the extension telephone 3 or the voice storage 4. For example, extension telephones 3a and 3b are connected with extension lines 10a and 10b, and the voice storage 4 is connected with an extension line 10c (although the lines are indicated by 10a, 10b and 10c, in case the individual devices are individually referred to). For convenience, only three extension lines 10a to 10c are shown, but four or more extension lines could be connected with the exchange 2. Moreover, the exchange 2 is connected with a line wire 11 such as a public network or a leased line. Here, the extension lines 10a to 10c and the line wire 11 are physical wires (or electric wires) composed of two lines or four lines. The plural interior lines can be sheathed into one cable. The exchange 2 is provided with various interfaces for communicating with the aforementioned individual devices. That is, the exchange 2 is provided with a line interface 21, extension interfaces 22 and a CTI (Computer Telephone Integration) interface 24. The line interface 21 controls the connection or disconnection of such a call with or from a time-division switch as has terminated or originated from the public network or the leased line via the line wire 11. On the other hand, the extension interfaces 22 control the connections or disconnections between the extension lines 10a to 10c and the time-division switch 23. The extension interfaces 22 have functions to transmit tones (as will be generally called the “progress tone”) according to states, such as a busy tone indicating that the line is busy or a ring-back tone indicating the call is terminating, to the extension lines 10a to 10c. The CTI interface 24 has communications with the outside so as to configure the various CTI systems integrating the computer system. The circuit configuration employs the general-purpose interface IC. This interface IC can be the USB (Universal Serial Bus), Ethernet (known under the registered trade mark) (IEEE802.3), the RS-232C for bidirectional serial communications, or the bidirectional parallel interface. The exchange 2 is connected by the CTI interface 24 with the PC telephone 5 via the general-purpose communication line 12. For this communication line 12, a suitable cable is determined according to the interface of the CTI interface 24. In case the LAN is employed as the CTI interface 24, a line concentrator such as the HUB, or a relay such as the repeater is used with the PC telephone 5. Here, the line interface 21 and the CTI interface 25 are not limited to one in number, as shown in FIG. 1, but may be provided in plurality. Moreover, the extension interfaces 22 are not limited to three in number, as shown in FIG. 1, but may be provided in multiplicity. These numbers are suitably determined to necessary values according to the capacity required for the system entirety of the exchange 2. The exchange 2 is further provided with the time-division switch 23, a conference trunk 25, a controller 26, a memory 27 and a tone generator 28. The time-division switch 23 is controlled by the controller 26 to connect the line wire 11 and the extensions 10a to 10c and to establish channels among the extension lines 10a to 10c. The time-division switch 23 is similar to the ordinary one used in the digital conversion system. The time-division switch 23 includes a communication memory and a peripheral control circuit for controlling the address of the communication memory according to a time slot. These communication memory and peripheral control circuit are integrated like the general time-division switch into a large scale integrated circuit (LSI) so that they are serviced as one general-purpose IC. The detailed description of the operation contents of that IC is omitted while resorting to a Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication (e.g., JP-A-2000-333279), for example. The conference trunk 25 is controlled by the controller 26, and is also called the “conference circuit” having a function to synthesize the voice of the line for the bidirectional speech inputted at the conference communications from the time-division switch 23. This conference trunk 25 has such a fundamental configuration of an adder (or subtracter) for synthesizing the voice as is composed of an AND circuit, an OR circuit and a gate circuit. The conference trunk 25 is integrated, when generally used as a large scale integrated circuit (LSI), into the LSI together with a peripheral control circuit which is prepared by integrating the adder (or subtracter) in a large scale and controlled according to the time slot. The conference trunk 25 of this embodiment is provided with four lines for synthesizing the voice. This line number can be suitably determined according to the scale of the exchange. The controller 26 employs a general-purpose one-chip CPU. The controller 26 processes the following individual functions. One function is to control the exchanging actions between the line wire 11 and the extension lines 10a to 10c and between the extension lines 10a to 10c. The controller 26 has another function to communicate the data with the extension telephones 3a and 3b or the voice storage 4 through the extension interfaces 22. Still another function is to communicate the data with the PC telephone 5 through the CTI interface 24. On the other hand, the controller 26 defines, in the memory 27, the controls of the displays or the lighting, flashing and extinguishing of lamps in the extension telephones 3a and 3b, the functions of individual function buttons, and the functions responding to special number inputs by dial-keys. The controller 26 performs, when it detects the depression of the functional button or the special number input by the dial-key, the operations which are so defined in the memory 27 as to correspond to the function or the special number. In response to the special number input by the function button or the dial-key from the extension telephones 3a and 3b, for example, the controller 26 controls the time-division switch 23 and the conference trunk 25 thereby to prepare the individual lines of the conference communications for the unidirectional or bidirectional communications. On the other hand, the one-chip CPU is integrated to have the peripheral control functions. The aforementioned controller 26 is provided with the (not-shown) timer as time measuring means for counting the CPU clock signals generally to attain the time-measured result. Therefore, the timer can be utilized as a programmable one by programming the counted value. With the time monitoring function using that programmable timer, the termination is stopped by monitoring the time period of the extension telephones 3a and 3b which have terminated but have not been hooked off. The memory 27 stores various set pieces of information and programs. For storing these various set pieces of information, for example, a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is backed up with a battery. A DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) is used as a work memory for processing the operations. There are further used a flash memory for the boot program to start the programs, and a card memory for storing the programs. The memory configuration thus far described is one example for configuring the minimum system so that its scale is enlarged according to the function of the exchange. In this embodiment of the invention, those memory elements will be generally described as the memory 27. The memory 27 stores the extension number assigned to the extension line 10 and the telephone number (or the telephone number of the partner of the line wire) to be originated to the line wire 11, and groups at least two of the telephone numbers into one or more groups to be registered. In this group, the telephone numbers relating to the employees inside of a company or a branch or outside of the company are registered as the group setting information. The group numbers are assigned to the individual groups, and the controller 26 specifies the groups with the group numbers. The tone generator 28 is a general-purpose signal generator for a programmable audible frequency. When the tone generator 28 is started by designating a signal kind with the program, it generates tone signals of various kinds. These tone signals are employed for the aforementioned progress tones. These progress tones are sent through the time-division switch 23 to the line interface 21 or the extension interfaces 22. The controls of the designation of the tone signal kind in and the start of the tone generator 28, and the control of the time-division switch 23 are made by the controller 26. The following kinds can be designated for the tone signals. The tone signals designated are exemplified by the busy tone indicating that the line is busy, the dial tone indicating the dial number can be received, the ring-back tone indicating the call is terminating, and the holding tone at the time when the line is being held. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the contents of the memory of FIG. 1, and explains the aforementioned group setting information. FIG. 2(a) shows the set examples of the group setting information to be registered in the memory 27. In the group setting information, the group numbers assigned to the individual groups, the group names and the members are registered to correspond to one another. For example, a group number 1 has a group name “Group-A”. Of members: the member 1 is registered with a telephone number of 102; the member 2 with a telephone number of 0120-1234-5678; and the member 3 with a telephone number of 107. The subsequent members are omitted but are registered to a member n. The case, in which the conference communications are being done in the group of the group number 1 shown in FIG. 2(a), is shown in the display example of the display panel of FIG. 4. The telephone numbers and the names of the users corresponding to the telephone numbers are transmitted by the controller 26 of the exchange 2 to the extension telephones 3a and 3b through the extension interfaces 22 on the basis of the group setting information and the user's name setting information registered in the memory 27. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram for explaining the examples of the user's name setting information. These telephone numbers of the members are registered such that the telephone numbers and the names of the telephone users of the telephone numbers are related to each other. In the user's name setting information of FIG. 2(b), the telephone number (or the extension number) of the member 2 is not registered. This is because the telephone number (or the extension number) of the member 2 is that of the line wire and has no name. On the other hand, the memory 27 defines the functions of the function-keys disposed in the extension telephones 3a and 3b, and the functions of the special numbers of the dial-keys. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the exchange of FIG. 1. The conference system in FIG. 1 has been described on the basis of the functional elements. Therefore, the conference system is described in connection with the hardware configuration in the embodiment of the invention. A CPU 41 is a general-purpose one-chip CPU such as a Hitachi product HD6417709SF133B. A control data bus 42 is used with the CPU 41 and is composed of an address bus, a data bus and a status bus. Any of these buses has a general-purpose configuration depending on the CPU 41. A highway 43 is a highway for the time-division data which are required for the general time-division exchange control. The CPU 41 controls a line control ASIC through the control data bus 42 and the highway 43, and the line control ASIC 49 generates a CODEC control 44 for specifying the peripheral terminal thereby to control a CODEC 51 for the line interface 21 and the extension interface 22 connected with the CODEC control 44. The memory 27 is a general name of the entirety configured by combining plural memory elements. Each of these memory elements is configured in the following manner. Numeral 45 designates an SD Card Memory for storing the system operations program of the exchange 2. This SD Card Memory 45 is exemplified by RP-SP032 of Panasonic having a capacity of 32 Mbytes. Because of the Card Memory, at the time of updating the system operations program, it is possible not only to rewrite the stored contents partially but also to cope with the card replacement. Numeral 46 designates a Flash Memory for storing the boot program at the system starting time. This Flash Memory 46 is exemplified by MBM29LV400BC of Fujitsu having a capacity of 4 Mbits. Numeral 47 designates a SRAM Memory for storing the various set data and for holding the stored data when backed up with the battery. This SRAM Memory 47 is exemplified by R1LV0416CSB of RS technology having a capacity of 4 Mbits. Numeral 48 designates a DRAM Memory for storing the system operations program and the various set data. This DRAM Memory 48 does not hold the data when backed up with the battery. The DRAM Memory 48 is exemplified by MT48LC2M32B2TG of Micron Technology, Inc. having a capacity of 64 Mbits. Numeral 49 designates a line control ASIC covering an IO unit for controlling the inputs/outputs of the aforementioned time-division switch 23 and conference trunk 25 and the various interfaces to be described. As described hereinbefore, the line control ASIC 49 is configured into an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), in which the individual units are so integrated into the large scale integrated circuit as to contain the peripheral control circuit most suited for this embodiment. The aforementioned line interface 21 and extension interfaces 22 are made to have substantially identical internal configurations. Using the CODEC 51, the line control ASIC 49, as controlled by the CPU 41, converts analog signals inputted from the individual interfaces into digital signals, and writes the data at time slot positions corresponding to the physical positions of the individual interfaces on the highway 43. On the other hand, the line control ASIC 49 reads the data at the time slot positions corresponding to the physical positions of the individual interfaces, and converts them into analog signals and outputs the analog signals to the individual interfaces. The CODEC 51 is exemplified by the CODEC IC of Infineon Technologies AG. An IF circuit 52 is a very general interface circuit, which is composed of a matching element for matching the impedances of the extension line 10 and the line wire 11, and a line driver-receiver for transmitting/receiving signals. In the case of the extension interfaces 22, in order to relay the data signals to be transmitted/received between the extension telephone 3 and the CPU 41, a relay circuit is packaged to perform the timing control between the data line of the extension telephone 3 and the control data bus 42. Here is omitted the detailed description of the relay circuit, because the contents of the relay circuit are not the subject of the invention. A general-purpose interface IC corresponding as the CTI interface 24 to the USB, the IEEE802.3 and the RS-232C, as described above, is employed as a CTIIF circuit 53. This CTIIF circuit 53 is integrated together with the interface circuit with the control data bus 42. As in the case of the extension interfaces 22, there is packaged a relay circuit for the timing control between the data lines and the control data bus 42. Here is omitted the detailed description of the relay circuit, because the contents of the relay circuit are not the subject of the invention. FIG. 4 is an exterior view of the extension telephone of FIG. 1. The extension telephone 3 is constructed to include a hand-set 31 and an extension telephone body 32. The extension telephone body 32 is provided with a display panel 33 and an operation-key 34. A liquid crystal display panel can be employed as the display panel 33. This display panel 33 displays the data which are transmitted from the controller 26 of the exchange 2 through the extension interfaces 22. The operation-keys 34 are provided with soft-keys 35, function-keys 36, dial-keys 37 and volume-keys 38. These individual keys are generally called the operation-keys 34. The soft-keys 35 can be suitably changed in their functions from the exchange 2 according to the mode in which the extension telephone 3 calls. According to the call mode, therefore, the functions of the soft-keys 35 are displayed below the display panel 33. The soft-keys 35 are arranged at the positions corresponding to the displays of their functions thereby to enhance the convenience of the user. The function-keys 36 are push button switches having the display functions. For example, the nine function-keys 36 are arranged, as shown. For the function-keys 36, the functions assigned to the individual switches are stored in the memory 27 of the exchange 2. At the time of conference conversations, for example, the function-keys 36 are used for ringing additional participants, and the memory 27 is registered with one telephone number corresponding to one function-key 36. The function-key 36 is provided with LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) 36a having display functions to light in two colors (e.g., red and green). These individual LEDs 36a can be lit, flashed and designated with colors by the exchange 2 so that they can be used for displays, guides and warnings. The dial-keys 37 are composed of numeral keys and symbol keys and are employed to input the telephone numbers and the special numbers. These special numbers are registered together with their corresponding functions in the memory 27 of the exchange 2. The volume-keys 38 are composed of two keys of an upward key 38a and a downward key 38b. In an ordinary one-to-one calling case, the upward key 38a of the volume-keys 38 can raise the voice of the hand-set 31, and the downward key 38b can lower the voice of the hand-set 31. In the case of conference conversations, on the other hand, the upward key 38a can move a cursor displayed on the left-hand side of the display panel 33, upward, and the downward key 38b can move the cursor downward. In accordance with the conference mode (i.e., an ordinary conversation or a conference conversation), the functions of the volume-keys are separately used by the control of the exchange 2. FIG. 5 is a hardware configuration diagram of the exchange of FIG. 1. The extension telephone 3 is connected with the exchange 2 via the extension line 10. This extension line 10 is provided with a communication unit 61 for transmissions/receptions. Like the extension interfaces 22, the communication unit 61 is provided with the IF circuit 52. On the other hand, the CODEC control is not employed so that the communication unit 61 is interfaced with the control bus of a controller 62. This controller 62 controls the entire operations of the extension telephone 3. The various set conditions are set in a memory 63. A small-scale general-purpose one-chip CPU is used to configure an ASIC together with the peripheral controller. The hand-set 31 is called the entirety including a speaker 64 and a microphone 65. The speaker 64 has functions of a DA conversion and a voice amplification, and the microphone 65 has functions of a microphone signal amplification and an AD conversion. A hook-key 66 detects whether the hand-set 31 is placed (i.e., on-hook) on the extension telephone or taken up (i.e., off-hook). The hook-key 66 is key-scanned together with the operation-keys 34 by the controller 62, and its ON/OFF is recognized by the controller 62. The recognition result is transmitted through the communication unit 61 to the exchange 2. A notifier 67 is controlled by the controller 62 to control the displays of the display panel 33 and the LED 36a. The display panel 33 is displayed by the designation of the character to be displayed and by the display output, and the LED 36 controls the lighting of the individual displays. For the display control and the lighting control, there is employed a general-purpose driver element, which is integrated to actively control the driver interfaced with the control bus of the controller 62 to latch the control data and drive the desired output current. Here, the contents relating to the extension telephone are disclosed in JP-A-2002-084370, especially in FIGS. 2 and 3 (corresponding to Laid-Open US Publication of No. US-2002-0048353-A1). Therefore, the overlapped explanation of the remaining detailed contents is omitted by quoting the above-specified Publication Number. Reverting to FIG. 4, description is made on a display example of the display panel. The uppermost or first portion of the display panel 33 has a display “EXT” indicating that the call is made through the extension interfaces 22. The display indicates that the conference partner is the extension telephone of the telephone number 102, and that the user's name of the extension telephone of the extension number 102 is “H. Fukuda”. On the right-hand side of the user's name “H. Fukuda”, there is displayed an arrow indicating the conference state, and the symbol “→” (i.e., the rightward arrow) indicates the unidirectional call. On the other hand, the conference state “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) indicates that the bidirectional call. Moreover, the third position from above displays “CO” indicating that the call is made through the line interface 21. The next “001” indicates that the line name of the line wire 11 used has a line name “001”. Moreover, the telephone number of 0120-1234-5678 is one with a partner on the line wire but has no registration of the user's name setting information. Therefore, the telephone number is displayed, as it is, at the user's name of the display panel 33. In the case of the conference conversations, the line names, the telephone numbers, the names and the conference states of the participants in the conference conversations are displayed on the display panel 33. Thus, FIG. 6 shows a display example of the extension telephone which has participated in the conference conversations in response to the extension telephone having demanded the conference conversations. In the conference conversation case, the display panel 33 displays the “Multi Conference” indicating that the conference is in the conference state, the telephone number of the telephone having demanded the conference conversations, and the name of the user of the telephone number. In the mode for the conference conversations, as shown in FIG. 4, the soft-keys 35 of the extension telephone of the conference caller having demanded the conversations display the assigned soft-keys: a first soft-key 35a assigned the “CONF” or the function to transmit the demand for the bidirectional communications to the exchange 2 at the time of the conference communications; a second soft-key 35b assigned the “DISC” or the function to transmit either the demand to change the bidirectional communications with the communication partner into the unidirectional communications or the demand to cut the unidirectional communications, to the exchange 2; and a third soft-key 35c assigned the “SECRT” or the function to demand the secret bidirectional communications with only a specific telephone during the conference communications. As shown in FIG. 6, moreover, in the mode for the conference communications, the second soft-key 35b of the extension telephone of the conference participant is assigned by the exchange 2 with the “INFO” or the function to demand the bidirectional communications. Reverting to FIG. 1, the voice storage 4 is instructed by the exchange 2 to record and reproduce the voice message through the extension line 10. The general contents of the voice storage 4 are disclosed in JP-A-H05-14508. In the invention, the voice storage 4 is just one device of one terminal connected with the extension interfaces but not the subject of the invention. Therefore, the detailed description of the voice storage 4 is omitted by disclosing and referring to the prior technical publications on the voice storage 4. The PC telephone 5 is connected with the not-shown network and has a function to transmit electronic mails to the network. At this time, the PC telephone 5 can receive the voice message stored in the voice storage 4, as a file via the communication line 12, and can transmit the electronic mail by adding the file thereto. The electronic mail address to be employed as the electronic mail is the electronic mail address of the user of the extension telephones 3a and 3b or another extension telephone connected with the exchange 2 registered in advance in the storage of the PC telephone 5. This electronic mail address may be so registered in the exchange 2 as to correspond to the telephone number of the extension telephone, and is notified from the exchange 2 via the communication line 12 to the PC telephone 5. Thus, the PC telephone 5 has the function to transmit the electronic mail. Therefore, the exchange 2 is enabled to notify the nonparticipants of the contents of the conference, by storing the conference communications as the voice message in the voice storage 4, by transmitting the voice message from the voice storage 4 through the exchange 2 to the PC telephone 5 and by notifying the PC telephone 5 of the electronic mail address of the nonparticipating users of the extension telephones 3a and 3b and another extension telephone from the exchange 2. Generally, the PC telephone 5 is realized by starting a software for realizing the telephone function in the computer. In the invention, moreover, the PC telephone 5 is one device at one terminal connected with the extension interfaces. Therefore, the detailed description of the PC telephone 5 is omitted because the PC telephone 5 is not the subject of the invention. The actions of the conference system using the exchange thus configured according to the embodiment of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 7 to FIG. 16 are sequence charts for explaining the actions of the exchange. Of FIG. 7 to FIG. 16: FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the actions of the conference trunk in the bidirectional communications; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of the secret communications in the display panel of the extension telephone; and FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the actions of the conference trunk in the secret communications. It is assumed in the following description that the relations between the plural extension telephones are equally handled. For conveniences of description, therefore, it is assumed that the conference promoter employs one extension telephone 3a (i.e., the first extension telephone) whereas a participant A or the like employs another extension telephone. (Unidirectional Communications) The first description is made on the actions of the exchange 2 to demand the conference communications from the extension telephone 3a and to call the participants and start the conference communications. In short, this is the start of the unidirectional communications (i.e., the unidirectional communications from the promoter to the participants). In FIG. 7, the conference promoter (employing the extension telephone 3a, for example) hooks off the hand-set 31 of the extension telephone 3a (at S10). Then, the dial tone is sent from the exchange 2 (at S20). The conference promoter operates the dial-keys 37 of the extension telephone 3a to input the special number (as will be abbreviated as the “conference opening demand”) for ringing the conference group demanding the conference communications and the group number. In response to the push of the dial-keys 37, the extension telephone 3a transmits the notification demanding the conference communications to the exchange 2. If the group ringing special number is 240 and if the group number is 1 (as referred to FIG. 2(a)), the conference promoter pushes the dial-keys 37 to 2401 (at S30). The controller 26 of the exchange 2 receives the group ringing special number and the group number from the extension telephone 3a through the extension interfaces 22. The controller 26 refers to the memory 27 thereby to recognize that the extension telephone 3a is demanding the conference communications of the group number 1. The controller 26 causes the group setting information of the memory 27 to terminate the telephone number of the member at the telephone number of the member belonging to the group number 1 (as will be abbreviated as the “conference calling termination”) and to send out the ring-back tone to the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter (at S40). It is now assumed that the user of the extension telephone 3b is contained as the participant A in the member of the group number 1 (as referred to FIG. 2(b)). The participant A hooks off his or her extension telephone 3b ringing as a result of the termination thereby to participate in the conference. By this operation, the exchange 2 makes the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter stop the ring-back tone (at S50). At this time, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 so that the unidirectional communications may be made from the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter to the extension telephone 3b of the participant A. The unidirectional communications called here are of the communication mode, in which the communications are sent in one direction from the conference promoter to the participant. Moreover, signals are individually sent from the exchange 2 to the extension telephones 3a and 3b. At this time, the symbol “→” (i.e., the rightward arrow) indicating the telephone number, the user's name and the unidirectional communications of the participant A is displayed in the display panel 33 of the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter. On the other hand, the display indicating the conference communications, the telephone number of the conference promoter, the user's name and the symbol “→” (i.e., the rightward arrow) indicating the unidirectional communications are displayed (as will be abbreviated into the “unidirectional communication display”) in the display panel 33 of the extension telephone 3b of the participant A (at S60). Noticing the termination, a participant B hooks off another ringing (not-shown) extension telephone a little later than the participant A thereby to participate in the conference (at S70). When the extension telephone 3 of the participant B is hooked off, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 (at S80) so that the communications from the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter may be unidirectional. It is similar to the operation of the aforementioned S60 that the signals are sent for display from the exchange 2 to another extension telephone. FIG. 7 has described the example, in which the conference communications are started by calling the participant A demanding the conference communications from the extension telephone 3a and using the extension telephone and the participant B using the not-shown extension telephone. In case the telephone of the participant B is the partner of the line wire, i.e., the telephone needed to pass through the line wire 11 for the communications, the controller 26 acquires the telephone number of the line wire of the participant with reference to the memory 27 and transmits the telephone number from the line interface 21 so that the conference communications can be started. Thus, in response to the notification from the extension telephone demanding the conference communications, the exchange 2 refers to the group setting information registered in the memory 27 to cause that information to terminate altogether at the extension or line wire partners of the participants (i.e., to transmit the telephone number from the line interface 21 to the line wire 11 in the case of the partner of the line wire and to causes the telephone number to terminate via the public network or the private line), and makes unidirectional the communications with the responding partner (i.e., the extension telephone and/or the telephone of the line wire partner) so that the conference not using the conference trunk 25 can be held. (Bidirectional Communications) Here is described the case, in which the participant demands the conference promoter for the bidirectional communications, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. This is the bidirectional communications (i.e., the bidirectional communications between the promoter and the participants). It is assumed that the conference promoter is doing the unidirectional communications with the participant A and the participant B (at S100 corresponding to S80 of FIG. 7). FIG. 9(a) is a diagram for explaining the actions of the conference trunk and the time-division switch at S100. The controller of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 to send the communications from the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter to the participant A and the participant B thereby to realize the unidirectional communications. Since the promoter and the individual participants have come into the mode of the conference communications, the volume-keys 38 of the extension telephone 3 function as the cursor operation keys in response to the signal of the exchange 2, as described hereinbefore. When the participant A pushes the second soft-key 35b of the extension telephone 3b, this extension telephone 3b transmits the notification of the “INFO” assigned to that second soft-key and demanding the bidirectional communications, to the exchange 2 (as will be abbreviated into the “demand for the bidirectional communications”). The controller 26 of the exchange 2 having received the notification of the “INFO” from the extension telephone 3b notifies the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter of the demand of the participant A for the bidirectional communications. This notification is performed by sending the signal from the controller 26 to the extension telephone 3a thereby to flash the member corresponding to the telephone number of the participant A displayed in the display panel 33 of the extension telephone 3a. This notification enables the conference promoter to recognize the notification of the demand for the bidirectional communications from the participant A (at S110). The conference promoter operates the volume-keys 38 of the extension telephone 3a, in case he or she approves the demand for the bidirectional communications from the participant A, to move the cursor displayed in the display panel 33 thereby to select the participant A and to push the first soft-key 35a. As a result, the extension telephone 3a transmits the notification of the “CONF” assigned to the first soft-key 35a, to the exchange 2 (at S120). In case the conference promoter designates the participant and demands the bidirectional communications, these bidirectional communications can be done while omitting the aforementioned approving procedure. The actions are similar to those of the designation of participants, the soft-key of the demand for the bidirectional communications, and the display of the bidirectional communications. The controller 26 of the exchange 2 notifies the extension telephone 3a and the extension telephone 3b of the “CONF” received from the extension telephone 3a, so as to display the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) indicating the bidirectional communications (as will be abbreviated into the “bidirectional communication display”) (at S130). Moreover, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 to form the channel so that the communications between the conference promoter and the participant A may be bidirectional. As a result, the conference promoter and the participant A can communicate in the bidirectional manner, and these communications can be unidirectionally heard by the participant B (at S140). FIG. 9(b) is a diagram for explaining the actions of the conference trunk and the time-division switch at S140. The time-division switch is controlled for the bidirectional communications between the conference promoter and the participant A, and the time-division switch is controlled to send the communications to the participant B from the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, thereby to realize bidirectional communications between the conference promoter and the participant A and unidirectional communications from the conference promoter to the participant B. This is reasoned in the following. In the case (i.e., in the one bidirectional communication), in which the bidirectional communications are done between the conference promoter and one participant so that all the remaining participants can do nothing but the unidirectional communications, the conference trunk 25 need not be employed so that the exchange can be a simple conference system. The exchange 2 of this embodiment has been described such that the communications between the conference promoter and one participant are bidirectional and such that the conference trunk 25 is not employed when the communications with another participant are unidirectional. Here is described an example of the unidirectional communications employing the conference trunk 25. At the aforementioned S140, the participant B sets audible can be attended the bidirectional communications between the conference promoter and the participant A. It is assumed as in the actions up to the aforementioned S130 that the bidirectional communications are realized between the conference promoter and the participant A, and that the participant B is attended to participate in the unidirectional communications. FIG. 9(c) is a diagram for explaining the actions of the conference trunk and the time-division switch at S140. These actions are different from those of FIG. 9(b) in the employment of the conference trunk 25. At first, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 so that the channel is set by setting the communications of the conference promoter as Up communications in the conference trunk 25. Likewise, the channel is set by setting the communications of the participant A as the Up communications in the conference trunk 25. The conference trunk 25 synthesizes the voices of the trunk 1 (Tr1) by adding the communications between the conference promoter and the participant A. The trunk 1 (Tr1) is sent again as Down communications from the conference trunk 25 to the time-division switch 23 so that the received voice of the participant B is sent. The participant B receives only the Down communications of the communications between the conference promoter and the participant A so that he or she is attended to the unidirectional communications. The trunk (Tr1) is sent as the Down communications of the conference promoter by subtracting and synthesizing the voice (of the trunk 1—the conference promoter) and by controlling the time-division switch 23. Likewise, the trunk (Tr1) is sent as the Down communications of the participant A by subtracting and synthesizing the voice (of the trunk 1—the participant A) and by controlling the time-division switch 23. This subtraction of the voice of the speaker from the trunk 1 (Tr1) is made so as to eliminate the physical disorder of the speaker, because the sound of the speaker is heard by the speaker. Thus, the attendance of the participant B by the unidirectional communications can be realized. Next, the conference promoter operates, in case he or she wants to hear the opinion of the participant B, the volume-keys 38 of the extension telephone 3a, to move the cursor displayed in the display panel 33 thereby to select the participant A and to push the first soft-key 35a. As a result, the extension telephone 3a transmits not only the notification of the “CONF” assigned to the first soft-key 35a but also the telephone number of the participant B, to the exchange 2 (at S150). The controller 26 of the exchange 2 notifies the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter and the extension telephone 3b of the participant B, of the “CONF” received from the extension telephone 3a, so as to display the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) indicating the bidirectional communications (as will be abbreviated into the “bidirectional communication display”) (at S160). The controller 26 of the exchange 2 communicates the extension telephone of the participant B bidirectionally. FIG. 9(d) is a diagram for explaining the actions of the conference trunk and the time-division switch at S160. The controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 and inputs the Up communications with the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, the extension telephone 3b of the participant A and the extension telephone of the participant B to the conference trunk 25. This conference trunk 25 adds the individual communications inputted, to synthesize the voice of a trunk 2 (Tr2), and outputs the Down communications to the time-division switch 23. The voice synthesization (i.e., the addition or subtraction) is realized by the addition (or the subtraction) for each time slot at the time-division exchange, as described hereinbefore. The controller 26 controls the time-division switch 23 to form the channel (at S170) so that the synthesized communications of the trunk 2 (Tr2) outputted from the conference trunk 25 may be individually sent to the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, the extension telephone 3b of the participant A and the extension telephone of the participant B. At this time, the subtractions of (the trunk 2—the conference promoter), (the trunk 2—the participant A) and the (the trunk 2—the participant B) are sent out. As a matter of fact, for example, the participant A can hear the voice uttered from himself or herself. In order to eliminate the physical disorder of the communications, therefore, the synthesized voice signals to be sent to the individual participants are prepared by subtracting the voice of the participant himself or herself from the synthesized and added trunk of all. Thus, the number of lines for the bidirectional communications can be determined from the extension telephone 3 of the conference promoter or the telephone having demanded the conference communications can be determined to reduce the number of lines of the bidirectional communications to be used in the conference communications to the necessary minimum. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the circuit of the conference trunk 25 or the conference circuit. The conference can be held with the reduced line number of the conference trunk 25 so that the multiple conferences can be simultaneously held. (Responseless Stop) Next, the actions of the exchange 2 of the case, in which the participant does not respond to the termination of the start of the conference communications, are described with reference to FIG. 10. The procedure before the participant A participates in the conference communications and after the conference promoter hooked off the extension telephone 3a to notify the exchange 2 of the demand of the conference communications is identical to that of S10 to S60 of FIG. 7. Hence, the explanation of the procedure is omitted. It is assumed that the participant A hooks off the extension telephone 3b and participates in the conference communications, but that the participant B leaves the extension telephone as it is ringing without noticing its termination. At this time, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 starts the timer to measure the time after the call of the conference communications terminated at the extension telephone of the participant B. Without the off-hook of the participant B till a predetermined time elapses, the controller 26 controls the extension interfaces 22 so that the termination at the extension telephone of the participant B may stop (at S200). Thus, the time period from the termination of the conference communications at the extension telephone is measured, and the termination is stopped after lapse of the predetermined time period. As a result, the ringing of the extension telephone left as it is can be stopped to prevent the noises from troubling the periphery. Alternatively, the telephone number or the name of the communication partner is not displayed without any response for a constant time period, so that the conference promoter can know the absence of the participant. (Addition of Participant) Next, the case, in which the participant is added during the conference communications, is described with reference to FIG. 11. At first, the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B are doing the conference communications bidirectionally. This state is identical to that of S170, as shown in FIG. 8 (or FIG. 9(c)). In case the conference promoter wants to add a new participant C to the participant A and the participant B communicating in the conference with each other, the promoter pushes the function-key 36, to which the extension number of the participant C of the extension telephone 3a is assigned. In response to this push, the exchange 2 is notified (additional participation demand) of the information on the push of the function-key 36 from the extension telephone 3a (at S210). In response to this notification, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 acquires the telephone number of the participant C corresponding to the function-key 36 from the memory 27, and causes the telephone number of the participant C to terminate as the conference communication call (i.e., the conference calling termination) (at S220). The participant C hooks off his or her new extension telephone, although not shown in FIG. 1, to perform the responding operation. By this responding operation, the exchange 2 is caused to acquire the telephone number of the participant C or the user's name from the storage 27, and notifies the same to the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter. By this notification, the states indicating the telephone number of the participant C, the user's name and the unidirectional communications are displayed in the display panel 33 of the extension telephone 3a so that the conference promoter recognizes that the participant C has participated in the conference communications. Then, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 displays the information on the conference promoter in the display panel 33 of the extension telephone of the participant C (at S240). Since the participant C participated in the conference communications, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 allows the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B to bidirectionally communicate with each other and the participant C to unidirectionally communicate. The time-division switch 23 is controlled by the controller 26 of the exchange 2 so that the communications among the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, the extension telephone 3b of the participant A and the extension telephone of the participant B are inputted as the Up communications to the conference trunk 25. The conference trunk 25 synthesizes the individual speeches inputted, and outputs the synthesized speeches as the Down communications to the time-division switch 23. The controller 26 controls the time-division switch 23 to form the channel (at S250) so that the synthesized communications outputted from the conference trunk may be individually sent to the extension telephone 3a of the promoter, the extension telephone 3b of the participant A, the extension telephone of the participant B and the extension telephone of the participant C. At this time, the actions of the conference trunk and the time-division switch are similar to those of S140 (FIG. 9(c)) of FIG. 8, and the bidirectional communications are done among the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B whereas the unidirectional communications is done by the participant C. The difference is that one person is added to the bidirectional communications. In dependence upon the number of participants to be subtracted from the synthesized trunk, the participant C can realize either the unidirectional communications (for receiving only the conference promoter) or the attendance (for receiving without subtracting the synthesized trunk) by the unidirectional communications, as described hereinbefore. Here, the function to stop the termination after the predetermined time has been described as the operation subsequent to S60 of FIG. 7. Nevertheless, the function can naturally be applied to the case of the termination of a new participant by a similar operation procedure, although not repeatedly described. Moreover, the addition of participants is not be limited to the bidirectional communications but can also be made to the aforementioned unidirectional communications, so that the procedure from S210 to S240 can be added to S80 in FIG. 7. (Secrete Communications) Next, the actions of the exchange 2 of the case, in which the conference promoter and the partial participants make secrete communications, are described with reference to FIG. 12. At first, it is assumed that the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B are making the conference communications bidirectionally (at S300). This state is identical to that of S170 shown in FIG. 8. It is subsequently assumed necessary that the conference promoter makes the bidirectional communications exclusively with the participant A making the conference communications. It is called the “secret communications” that the bidirectional communications are transferred to the bidirectional communications only between the specific extensions while keeping secret the communication contents of the remaining extensions. The participant A is selected from the list of participants displayed in the display panel 33 by the volume-key 38 of the extension telephone 3a, and the “SECRET” assigned to the third soft-key 35c is pushed. By this press, the exchange 2 is notified of the information on the third soft-key 35c and the extension number of the participant A selected (at S310) (as will be abbreviated into the “secret communication demand”). In response to this notification, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 notifies the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter and the extension telephone 3b of the participant A, of it on the basis of the extension number of the participant A that the secret communications have been started. In response to this notification, the display indicating the secret communications, as shown in FIG. 13, is made on the display panels 33 of the extension telephone 3a and the extension telephone 3b. Of the displays showing the state of the secret communications, FIG. 13(a) shows a display example of the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, and FIG. 13(b) shows a display example of the extension telephone 3b of the participant A. For the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, as shown in FIG. 13(a), the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) of the communicating state is shown only for the participant A in the display panel 33, but no other participant is displayed. For the extension telephone 3b of the participant A, on the other hand, the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) is displayed as it is in the display panel 33, as shown in FIG. 13(b), in case the state changes from the bidirectional communications to the secrete communications. In the changing case from the unidirectional communications to the secret communications, on the other hand, the displayed symbol is charged from the “→” (i.e., the rightward arrow) indicating the unidirectional communications to the “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) like that of the bidirectional communications. The display of the communication state of the extension telephone 3b of the participant A is left as the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows), because the communication state shown at S300 is changed to the secret communications. The controller 26 of the exchange 2 notifies the display of the secret communications of S320, and controls the time-division switch 23 so that the bidirectional communications may be made only between the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter and the extension telephone 3b of the participant A while making the secret communications which cannot be heard to the extension (i.e., the extension 10b) of another participant (e.g., the participant B). In this meanwhile, the controller 26 acquires the voice message stored in the memory 27 and urging the standby, and transmits that message to another extension (at S330) (as shown in FIG. 14(a)). FIG. 14 presents diagrams for explaining the actions of the conference trunk in the secrete communications, and FIG. 14(a) is a diagram for explaining the relations between the secret communications and the standby. The secret communications between two parties can be realized by the time-division switch so that the conference trunk 25 is not used. The time-division switch is controlled to connect the participant B on standby with either the standby sound source or the standby voice message source of the tone generator 28. In addition to the voice message urging the standby, the conference may be continued by the remaining participants (at S330, as shown in FIG. 14(b)). FIG. 14(b) is a diagram for explaining the relations among the secret communications, the bidirectional communications and the attendance. It is likely shown in FIG. 14(a) that the secret communications between the conference promoter and the participant A is realized by the time-division switch 23. The description is made on the other participants B, C and D. The bidirectional communications between the participants B and C are realized by the conference trunk 25. At this time, the voice synthesizing signals of the individual participants are fed to the conference trunk 25 so that a trunk (Tr3) is generated. Therefore, the variation of the trunk (Tr3) is described in the following. If the trunk (Tr3) is generated as the voice synthesization of all the participants B, C and D, the bidirectional communications are realized for all that do not participate in the secret communications. The bidirectional communications are similar to those of FIG. 9(d). Moreover, the participants B and C are synthesized in voices to generate the trunk (Tr3), but the participant D can be made into the Down reception of the trunk (Tr3). The mode is shown in FIG. 14(b), and the participant A and the participant B are in the bidirectional communications whereas the participant C is an attendant, as shown in FIG. 9(c). In place of the trunk (Tr3), the standby holding sound source or the standby voice message source of the tone generator 28 can be fed to make the participant D standby, as in the case of FIG. 14(a). In the description of the trunk (Tr3) thus far made, it is similar to the contents of the bidirectional communications described with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 that the synthesized voice signals to be fed to the individual participants for eliminating the physical disorder of the communications are made by subtracting the voices of the participants themselves from the synthesized and added trunk of all. Here is continuously described the case, in which the conference promoter ends the secret communications with the participant A. The conference promoter pushes the second soft-key 35b, to which the “DISC” of the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter is assigned. By this press, the information of the press of the second soft-key 35b is notified from the extension telephone 3a to the exchange 2 (as will be abbreviated into the “Secret ending demand”) (at S340). On the display of the display panel 33 of the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter in the secret communications, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 having received that notification keeps the display of the participant A in the secret communications, in the state of the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) indicating the bidirectional communications, but again displays the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) indicating the bidirectional communications, as the display of another participant B. For the extension telephone 3b of the participant A, on the other hand, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 displays the symbol “←→” (i.e., the rightward and leftward arrows) as it is on the display panel 33 (at S350), because the bidirectional communications are changed from the secret communications. The controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 in the following manner. In order that the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B may communicate in the conference in the bidirectional communications, the communications among the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, the extension telephone 3b of the participant A and the extension telephone of the participant B are inputted to the conference trunk 25. The conference trunk 25 synthesizes the individual input communications and outputs the synthesized communications to the time-division switch 23. The controller 26 controls the time-division switch 23 to form the channels (at S360) so that the synthesized communications outputted from the conference trunk may be individually sent to the extension telephone 3a of the promoter, the extension telephone 3b of the participant A and the extension telephone 3 of the participant B (as referred to S170 of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9(d)). It is also similar to the aforementioned contents that the synthesized voice signals to be fed to the individual participants so as to eliminate the physical disorder of the communications are the synthesized voice signals, which are made by subtracting the voices of the participant themselves from the synthesized and added trunk of all. Thus, in case the conference promoter wants to make one-by-one communications with the participants in the course of the conference, the promoter can easily select the participant for the secret communications. It is also possible to transfer the communications easily from the bidirectional one to the secret one and vice versa. The foregoing description of the individual communication modes has been made on the examples, in which the secret communications are made between two parties (i.e., the conference promoter and the participant A) and in which the bidirectional communications are made between the two parties or among the three parties (i.e., the conference promoter and the participant A, or the conference promoter and the participants A and B). The examples are presented just for exemplifying the minimum communication members so as to simplify the description. Therefore, the communication members should not be limited to those of the aforementioned examples. It need not be repeated again that the individual communication modes by more members could be realized by controlling (or by adding or subtracting connections) the time-division switch 23 and the conference trunk 25 in accordance with the description. (Selection and Cut of Participants by Conference Promoter) Next, the actions of the exchange 2 of the case, in which the conference promoter selects the participant so that the selected participant may be excluded from the conference, are described with reference to FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed (at S400) that the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B are making the bidirectional conference communications. At S400, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 inputs the communications of the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B to the conference trunk 25 and synthesizes the voices. After this, the controller 36 controls the channel of the time-division switch 23 so that the synthesized voices may be sent out to them. This state is identical to that shown at S170 of FIG. 8. In case the conference promoter wants to change the bidirectional communications with the participant B into the unidirectional communications, the promoter selects the participant B from the list of participants displayed in the display panel 33, with the volume-key 38 of the extension telephone 3a, and pushes the “DISC” assigned to the second soft-key 35b. In response to this press, the exchange 2 is notified by the extension telephone 3a of the information on the press of the second soft-key 35b and the extension number of the participant B selected (at S410, as will be abbreviated into the “selection demand”). In response to this notification, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 notifies the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter and the extension telephone of the participant B, of it on the basis of the extension number of the participant B that the symbol “→” (i.e., the rightward arrow) indicating the unidirectional communications have been done. In response to this notification, the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter and the extension telephone of the participant B displays the symbol “→” (i.e., the rightward arrow) indicating the unidirectional communications in the communication state of the display panel 33 (at S420). Notifying the display of the unidirectional communications at S420, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the time-division switch 23 to make unidirectional only the communications between the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter and the extension telephone of the participant B. The participant B is made unidirectional, the communications between the conference promoter and the participant A are just sent to the participant B. Therefore, the controller 26 can control only the channel of the time-division switch 23 without passing the individual voices to the conference trunk 25 (as referred to S430 to the transition from FIG. 9(d) to FIG. 9(b)). In case the conference promoter ends the conference communications of the participant B and excludes the participant B from the conference, the promoter selects the participant B from the list of the participants displayed in the display panel 33, with the volume-key 38 of the extension telephone 3a, and pushes the “DISC” assigned to the second soft-key 35b. In response to this press, the exchange 2 is notified by the extension telephone 3a of the information on the press of the second soft-key 35b and the extension number of the participant B selected (at S440, as will be abbreviated into the “exclusion demand”). In response to this notification, on the basis of the extension number of the participant B, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 makes communications to delete the display of the participant B of the display panel 33 of the extension telephone 3a of the conference promoter, and controls the channel of the time-division switch 23 by cutting the extension of the participant B thereby to leave only the bidirectional communications between the conference promoter and the participant A (at S450). Thus, the bidirectional communication state from the conference promoter to the participant can be designated the communications cut stepwise from the unidirectional communications. (Leaving of Participants) Next, the actions of the exchange 2 of the case, in which the participant leaves the conference, are described with reference to FIG. 16. At first, it is assumed (at S500) that the conference promoter, the participant A and the participant B are speaking in the conference in the bidirectional communications. This state is identical to that of S170 shown in FIG. 8. In case the participant B leaves the conference, as shown in FIG. 16, the hand-set 31 of the extension telephone of the participant B is hooked on the extension telephone body, and this on-hook is notified. In response to the on-hook notification from the extension telephone of the participant B, the exchange 2 transmits the notification indicating the disconnection of the participant B to the conference promoter (at S510). When the participant B hooks on the extension telephone so that he or she leaves the conference, the controller 26 of the exchange 2 controls the channel of the time-division switch 23 so that the communications may be limited to the bidirectional ones between the conference promoter and the participant A. In this case, too, only the conference promoter and the participant A are making the bidirectional communications as at S140 shown in FIG. 8. It is, therefore, unnecessary to pass the communications through the conference trunk 25. In case the participant is making other bidirectional communications, as not shown in FIG. 16, the controller 26 has to synthesize the voices by passing the bidirectional communications through the conference trunk 25, because three or more persons are making the bidirectional communications as at S500. Thus, in the ordinary communications, the participant can leave the conference communications by hooking on the extension telephone to break the communications. In case the conference promoter hooks on (to cut the communications), the conference communications do not hold. Even at any of the steps of unidirectional, bidirectional and secret communications, therefore, the conference communications are ended. Here, the foregoing description has been made by assuming that the relations between the plural extension telephones are equally handled. In the description, for example, it is assumed that the conference promoter uses one extension telephone 3a (i.e., the first extension telephone), and that the participant A or the like uses another extension telephone. Considering the case, in which the exchange 2 is utilized in the systematic hierarchy such as an enterprise, the conference promoter can be preset to a specific extension. According to the hierarchy of the conference promoter, moreover, it is possible to preset the members of the group, which is called to the conference (or demanded for the conference). This hierarchy setting can be realized by setting the group which has been described with reference to FIG. 2, and the exchange adapted by the systematic activity can be set. As a result, the individual functions to hold the conference, to make the bidirectional communications and the secret communications, to select the participants and to cut the lines can improve the conveniences of the systematic activities. The invention can reduce the number of lines for bidirectional communications to be used at conference communications, to the necessary minimum thereby to reduce the conference circuits so that it is suitable for the exchange allowing the plural extension telephones the conference communications.

<SOH> BACKGROUND INFORMATION <EOH>An exchange used in the conference system of the prior art includes register means for registering the calling numbers of plural telephones as one group from the outside so that all the telephones can communicate by calling all the telephones belonging to the group in response to the call of a special number from the telephone of one calling number belonging to that group (as referred to JP-A-2000-36873). This conference system exchange, as disclosed in Patent Publication 1, is provided with registration means capable of registering the calling numbers of the telephones belonging to the group from the outside so that the participants of the conference can be freely set.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In the exchange of the exchange system disclosed in Patent Publication 1, however, all the telephones belonging to the group can communicate with each other. In order to synthesize the voices of the individual communications, therefore, it is necessary to prepare the conference circuits in the number of lines belonging to that group. As a result, the scale of the conference circuit is enlarged to raise the cost for the exchange. An object of the invention is to provide an exchange capable of increasing the number of participants in a conference without increasing conference circuits for conference communications. According to the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand for the conference communications via a first extension and the group number, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, wherein the exchange further comprises a conference trunk for synthesizing voices, and wherein the controller further controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, the time-division switch so that the extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications. In the exchange of the invention described above, the communications from the telephone demanded the conference communications are made unidirectional with the telephone having the other telephone number of the group, to which the demanding telephone number belongs, and this unidirectional communications with the telephone having the selected telephone number are made bidirectional by demanding the bidirectional communications with the telephone which has been selected from the other telephones in the unidirectional communications. As a result, the number of lines for the bidirectional communications can be determined on the side of the telephone having demanded the conference communications so that the number of lines for the bidirectional communications to be used for the conference communications can be reduced to the necessary minimum. Therefore, the conference circuits can be reduced, and the plural groups can make the conference communications simultaneously. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand for the conference communications via a first extension and a group number, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination. As a result, in response to the notification from the extension telephone demanding the conference communications, the exchange makes terminations all at once at the extensions or line wires of the participants with reference to the group setting information registered in the memory (in the case of the partner on the line wire, the exchange transmits the telephone number from the line interface to the line wire and terminates via the public network or the leased line), and the communications with the responding partner (e.g., the extension telephone or the telephone of the line wire) are made unidirectional, so that the conference can be held without any conference trunk. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand together with a group number via a first extension, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, and wherein the controller further controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, the time-division switch so that the extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications. There is also provided a conference communication method for the exchange. As a result, the number of lines for the bidirectional communications can be determined from the side of the telephone having demanded the conference communications so that the number of the lines for the bidirectional communications to be used for the conference communications can be reduced to the necessary minimum. Therefore, the number of conferences can be reduced. Moreover, the bidirectional communications can be made by transmitting the demand for the bidirectional communications from the side of the telephone having the other telephone number of the same group as that of the telephone number of the telephone having demanded the conference communications. In the exchange, moreover, the channel is formed such that the bidirectional communications with the selected telephone are made into the unidirectional communications by notifying the demand for the unidirectional communications with the telephone selected from the telephones with the bidirectional communications with the telephone having demanded the conference communications. As a result, the communications with the line wire partner or the extension telephone in the bidirectional communications can be returned to the unidirectional communications from the side of the telephone having demanded the conference communications. In order to solve the aforementioned problems, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an exchange including a plurality of line interfaces to be connected with a line wire, and one or more extension interfaces to be connected with an extension, for connecting either the line wire and the extension or the extension and another extension, thereby to form a channel, comprising: a time-division switch for connecting the line wire and the extension and for forming a channel between each other; a conference trunk for synthesizing voices; a memory for grouping at least two telephone numbers of the extension number assigned to the extension and the telephone number of the line wire, into at least one group and for registering the group; and a controller for controlling the exchanging action either between the line wire and the extension or between the extensions, wherein when the controller receives a conference opening demand together with a group number via a first extension, the controller: performs a conference calling termination by acquiring the number of other extensions belonging to the same group as that of the first extension having demanded the conference communications, from the memory; and controls the time-division switch so as to establish unidirectional communications from the first extension to the other extensions responding to the conference calling termination, wherein the controller controls, when it receives a demand for bidirectional communications from any extension for the unidirectional communications, the time-division switch and the conference trunk so that the extension having demanded the bidirectional communications and the first extension may make bidirectional communications, and wherein in the bidirectional communications among three or more of the first extension and the other extensions, the controller controls, when it selects the extension for a secret from the extensions of the bidirectional communications and receives a secret communication demand via the first extension, the time-division switch for the secret communications so that only the extension selected and the first extension. As a result, the telephone of another telephone number of the same group can be selected from the side of the telephone having demanded the secret communications thereby to perform the individual one-to-one secret communications can be done in the bidirectional conference communications. During the secret communications, moreover, the standby participant not participating in the secret communications is connected with the standby holding sound source or the standby voice message source of the tone generator so that the participant can hear the standby holding sound source or the voice message urging the standby. Moreover, the conference trunk is controlled to realize the bidirectional communications between all the members not participating in the secret communications. It is further possible to transfer the communications easily from the bidirectional ones to the secret ones or vice versa.

20051020

20080930

20060928

94963.0

H04L1216

TIEU, BINH KIEN

EXCHANGE AND CONFERENCE COMMUNICATION METHOD THEREFOR

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

High-density plasma source

The present invention relates to a plasma source. The plasma source includes a cathode assembly having an inner cathode section and an outer cathode section. An anode is positioned adjacent to the outer cathode section so as to form a gap there between. A first power supply generates a first electric field across the gap between the anode and the outer cathode section. The first electric field ionizes a volume of feed gas that is located in the gap, thereby generating an initial plasma. A second power supply generates a second electric field proximate to the inner cathode section. The second electric field super-ionizes the initial plasma to generate a plasma comprising a higher density of ions than the initial plasma.

1-46. (canceled) 47. A plasma source comprising: a) a cathode assembly comprising an inner cathode section and an outer cathode section; b) a first anode that is positioned adjacent to the outer cathode section and forming a gap there between; and c) a power supply that generates a first electric field across the gap between the first anode and the outer cathode section and that generates a second electric field between the inner cathode section and a second anode, the first electric field ionizing a volume of feed gas that is located in the gap, thereby generating an initial plasma, the second electric field super-ionizing the initial plasma to generate a plasma comprising a higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 48. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the first and the second anodes comprise a single anode. 49. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the power supply is chosen from the group comprising a pulsed DC power supply, an AC power supply, a DC power supply, and a RF power supply. 50. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the power supply further generates a third electric field across the gap between the first anode and the outer cathode section, the third electric field super-ionizing the initial plasma that is located in the gap. 51. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein at least one of the first and the second electric fields is chosen from the group comprising a static electric field, a pulsed electric field, and a quasi-static electric field. 52. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the initial plasma comprises a weakly-ionized plasma. 53. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the plasma comprising the higher density of ions than the initial plasma comprises a strongly-ionized plasma. 54. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the second electric field generates excited atoms in the initial plasma and generates secondary electrons from the inner cathode section, the secondary electrons ionizing the excited atoms, thereby creating a plasma comprising a higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 55. The plasma source of claim 47 further comprising a gas valve that opens to exchange the initial plasma with a second volume of feed gas as the power supply generates the first electric field across the second volume of feed gas, thereby increasing an ion density of the plasma. 56. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the power supply generates at least one of the first and the second electric fields with a constant power. 57. The plasma source of claim 47 wherein the power supply generates at least one of the first and the second electric fields with a constant voltage. 58. The plasma source of claim 47 further comprising a magnet assembly that is positioned to generate a magnetic field proximate to at least one of the inner and the outer cathode sections, the magnetic field trapping electrons in at least one of the initial plasma and the plasma comprising the higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 59. A plasma source comprising: a) a cathode assembly comprising an inner cathode section; b) an excited atom source that is positioned adjacent to the inner cathode section, the excited atom source generating an initial plasma comprising excited atoms from a volume of feed gas; and c) a power supply that generates an electric field between the inner cathode section and an anode, the electric field super-ionizing the initial plasma to generate a plasma comprising a higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 60. The plasma source of claim 59 wherein the excited atom source comprises a metastable atom source that generates metastable atoms from the volume of feed gas. 61. The plasma source of claim 59 wherein the initial plasma comprises a weakly-ionized plasma. 62. The plasma source of claim 59 wherein the plasma comprising the higher density of ions than the initial plasma comprises a strongly-ionized plasma. 63. The plasma source of claim 59 further comprising a gas valve that injects feed gas directly between the inner cathode section and the anode. 64. The plasma source of claim 59 wherein the power supply generates the electric field with a constant power. 65. The plasma source of claim 59 wherein the power supply generates the electric field with a constant voltage. 66. The plasma source of claim 59 further comprising a magnet assembly that is positioned to generate a magnetic field proximate to at least one of the inner cathode section and the excited atom source, the magnetic field trapping electrons in at least one of the initial plasma and the plasma comprising the higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 67. The plasma source of claim 59 wherein the inner cathode section comprises target material for sputtering. 68. A method of generating a high-density plasma, the method comprising: a) generating a first electric field across a gap between a first anode and an outer cathode section, the first electric field ionizing a volume of feed gas that is located in the gap, thereby generating an initial plasma in the gap; and b) generating a second electric field between a second anode and an inner cathode section, the second electric field super-ionizing the initial plasma, thereby generating a plasma comprising a higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 69. The method of claim 68 wherein the generating the second electric field between the second anode and the inner cathode section generates excited atoms in the initial plasma and generates secondary electrons from the inner cathode section, the secondary electrons ionizing the excited atoms, thereby creating the plasma comprising the higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 70. The method of claim 68 wherein at least one of the first and the second electric fields is chosen from the group comprising a static electric field, a quasi-static electric field, and a pulsed electric field. 71. The method of claim 68 further comprising generating a magnetic field proximate to at least one of the inner and outer cathode sections, the magnetic field trapping electrons in at least one of the initial plasma and the plasma comprising the higher density of ions than the initial plasma. 72. The method of claim 71 wherein the magnetic field comprises magnetic field lines that are substantially parallel to at least one of the inner and the outer cathode sections. 73. The method of claim 68 wherein the presence of the initial plasma reduces a probability of developing an electrical breakdown condition between the second anode and the inner cathode section after the second electric field is generated.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter. A plasma is a collection of charged particles that move in random directions. A plasma is, on average, electrically neutral. One method of generating a plasma is to drive a current through a low-pressure gas between two conducting electrodes that are positioned parallel to each other. Once certain parameters are met, the gas “breaks down” to form the plasma. For example, a plasma can be generated by applying a potential of several kilovolts between two parallel conducting electrodes in an inert gas atmosphere (e.g., argon) at a pressure that is in the range of about 10−1 to 10−2 Torr. Plasma processes are widely used in many industries, such as the semiconductor manufacturing industry. For example, plasma etching is commonly used to etch substrate material and to etch films deposited on substrates in the electronics industry. There are four basic types of plasma etching processes that are used to remove material from surfaces: sputter etching, pure chemical etching, ion energy driven etching, and ion inhibitor etching. Plasma sputtering is a technique that is widely used for depositing films on substrates and other work pieces. Sputtering is the physical ejection of atoms from a target surface and is sometimes referred to as physical vapor deposition (PVD). Ions, such as argon ions, are generated and are then drawn out of the plasma and accelerated across a cathode dark space. The target surface has a lower potential than the region in which the plasma is formed. Therefore, the target surface attracts positive ions. Positive ions move towards the target with a high velocity and then impact the target and cause atoms to physically dislodge or sputter from the target surface. The sputtered atoms then propagate to a substrate or other work piece where they deposit a film of sputtered target material. The plasma is replenished by electron-ion pairs formed by the collision of neutral molecules with secondary electrons generated at the target surface. Reactive sputtering systems inject a reactive gas or mixture of reactive gases into the sputtering system. The reactive gases react with the target material either at the target surface or in the gas phase, resulting in the deposition of new compounds. The pressure of the reactive gas can be varied to control the stoichiometry of the film. Reactive sputtering is useful for forming some types of molecular thin films. Magnetron sputtering systems use magnetic fields that are shaped to trap and concentrate secondary electrons proximate to the target surface. The magnetic fields increase the density of electrons and, therefore, increase the plasma density in a region that is proximate to the target surface. The increased plasma density increases the sputter deposition rate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This invention is described with particularity in the detailed description. The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a known plasma generating apparatus having a direct current (DC) power supply. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus having a segmented cathode according to the invention. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the segmented cathode of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including a magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation of applied power as a function of time for periodic pulses applied to an initial plasma in the plasma generating system of FIG. 2A. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including the magnet assembly of FIG. 3 and an additional magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including the magnet assembly of FIG. 3 and an additional magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a plasma generating apparatus including a magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including a magnet configuration that includes a first magnet and a second magnet according to the invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly, an ionizing electrode, and a first, a second and a third power supply. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly, a common anode, an ionizing electrode and a first, a second and a third power supply. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly and a first, a second and a third power supply. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly, an excited atom source, and a first, and a second power supply. FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical representation of the power as a function of time for each of a first, a second and a third power supply for one mode of operating the plasma generating system of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical representation of power generated as a function of time for each of a first, a second and a third power supply for one mode of operating the plasma generating system of FIG. 9. FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical representation of the power as a function of time for each of a first, a second and a third power supply for one mode of operating the plasma generating system of FIG. 9. FIG. 16A through FIG. 16C are flowcharts of illustrative processes of generating high-density plasmas according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a known plasma generating apparatus 100 having a DC power supply 102. The known plasma generating apparatus 100 includes a vacuum chamber 104 where a plasma 105 is generated. The vacuum chamber 104 can be coupled to ground. The vacuum chamber 104 is positioned in fluid communication with a vacuum pump 106 via a conduit 108 and a valve 109. The vacuum pump 106 is adapted to evacuate the vacuum chamber 104 to high vacuum. The pressure inside the vacuum chamber 104 is generally less than 10−1 Torr. A feed gas 110 from a feed gas source 111, such as an argon gas source, is introduced into the vacuum chamber 104 through a gas inlet 112. The gas flow is controlled by a valve 113. The plasma generating apparatus 100 also includes a cathode assembly 114. The cathode assembly 114 is generally in the shape of a circular disk. The cathode assembly 114 can include a target 116. The cathode assembly 114 is electrically connected to a first terminal 118 of the DC power supply 102 with an electrical transmission line 120. An insulator 122 isolates the electrical transmission line 120 from a wall of the vacuum chamber 104. An anode 124 is electrically connected to a second terminal 126 of the DC power supply 102 with an electrical transmission line 127. An insulator 128 isolates the electrical transmission line 127 from the wall of the vacuum chamber 104. The anode 124 is positioned in the vacuum chamber 104 proximate to the cathode assembly 114. An insulator 129 isolates the anode 124 from the cathode assembly 114. The anode 124 and the second output 126 of the DC power supply 102 are coupled to ground in some systems. The plasma generating apparatus 100 illustrates a magnetron sputtering system that includes a magnet 130 that generates a magnetic field 132 proximate to the target 116. The magnetic field 132 is strongest at the poles of the magnet 130 and weakest in the region 134. The magnetic field 132 is shaped to trap and concentrate secondary electrons proximate to the target surface. The magnetic field increases the density of electrons and, therefore, increases the plasma density in a region that is proximate to the target surface. The plasma generating apparatus 100 also includes a substrate support 136 that holds a substrate 138 or other work piece. The substrate support 136 can be electrically connected to a first terminal 140 of a RF power supply 142 with an electrical transmission line 144. An insulator 146 isolates the RF power supply 142 from a wall of the vacuum chamber 104. A second terminal 148 of the RF power supply 142 is coupled to ground. In operation, the feed gas 110 from the feed gas source 111 is injected into the chamber 104. The DC power supply 102 applies a DC voltage between the cathode assembly 114 and the anode 124 that causes an electric field 150 to develop between the cathode assembly 114 and the anode 124. The amplitude of the DC voltage is chosen so that it is sufficient to cause the resulting electric field to ionize the feed gas 110 in the vacuum chamber 104 and to ignite the plasma 105. The ionization process in known plasma sputtering apparatus is generally referred to as direct ionization or atomic ionization by electron impact and can be described by the following equation: Ar+e−→Ar++2e− where Ar represents a neutral argon atom in the feed gas 110 and e− represents an ionizing electron generated in response to the voltage applied between the cathode assembly 114 and the anode 124. The collision between the neutral argon atom and the ionizing electron results in an argon ion (Ar+) and two electrons. The plasma 105 is maintained, at least in part, by secondary electron emission from the cathode assembly 114. The magnetic field 132 that is generated proximate to the cathode assembly 114 confines the secondary electrons in the region 134 and, therefore, confines the plasma 105 approximately in the region 134. The confinement of the plasma in the region 134 increases the plasma density in the region 134 for a given input power. The plasma generating apparatus 100 can be configured for magnetron sputtering. Since the cathode assembly 114 is negatively biased, ions in the plasma 105 bombard the target 116. The impact caused by these ions bombarding the target 116 dislodges or sputters material from the target 116. A portion of the sputtered material forms a thin film of sputtered target material on the substrate 138. Known magnetron sputtering systems have relatively poor target utilization. The term “poor target utilization” is defined herein to mean undesirable non-uniform erosion of target material. Poor target utilization is caused by a relatively high concentration of positively charged ions in the region 134 that results in a non-uniform plasma. Similarly, magnetron etching systems (not shown) typically have relatively non-uniform etching characteristics. Increasing the power applied to the plasma can increase the uniformity and density of the plasma. However, increasing the amount of power necessary to achieve even an incremental increase in uniformity and plasma density can significantly increase the probability of establishing an electrical breakdown condition leading to an undesirable electrical discharge (an electrical arc) in the chamber 104. Applying pulsed direct current (DC) to the plasma can be advantageous since the average discharge power can remain relatively low while relatively large power pulses are periodically applied. Additionally, the duration of these large voltage pulses can be preset so as to reduce the probability of establishing an electrical breakdown condition leading to an undesirable electrical discharge. An undesirable electrical discharge will corrupt the plasma process and can cause contamination in the vacuum chamber 104. However, very large power pulses can still result in undesirable electrical discharges regardless of their duration. In one embodiment, an apparatus according to the present invention generates a plasma having a higher density of ions for a giving input power than a plasma generated by known plasma systems, such as the plasma generating apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. A high-density plasma generation method and apparatus according to the present invention uses an electrode structure including three or more electrodes to generate a high-density plasma including excited atoms, ions, neutral atoms and electrons. The electrodes can be a combination of cathodes, anodes, and/or ionizing electrodes. The electrodes can be configured in many different ways, such as a ring electrode structure, a linear electrode structure, or hollow cathode electrode structure. The plasma generation method and apparatus of the present invention provides independent control of two or more co-existing plasmas in the system. A high-density plasma source according to the present invention can include one or more feed gas injection systems that inject feed gas proximate to one or more of the electrodes in the plasma source. The feed gas can be any mixture of gases as described herein. The one or more feed gas injection systems can also inject plasma proximate to one or more of the electrodes in the plasma source. The injected plasma can be a high-density plasma or a low-density plasma. In one embodiment, an initial plasma is generated and then it is super-ionized to form a high-density plasma. The term “super-ionized” is defined herein to mean that at least 75% of the neutral atoms in the plasma are converted to ions. The high-density plasma source of the present invention can operate in a constant power, constant voltage, or constant current mode. These modes of operation are discussed herein. In addition, the high-density plasma source can use different types of power supplies to generate the high-density plasma. For example, direct-current (DC), alternating-current (AC), radio-frequency (RF), or pulsed DC power supplies can be used to generate the high-density plasma. The power supplies can generate power levels in the range of about 1 W to 10 MW. The plasma generated by the high-density plasma source of the present invention can be used to sputter materials from solid or liquid targets. Numerous types of materials can be sputtered. For example, magnetic, non-magnetic, dielectric, metals, and semiconductor materials can be sputtered. In one embodiment, the high-density plasma source of the present invention generates relatively high deposition rates near the outer edge of a sputtering target. The target can be designed and operated such that the increase in the deposition rate near the outer edge of the sputtering target compensates for the decrease of the sputtering rate typically associated with the edge of a sputtering target. This embodiment allows the use of relatively small targets, which can reduce the overall footprint of a process tool, the cost of the target and the cost to operate the process tool. The high-density plasma source of the present invention provides high target utilization and high sputtering uniformity. Additionally, the plasma generated by the high-density plasma source of the present invention can be used for producing ions or atoms from molecules for numerous applications, such as sputter etch, reactive etch, chemical vapor deposition, and for generating ion beams. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 200 having a segmented cathode 202 according to the invention. In one embodiment, the segmented cathode 202 includes an inner cathode section 202a and an outer cathode section 202b. In some embodiments (not shown), the segmented cathode 202 includes more than two sections. The segmented cathode 202 can be composed of a metal material, such as stainless steel or any other material that does not chemically react with reactive gases. The segmented cathode 202 can include a target (not shown) that is used for sputtering. The inner cathode section 202a and the outer cathode section 202b can be composed of different materials. The outer cathode section 202b is coupled to a first output 204 of a first power supply 206. The first power supply 206 can operate in a constant power mode. The term “constant power mode” is defined herein to mean that the power generated by the power supply has a substantially constant power level regardless of changes in the output current and the output voltage level. In another embodiment, the first power supply 206 operates in a constant voltage mode. The term “constant voltage mode” is defined herein to mean that the voltage generated by the power supply has a substantially constant voltage level regardless of changes in the output current and the output power level. The first power supply 206 can include an integrated matching unit (not shown). Alternatively, a matching unit (not shown) can be electrically connected to the first output 204 of the first power supply 206. A second output 208 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to a first anode 210. An insulator 211 isolates the first anode 210 from the outer cathode section 202b. In one embodiment, the second output 208 of the first power supply 206 and the first anode 210 are coupled to ground potential (not shown). In one embodiment (not shown), the first output 204 of the first power supply 206 couples a negative voltage impulse to the outer cathode section 202b. In another embodiment (not shown), the second output 208 of the first power supply 206 couples a positive voltage impulse to the first anode 210. Numerous types of power supplies can be used for the first power supply 206. For example, the first power supply 206 can be a pulsed power supply, radio-frequency (RF) power supply, an alternating-current (AC) power supply, or a direct-current (DC) power supply. The first power supply 206 can be a pulsed power supply that generates peak voltage levels of up to about 5 kV. Typical operating voltages are in the range of about 50V to 5 kV. The first power supply 206 can generate peak current levels in the range of about 1 mA to 100 kA depending on the desired volume and characteristics of the plasma. Typical operating currents vary from less than one hundred amperes to more than a few thousand amperes depending on the desired volume and characteristics of the plasma. The first power supply 206 can generate pulses having a repetition rate that is below 1 kHz. The first power supply 206 can generate pulses having a pulse width that is in the range of about one microsecond to several seconds. The first anode 210 is positioned so as to form a gap 212 between the first anode 210 and the outer cathode section 202b that is sufficient to allow current to flow through a region 214 between the first anode 210 and the outer cathode section 202b. In one embodiment, the width of the gap 212 is in the range of about 0.3 cm to 10 cm. The surface area of the outer cathode section 202b determines the volume of the region 214. The gap 212 and the total volume of the region 214 are parameters in the ionization process as described herein. For example, the gap 212 can be configured to generate exited atoms from ground state atoms. The excited atoms can increase the density of a plasma. Since excited atoms generally require less energy to ionize than ground state gas atoms, a volume of excited atoms can generate a higher density plasma than a similar volume of ground state feed gas atoms for the same input energy. Additionally, the gap 212 can be configured to conduct exited atoms towards the inner cathode section 202a. The excited atoms can either be generated externally or inside the gap 212 depending on the configuration of the system. In one embodiment, the gap 212 exhibits a pressure differential that forces the exited atoms towards the inner cathode section 202a. This can increase the density of the plasma proximate to the inner cathode section 202a as previously discussed. The gap 212 can be a plasma generator. In this configuration, feed gas is supplied to the gap 212 and a plasma is ignited in the gap 212. An ignition condition in the gap 212 can be optimized by varying certain parameters of the gap 212. For example, the presence of crossed electric and magnetic fields in the gap 212 can assist in the ignition and development of a plasma in the gap 212. The crossed electric and magnetic fields trap electrons and ions, thereby improving the efficiency of the ionization process. The gap 212 can facilitate the use of high input power. For example, as high power is applied to a plasma that is ignited and developing in the gap 212, additional feed gas can be supplied to the gap 212. This additional feed gas displaces some of the already developing plasma and absorbs any excess power applied to the plasma. The absorption of the excess power prevents the plasma from contracting and terminating which could otherwise occur without the additional feed gas. In some embodiments (not shown), the first anode 210 and/or the outer cathode section 202b can include raised areas, depressed areas, surface anomalies, or shapes that improve the ionization process. For example, the pressure in the region 214 can be optimized by including a raised area (not shown) on the surface of the outer cathode section 202b. The raised area can create a narrow passage at a location in the region 214 between the first anode 210 and the outer cathode section 202b that changes the pressure in the region 214. The first output 220 of a second power supply 222 is electrically coupled to the inner cathode section 202a. The second power supply 222 can operate in a constant power mode or a constant voltage mode. The second power supply 222 can have an integrated matching unit (not shown). Alternatively, a matching unit (not shown) is electrically connected to the first output 220 of the first power supply 222. The second power supply 222 can be any type of power supply, such as a pulsed power supply, a DC power supply, an AC power supply, or a RF power supply. A second output 224 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to a second anode 226. An insulator 227 is positioned to isolate the second anode 226 from the outer cathode section 202b. Another insulator (not shown) can be positioned to isolate the second anode 226 from the inner cathode section 202a. In one embodiment (not shown), the second output 224 of the second power supply 222 and the second anode 226 are electrically connected to ground potential. The first output 220 of the second power supply 222 can couple a negative voltage impulse to the inner cathode section 202a. The second output 224 of the second power supply 222 can couple a positive voltage impulse to the second anode 226. The second power supply 222 can be a pulsed power supply that generates peak voltage levels in the range of about 50V to 5 kV. The second power supply 222 can generate peak current levels in the range of about 1 mA to 100 kA depending on the desired volume and characteristics of the plasma. Typical operating currents varying from less than one hundred amperes to more than a few thousand amperes depending on the desired volume and characteristics of the plasma and the desired plasma density. The pulses generated by the second power supply 222 can have a repetition rate that is below 1 kHz. The pulse width of the pulses generated by the second power supply 222 can be between about one microsecond and several seconds. The second anode 226 is positioned proximate to the inner cathode section 202a such that current is capable of flowing between the second anode 226 and the inner cathode section 202a. The distance between the second anode 226 and the inner cathode section 202a can be in the range of about 0.3 cm to 10 cm. The plasma generating apparatus 200 can include a chamber (not shown), such as a vacuum chamber. The chamber is coupled in fluid communication to a vacuum pump (not shown) through a vacuum valve (not shown). The chamber can be electrically coupled to ground potential. One or more gas lines 230, 232 provide feed gas 234, 236 (indicated by arrows) from one or more feed gas sources 238, 240, respectively, to the chamber. The feed gas lines 230, 232 can include in-line gas valves 242, 244 that can control the gas flow to the chamber. The gas lines 230, 232 can be isolated from the chamber and other components by insulators (not shown). The gas lines 230, 232 can be isolated from the one or more feed gas sources 238, 240 using in-line insulating couplers (not shown). The one or more feed gas sources 238, 240 can include any feed gas, such as argon. The feed gas can be a mixture of different gases, reactive gases, or pure reactive gas gases. The feed gas can include a noble gas or a mixture of gases. In one embodiment, the in-line gas valves 242, 244 are switchable mass flow controllers (not shown). The switchable mass flow controllers can be programmed inject the feed gases 234, 236 in a pulsed manner from the feed gas sources 238, 240, respectively. For example, the pressure in the gap 212 can be varied and optimized by pulsing the feed gas 234 that is injected directly into the gap 212. In one embodiment, the timing of the pulses is synchronized to the timing of power pulses generated by the first power supply 206 operated in a pulsed mode. Pulsing the feed gases 234, 236 can also assist in the generation of excited atoms including metastable atoms in the gap 212. For example, by pulsing the feed gas 234 in the gap 212, the instantaneous pressure in the gap is increased while the average pressure in the chamber is unchanged. Skilled artisans will appreciate that the plasma generating apparatus 200 can be operated in many different modes. In some modes of operation, the first 206 and the second power supplies 222 together with the segmented cathode 202 are used to generate independent plasmas. The parameters of an initial plasma and a high-density plasma can be varied individually as required by the particular plasma process. In one mode of operation, the feed gas 234 from the feed gas source 238 is supplied to the chamber by controlling the gas valve 242. The feed gas 234 is supplied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The feed gas 234 can be directly injected into the gap 212 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 in order to increase the density of a plasma that is generated in the gap 212. Increasing the flow rate of the feed gas causes a rapid volume exchange in the region 214 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. This rapid volume exchange increases the maximum power that can be applied across the gap 212 and thus, permits a high-power pulse having a relatively long duration to be applied across the gap 212. Applying high-power pulses having relatively long durations across the gap 212 results in the formation of high-density plasmas in the region 214, as described herein. In another mode of operation, the first power supply 206 is a component in an ionization source that generates an initial or a pre-ionization plasma in the region 214. The pre-ionization plasma can be a weakly-ionized plasma. The term “weakly-ionized plasma” is defined herein to mean a plasma with a relatively low peak plasma density. The peak plasma density of the weakly ionized plasma depends on the properties of the specific plasma processing system. For example, a weakly ionized argon plasma is a plasma that has a peak plasma density that is in the range of about 107 to 1012 cm−3. After a sufficient volume of the feed gas 234 is supplied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210, the first power supply 206 applies a voltage between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The first power supply 206 can be a pulsed (DC) power supply that applies a negative voltage pulse to the outer cathode section 202b. The size and shape of the voltage pulse are chosen such that an electric field 250 (FIG. 2B) develops between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The first power supply can be a DC, AC, or a RF power supply. The amplitude and shape of the electric field 250 are chosen such that an initial plasma is generated in the region 214 between the first anode 210 and the outer cathode section 202b. The initial plasma can be a weakly-ionized plasma that is used for pre-ionization and generally has a relatively low-level of ionization, as described herein. In one embodiment, the first power supply 206 generates a low power pulse having an initial voltage that is in the range of about 100V to 5 kV with a discharge current that is in the range of about 0.1 A to 100 A. The width of the pulse can be in the range of approximately 0.1 microseconds to one hundred seconds. Specific parameters of the pulse are discussed herein in more detail. In another mode of operation, prior to the generation of the initial plasma in the region 214, the first power supply 206 generates a potential difference between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 before the feed gas 234 is supplied to the region 214. In this mode of operation, the feed gas 234 is ignited once a sufficient volume of feed gas is present in the region 214. In yet another mode of operation, a direct current (DC) power supply (not shown) is used in an ionization source to generate and maintain the initial plasma in the region 214. In this mode of operation, the DC power supply is adapted to generate a voltage that is large enough to ignite the initial plasma. For example, the DC power supply can generate an initial voltage of several kilovolts that creates a plasma discharge voltage that is in the range of about 100V to 1 kV with a discharge current that is in the range of about 0.1 A to 100 A. The value of the discharge current depends on the power level of the DC power supply and is a function of the volume and characteristics of the plasma. Furthermore, the presence of a magnetic field (not shown) in the region 214 can have a dramatic effect on the value of the applied voltage and current that is required to generate the initial plasma. The DC power supply can generate a current that is in the range of about 1 mA to 100 A depending on the volume of the plasma and the strength of a magnetic field in a region 214. In one embodiment, before generating the initial plasma, the DC power supply is adapted to generate and maintain an initial peak voltage potential between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 before the introduction of the feed gas 234. In still another mode of operation, an alternating current (AC) power supply (not shown) is used to generate and maintain the initial plasma in the region 214. An AC power supply can require less power to generate and maintain a plasma than a DC power supply. In other modes of operation, the initial plasma can be generated and maintained using a planar discharge source, a radio frequency (RF) diode source, an ultraviolet (UV) source, an X-ray source, an electron beam source, an ion beam source, an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source, a capacitively coupled plasma (CCP) source, a microwave plasma source, an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) source, a helicon plasma source, or ionizing filament techniques. In some of these modes of operation, an initial plasma can be formed outside of the region 214 and then diffused into the region 214. Forming an initial plasma in the region 214 substantially eliminates the probability of establishing a breakdown condition in the chamber when high-power pulses are subsequently applied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The probability of establishing a breakdown condition is substantially eliminated because the initial plasma has at least a low-level of ionization that provides electrical conductivity through the plasma. This conductivity substantially prevents the setup of a breakdown condition, even when high-power is applied to the plasma. Referring back to FIG. 2A, the initial plasma diffuses somewhat homogeneously through the region 252 as additional feed gas 234 is injected into the region 214. The additional feed gas 234 forces the initial plasma from the region 214 into the region 252. This homogeneous diffusion tends to facilitate the creation of a highly uniform plasma in the region 252. In one embodiment, the pressure in the region 214 is higher than the pressure in the region 252. This pressure gradient causes the initial plasma in the region 214 to diffuse into the region 252. Once an initial plasma is formed, several modes of operation can be realized. For example, in one mode of operation, the first power supply 206 generates high-power pulses in the gap 212 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The desired power level of the high-power pulses depends on several factors including the desired volume and characteristics of the plasma as well as the density of the initial plasma. In one embodiment, the power level of the high-power pulse is in the range of about 1 kW to 10 MW. Each of the high-power pulses is maintained for a predetermined time that can be in the range of about one microsecond to ten seconds. The repetition frequency or repetition rate of the high-power pulses can be in the range of about 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz. The average power generated by the first power supply 206 can be less than one megawatt depending on the characteristics and the volume of the plasma. The thermal energy in the outer cathode section 202b and/or the first anode 210 can be conducted away or dissipated by liquid or gas cooling such as helium cooling (not shown). The high-power pulses generate an electric field 250 (FIG. 2B) between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The electric field 250 can be a relatively strong electric field, depending on the strength and duration of the high-power pulses. The electric field 250 is substantially located in the region 214 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. The electric field 250 can be a static or a pulsed electric field. In another embodiment, the electric field 250 is a quasi-static electric field. The term “quasi-static electric field” is defined herein to mean an electric field that has a characteristic time of electric field variation that is much greater than the collision time for electrons with neutral gas particles. Such a time of electric field variation can be on the order of ten seconds. In another embodiment, the electric field can be an alternating electric field. The term “alternating electric field” is defined herein to mean that the polarity of the electric field changes with time. The strength and the position of the electric field 250 are discussed in more detail herein. The high-power pulses generate a high-density plasma from the initial plasma. The term “high-density plasma” is also referred to as a “strongly-ionized plasma.” The terms “high-density plasma” and “strongly-ionized plasma” are defined herein to mean a plasma with a relatively high peak plasma density. For example, the peak plasma density of the high-density plasma is greater than about 1012 cm−3. The discharge current that is formed from the high-density plasma can be on the order of about 5 kA with a discharge voltage that is in the range of about 50V to 500V for a pressure that is in the range of about 5 mTorr to 10 Torr. The high-density plasma tends to diffuse homogenously in the region 252. The homogenous diffusion creates a more homogeneous plasma volume. The pressure gradient responsible for this homogenous diffusion is described in more detail herein. Homogeneous plasma volumes are advantageous for many plasma processes. For example, plasma etching processes using homogenous plasma volumes accelerate ions in the high-density plasma towards the surface of the substrate (not shown) being etched in a more uniform manner than conventional plasma etching. Consequently, the surface of the substrate is etched more uniformly. Plasma processes using homogeneous plasma volumes can achieve high uniformity without the necessity of rotating the substrate. Magnetron sputtering systems using homogenous plasma volumes accelerate ions in the high-density plasma towards the surface of the sputtering target in a more uniform manner than conventional magnetron sputtering. Consequently, the target material is deposited more uniformly on a substrate without the necessity of rotating the substrate and/or the magnetron. Also, the surface of the sputtering target is eroded more evenly and, thus higher target utilization is achieved. In one embodiment, target material can be applied to the first 210 and/or the second anode 226 to reduce possible contamination from sputtering undesired material. Referring back to FIG. 2A, the second power supply 222 can be a pulsed power supply that generates high-power pulses between the inner cathode section 202a and the second anode 226 after the high-density plasma is formed in the region 214 and diffuses into the region 252 proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. The desired power level of the high-power pulses depends on several factors including the volume and other characteristics of the plasma such as the density of the high-density plasma. In one embodiment, the power level of the high-power pulse is in the range of about 1 kW to 10 MW. Each of the high-power pulses is maintained for a predetermined time that can be in the range of one microsecond to ten seconds. The repetition frequency or repetition rate of the high-power pulses can be in the range of between about 0.1 Hz and 1 kHz. The average power generated by the second power supply 222 can be less than one megawatt depending on the desired volume and characteristics of the plasma. The thermal energy in the inner cathode section 202a and/or the second anode 226 can be conducted away or dissipated by liquid or gas cooling such as helium cooling (not shown). The high-power pulses generate an electric field 254 (FIG. 2B) between the inner cathode section 202a and the second anode 226. The electric field 254 can be a pulsed electric field, a quasi-static electric field or an alternating electric field. The strength and the position of the electric field 254 will be discussed in more detail herein. The second power supply 222 generates high power pulses that launch additional power into the already strongly ionized plasma and, therefore, super-ionize the high-density plasma in the region 252. The discharge current can be on the order of 5 kA with a discharge voltage that is in the range of about 50V to 500V for a pressure that is in the range of about 5 mTorr to 10 Torr. In another mode of operation, an initial plasma is generated in the region 214 and the initial plasma diffuses to the region 252 as additional feed gas is supplied to the region 214. In this mode of operation, the gap 212 is dimensioned to create a pressure differential between the region 214 and the region 252. The pressure differential forces the initial plasma that is generated in the region 214 into the region 252. In this embodiment, the second power supply 222 applies high-power pulses between the inner cathode section 202a and the second anode 226 after a suitable volume of initial plasma is present in the region 252. The high-power pulses create an electric field 254 between the inner cathode section 202b and the second anode 226 that strongly-ionizes the initial plasma thereby creating a high-density plasma in the region 252. In yet another mode of operation, feed gas 236 from the feed gas source 240 flows between the second anode 226 and the inner cathode section 202a at various times during the plasma generation process. This additional feed gas 236 can be a noble gas, a reactive gas, or a mixture of gases. The additional feed gas 236 can facilitate a more efficient plasma generation process and/or can result in a higher density plasma. In still another mode of operation, a voltage generated by the second power supply 222 is sufficient to ignite a second plasma (not shown) from the feed gas 236 in the region 255 between the second anode 226 and the inner cathode section 202a. This second plasma flows from the region 255 into the region 252 as the second plasma is displaced by more feed gas 236. Additionally, the second plasma from the region 255 can commingle with the initial plasma from the region 214 in the region 252. In one embodiment, a plasma diverting plate 256 (FIG. 2B) is disposed proximate to the second anode 226 to divert the second plasma from the region 255 toward the inner cathode section 202a and/or towards the region 214. The size, shape, and location of the plasma diverting plate 256 depend on the desired plasma properties of the second plasma. In one embodiment, target material can be applied to the plasma diverting plate 256 to reduce possible contamination from sputtering undesired material. Controlling the flow of the feed gases 234, 236 through the regions 214, 255, respectively, can affect the homogeneity, distribution profile, and density of the plasma. Additionally, controlling certain parameters, such as power and pulse rate of the first 206 and the second power supplies 222 (FIG. 2A) can also affect the homogeneity, distribution profile, and density of the plasma. The plasma generating apparatus 200 of the present invention generates a relatively high electron temperature plasma and a relatively high-density plasma. One application for the high-density plasma of the present invention is ionized physical vapor deposition (IPVD) (not shown), which is a technique that converts neutral sputtered atoms into positive ions to enhance a sputtering process. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the segmented cathode of FIG. 2A. Specifically, FIG. 2B shows that one or both of the electric fields 250, 254 can facilitate a multi-step ionization process of the feed gases 234, 236, respectively, that substantially increases the rate at which the high-density plasma is formed. At least one of the feed gases 234, 236 can be a molecular gas. The electric fields 250, 254 enhance the formation of ions in the plasma. The multi-step or stepwise ionization process is described as follows with reference to the electric field 250 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. A pre-ionizing voltage is applied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 across the feed gas 234 to form an initial plasma. The initial plasma can be a weakly-ionized plasma as previously discussed. The initial plasma is generally formed in the region 214 and diffuses or is transported to the region 252 as the feed gas 234 continues to flow. In one embodiment (not shown), a magnetic field is generated in the region 214 and extends proximate to the center of the inner cathode section 202a. This magnetic field tends to assist in diffusing electrons in the initial plasma from the region 214 to the region 252. The electrons in the initial plasma are substantially trapped in the region 252 by the magnetic field. The volume of initial plasma in the region 214 can be rapidly exchanged with a new volume of feed gas 234. After the formation of the initial plasma in the region 214, the first power supply 206 (FIG. 2A) applies a high-power pulse between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. This high-power pulse generates the electric field 250 in the region 214. The electric field 250 results in collisions occurring between neutral atoms, electrons, and ions in the initial plasma. These collisions generate numerous excited atoms in the initial plasma. The excited atoms can include atoms that are in a metastable state. The accumulation of excited atoms in the initial plasma alters the ionization process. The electric field 250 can be a strong electric field that facilitates a multi-step ionization process of an atomic feed gas that significantly increases the rate at which the high-density plasma is formed. The multi-step ionization process has an efficiency that increases as the density of excited atoms in the initial plasma increases. The strong electric field 250 enhances the formation of ions of a molecular or atomic feed gas. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the gap 212 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 are chosen so as to maximize the rate of excitation of the atoms. The value of the electric field 250 in the region 214 depends on the voltage level applied by the first power supply 206 and the dimensions of the gap 212. In some embodiments, the strength of the electric field 250 can be in the range of about 2V/cm to 105 V/cm depending on various system parameters and operating conditions of the plasma system. The size of the gap 212 can be in the range of about 0.30 cm to 10 cm depending on various parameters of the desired plasma. In one embodiment, the electric field 250 in the region 214 is rapidly applied to the initial plasma. The rapidly applied electric field 250 can be generated by applying a voltage pulse having a rise time that is in the range of about 0.1 microsecond to ten seconds. In one embodiment, the dimensions of the gap 212 and the parameters of the applied electric field 250 are varied in order to determine the optimum condition for a relatively high rate of excitation of the atoms in the region 214. Since an argon atom requires energy of about 11.55 eV to become excited, the applied electric field 250 can be adjusted to maximize the excitation rate of the argon atoms. As argon feed gas 234 flows through the region 214, the initial plasma is formed and many of the atoms in the initial plasma then become excited by the applied electric field 250. Thus, the vast majority of ground state feed gas atoms are not directly ionized, but instead undergo a stepwise ionization process. The excited atoms in the initial plasma then encounter electrons that are in the region 214. In the case of argon feed case, excited argon atoms only require about 4 eV of energy to ionize while argon ground state atoms require about 15.76 eV of energy to ionize. Therefore, when energy is applied in the region 214, the excited atoms will ionize at a much higher rate than the ground state atoms. Ions in the high-density plasma strike the outer cathode section 202b causing secondary electron emission from the outer cathode section 202b. These secondary electrons interact with neutral or excited atoms in the high-density plasma. This process further increases the density of ions in the high-density plasma as the feed gas 234 is exchanged. The multi-step ionization process corresponding to the rapid application of the electric field 250 can be described as follows: Ar+e−→Ar*+e− Ar*+e−→Ar++2e− where Ar represents a neutral ground state argon atom in the feed gas 234 and e− represents an ionizing electron generated in response to an initial plasma, when sufficient voltage is applied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. Additionally, Ar* represents an excited argon atom in the initial plasma. The collision between the excited argon atom and the ionizing electron results in an argon ion (Ar+) and two electrons. As previously discussed, the excited argon atoms generally require less energy to become ionized than neutral ground state argon atoms. Thus, the excited atoms tend to more rapidly ionize near the surface of the outer cathode section 202b than the neutral ground state argon atoms. As the density of the excited atoms in the plasma increases, the efficiency of the ionization process rapidly increases. This increased efficiency eventually results in an avalanche-like increase in the density of the high-density plasma. Under appropriate excitation conditions, the proportion of the energy applied to the initial plasma, which is transformed to the excited atoms, is very high for a pulsed discharge in the feed gas 234. In one mode of operation, the density of the plasma is increased by controlling the flow of the feed gas 234 in the region 214. In this embodiment, a first volume of feed gas 234 is supplied to the region 214. The first volume of feed gas 234 is then ionized to form an initial plasma in the region 214. The first power supply 206 then applies a high-power electrical pulse across the initial plasma. The high-power electrical pulse generates a high-density plasma from the initial plasma. In another mode of operation, the feed gas 234 continues to flow into the region 214 after the initial plasma is formed. The initial plasma is displaced or transported into the region 252 by a new volume of feed gas 234. The second power supply 222 (FIG. 2A) then applies a high-power electrical pulse between the inner cathode section 202a and the second anode 226. The density of the plasma is generally limited by the level and duration of the high-power electrical pulse that can be absorbed before the discharge contracts and terminates. Increasing the flow rate of at least one of the feed gases 234, 236 can increase the level and duration of the high-power electrical pulse that can be absorbed by the discharge. Any type of gas exchange means can be used to rapidly exchange the volume of feed gas. Thus, the density of the plasma can be increased by transporting the initial plasma through the region 214 by a rapid volume exchange of feed gas 234. As the feed gas 234 moves through the region 214 and interacts with the moving initial plasma, it becomes partially ionized from the applied electrical pulse. Applying a high-power electrical pulse through the region 214 can result in an ionization process that includes a combination of direct ionization and/or stepwise ionization as described herein. Transporting the initial plasma through the region 214 by a rapid volume exchange of the feed gas 234 increases the level and the duration of the power that can be applied to the high-density plasma and, thus, generates a higher density strongly-ionized plasma. In one embodiment, the plasma generating system 200 can be configured for plasma etching. In another embodiment, the plasma generating system 200 can be configured for plasma sputtering. In particular, the plasma generating system 200 can be configured for sputtering magnetic materials. Known magnetron sputtering systems generally are not suitable for sputtering magnetic materials because the magnetic field generated by the magnetron can be absorbed by the magnetic target material. RF diode sputtering is sometimes used to sputter magnetic materials. However, RF diode sputtering generally has poor film thickness uniformity and produces relatively low deposition rates. The plasma generating system 200 can be adapted to sputter magnetic materials by including a target assembly (not shown) having a magnetic target material and by driving that target assembly with an RF power supply (not shown). For example, an RF power supply can provide an RF power that is about 10 kW. A substantially uniform initial plasma can be generated by applying RF power across a feed gas that is located proximate to the target assembly. The high-density plasma is generated by applying a strong electric field across the initial plasma as described herein. The RF power supply applies a negative voltage bias to the target assembly. Ions in the high-density plasma bombard the target material thereby causing sputtering. The plasma generating system 200 can also be adapted to sputter dielectric materials. Dielectric materials can be sputtered by driving a target assembly (not shown) including a dielectric target material with an RF power supply (not shown). For example, an RF power supply can provide an RF power that is about 10 kW. A substantially uniform initial plasma can be generated by applying RF power across a feed gas that is located proximate to the target assembly. In one embodiment, a magnetic field is generated proximate to the target assembly in order to trap electrons in the initial plasma. The high-density plasma is generated by applying a strong electric field across the initial plasma as described herein. The RF power supply applies a negative voltage bias to the target assembly. Ions in the high-density plasma bombard the target material thereby causing sputtering. A high-density plasma according to the present invention can be used to generate an ion beam. An ion beam source according to the present invention includes the plasma generating system 200 and an external electrode (not shown) that is used to accelerate ions in the plasma. In one embodiment, the external electrode is a grid. The ion beam source can generate a very high-density ion flux. For example, the ion beam source can generate ozone flux. Ozone is a highly reactive oxidizing agent that can be used for many applications such as cleaning process chambers, deodorizing air, purifying water, and treating industrial wastes, for example. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 300 including a magnet assembly 302 according to the invention. The magnet assembly 302 can include permanent magnets 304, or alternatively, electro-magnets (not shown). In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 302 is adapted to create a magnetic field 306 proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. The configuration of the magnet assembly 302 can be varied depending on the desired shape and strength of the magnetic field 306. The magnet assembly 302 can have either a balanced or unbalanced configuration. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 302 includes switching electro-magnets, which generate a pulsed magnetic field proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. In some embodiments, additional magnet assemblies (not shown) can be placed at various locations around and throughout the process chamber (not shown). The magnetic assembly 302 can be configured to generate a magnetic field in the shape of one or more racetracks (not shown). Magnetic fields in the shape of one or more racetracks can improve target utilization in sputtering targets by distributing regions of highest target erosion across the surface of the target. These regions of high target erosion generally correspond to locations in which the magnetic field lines are parallel to the surface of the target. In operation, the magnetic field 306 is generated proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. The permanent magnets 304 continuously generate the magnetic field 306. Electro-magnets can also generate the magnetic field 306. The strength of the magnetic field 306 can be in the range of about fifty gauss to two thousand gauss. After the magnetic field 306 is generated, the feed gas 234 from the gas source 238 is supplied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. A volume of the feed gas 234 fills in the region 214. Next, the first power supply 206 generates an electric field across the feed gas 234 to ignite an initial plasma in the region 214. The feed gas 234 flows through the region 214 and continuously displaces the initial plasma. The initial plasma diffuses into the region 252′ and the magnetic field 306 traps electrons in the initial plasma. A large fraction of the electrons are concentrated in the region 308 that corresponds to the weakest area of the magnetic field 306 that is generated by the magnet assembly 302. By trapping the electrons in the region 308, the magnetic field 306 substantially prevents the initial plasma from diffusing away from the inner cathode section 202a. The second power supply 222 generates a strong electric field between the second anode 226 and the inner cathode section 202a. The strong electric field super-ionizes the initial plasma to generate a high-density plasma having an ion density that is greater than the ion density of the initial plasma. In one embodiment, the initial plasma has an ion density that is in the range of about 107 to 1012 cm−3 and the high-density plasma has an ion density that is greater than about 1012 cm−3. The magnetic field 306 can improve the homogeneity of the high-density plasma. The magnetic field 306 can also increase the ion density of the high-density plasma by trapping electrons in the initial plasma and also by trapping secondary electrons proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. The trapped electrons ionize excited atoms in the initial plasma thereby generating the high-density plasma. In one embodiment (not shown), a magnetic field is generated in the region 214 that substantially traps electrons in the area where the initial plasma is ignited. The magnetic field 306 also promotes increased homogeneity of the high-density plasma by setting up a substantially circular electron ExB drift current 310 proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. In one embodiment, the electron ExB drift current 310 generates a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302. When high-power pulses are applied between the inner cathode section 202a and the second anode 226 secondary electrons are generated from the inner cathode section 202a that move in a substantially circular motion proximate to the inner cathode section 202a according to crossed electric and magnetic fields. The substantially circular motion of the electrons generates the electron ExB drift current 310. The magnitude of the electron ExB drift current 310 is proportional to the magnitude of the discharge current in the plasma and, in one embodiment, is approximately in the range of about three to ten times the magnitude of the discharge current. In one embodiment, the substantially circular electron ExB drift current 310 generates a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302. In one embodiment, the magnetic field generated by the electron ExB drift current 310 has a direction that is substantially opposite to the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302. The magnitude of the magnetic field generated by the electron ExB drift current 310 increases with increased electron ExB drift current 310. The homogeneous diffusion of the high-density plasma in the region 252′ is caused, at least in part, by the interaction of the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302 and the magnetic field generated by the electron ExB drift current 310. In one embodiment, the electron ExB drift current 310 defines a substantially circular shape for low current density plasma. However, as the current density of the plasma increases, the substantially circular electron ExB drift current 310 tends to have a more complex shape as the interaction of the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302, the electric field generated by the high-power pulse, and the magnetic field generated by the electron ExB drift current 310 becomes more acute. For example, in one embodiment, the electron ExB drift current 310 has a substantially cycloidal shape. The exact shape of the electron ExB drift current 310 can be quite elaborate and depends on various factors. As the magnitude of the electron ExB drift current 310 increases, the magnetic field generated by the electron ExB drift current 310 becomes stronger and eventually overpowers the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302. The magnetic field lines that are generated by the magnet assembly 302 exhibit substantial distortion that is caused by the relatively strong magnetic field that is generated by the relatively large electron ExB drift current 310. Thus, a large electron ExB drift current 310 generates a stronger magnetic field that strongly interacts with and can begin to dominate the magnetic field 306 that is generated by the magnet assembly 302. The interaction of the magnetic field 306 generated by the magnet assembly 302 and the magnetic field generated by the electron ExB drift current 310 generates magnetic field lines that are somewhat more parallel to the surface of the inner cathode section 202a than the magnetic field lines generated by the magnet assembly 302. The somewhat more parallel magnetic field lines allow the high-density plasma to more uniformly distribute itself in the area 252′. Thus, the high-density plasma is substantially uniformly diffused in the area 252′. FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation 400 of applied power as a function of time for periodic pulses applied to an initial plasma in the plasma generating system 200 of FIG. 2A. The first power supply 206 generates a constant power and the second power supply 222 generates periodic power pulses. In one illustrative embodiment, the feed gas 234 flows into the region 214 between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 at time t0, before either the first power supply 206 or the second power supply 222 are activated. The time required for a sufficient quantity of feed gas 234 to flow into the region 214 depends on several factors including the flow rate of the feed gas 234 and the desired operating pressure. At time t1, the first power supply 206 generates a power 402 that is in the range of about 0.01 kW to 100 kW and applies the power 402 between the outer cathode section 202b and the anode 210. The power 402 causes the feed gas 234 to become at least partially ionized, thereby generating an initial plasma that can be a pre-ionization plasma as previously discussed. An additional volume of feed gas flows into the region 214 (FIG. 2A) between time t1 and time t2 substantially displacing the initial plasma. The initial plasma is displaced into the region 252 proximate to the inner cathode section 202a. At time t2, the second power supply 222 delivers a high-power pulse 404 to the initial plasma that is in the range of about 1 kW to 10 MW depending on the volume and characteristics of the plasma and the operating pressure. The high-power pulse 404 substantially super-ionizes the initial plasma to generate a high-density plasma. The high-power pulse 404 has a leading edge 406 having a rise time from t2 to t3 that is approximately in the range of 0.1 microseconds to ten seconds. In this embodiment, the second power supply 222 is a pulsed power supply. In some embodiments (not shown), the second power supply 222 can be an RF power supply, an AC power supply, or a DC power supply. In one embodiment, the pulse width of the high-power pulse 404 is in the range of about one microsecond to ten seconds. The high-power pulse 404 is terminated at time t4. In one embodiment, after the delivery of the high-power pulse 404, the power 402 from the first power supply 206 is continuously applied to generate additional plasma from the flowing feed gas 234, while the second power supply 222 prepares to deliver another high-power pulse 408. At time t5, the second power supply 222 delivers another high-power pulse 408 having a rise time from t5 to t6 and terminating at time t7. In one embodiment, the repetition rate of the high-power pulses is in the range of about 0.1 Hz to 10 kHz. The particular size, shape, width, and frequency of the high-power pulse 408 depend on the process parameters, such as the operating pressure, the design of the second power supply 222, the presence of a magnetic field proximate to the inner cathode section 202a, and the volume and characteristics of the plasma, for example. The shape and duration of the leading edge 406 and the trailing edge 410 of the high-power pulse 404 are chosen to control the rate of ionization of the high-density plasma. In another embodiment (not shown), the first power supply 206 and/or the second power supply 222 are activated at time t0 before the feed gas 234 flows in the region 214. In this embodiment, the feed gas 234 is injected between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 where it is ignited by the first power supply 206 to generate the initial plasma. In this embodiment, the first power supply 202 is a DC power supply. In other embodiments (not shown), the first power supply 202 can an RF power supply, an AC power supply, or a pulsed power supply. FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 500 including the magnet assembly 302 of FIG. 3 and an additional magnet assembly 502 according to the invention. The additional magnet assembly 502 can include a permanent magnets 504 as shown, or alternatively, electro-magnets (not shown). In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 502 is adapted to create a magnetic field 506 proximate to the outer cathode section 202b. The configuration of the magnet assembly 502 can be varied depending on the desired shape and strength of the magnetic field 506. The magnet assembly 502 can have either a balanced or unbalanced configuration. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 502 includes switching electro-magnets, which generate a pulsed magnetic field proximate to the outer cathode section 202b. In some embodiments, additional magnet assemblies (not shown) can be placed at various locations around and throughout the process chamber (not shown). One skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many modes of operating the plasma generating apparatus 500. In one embodiment, the plasma generating apparatus 500 is operated by generating the magnetic field 506 proximate to the outer cathode section 202b. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the permanent magnets 504 continuously generate the magnetic field 506. In other embodiments, electro-magnets (not shown) generate the magnetic field 506 by energizing a current source (not shown) that is coupled to the electro-magnets. In one embodiment, the strength of the magnetic field 506 is in the range of about fifty gauss to two thousand gauss. After the magnetic field 506 is generated, the feed gas 234 from the gas source 238 is supplied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. A volume of the feed gas 234 fills in the region 214. Next, the first power supply 206 generates an electric field across the feed gas 234 to ignite an initial plasma in the region 214. In one embodiment, the magnetic field 506 substantially traps electrons in the initial plasma in the region 214. This causes the initial plasma to remain concentrated in the region 214. In one embodiment, the first power supply 206 applies a high-power pulse across the initial plasma thereby generating a high-density plasma in the region 214. The high-power pulse energizes the electrons in the initial plasma. The magnetic field 506 causes the electrons to move in a substantially circular manner creating a substantially circular electron ExB drift current (not shown) proximate to the outer cathode section 202b. In one embodiment, the electron ExB drift current generates a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field 506 generated by the magnet assembly 502. The high-power pulses applied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210 generate secondary electrons from the outer cathode section 202a that move in a substantially circular motion proximate to the inner cathode section 202a according to crossed electric and magnetic fields. The substantially circular motion of the electrons generates the electron ExB drift current. The magnitude of the electron ExB drift current is proportional to the magnitude of the discharge current in the plasma and, in one embodiment, is approximately in the range of between about three and ten times the magnitude of the discharge current. As previously discussed, the electron ExB drift current can improve the homogeneity of the high-density plasma in the region 214. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 550 including the magnet assembly 302 of FIG. 3 and an additional magnet assembly 552 according to the invention. The additional magnet assembly 552 can include permanent magnets 554, 556, or alternatively, electro-magnets (not shown). In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 552 is adapted to create a magnetic field 558 proximate to the outer cathode section 202b. The configuration of the magnet assembly 552 can be varied depending on the desired shape and strength of the magnetic field 558. The magnet assembly 552 can have either a balanced or unbalanced configuration. The plasma generating apparatus 550 functions similarly to the plasma generating apparatus 500 of FIG. 5. However, the magnetic assembly 552 that is located proximate to the outer cathode section 202b generates magnetic field lines 560 that are substantially perpendicular to a surface of the outer cathode section 202b. The perpendicular magnetic field lines 560 completely cross the region 214, thereby trapping substantially all of the electrons in the region 214. Thus, the magnetic field 558 can facilitate a more efficient process of generating the initial plasma in the region 214. Skilled artisans will appreciate that alternative magnet configurations can be used within the scope of the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a plasma generating apparatus 600 including a magnet assembly 602 according to the invention. The magnet assembly 602 can include permanent magnets 604, or alternatively, electro-magnets (not shown). In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 602 is adapted to create a magnetic field 606 that is located proximate to the inner cathode section 202a and proximate to the outer cathode section 202b. The configuration of the magnet assembly 602 can be varied depending on the desired shape and strength of the magnetic field 606. The magnet assembly 602 can have either a balanced or unbalanced configuration. In one embodiment, the magnet assembly 602 includes switching electro-magnets, which generate a pulsed magnetic field proximate to the inner 202a and the outer cathode sections 202b. In some embodiments, additional magnet assemblies (not shown) can be placed at various locations around and throughout the process chamber (not shown). In one embodiment, the permanent magnets 604 continuously generate the magnetic field 606. In other embodiments, electro-magnets (not shown) generate the magnetic field 606 by energizing a current source (not shown) that is coupled to the electro-magnets. In one embodiment, the strength of the magnetic field 606 is in the range of about fifty gauss to two thousand gauss. In operation, after the magnetic field 606 is generated, the feed gas 234 from the gas source 238 is supplied between the outer cathode section 202b and the first anode 210. A volume of the feed gas 234 fills in the region 214. Next, the first power supply 206 generates an electric field across the feed gas 234 that ignites an initial plasma in the region 214. In one embodiment, electrons in the initial plasma diffuse from the region 214 to the region 608 substantially along magnetic field lines 609 generated by the magnet assembly 602. In one embodiment, the electrons in the initial plasma are concentrated in the region 608 corresponding to the weakest area of the magnetic field 606 generated by the magnet assembly 602. Thus, the initial plasma is concentrated proximate to the outer edge of the inner cathode section 202a. The second power supply 222 generates a strong electric field between the second anode 226 and the inner cathode section 202a. The strong electric field super-ionizes the initial plasma to generate a high-density plasma having an ion density that is greater than the ion density of the initial plasma. In one embodiment, the initial plasma has an ion density in the of about 107 to 1012 cm−3. In one embodiment, the high-density plasma has an ion density that is greater than about 1012 cm−3. In one embodiment, the high-density plasma is used in a magnetron sputtering system (not shown). The magnetron sputtering system includes a target (not shown) that can be integrated into the inner cathode section 202a. Operating parameters can be chosen such that the outer edge of the target is eroded at a relatively high rate compared with the center of the target because the high-density plasma is concentrated in the region 608. Thus, a sputtering system according to the present invention can include a target that is relatively small compared with known sputtering systems for similarly sized substrates (not shown). In addition, the power level of the high-power pulse can be chosen such that the high-density plasma can be homogeneously distributed across the target as described herein. The magnetic field 606 can improve the homogeneity of the high-density plasma and can increase the ion density of the high-density plasma by trapping electrons in the initial plasma and also trapping secondary electrons proximate to the target. The trapped electrons ionize excited atoms in the initial plasma thereby generating the high-density plasma. The magnetic field 606 also promotes increased homogeneity of the high-density plasma by setting up an electron ExB drift current 610 proximate to the target. In one embodiment, the electron ExB drift current 610 generates a magnetic field that interacts with the magnetic field 606 generated by the magnet assembly 602 as described herein. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 650 including a magnet configuration that includes a first magnet 652 and a second magnet 654 according to the invention. The first 652 and the second magnets 654 can be any type of magnet, such as a permanent ring-shaped magnet or an electro-magnet, for example. The plasma generating apparatus 650 also includes a segmented cathode 656. The segmented cathode 656 (656a, b) includes an inner cathode section 656a and an outer cathode section 656b. The outer cathode section 656b is disposed generally opposite to the inner cathode section 656a, but can be offset as shown in FIG. 8. The segmented cathode 656 illustrated in FIG. 8 can reduce sputtering contamination compared with known cathodes used in sputtering systems because both the inner cathode section 656a and the outer cathode section 656b can include target material (not shown). Consequently, any material that is sputtered from the outer cathode section 656b is target material instead of cathode material that could contaminate the sputtering process. The plasma generating apparatus 650 also includes an anode 658. The anode 658 is disposed proximate to the inner cathode section 656a and the outer cathode section 656b. In one embodiment, the first output 220 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the inner cathode section 656a and the second output 224 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to an input 660 of the anode 658. In one embodiment, a first output 662 of a first power supply 664 is coupled to the outer cathode section 656b. A second output 666 of the first power supply 664 is coupled to the input 660 of the anode 658. In one embodiment (not shown), the anode 658 is coupled to ground potential and the second output 224 of the second power supply 222 as well as the second output 666 of the first power supply 664 are also coupled to ground potential. The plasma generating apparatus 650 operates in a similar manner to the plasma generating apparatus 200 of FIG. 2A. However, the magnetic field 668 generated by the first 652 and the second magnets 654 is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the surface of the inner cathode section 656a. The shape of the magnetic field 668 can result in a homogeneous plasma volume that is located proximate to the inner cathode section 656a as discussed herein. Additionally, the magnetic field 668 traps substantially all of the secondary electrons from the inner 656a and the outer cathode sections 656b due to the configuration of the first 652 and the second magnets 654. In one mode of operation, feed gas 234 from the gas source 238 flows in the region 214 between the anode 658 and the outer cathode section 656b. In some embodiments, the feed gas source 240 supplies feed gas 236 between the inner cathode section 656a and the anode 658. The first power supply 664 generates an electric field across the feed gas 234 that generates an initial plasma in the region 214. Electrons in the initial plasma diffuse along the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field 668. Due to the configuration of the magnets 652 and 654, substantially all of the electrons in the initial plasma are trapped by the magnetic field 668. The initial plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 656a as the feed gas 234 continues to flow. After a suitable volume of the initial plasma is located proximate to the inner cathode section 656a, the second power supply 222 generates a strong electric field between the inner cathode section 656a and the anode 658. The strong electric field super-ionizes the initial plasma and generates a high-density plasma having an ion density that is higher than the ion density of the initial plasma. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 700 according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly 702 (702a, b), an ionizing electrode 708, and a first 206, a second 222 and a third power supply 704. The first 206, the second 222, and the third power supplies 704 can each be any type of power supply suitable for plasma generation, such as a pulsed power supply, a RF power supply, a DC power supply, or an AC power supply. In some embodiments, the first 206, the second 222, and/or the third power supplies 704 operate in a constant power or constant voltage mode as described herein. Only one portion of the segmented cathode assembly 702 is shown for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, the portion that is not shown in FIG. 9 is substantially symmetrical to the portion shown in FIG. 9. The plasma generating apparatus 700 also includes a first anode 210 and a second anode 706. In one embodiment, the ionizing electrode 708 is a filament-type electrode. The ionizing electrode 708 can be ring-shaped or any other shape that is suitable for generating an initial plasma in the region 214. Isolators 709 insulate the inner cathode section 702a from the outer cathode section 702b. The isolators 709 also insulate the second anode 706 from the inner 702a and the outer cathode sections 702b. A first output 710 of the third power supply 704 is coupled to the ionizing electrode 708. A second output 712 of the third power supply 704 is coupled to the outer cathode section 702b. The power generated by the third power supply 704 is sufficient to ignite a feed gas 234 located in the region 214 to generate an initial plasma. The first output 204 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to the outer cathode section 702b. The second output 208 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to the first anode 210. The power generated by the first power supply 206 is sufficient to increase the ion density of the initial plasma in the region 214. The first output 220 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the inner cathode section 702a. The second output 224 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the second anode 706. In operation, the first power supply 206 is a pulsed power supply that applies a high-power pulse between the outer cathode section 702b and the first anode 210. The high-power pulse generates an electric field (not shown) through the region 214. The electric field generates a high-density plasma from the initial plasma that is generated by the ionizing electrode 708. The high-density plasma is generally more strongly ionized than the initial plasma. In one embodiment, the feed gas 234 continues to flow after the high-density plasma is generated in the region 214. The feed gas 234 displaces the high-density plasma towards the inner cathode region 702a. The feed gas exchange continues until a suitable volume of the high-density plasma is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. In one embodiment, the second power supply 222 is a pulsed power supply that applies a high-power pulse across the high-density plasma. The high-power pulse generates an electric field (not shown) between the inner cathode section 702a and the second anode 706. The electric field generates a plasma that is generally more strongly-ionized than the high-density plasma. The plasma generating apparatus 700 of the present invention generates a very high-density plasma using standard power supplies. The plasma generating apparatus 700 of the present invention can generate a very high-density plasma at a lower cost compared with a known plasma generating apparatus because the plasma generating apparatus 700 can use relatively inexpensive and commercially available power supplies. In plasma sputtering applications, the sputtering targets that are used in the plasma generating apparatus 700 can be much smaller relative to comparable sputtering targets that are used in known magnetron sputtering systems used to process similarly sized substrates. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 720 according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly 722 (722a, b), a common anode 724, an ionizing electrode 708, and a first 206, a second 222, and a third power supply 704. The first 206, the second 222, and the third power supplies 704 can each be any type of power supply suitable for plasma generation, such as a pulsed power supply, a RF power supply, a DC power supply, or an AC power supply. In some embodiments, the first 206, the second 222, and/or the third power supplies 704 operate in a constant power or constant voltage mode as described herein. Only one portion of the segmented cathode assembly 722 is shown for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, the portion that is not shown in FIG. 10 is substantially symmetrical to the portion shown in FIG. 10. In one embodiment, the ionizing electrode 708 is a filament-type electrode. The ionizing electrode 708 can be ring-shaped or any other shape that is suitable for generating an initial plasma in the region 214. An isolator 726 insulates the anode 724 from the inner cathode section 722a. An isolator 728 insulates the anode 724 from the outer cathode section 722b. In a plasma sputtering configuration, the segmented cathode assembly 722 illustrated in FIG. 10 can reduce sputtering contamination compared with known cathodes used in sputtering systems because both the inner cathode section 722a and the outer cathode section 722b can include target material (not shown). Consequently, any material that is sputtered from the outer cathode section 722b is target material instead of cathode material that could contaminate the sputtering process. A first output 710 of the third power supply 704 is coupled to the ionizing electrode 708. A second output 712 of the third power supply 704 is coupled to the outer cathode section 722b. The power generated by the third power supply 704 is sufficient to ignite a feed gas 234 located in the region 214 to generate an initial plasma. The first output 204 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to the anode 724. The second output 208 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to the outer cathode section 722b. The power generated by the first power supply 206 is sufficient to increase the ion density of the initial plasma in the region 214. The first output 220 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the inner cathode section 722a. The second output 224 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the anode 724. In operation, the first power supply 206 is a pulsed power supply that applies a high-power pulse between the outer cathode section 722b and the anode 724. The high-power pulse generates an electric field through the region 214. The electric field generates a high-density plasma from the initial plasma. The high-density plasma is generally more strongly ionized than the initial plasma. In one embodiment, the feed gas 234 continues to flow after the high-density plasma is generated in the region 214. The feed gas 234 displaces the high-density plasma towards the inner cathode region 722a. The feed gas exchange continues until a suitable volume of the high-density plasma is located proximate to the inner cathode section 722a. In one embodiment, the second power supply 222 is a pulsed power supply that applies a high-power pulse across the high-density plasma. The high-power pulse generates a strong electric field between the inner cathode section 722a and the anode 724. The strong electric field generates a plasma that is generally more strongly-ionized than the high-density plasma. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 725 according to the present invention including the segmented cathode assembly 702 (702a, b) and a first 206, a second 222 and a third power supply 704. The first 206, the second 222, and the third power supplies 704 can each be any type of power supply suitable for plasma generation, such as a pulsed power supply, a RF power supply, a DC power supply, or an AC power supply. In some embodiments, the first 206, the second 222, and/or the third power supplies 704 operate in a constant power or constant voltage mode as described herein. The first 206 and the third power supplies 704 can be integrated into a single power supply. Only one portion of the segmented cathode assembly 702 is shown for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, the portion that is not shown in FIG. 11 is substantially symmetrical to the portion shown in FIG. 11. The plasma generating apparatus 725 also includes a first anode 210 and a second anode 706. Isolators 709 insulate the inner cathode section 702a from the outer cathode section 702b and insulate the second anode 706 from the inner 702a and the outer cathode sections 702b. A first output 710 of the third power supply 704 is coupled to the outer cathode section 702b. A second output 712 of the third power supply 704 is coupled to the first anode 210. The power generated by the third power supply 704 is sufficient to ignite a feed gas 234 located in the region 214 to generate an initial plasma. A first output 204 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to the outer cathode section 702b. A second output 208 of the first power supply 206 is coupled to the first anode 210. A first output 220 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the inner cathode section 702a. A second output 224 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the second anode 706. In operation, the power generated by the first power supply 206 is sufficient to increase the ion density of the initial plasma in the region 214 that is generated by the third power supply 704. In one embodiment, the first power supply 206 is a pulsed power supply that applies a high-power pulse between the outer cathode section 702b and the first anode 210. The high-power pulse generates an electric field through the region 214. The electric field generates a high-density plasma from the initial plasma. The high-density plasma is generally more strongly ionized than the initial plasma. In one embodiment, the feed gas 234 continues to flow after the high-density plasma is generated in the region 214. The feed gas 234 displaces the high-density plasma towards the inner cathode region 702a. The feed gas exchange continues until a suitable volume of the high-density plasma is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. In one embodiment, the second power supply 222 is a pulsed power supply that applies a high-power pulse across the high-density plasma. The high-power pulse generates a strong electric field between the inner cathode section 702a and the second anode 706. The strong electric field generates a plasma that is generally more strongly-ionized than the high-density plasma. The plasma generating apparatus 725 of the present invention generates a very high-density plasma using standard power supplies. The plasma generating apparatus 725 of the present invention can generate a very high-density plasma at a lower cost compared with a known plasma generating apparatus because the plasma generating apparatus 725 can use relatively inexpensive and commercially available power supplies. There are many modes of operation for the plasma generating apparatus 725. For example, the first power supply 206 and the second power supply 222 can both be operated in constant power mode. In another mode of operation, the first power supply 206 is operated in constant power mode and the second power supply 222 is operated in constant voltage mode. In still another mode of operation, the first 206 and the second power supplies 222 are both operated in constant voltage mode. Some of these modes of operation are discussed in more detail herein. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus 730 according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly 732 (732a, b), a second anode 706, a first 731 and a second power supply 222. In this embodiment, the outer cathode section is in the form of an excited atom source 732b. The excited atom source 732b generates excited atoms including metastable atoms from ground state atoms in the feed gas 234. In another embodiment (not shown), the outer cathode section 732b is in the form of a hollow cathode. Skilled artisans will appreciate that multiple excited atom sources (not shown) can surround the inner cathode section 732a. The first 731 and the second power supplies 222 can be any type of power supplies suitable for plasma generation, such as pulsed power supplies, RF power supplies, DC power supplies, or AC power supplies. In some embodiments, the first 731 and/or the second power supplies 222 operate in a constant power or constant voltage mode as described herein. Only one portion of the segmented cathode assembly 732 is shown for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, the portion that is not shown is substantially symmetrical to the portion shown in FIG. 12. The inner cathode section 732a can be electrically isolated from the excited atom source 732b. Isolators 709 insulate the second anode 706 from the inner cathode section 732a and the excited atom source 732b. The excited atom source 732b includes a tube 733. The tube 733 can be formed of non-conducting material, such as a dielectric material, like boron nitride or quartz, for example. A nozzle 734 is positioned at one end of the tube 733. The nozzle 734 can be formed from a ceramic material. The tube 733 is surrounded by an enclosure 735. A skimmer 736 having an aperture 737, is positioned adjacent to the nozzle 734 forming a nozzle chamber 738. The skimmer 736 can be connected to the enclosure 735. In one embodiment, the skimmer 736 is cone-shaped as shown in FIG. 12. In one embodiment, the enclosure 735 and the skimmer 736 are electrically connected to ground potential. The tube 733 and the enclosure 735 define an electrode chamber 739 that is in fluid communication with a gas inlet 740. A feed gas source (not shown) is coupled to the gas inlet 740 so as to allow feed gas 234 to flow into the electrode chamber 739. An electrode 741 is positioned inside the electrode chamber 739 adjacent to the nozzle 734 and to the skimmer 736. In one embodiment, the electrode 741 is a needle electrode, as shown in FIG. 12. The needle electrode generates a relatively high electric field at the tip of the electrode. The electrode 741 is electrically isolated from the skimmer 736. A first output 742 of the first power supply 731 is coupled to the needle electrode 741 with a transmission line 743. An insulator 744 isolates the transmission line 743 from the grounded enclosure 735. A second output 745 of the first power supply 737 is coupled to ground. A first output 220 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the inner cathode section 732a. A second output 224 of the second power supply 222 is coupled to the second anode 706. In one embodiment, the second power supply 222 generates an electric field between the inner cathode section 732a and the second anode 706. The plasma generating apparatus 730 of the present invention generates a high-density plasma using standard power supplies. The plasma generating apparatus 730 of the present invention can generate a high-density plasma at a lower cost compared with known plasma generating apparatus because the plasma generating apparatus 730 can use relatively inexpensive and commercially available power supplies. In addition, the sputtering targets that can be used in the plasma generating apparatus 730 can be much smaller relative to comparable sputtering targets that are used in known magnetron sputtering systems used to process similarly sized substrates. There are many modes of operation for the plasma generating apparatus 730. For example, the first power supply 731 and the second power supply 222 can both be operated in constant power mode. In another mode of operation, the first power supply 731 is operated in constant power mode and the second power supply 222 is operated in constant voltage mode. In still another mode of operation, the first 731 and the second power supplies 222 are both operated in constant voltage mode. Some of these modes of operation are discussed in more detail herein. In one illustrative mode of operation, ground state atoms in the feed gas 234 are supplied to the excited atom source 732b through the gas inlet 740. The pressure in the electrode chamber 739 is optimized to produce exited atoms including metastable atoms by adjusting parameters, such as the flow rate of the feed gas 234, the diameter of the nozzle 734, and the diameter of the aperture 737 of the skimmer 736. The first power supply 731 generates an electric field (not shown) between the needle electrode 741 and the skimmer 736. The electric field raises the energy of the ground state atoms to an excited state that generates excited atoms. Many of the excited atoms are metastable atoms. The electric field can also generate some ions and electrons along with the exited atoms. Optional magnets 746 generate a magnetic field 747 proximate to the excited atom source 732b. The magnetic field 747 can be used to assist in exciting the ground state atoms. The magnetic field 747 traps accelerated electrons proximate to the electric field. Some of the accelerated electrons impact a portion of the ground state atoms, thereby transferring energy to those ground state atoms. This energy transfer excites at least a portion of the ground state atoms to create a volume of excited atoms including metastable atoms. A portion of the volume of excited atoms as well as some ions, electrons and ground state atoms flow through the nozzle 734 into the nozzle chamber 738 as additional feed gas flows into the electrode chamber 739. A large fraction of the ions and electrons are trapped in the nozzle chamber 738 while the excited atoms and the ground state atoms flow through the aperture 737 of the skimmer 736. After a sufficient volume of excited atoms including metastable atoms is present proximate to the inner cathode section 732a, the second power supply 222 generates an electric field (not shown) proximate to the volume of excited atoms between the inner cathode section 732a and the second anode 706. The electric field raises the energy of the volume of excited atoms causing collisions between neutral atoms, electrons, and excited atoms including metastable atoms. These collisions generate the plasma proximate to the inner cathode section 732a. The plasma includes ions, excited atoms and additional metastable atoms. The efficiency of this multi-step ionization process increases as the density of excited atom and metastable atoms increases. In one embodiment, a magnetic field is generated proximate to the inner cathode section 732a. The magnetic field can increase the ion density of the plasma by trapping electrons in the plasma and also by trapping secondary electrons proximate to the inner cathode section 732a. All noble gas atoms have metastable states. For example, argon metastable atoms can be generated by a multi-step ionization process. In a first step, ionizing electrons e− are generated by applying a sufficient voltage across argon feed gas containing ground state argon atoms. When an ionizing electron e− collides with a ground state argon (Ar) atom, a metastable argon atom and an electron are generated. Argon has two metastable states, see Fabrikant, I. I., Shpenik, O. B., Snegursky, A. V., and Zavilopulo, A. N., Electron Impact Formation of Metastable Atoms, North-Holland, Amsterdam. In a second step in the multi-step ionization process, the metastable argon atom is ionized. The multi-step ionization process described herein substantially increases the rate at which the plasma is formed and, therefore, generates a relatively dense plasma. The rate is increased because only a relatively small amount of energy is required to ionize the metastable atoms as described herein. For example, ground state argon atoms require energy of about 15.76 eV to ionize. However, argon metastable atoms require only about 4 eV of energy to ionize. The excited atom source 732b provides the energies of about 11.55 eV and 11.72 eV that are necessary to reach argon metastable states. Therefore, a volume of metastable atoms will ionize at a much higher rate than a similar volume of ground state atoms for the same input energy. Furthermore, as the density of the metastable atoms in the plasma increases, the efficiency of the ionization process rapidly increases. The increased efficiency results in an avalanche-like process that substantially increases the density of the plasma. In addition, the ions in the plasma strike the inner cathode section 732a causing secondary electron emission from the inner cathode section 732a. The secondary electrons interact with ground state atoms and with the excited atoms including the metastable atoms in the plasma. This interaction further increases the density of ions in the plasma as additional volumes of metastable atoms become available. Thus, for the same input energy, the density of the plasma that is generated by the multi-step ionization process according to the present invention is significantly greater than a plasma that is generated by direct ionization of ground state atoms. FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical representation 750 of power as a function of time for each of a first 206, a second 222, and a third power supply 704 for one mode of operating the plasma generating system 700 of FIG. 9. The first 206, second 222, and third power supplies 704 are synchronized to each other to optimize certain properties of the plasma. For example, the third power supply 704 generates a constant power throughout the process, while the first 206 and the second power supplies 222 generate periodic power pulses at preset intervals. Although FIG. 13 relates to the operation of FIG. 9, skilled artisans will appreciate that the plasma generating systems 720, 725 of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, respectively, can be operated in a similar manner to the plasma generating system 700 of FIG. 9. In one mode of operation, the first power supply 206 and the second power supply 222 are operated in a constant power mode. In this mode, the plasma generating apparatus 700 can operate as follows. At time t0, the third power supply 704 applies a constant power 752 in the range of about 0.1 kW to 10 kW across the feed gas 234 to generate an initial plasma. The power level required to generate the initial plasma depends on several factors including the dimensions of the region 214, for example. The constant power 752 is applied between the ionizing electrode 708 and the outer cathode section 702b. The initial plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 702a due to a pressure differential as described herein. The pressure differential concentrates the initial plasma from the region 214 towards the inner cathode section 702a. At time t1, the second power supply 222 applies a constant power 754 in the range of about 0.1 kW to 10 kW across the initial plasma to increase the ion density of the initial plasma and to sustain the initial plasma proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. The time period between time t0 and time t1 is in the range of about 0.1 msec to 1 sec and depends on several parameters including the dimensions of the inner cathode section 702a, for example. At time t2, a sufficient volume of the initial plasma is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a and an additional volume of initial plasma is generated in the region 214. The first power supply 206 then applies a high power pulse 756 across the additional volume of initial plasma in the region 214 to generate a high-density plasma in the region 214. The ion density of the high-density plasma is greater than the ion density of the initial plasma. The high-power pulse 756 has a power level that is in the range of about 10 kW to 1,000 kW. The time period between time t1 and time t2 is in the range of about 0.1 msec to 1 sec. The high-density plasma that is generated in the region 214 diffuses toward the inner cathode section 702a due to the pressure differential. At time t3, the second power supply 222 applies a high-power pulse 758 to the high-density plasma in order to super-ionize the high-density plasma to further increase the plasma density. The time period between time t2 and time t3 is in the range of about 0.001 msec to 1 msec. The time period of the high-power pulse 758 between time t3 and time t4 is in the range of about 0.1 msec to 10 sec. Additionally, between time t3 and time t5, the first power supply 206 continues to apply the high-power pulse 756 in order to sustain the high-density plasma. At time t5, the high-power pulse 756 terminates. The second power supply 222 continues to apply a background power 760 after the high-power pulse 758 terminates at time t4. The background power 760 continues to sustain the high-density plasma. The time period between time t4 and time t5 is in the range of about 0.001 msec to 1 msec. At time t5, the high power pulse 756 generated by the first power supply 206 terminates. At time t6, the first power supply 206 applies another high-power pulse 762 across a new volume of high-density plasma in the region 214. The high-power pulse 762 increases the current density in the new volume of high-density plasma. The new volume of high-density plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 702a. At time t7, the second power supply 222 applies another high-power pulse 764 to the new volume of high-density plasma that is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. At time t8, the high-power pulse 764 terminates. At time t9 the high power pulse 762 from the first power supply 206 terminates. The power from the third power supply 704 is continuously applied for a time that is in the range of about one microsecond to one hundred seconds in order to allow the initial plasma to form and to be maintained at a sufficient plasma density. The power from the second power supply 222 can be continuously applied after the initial plasma is ignited in order to maintain the initial plasma. The second power supply 222 can be designed so as to output a continuous nominal power in order to generate and sustain the initial plasma until a high-power pulse is delivered by the second power supply 222. The high-power pulse has a leading edge having a rise time that is in the range of about 0.1 microseconds to ten seconds. The high-power pulse 756 has a power and a pulse width that is sufficient to transform the initial plasma to a strongly-ionized high-density plasma. The high-power pulse 756 is applied for a time that is in the range of about ten microseconds to ten seconds. The repetition rate of the high-power pulses 756, 762 is in the range of about 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz. The particular size, shape, width, and frequency of the high-power pulses 756, 762 depend on various factors including process parameters, the design of the first power supply 206, the design of the plasma generating apparatus 700, the volume of the plasma, and the pressure in the chamber. The shape and duration of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the high-power pulse 756 is chosen to sustain the initial plasma while controlling the rate of ionization of the high-density plasma. FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical representation 770 of power generated as a function of time for each of a first 206, a second 222, and a third power supply 704 for one mode of operating the plasma generating system 700 of FIG. 9. The plasma generating apparatus 700 has many operating modes. For example, in this mode, the first power supply 206 is operated in voltage mode, while the second power supply can be operated in power mode. In this mode, the plasma generating apparatus 700 can operate as follows. At time t0, the third power supply 704 applies a constant power 772 in the range of about 0.1 kW to 10 kW across the feed gas 234 to generate an initial plasma. In one embodiment, the power from the third power supply 704 is continuously applied for a time that is in the range of about one microsecond to one hundred seconds in order to allow the initial plasma to form and to be maintained at a sufficient plasma density. The initial plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 702a. At time t the second power supply 222 applies a constant power 774 in the range of about 0.1 kW to 10 kW across the initial plasma to increase the ion density of the initial plasma and to maintain/sustain the initial plasma proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. A pressure differential forces the initial plasma from the region 214 towards the inner cathode region 702a. At time t2, the first power supply 206 applies a ramping power pulse 776 across the initial plasma in the region 214 in order to generate a high-density plasma in the region 214. The ramping power pulse 776 has a power and a rise time that is sufficient to transform the initial plasma to a strongly-ionized high-density plasma. The ramping power pulse 776 has a power that is in the range of about 10 kW to 1,000 kW and the ramping power pulse 776 is applied for a time that is in the range of between about ten microseconds to ten seconds. The repetition rate between the ramping power pulses 776 is between about 0.1 Hz and 1 kHz. The shape and duration of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the ramping power pulse 776 is chosen to sustain the initial plasma while controlling the rate of ionization of the high-density plasma. The high-density plasma diffuses toward the inner cathode section 702a. At time t3, the second power supply 222 applies a high-power pulse 778 to the high-density plasma to generate a higher-density plasma. At time t4, the high-power pulse and the ramping power pulse 776 terminate. The second power supply 222 continues to apply a background power 780 to sustain the plasma after the high-power pulse 778 terminates. The second power supply 222 can be designed so as to generate a continuous nominal power that generates and sustains the initial plasma until a high-power pulse is delivered by the second power supply 222. In one embodiment, the high-power pulse has a leading edge with a rise time that is in the range of about 0.1 microseconds to ten seconds. At time t5, the first power supply 206 applies another ramping power pulse 782 across an additional volume of initial plasma in the region 214. The ramping power pulse 782 increases the current density in the additional volume of initial plasma to generate a high-density plasma. At time t6, the second power supply 222 applies another high-power pulse 784 to the high-density plasma that is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. The high-power pulse generates a higher density plasma proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. At time t7, the high-power pulse 784 and the ramping power pulse 782 terminate. In one embodiment, the repetition rate between the ramping power pulses 776, 782 is between about 0.1 Hz and 1 kHz. FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical representation 790 of power as a function of time for each of a first 206, a second 222, and a third power supply 704 for one mode of operating the plasma generating system 700 of FIG. 9. In this mode, the second power supply 222 is a RF power supply. A RF power supply can be used in plasma sputtering systems for sputtering magnetic materials or dielectric materials, for example. In this mode of operation, the first power supply 206 is operated in a constant power mode. Due to the nature of a RF power supply, the second power supply 222 is operated in a substantially constant power mode. In this mode, the plasma generating apparatus 700 can operate as follows. At time t0, the third power supply 704 applies a constant power 752 in the range of about 0.1 kW to 10 kW across the feed gas 234 to generate an initial plasma. The power level required to generate the initial plasma depends on several factors including the dimensions of the region 214, for example. The constant power 752 is applied between the ionizing electrode 708 and the outer cathode section 702b. The initial plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 702a due to a pressure differential as described herein. The pressure differential forces the initial plasma from the region 214 towards the inner cathode section 702a. At time t1, the second power supply 222 applies an RF driving voltage corresponding to a power 792 in the range of about 0.1 kW to 10 kW across the initial plasma to sustain the initial plasma proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. The RF power supply generates a series of very short sinusoidal voltage pulses having a time period between time t0 and time t1 that is in the range of about 0.1 msec to 1 sec and that depends on several parameters, such as the dimensions of the inner cathode section 702a. At time t2, a sufficient volume of the initial plasma is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a and an additional volume of initial plasma is generated in the region 214. The first power supply 206 then applies a high-power pulse 756 across the additional volume of initial plasma in the region 214 to generate a high-density plasma in the region 214. The ion density of the high-density plasma is greater than the ion density of the initial plasma. The high-power pulse 756 has a power level that is in the range of about 10 kW to 1,000 kW. In one embodiment, the time period between time t1 and time t2 is in the range of about 0.1 msec to 1 sec. The high-density plasma that is generated in the region 214 diffuses toward the inner cathode section 702a due to the pressure differential. At time t3, the second power supply 222 applies a high-power RF pulse 794 to the high-density plasma. The high-power RF pulse super-ionizes the high-density plasma, thereby generating a higher-density plasma. In one embodiment, the frequency of the high-power pulse 794 is 13.56 MHz. In other embodiments, the frequency of the high power RF pulse 794 is in the range of about 40 kHz to 100 MHz. In one embodiment, the time period between time t2 and time t3 is in the range of about 0.001 msec to 1 msec. The total time period of the high-power pulse 794 between time t3 and time t4 is in the range of about 0.01 microsec to 10 sec. Additionally, between time t3 and time t5, the first power supply 206 continues to apply the high-power pulse 756 in order to maintain the high-density plasma. At time t5, the high-power pulse 756 terminates. In one embodiment, the second power supply 222 continues to apply a background RF driving voltage corresponding to a power 796 after the high-power pulse 794 terminates at time t4. The background RF power 796 continues to maintain the high-density plasma. The time period between time t4 and time t5 is in the range of about 0.001 msec to 1 msec. At time t6, the first power supply 206 applies another high-power pulse 762 across a new volume of initial plasma in the region 214. The high-power pulse 762 generates a new volume of high-density plasma. The new volume of high-density plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 702a. At time t7, the second power supply 222 applies RF driving voltage corresponding to another high-power pulse 798 to the new volume of high-density plasma that is located proximate to the inner cathode section 702a. At time t8, the high-power pulse 798 terminates. At time t9, the high power pulse 762 from the first power supply 206 terminates. The power 752 from the third power supply 704 is continuously applied for a time that is in the range of about one microsecond to one hundred seconds in order to allow the initial plasma to form and to be maintained at a sufficient plasma density. In one embodiment, the RF power from the second power supply 222 is continuously applied after the initial plasma is ignited in order to maintain the initial plasma. The high-power pulse 756 has a power and a pulse width that is sufficient to transform the initial plasma to a strongly-ionized high-density plasma. The high-power pulse 756 is applied for a time that is in the range of about ten microseconds to ten seconds. The repetition rate of the high-power pulses 756, 762 is in the range of about 0.1 Hz to 1 kHz. The particular size, shape, width, and frequency of the high-power pulses 756, 762 depend on various factors including process parameters, the design of the first power supply 206, the design of the plasma generating apparatus 700, the volume of the plasma, and the pressure in the chamber, for example. The shape and duration of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the high-power pulse 756 is chosen to sustain the initial plasma while controlling the rate of ionization of the high-density plasma. FIG. 16A through FIG. 16C are flowcharts 800, 800′, and 800″ of illustrative processes of generating high-density plasmas according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 16A, the feed gas 234 (FIG. 2) flows into the region 214 (step 802). The feed gas 234 flows through the region 214 towards the inner cathode section 202a. Next, the first power supply 206 generates a voltage across the feed gas 234 in the region 214 (step 804). The voltage generates an electric field that is large enough to ignite the feed gas 234 and generate the initial plasma. While the initial plasma is being generated, additional feed gas flows into the region 214 forcing the initial plasma to diffuse proximate to the inner cathode section 202a (step 806). After a suitable volume of the initial plasma is present in the region 252, the second power supply 222 generates a large electric field across the initial plasma that super-ionizes the initial plasma, thereby generating a high-density plasma in the region 252 (step 808). The high-density plasma is typically more strongly ionized than the initial plasma. In the process illustrated in FIG. 16B, the feed gas 234 flows into the region 214 (step 802). In one embodiment, the feed gas 234 flows through the region 214 towards the inner cathode section 202a. Next, the first power supply 206 generates a voltage across the feed gas 234 in the region 214 (step 804). The voltage is large enough to ignite the feed gas 234 and to generate the initial plasma. While the initial plasma is being generated, additional feed gas 234 flows into the region 214 forcing the initial plasma to diffuse proximate to the inner cathode section 202a (step 806). Once the initial plasma is generated in the region 214, the first power supply 206 generates a strong electric field across the initial plasma, thereby super-ionizing the initial plasma and creating a high-density plasma in the region 214 (step 810). In one embodiment, an additional power supply (not shown) generates the strong electric field instead of the first power supply 206. The high-density plasma diffuses towards the inner cathode section 202a where it commingles with the initial plasma in the region 252 (step 812). When a suitable volume of the combined plasma is present in the region 252, the second power supply 222 generates a strong electric field across the plasma in the region 252 that generates a high-density plasma (step 814). The high-density plasma will typically be more strongly-ionized than the plasma formed from the combination of the initial plasma and the high-density plasma from the region 214. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16C, the feed gas 234 flows into the region 214 (step 816). In one embodiment, the feed gas 234 flows through the region 214 towards the inner cathode section 202a. Next, the first power supply 206 generates a voltage across the feed gas 234 in the region 214 (step 818). The voltage generates an electric field that is large enough to ignite the feed gas 234 and generate the initial plasma. In this embodiment, additional feed gas 234 is not supplied to the region 214 and therefore, the initial plasma remains in the region 214. Once the initial plasma is generated in the region 214, the first power supply 206 generates a strong electric field across the initial plasma, thereby super-ionizing the initial plasma and creating a high-density plasma in the region 214 (step 820). In one embodiment, an additional power supply (not shown) generates the strong electric field instead of the first power supply 206. Once the high-density plasma is present in the region 214, additional feed gas 234 is supplied to the region 214, displacing the high-density plasma towards the inner cathode section 202a (step 822). When a suitable volume of high-density plasma is present in the region 252, the second power supply 222 generates a strong electric field across the high-density plasma in the region 252 to generate a higher-density plasma (step 824). The higher-density plasma will typically be more strongly-ionized than the high-density plasma from the region 214. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined herein.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF INVENTION <EOH>Plasma is considered the fourth state of matter. A plasma is a collection of charged particles that move in random directions. A plasma is, on average, electrically neutral. One method of generating a plasma is to drive a current through a low-pressure gas between two conducting electrodes that are positioned parallel to each other. Once certain parameters are met, the gas “breaks down” to form the plasma. For example, a plasma can be generated by applying a potential of several kilovolts between two parallel conducting electrodes in an inert gas atmosphere (e.g., argon) at a pressure that is in the range of about 10 −1 to 10 −2 Torr. Plasma processes are widely used in many industries, such as the semiconductor manufacturing industry. For example, plasma etching is commonly used to etch substrate material and to etch films deposited on substrates in the electronics industry. There are four basic types of plasma etching processes that are used to remove material from surfaces: sputter etching, pure chemical etching, ion energy driven etching, and ion inhibitor etching. Plasma sputtering is a technique that is widely used for depositing films on substrates and other work pieces. Sputtering is the physical ejection of atoms from a target surface and is sometimes referred to as physical vapor deposition (PVD). Ions, such as argon ions, are generated and are then drawn out of the plasma and accelerated across a cathode dark space. The target surface has a lower potential than the region in which the plasma is formed. Therefore, the target surface attracts positive ions. Positive ions move towards the target with a high velocity and then impact the target and cause atoms to physically dislodge or sputter from the target surface. The sputtered atoms then propagate to a substrate or other work piece where they deposit a film of sputtered target material. The plasma is replenished by electron-ion pairs formed by the collision of neutral molecules with secondary electrons generated at the target surface. Reactive sputtering systems inject a reactive gas or mixture of reactive gases into the sputtering system. The reactive gases react with the target material either at the target surface or in the gas phase, resulting in the deposition of new compounds. The pressure of the reactive gas can be varied to control the stoichiometry of the film. Reactive sputtering is useful for forming some types of molecular thin films. Magnetron sputtering systems use magnetic fields that are shaped to trap and concentrate secondary electrons proximate to the target surface. The magnetic fields increase the density of electrons and, therefore, increase the plasma density in a region that is proximate to the target surface. The increased plasma density increases the sputter deposition rate.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>This invention is described with particularity in the detailed description. The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a known plasma generating apparatus having a direct current (DC) power supply. FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus having a segmented cathode according to the invention. FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the segmented cathode of FIG. 2A . FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including a magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a graphical representation of applied power as a function of time for periodic pulses applied to an initial plasma in the plasma generating system of FIG. 2A . FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including the magnet assembly of FIG. 3 and an additional magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including the magnet assembly of FIG. 3 and an additional magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a plasma generating apparatus including a magnet assembly according to the invention. FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus including a magnet configuration that includes a first magnet and a second magnet according to the invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly, an ionizing electrode, and a first, a second and a third power supply. FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly, a common anode, an ionizing electrode and a first, a second and a third power supply. FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly and a first, a second and a third power supply. FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a plasma generating apparatus according to the present invention including a segmented cathode assembly, an excited atom source, and a first, and a second power supply. FIG. 13 illustrates a graphical representation of the power as a function of time for each of a first, a second and a third power supply for one mode of operating the plasma generating system of FIG. 9 . FIG. 14 illustrates a graphical representation of power generated as a function of time for each of a first, a second and a third power supply for one mode of operating the plasma generating system of FIG. 9 . FIG. 15 illustrates a graphical representation of the power as a function of time for each of a first, a second and a third power supply for one mode of operating the plasma generating system of FIG. 9 . FIG. 16A through FIG. 16C are flowcharts of illustrative processes of generating high-density plasmas according to the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051021

20081104

20070215

63591.0

C23C1432

PHILOGENE, HAISSA

HIGH-DENSITY PLASMA SOURCE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

C23C

ACCEPTED

Mascara applicator

A mascara applicator integrally contains curling means (2) for holding eyelashes to curl the eyelashes into a certain shape, mascara adhering means (3) for adhering a mascara agent to the eyelashes, and mascara supplying means (4) for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means (3).

1. A mascara applicator integrally comprising: curling means for holding eyelashes to curl the eyelashes into a certain shape; mascara adhering means for adhering a mascara agent to the eyelashes; and mascara supplying means for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means. 2. The mascara applicator according to claim 1, wherein said mascara adhering means serves as mascara transferring means for adhering the mascara agent to the eyelashes by means of thermal transfer. 3. The mascara applicator according to claim 2, wherein said curling means serves also as said mascara transferring means. 4. The mascara applicator according to claim 2, wherein said mascara supplying means supplies to said mascara transferring means a film-shaped mascara having the mascara agent applied on a surface of a film material. 5. The mascara applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mascara transferring means comprises a heating head having a heating surface and a head receiving member having an abutting surface which has a shape conforming to said heating surface of said heating head, wherein said heating surface of said heating head and said abutting surface of said head receiving member are configured so as to be capable of being brought into intimate contact with each other and separated from each other, and wherein while disposing said film-shaped mascara between said heating head and said head receiving member and in the side of said heating surface of the heating head and while a coated surface of the film-shaped mascara is faced to said abutting surface of the head receiving member, the eyelashes are disposed between said coated surface of said film-shaped mascara and said abutting surface of said head receiving member, and the eyelashes are held together with said film-shaped mascara between said heating surface of said heating head and said abutting surface of said head receiving member, and said heating surface of said heating head is heated, thereby curling the eyelashes between said heating surface of said heating head and said abutting surface of said head receiving member into a certain shape and, at the same time, thermally transferring the mascara agent of said film-shaped mascara to the eyelashes. 6. The mascara applicator according to claim 5, wherein the heating of said heating head is switched on in a state in which the eyelashes are held between said heating surface of the heating head and said abutting surface of said head receiving member together with said film-shaped mascara, and wherein the heating of said heating head is switched off in a state in which said heating head is separated from said head receiving member. 7. The mascara applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said mascara supplying means continuously supplies, between said heating head and said head receiving member, said film-shaped mascara having a long tape form. 8. The mascara applicator according to claim 4, wherein said mascara supplying means loads, between said heating head and said head receiving member, said film-shaped mascara having an individual sheet form. 9. The mascara applicator according to claim 1, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 10. The mascara applicator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said mascara supplying means continuously supplies, between said heating head and said head receiving member, said film-shaped mascara having a long tape form. 11. The mascara applicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein said mascara supplying means continuously supplies, between said heating head and said head receiving member, said film-shaped mascara having a long tape form. 12. The mascara applicator according to claim 5, wherein said mascara supplying means loads, between said heating head and said head receiving member, said film-shaped mascara having an individual sheet form. 13. The mascara applicator according to claim 6, wherein said mascara supplying means loads, between said heating head and said head receiving member, said film-shaped mascara having an individual sheet form. 14. The mascara applicator according to claim 2, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 15. The mascara applicator according to claim 3, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 16. The mascara applicator according to claim 4, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 17. The mascara applicator according to claim 5, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 18. The mascara applicator according to claim 6, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 19. The mascara applicator according to claim 7, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer. 20. The mascara applicator according to claim 8, wherein said mascara agent contains a shape memory polymer.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mascara applicator for applying a mascara agent to eyelashes. BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, in a mainstream mascara product for making eyelashes look well-shaped and beautiful, a liquid type or cream type mascara agent is applied to eyelashes by a brush or the like. The application of the mascara agent to the eyelashes is carried out by either holding the eyelashes with a holding type curler (an eyelash curler) for physically curling (shaping) or thermally shaping the eyelashes with an electric heating type curler for curling, and subsequently applying the mascara agent to the eyelashes by use of a brush. The above holding type curler has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 9-173130, and the above electric heating type curler has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2002-28020 and Hei 10-192037. However, if an attempt is made to physically curl eyelashes by use of the holding type curler, the eyelashes do not curl well, especially just after waking up or in a humid condition such as a rainy day. In addition, if the operations are repeated, the eyelashes are damaged, cut, and fall out, thus causing problems. Although curling itself is relatively easy if the electric heating type curler is used, a mascara agent must be applied to eyelashes by a brush thereafter, thus the operational complexity has not been improved. Conventionally, a mascara agent is applied separately after the curling operation, as described above. In addition, the application operation must be repeated many times, making the operation complicated. In some cases, the shape of the eyelashes is again adjusted by use of a curler after applying the mascara agent. In this case, a coating formed on the eyelashes is damaged, and the mascara agent applied to the eyelashes tends to be smeared off by tears or the like. Moreover, since a mascara agent is applied by use of a brush or the like, uniform application is hard to be achieved, and clumps tend to be formed. Further, the application is repeated many times for achieving a volume enhancing effect, but the weight of the mascara agent itself may cause curling down. Therefore, the curling effect after the mascara application does not last. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a mascara applicator in which the curling of eyelashes and the application of a mascara agent to the eyelashes can be performed easily and simultaneously, and in which the mascara agent applied to the eyelashes is smear-proof and clump-free, and has a long lasting curling effect. The above object has been achieved according to the present invention by providing a mascara applicator integrally having curling means for holding eyelashes to curl the eyelashes into a certain shape, mascara adhering means for adhering a mascara agent to the eyelashes, and mascara supplying means for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b) are front perspective views showing a mascara applicator of a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1(a) is a view showing a state in which a film case accommodating film-shaped mascara is attached, and FIG. 1(b) is a view showing a state in which the film case is removed. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3(a), FIG. 3(b), and FIG. 3(c) are views showing the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the film case is removed, wherein FIG. 3(a) is a front view, FIG. 3(b) is a right side view, and FIG. 3(c) is an enlarged side view of a heating head. FIG. 4(a) and FIG. 4(b) are front perspective views showing the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4(a) is a view showing a state before use in which an arm member having a head receiving member provided thereto is arranged in an upper portion (the same as FIG. 1(a)), and FIG. 4(b) is a view showing a state in use in which the arm member is arranged in a lower portion. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a laminate structure of the film-shaped mascara in the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6(a) and FIG. 6(b) are views showing a mode of use of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6(a) is a view showing a state in which eyelashes are inserted between the heating head (the film-shaped mascara) and the head receiving member while the arm member is arranged in the upper portion, and FIG. 6(b) is a view showing a state in which the arm member is arranged in the lower portion to hold the eyelashes between the heating head and the head receiving member. FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the positional relation between the heating head and the head receiving member in a mode of use of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7(a) is a view showing a state in which the heating head and the head receiving member are separated from each other (corresponding to FIG. 6(a)), and FIG. 7(b) is a view showing a state in which the heating head and the head receiving member are brought into intimate contact with each other (corresponding to FIG. 6(b)). FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing a mascara applicator of another embodiment (a second embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b) are front perspective views showing a mascara applicator of further embodiment (a third embodiment) of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9(a) is a view showing a state in which a film case is removed, and FIG. 9(b) is a view showing a state in which the film case is attached and a rotating arm member is rotationally moved upward. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment (a first embodiment) of the mascara applicator of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 7(b), a mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment integrally has curling means 2 for holding eyelashes C to curl the eyelashes C (see FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b)) into a certain shape, mascara adhering means 3 for adhering a mascara agent to the eyelashes C, and mascara supplying means 4 for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means 3. Also, the mascara adhering means 3 in the first embodiment serves as mascara transferring means for adhering the mascara agent to the eyelashes C by means of thermal transfer. Moreover, in the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment, the curling means 2 also serves as the mascara transferring means 3. The mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 7(b), the curling means 2 (which also serves as the mascara transferring means 3) has a heating head 5 having a heating surface 51 and a head receiving member 6 having an abutting surface 61 which has a shape conforming to the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5. Between the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6, film-shaped mascara 41, to be described hereinbelow, is arranged, and a proper space is provided for holding the eyelashes C. Either the heating head 5 or the head receiving member 6 is movable in order to hold the eyelashes in the space therebetween. That is, the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 are configured so as to be capable of being brought into intimate contact with each other and separated from each other. In addition to the direct intimate contact of the heating surface of the heating head with the abutting surface of the head receiving member, the intimate contact of the heating surface with the abutting surface includes the indirect intimate contact of the heating surface with the abutting surface with the film-shaped mascara and the eyelashes intervening therebetween, as shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), the mascara supplying means 4 is configured such that the mascara agent is supplied to the mascara transferring means 3 as the film-shaped mascara 41 having a long tape-like shape and having the mascara agent applied to the surface of a film material. Further, the mascara supplying means may have a mode in which an individual sheet of film-shaped mascara is used by loading it into the mascara applicator of the present invention for each single mascara application operation. As shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), the film-shaped mascara 41 is arranged between the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6 and in the side of the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 such that a mascara agent coated surface 41A is faced to the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6, and the eyelashes C are inserted into a position between the coated surface 41A of the film-shaped mascara 41 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6. The eyelashes C are then held between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 together with the film-shaped mascara 41. By heating the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5, the eyelashes C are curled between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 into a certain shape, and at the same time, the mascara agent on the film-shaped mascara 41 is thermally transferred to the eyelashes C. Further in detail, the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment has a nearly rectangular parallelepiped applicator body 11 and an arm member 12 which is provided to the top portion of the applicator body and is vertically movable, as shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 3(b). As shown in FIG. 3(a), two dry batteries B serving as a power source for heating the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 are attached to the lower half of the front surface (the left side in FIG. 3(b)) of the applicator body 11. A battery cover 13 for covering the dry batteries B is provided to the lower half of the front surface of the applicator body 11. As shown in FIG. 1(a), FIG. 1(b), FIG. 3(a), and FIG. 3(b), the heating head 5 is provided to the upper part of the front surface of the applicator 11 so as to protrude forward. The heating head 5 is made entirely of metal and is heatable. Also, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the upper surface of the heating head 5 serves as the heating surface 51, and, as viewed from the side, the heating head 5 is smoothly inclined upwardly from the front surface to the rear surface of the applicator body 11. The inclination θ of the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 (see FIG. 3(c)) is set in accordance with the desired curling shape as appropriate. In the first embodiment, the inclination θ is normally 10 degrees to 20 degrees. In addition, in the first embodiment, the heating head 5 as a whole can rotationally move to change the inclination of the heating surface 51 with respect to the applicator body 11, and thus the curling angle can be changed in accordance with the user's preference. As shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 3(b), the arm member 12 has side pieces 12A and 12A positioned on both sides of the upper part of the applicator body 11, a rear piece 12B positioned in the rear surface of the abovementioned upper part, and the upper piece 12C positioned on the upper surface of the applicator body 11 and above the heating head 5. A knob 12D for vertically moving the arm member 12 is formed in the rear piece 12B. The front edge of the upper piece 12C of the arm member 12 has a shape concave to the rear edge and conforming to the shape of the user's face (around eyebrows). As shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), the head receiving member 6 is provided in the lower surface of the upper piece 12C. The arm member 12 is attached to the applicator body 11 and is vertically movable. When the arm member 12 is located at the uppermost position, the head receiving member 6 is apart from the heating head 5 as shown in FIG. 4(a). When the arm member 12 is located at the lowermost position, the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 is brought into intimate contact with the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 as shown in FIG. 4(b). The head receiving member 6 is made of a synthetic resin, and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 has a shape conforming to the inclined shape of the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5. As shown in FIG. 3(a) and FIG. 3(b), a comb member 7 formed of a plurality of comb teeth extending downward is provided in the front edge side of the lower surface of the upper piece 12C of the arm member 12, and thus a combing effect can be achieved on the eyelashes. Further described are a preferred range of the length and the width of the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6. Since the line of the eyelash roots has a gently curved shape as viewed from the top, the front end of each of the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6 preferably has a curved shape conforming to the shape of the line of the eyelash roots. However, the film-shaped mascara 41 is difficult to be formed into a curved shape. In view of this, the front end shape of each of the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6 is made linear. Thus, if emphasis is placed on curling and applying mascara as beautiful as possible into a shape conforming to the shape of the line of the eyelash roots, a preferred design is that a plurality of partial operations are performed. In this case, the length (L in FIG. 3(a)) of the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6 is smaller than the entire width of the line of the eyelash roots and is, for example, 10 mm to 15 mm. On the other hand, if emphasis is placed on completing curling and the application of mascara on one side of the eyelashes by a single operation, a preferred design is that the operation is applied to the entire width of the line of the eyelashes at a time. In this case, the length L of the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6 is equal to or longer than the width of the line of the eyelash roots and is, for example, 30 mm to 40 mm. Also, the width in the depth direction (M in FIG. 3(c)) of the heating head 5 and the head receiving member 6 is preferably designed to be longer than the length of the eyelashes and is, for example, 10 mm to 15 mm. A further description of the mascara supplying means 4 will be given. The mascara supplying means 4 has the film-shaped mascara 41 having a long tape form, a film case 42 accommodating the film-shaped mascara 41, and a pair of film reels 43A and 43B capable of winding the film-shaped mascara 41, and these members constitute a cartridge. As shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b), the cartridge can be removably attached to the front upper half of the applicator body 11 (above the battery cover 13). Preferably, the whole or a part of the film case 42 is transparent for enabling the remaining amount of the film-shaped mascara 41 to be visually checked. The path of the film-shaped mascara 41 from the film reel 43A (the lower reel as viewed form the front) to the film reel 43B (the upper reel as viewed form the front) originates from the film reel 43A, as shown in FIG. 1(b), extends upward in the upper left direction from the film reel 43A, and turns to the upward vertical direction. Then the path extends from the upper surface 42A of the film case 42 to the outside of the film case 42, turns to the right direction, and turns to the downward vertical direction. Subsequently, the path enters from the outside of the film case 42 into the inside thereof, and reaches the film reel 43B. As shown in FIG. 3(a), a gear-shaped knob 46A (illustrated by a solid line for convenience) is provided inside the upper half portion of the applicator body 11. As shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 3(b), the gear-shaped knob 46A is exposed from both side edges of the applicator body 11 and can be rotated by a finger or the like. Preferably, the applicator body 11 has a size capable of being held by one hand. The rotational operation of the gear-shaped knob 46A can be carried out by use of a right hand finger as well as a left hand finger, and thus the traveling direction of the film-shaped mascara 41 can be designed in accordance with a convenient operational mode. A pair of vertically separated reel driving shafts 45A and 45B are provided in the front upper half portion of the applicator body 11. The reel driving shaft 45A is coaxially connected to the gear-shaped knob 46A. Thus, as the gear-shaped knob 46A is rotated, the reel driving shaft 45A is rotated in the same direction. The reel driving shafts 45A and 45B can be inserted into and engaged with the film reels 43A and 43B, respectively. Thus, when the gear-shaped knob 46A rotates while the reel driving shafts 45A and 45B are inserted into and engaged with the film reels 43A and 43B, respectively, the film reel 43A is rotated in the same direction. Moreover, as the film reel 43A rotates, the film-shaped mascara 41 wound thereon travels, and the other film reel 43B is driven to rotate. When the reel driving shafts 45A and 45B are inserted into the film reels 43A and 43B, respectively, to mount the film case 42 (the cartridge) on the applicator body 11, the heating head 5 is arranged between the upper surface 42A of the film case and the lower surface of the film-shaped mascara 41, as shown in FIG. 1(a) and FIG. 1(b). If the gear-shaped knob 46A is rotated in the left direction as viewed from the front while the film case 42 is attached to the applicator body 11, the film-shaped mascara 41 is unreeled from the upper film reel 43B side and wound by the lower film reel 43A side. A switch 14 (illustrated by a solid line for convenience) is provided inside the front upper half portion of the applicator body 11, as shown in FIG. 3(a). The switch 14 vertically moves together with the vertical motion of the arm member 12. When the arm member 12 is brought down until the heating surface 5A of the heating head 5 is brought into intimate contact with the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6, the heating of the heating head 5 is switched on. When the heating surface 5A of the heating head 5 is separated from the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6, the heating is switched off. Therefore, in the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment, the heating of the heating head 5 is switched on while the eyelashes C are held between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 together with the film-shaped mascara 4 (see FIG. 7(b)), and the heating is switched off while the heating head 5 is separated from the head receiving member 6 (see FIG. 7(a)). The constitution of the film-shaped mascara 41 of the first embodiment will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 5, the film-shaped mascara 41 is a four-layer laminate formed of a back coat layer a, a base film b, an underlayer c, and a mascara agent layer d laminated in this order from the bottom. When heat is applied to the back coat layer a side, melting and delamination occur mainly in the underlayer c, causing the mascara agent layer d together with a part of the underlayer c to be transferred to eyelashes. The base film b is a base of the film-shaped mascara 41, and a material having high heat resistance and properties which are capable of exploiting the characteristics of the transferring layer is employed therefor. In this embodiment, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having a thickness of 2.5 μm is employed. As shown in FIG. 5, the back coat layer a is formed under the base film b and is a layer which abuts on the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 during thermal transfer, and a material exhibiting high film strength and excellent heat resistance is employed therefor. In this embodiment, the back coat layer a is formed of a silicone modified butyral resin in an amount of 0.15 g/base film m2. As shown in FIG. 5, the underlayer c is an intervening layer between the base film b and the mascara agent layer d, and a material having film forming properties and low cohesion during heat melting is employed therefor. In this embodiment, the underlayer c is formed of a low molecular weight polyethylene wax and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer in an amount of 1.3 g/base film m2. As shown in FIG. 5, the mascara agent layer d is formed on the underlayer c and is a layer to be thermally transferred to eyelashes. A material having excellent water resistance, adhesion properties, curl retention properties, and safety properties, in addition to film forming properties, tinting properties, and thermal responsiveness is employed therefor. In this embodiment, the mascara agent layer d is formed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a urethane modified lanolin wax, and an iron oxide in an amount of 1.0 to 1.3 g/m2. Preferably, the mascara agent in the film-shaped mascara contains a shape memory polymer. In this embodiment, the mascara agent contains a polyurethane shape memory polymer (product of POLYSIS Co.). The description of the film-shaped mascara 41 will be given in more detail. The mascara agent composing the mascara agent layer d is thermally transferred to eyelashes as a coating layer adhering to the surface of the eyelashes so as to have a thickness of preferably 10 μm to 200 μm, more preferably 20 μm to 100 μm. For this purpose, the layer thickness of the mascara agent layer d before the thermal transfer is preferably 20 μm to 300 μm, more preferably 50 μm to 200 μm. A part of the underlayer c (for example, 50 wt. % to 95 wt. %) is melted and delaminated and is thermally transferred to the eyelashes together with the mascara agent layer d so as to coat the mascara agent to a thickness of preferably 1 μm to 30 μm, more preferably 2 μm to 5 μm. For this purpose, the layer thickness of the underlayer c before the transfer is preferably 1 μm to 50 μm, more preferably 1 μm to 10 μm. The film thickness of the base film b is preferably 1 μm to 100 μm, more preferably 2 μm to 50 μm. The layer thickness of the back coat layer a is preferably 0.1 μm to 3 μm, more preferably 0.15 μm to 1 μm. The film-shaped mascara of the mascara applicator of the present invention is not limited to the film-shaped mascara in the above embodiment. Examples of the material for the base film b include synthetic polymer films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyacrylonitrile, and polyethylene, and capacitor paper. Examples of the material for forming the back coat layer a include silicone resin and fluorocarbon resin. Examples of the material for forming the underlayer c include waxes such as paraffin wax, polyethylene wax, ester wax, carnauba wax, and montan wax, and resin materials such as polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinyl alcohol. Examples of the material for forming the mascara agent layer d include resin materials such as polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol, polystyrene, polyamide, acrylic resin, and petroleum resin, waxes such as paraffin wax, polyethylene wax, ester wax, carnauba wax, and montan wax, and coloring agents such as inorganic pigment, organic pigment, and dye. Examples of the shape memory polymer include polyurethane-based (Diary, product of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.), polyisoprene-based, styrene-butadiene-based, and polyethylene-based polymers. Since the mascara agent layer d of the film-shaped mascara 41 is transferred to eyelashes by use of the mascara applicator 1 of the above embodiment, a preferred composition of the material for forming the mascara agent layer d is 0 parts by weight to 10 parts by weight of the above wax and 1 part by weight to 20 parts by weight of the above coloring agent with respect to 100 parts by weight of the above resin material. Since a part of the underlayer c is transferred together with the mascara agent layer d to eyelashes, a preferred composition of the material for forming the underlayer c is 0 parts by weight to 20 parts by weight of the above resin material with respect to 100 parts by weight of the above wax. Next, a preferred mode of use of the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6(a), FIG. 6(b), FIG. 7(a), and FIG. 7(b). In the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment, the film case 42 (the cartridge) is attached to the applicator body 11 if the film case 42 is not attached to the applicator body 11. If the film-shaped mascara 41 disposed above the upper surface 42A of the film case 42 has already been used, the gear-shaped knob 46A is rotated to dispose the unused film-shaped mascara 41 above the upper surface 42A of the film case 42. In the state in which the unused film-shaped mascara 41 is disposed above the upper surface 42A of the film case 42, the applicator body 11 of the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment is held by a hand H as shown in FIG. 6(a), and the eyelashes C are disposed between the mascara agent coated surface 41A of the film shaped mascara 41 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 provided in the lower surface of the upper piece 12C of the arm member 12 as shown in FIG. 7(a). While maintaining this state, a forefinger, for example, is placed on the knob 12D of the arm member 12 to bring down the arm member 12 as shown in FIG. 6(b), and the eyelashes C are held between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 together with the film-shaped mascara 41 as shown in FIG. 7(b). At this time, the eyelashes C are curled between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 into a certain shape. Simultaneously, the switch 14 moves downward, and the heating of the heating head 5 is switched on to heat the heating surface 51. Therefore, the curling shape of the eyelashes is fixed, and the mascara agent layer d of the film-shaped mascara 41 is thermally transferred to the eyelashes C. As described above, according to the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment, the eyelashes C are curled between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 into a certain shape only by bringing down the arm member 12. At the same time, the mascara agent in the film-shaped mascara 41 is thermally transferred to the eyelashes C. At this time, the mascara agent adheres uniformly to the eyelashes C without damaging the eyelashes. Thus, according to the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment, the curling of the eyelashes and the application of the mascara agent to the eyelashes can be performed easily and simultaneously. In addition, the mascara agent applied to the eyelashes is smear-proof and clump-free, and has a long lasting curling effect. In addition, according to the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment, particularly since the film-shaped mascara 41 having a long length is continuously supplied, the fresh coated surface 41A can be exposed by shifting the position of the film-shaped mascara 41, thereby providing convenience. On the other hand, a mode in which a one-time disposable sheet is used as the film-shaped mascara may be employed. In this case, the mechanism for loading the tape-shaped long film is not required, and thus the constitution of the applicator becomes simpler. If a material containing a shape memory polymer is employed as the mascara agent, the retention of the curling shape of eyelashes is particularly facilitated. The eyelashes C having the mascara agent transferred thereto are brushed with the comb member 7, allowing the eyelashes to be separated one by one. At the same time, the mascara agent in a melted state is spread to make the shape of the eyelashes after the mascara application beautiful. Moreover, the heating of the heating head 5 is switched on simply by lowering the arm member 12, providing an easy operation. Next, a second embodiment different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1(a) to FIG. 7(b) will be described with reference to FIG. 8. In the description of the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will mainly be described. When a description is not given, the description of the first embodiment will be applied as appropriate. The principal difference of a mascara applicator 1 of the second embodiment from the mascara applicator 1 of the first embodiment is the constitution of the mascara supplying means 4. In the mascara supplying means 4 of the mascara applicator 1 of the second embodiment, one film reel 43 for winding the film-shaped mascara 41 is provided in a film cassette 42. As shown in FIG. 8, the path of the film-shaped mascara 41, as viewed from the front, originates from the film reel 43 and extends upward therefrom. The path then extends from an upper surface 42A of the film case 42 to the outside, turns to the right direction, and turns downward, enters from the outside of the film case 42 into the inside thereof. The path then gradually turns to the left direction so as not to contact with the film-shaped mascara 41 wound on the film reel 43, and is ejected from an film outlet 42B provided in the lower portion of the left side surface of the film case 42. A sawtooth-shaped film cutting edge 42C is provided in the proximity of the film outlet 42, allowing the film-shaped mascara 41 ejected from the film outlet 42B to be cut. An adhesive is provided in the region between the film outlet 42B and the film cutting edge 42C. Thus, the end portion of the film-shaped mascara 41 cut by the film cutting edge 42C adheres to the adhesive for preventing the end portion from being drawn back into the film case 42. The other constitution is the same as that of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment. In order to move the film-shaped mascara 41, one end portion thereof is drawn out from the film outlet 42B of the film case 42 and is cut by the film cutting edge 42C. The mascara applicator 1 of the second embodiment can be used in the same mode of use as that of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment, and thus the same effects can be attained. In addition, according to the mascara applicator 1 of the second embodiment, the numbers of the film reels and the reel driving shafts can be reduced as compared with those of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment, and thus cost reduction and size reduction (the reduction of the height) of the mascara applicator can be achieved. Next, a third embodiment of the mascara applicator of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b). In the description of the third embodiment, the differences from the second embodiment will mainly be described. When a description is not given, the description of the second embodiment will be applied as appropriate. As shown in FIG. 9(a) and FIG. 9(b), the constitution of a mascara applicator 1 of the third embodiment is the same as that of the mascara applicator 1 of the second embodiment, except that the positional relation between the applicator body 11 and the mascara supplying means 4 is different. Therefore, the applicator body 14 of the mascara supplying means 1 of the third embodiment has a form extending from the front to the rear as viewed from the front, and the height of the mascara supplying means 1 as a whole is nearly the same as the height of a film case 42, resulting in a constitution in which the size is reduced in the height direction. Moreover, in the front upper portion of the applicator body 11, a heating head 5 is provided toward the front. As in the second embodiment, dry batteries (not shown) for heating a heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 are accommodated inside the applicator body 14. A rotating arm member 15 is provided above the applicator body 14 so as to cover the top surface of the applicator body 14. A head receiving member 6 is provided in the front end side of the lower surface of the rotating arm member 15, and the rear end side of the rotating arm member 15 is rotatably connected to the rear end of the applicator body 14. When the rotating arm member 15 is rotationally moved upward, the head receiving member 6 provided in the rotating arm member 15 is separated from the heating head 5 provided in the applicator body 14, as shown in FIG. 9(b). When the rotating arm member 15 is rotationally moved downward, the heating head 5 is brought into intimate contact with the head receiving member 6, as shown in FIG. 9(a). In addition, when the rotating arm member 15 is rotationally moved downward such that the heating head 5 is brought into intimate contact with the head receiving member 6, the heating of the heating head 5 is switched on. When the rotating arm member 15 is rotationally moved upward to separate the heating head 5 from the head receiving member 6, the heating of the heating head 5 is switched off. A mode of use of the mascara applicator 1 of the third embodiment will be described. First, the rotating arm member 15 is rotationally moved upward to separate the heating head 5 from the head receiving member 6. Subsequently, the film case 42 (the cartridge) is attached to the applicator body 14, and the unused film-shaped mascara 41 is arranged above the heating head 5. While maintaining this state, the film-shaped mascara 41 is arranged under eyelashes by holding the applicator body 14 by hand and bringing the applicator body 14 close to a user's eye. The rotating arm member 15 is then rotationally moved downward to hold the eyelashes together with the film-shaped mascara 41 between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6. At this time, the eyelashes are curled between the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5 and the abutting surface 61 of the head receiving member 6 into a certain shape. At the same time, the heating of the heating head 5 is switched on to heat the heating surface 51 of the heating head 5. Therefore, the curling shape of the eyelashes is fixed, and the mascara agent of the film-shaped mascara 41 is melted and thermally transferred to the eyelashes. The mascara applicator of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and the modes of use thereof, and modifications may be made as appropriate so long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention. Any mascara applicator may be employed as the mascara applicator of the present invention, so long as the applicator integrally has the curling means for holding eyelashes to curl the eyelashes into a certain shape, the mascara adhering means for adhering a mascara agent to the eyelashes, and the mascara supplying means for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means. As the above mascara adhering means, means for adhering, for example, by means of an ink jet method, laser method, or other method, a mascara agent prepared as ink, toner, or the like may be employed in addition to the above mascara transferring means, so long as the means can adhere a mascara agent to eyelashes. The curling means does not necessarily serve also as the mascara transferring means. In the mascara supplying means, a manner for supplying the mascara agent to the mascara adhering means is not required to be a manner in which film-shaped mascara having a long tape form is continuously supplied. For example, a separate film of the above described mode may be employed by loading for each use a sheet of the film into the mascara applicator of the present invention. Various constitutions may be employed as the constitution in which the heating head and the head receiving member are capable of being brought into intimate contact with each other and separated from each other. The above embodiments are configured such that the heating of the heating head is switched on when the heating head and the head receiving member are brought into intimate contact with each other. However, a constitution in which the heating head can be preheated before the heating head and the head receiving member are brought into intimate contact with each other may be employed. According to the curling means (which also serves as the mascara transferring means) configured as above, the heating head can be heated before eyelashes are held between the heating head and the head receiving member, and the eyelashes can be held between the heating head and the head receiving member while maintaining the above state. In the mascara supplying means of the second and third embodiments, the adhesive is employed for preventing the film-shaped mascara from being drawn back into the case. However, in place of the adhesive, a pair of rolls holding one end portion of the film-shaped mascara therebetween may be provided inside the film case as means for preventing the drawing back. If this constitution is employed, the pair of rolls may be configured so as to rotate, upon rotating a knob or the like, in a direction where the film-shaped mascara is ejected. The principle of the mascara applicator of the present invention may be employed for transferring hair manicure to hair and for transferring manicure to a nail. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the mascara applicator of the present invention, the curling of eyelashes and the application of mascara to the eyelashes can be performed easily and simultaneously. In addition, the mascara agent applied to the eyelashes is smear-proof and clump-free, and has a long lasting curling effect.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Conventionally, in a mainstream mascara product for making eyelashes look well-shaped and beautiful, a liquid type or cream type mascara agent is applied to eyelashes by a brush or the like. The application of the mascara agent to the eyelashes is carried out by either holding the eyelashes with a holding type curler (an eyelash curler) for physically curling (shaping) or thermally shaping the eyelashes with an electric heating type curler for curling, and subsequently applying the mascara agent to the eyelashes by use of a brush. The above holding type curler has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 9-173130, and the above electric heating type curler has been disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 2002-28020 and Hei 10-192037. However, if an attempt is made to physically curl eyelashes by use of the holding type curler, the eyelashes do not curl well, especially just after waking up or in a humid condition such as a rainy day. In addition, if the operations are repeated, the eyelashes are damaged, cut, and fall out, thus causing problems. Although curling itself is relatively easy if the electric heating type curler is used, a mascara agent must be applied to eyelashes by a brush thereafter, thus the operational complexity has not been improved. Conventionally, a mascara agent is applied separately after the curling operation, as described above. In addition, the application operation must be repeated many times, making the operation complicated. In some cases, the shape of the eyelashes is again adjusted by use of a curler after applying the mascara agent. In this case, a coating formed on the eyelashes is damaged, and the mascara agent applied to the eyelashes tends to be smeared off by tears or the like. Moreover, since a mascara agent is applied by use of a brush or the like, uniform application is hard to be achieved, and clumps tend to be formed. Further, the application is repeated many times for achieving a volume enhancing effect, but the weight of the mascara agent itself may cause curling down. Therefore, the curling effect after the mascara application does not last.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 ( a ) and FIG. 1 ( b ) are front perspective views showing a mascara applicator of a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 1 ( a ) is a view showing a state in which a film case accommodating film-shaped mascara is attached, and FIG. 1 ( b ) is a view showing a state in which the film case is removed. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view showing the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 ( a ), FIG. 3 ( b ), and FIG. 3 ( c ) are views showing the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention in a state in which the film case is removed, wherein FIG. 3 ( a ) is a front view, FIG. 3 ( b ) is a right side view, and FIG. 3 ( c ) is an enlarged side view of a heating head. FIG. 4 ( a ) and FIG. 4 ( b ) are front perspective views showing the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4 ( a ) is a view showing a state before use in which an arm member having a head receiving member provided thereto is arranged in an upper portion (the same as FIG. 1 ( a )), and FIG. 4 ( b ) is a view showing a state in use in which the arm member is arranged in a lower portion. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a laminate structure of the film-shaped mascara in the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 ( a ) and FIG. 6 ( b ) are views showing a mode of use of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6 ( a ) is a view showing a state in which eyelashes are inserted between the heating head (the film-shaped mascara) and the head receiving member while the arm member is arranged in the upper portion, and FIG. 6 ( b ) is a view showing a state in which the arm member is arranged in the lower portion to hold the eyelashes between the heating head and the head receiving member. FIG. 7 ( a ) and FIG. 7 ( b ) are schematic cross-sectional views showing the positional relation between the heating head and the head receiving member in a mode of use of the mascara applicator of the first embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7 ( a ) is a view showing a state in which the heating head and the head receiving member are separated from each other (corresponding to FIG. 6 ( a )), and FIG. 7 ( b ) is a view showing a state in which the heating head and the head receiving member are brought into intimate contact with each other (corresponding to FIG. 6 ( b )). FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing a mascara applicator of another embodiment (a second embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. 9 ( a ) and FIG. 9 ( b ) are front perspective views showing a mascara applicator of further embodiment (a third embodiment) of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9 ( a ) is a view showing a state in which a film case is removed, and FIG. 9 ( b ) is a view showing a state in which the film case is attached and a rotating arm member is rotationally moved upward. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060824

20100105

20070104

71166.0

A45D248

DOAN, ROBYN KIEU

MASCARA APPLICATOR

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A45D

ACCEPTED

Method and device for controlling a production unit

A method and a device for controlling a production unit in a production installation are specified, controlling referring to the controlling and monitoring of speeds of rotation or angles of rotation of individual drives (20-22) such that the movements of these are monitored in respect of a synchronous value (37) and/or a limit value (33). The monitoring in respect of the limit value (33) results in a safely limited speed of the individual drives. The monitoring in respect of the synchronous value (37) permits detection of asynchronies. The monitoring can be carried out in normal operating mode and/or in setup mode, and, in setup mode, it serves particularly to protect the operating personnel from drives (20-22) that start up suddenly or are running too fast.

1. A method for controlling a production unit with at least one primary drive (master drive 11) and at least one dependent drive (20-22) whose movement depends directly or indirectly on the movement of a master shaft of the master drive (11), characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a servo actuator (23-25), in that the servo actuator (23-25) determines, from an input signal, a desired value (29) for the dependent drive (20-22) and conveys this desired value (29) to the dependent drive (20-22), and in that, when determining the desired value (29), account is taken of a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25). 2. The method as set forth in the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a transducer (26-28), in that a movement of the dependent drive (20-22) is detected by the transducer (26-28) and is transmitted as actual value (30) to a comparator (31), and in that the comparator (31) compares the actual value (30) with a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25) and, in the event of a deviation, generates a stop signal (38). 3. The method as set forth in the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a servo actuator (23-25) and a transducer (26-28), in that the servo actuator (23-25) determines, from an input signal, a desired value (29) for the dependent drive (20-22) and conveys this desired value (29) to the dependent drive (20-22) and to a comparator (31), in that a movement of the dependent drive is detected by the transducer (26-28) and is transmitted as actual value (30) to the comparator (31), and in that the comparator (31) compares the desired value (29) with the actual value (30) and, in the event of a deviation, generates a stop signal (38). 4. The method as set forth in the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a servo actuator (23-25) and a transducer (26-28), in that the servo actuator (23-25) determines, from an input signal, a desired value (29) for the dependent drive (20-22) and conveys this desired value (29) to the dependent drive (20-22) and to a comparator (31), in that, when determining the desired value (29), account is taken of a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25), in that a movement of the dependent drive is detected by the transducer (26-28) and is transmitted as actual value (30) to the comparator (31), and in that the comparator (31) compares the actual value (30) with a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25) and/or with the desired value (29), and, in the event of a deviation, generates a stop signal (38). 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the input signal of the servo actuator (23-25) is information with regard to a speed of rotation or an angle of rotation of the master shaft (master shaft default 34). 6. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the desired value (29) is stored in a memory (32) of the comparator (31) as synchronous value (37), and in that the comparison with the actual value (30) relates to the stored synchronous value (37). 7. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each dependent drive (20-22) has its own synchronous value (37) and/or its own limit value (33) stored in the comparator (31). 8. The method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the master drive (11) is assigned its own servo actuator (master shaft servo 42) and its own transducer (master shaft transducer 41), in that, from an input signal (43) of the master shaft servo (42), a default (master shaft default 34) for the master drive (11) is determined and is delivered to the comparator (31) for the master drive (11), and in that the comparator (31) compares an actual value (30), detected by the master shaft transducer (41), with a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25) and/or with the master shaft default (34) and, in the event of a deviation, generates a stop signal (38). 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that, when determining the master shaft default (34), account is taken of a limit value (33) stored in the master shaft servo (42). 10. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the master shaft default (34) is delivered to an input of the servo actuator (23-25) of the dependent drive (20-22). 11. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that a hood signal (40) is delivered to the servo actuator (23-25) and if appropriate also to the master shaft servo (42) and/or to the comparator (31), which hood signal (40) is triggered when access is made into the production unit, and in that, in the presence of a hood signal (40), the limit value (33) in the servo actuator (23-25) and/or in the comparator (31), if appropriate also a master shaft limit value (45) in the master shaft servo (42), is reduced. 12. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the input signal of the servo actuator (23-25), in particular the master shaft default (34), is delivered to the comparator (31), and in that the limit value (33) is set to or kept at zero as long as the input signal or master shaft default (34) has the value zero. 13. A device for controlling a production unit with at least one primary drive (master drive 11) and at least one dependent drive (20-22) whose movement depends directly or indirectly on a movement of a master shaft of the master drive (11), characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a servo actuator (23-25), in that the servo actuator (23-25) can determine, from an input signal, a desired value (29) for the dependent drive (20-22) and can deliver this desired value (29) to the dependent drive (20-22), and in that the desired value (29) is limited by a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25). 14. The device as set forth in the preamble of claim 13, characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a transducer (26-28), in that a movement of the dependent drive (20-22) can be detected by the transducer (26-28) and can be transmitted as actual value (30) to a comparator (31), and in that the comparator (31) is provided for comparing the actual value (30) with a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25) and for generating a stop signal (38) in the event of a deviation. 15. The device as set forth in the preamble of claim 13, characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a servo actuator (23-25) and a transducer (26-28), in that the servo actuator (23-25) can determine, from an input signal, a desired value (29) for the dependent drive (20-22) and can deliver this desired value (29) to the dependent drive (20-22) and to a comparator (31), in that a movement of the dependent drive (20-22) can be detected by the transducer (26-28) and can be transmitted as actual value (30) to the comparator (31), and in that the comparator (31) is provided for comparing the actual value (30) with the desired value (29) and for generating a stop signal (38) in the event of a deviation. 16. The device as set forth in the preamble of claim 13, characterized in that the dependent drive (20-22) is in each case assigned a servo actuator (23-25) and a transducer (26-28), in that the servo actuator (23-25) can determine, from an input signal, a desired value (29) for the dependent drive (20-22) and can deliver this desired value (29) to the dependent drive (20-22) and to a comparator (31), in that the desired value (29) is limited by a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25), in that a movement of the dependent drive (20-22) can be detected by the transducer (26-28) and can be transmitted as actual value (30) to the comparator (31), and in that the comparator (31) is provided for comparing the actual value (30) with a limit value (33) stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25) and/or with the desired value (29) and for generating a stop signal (38) in the event of a deviation. 17. The device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the input signal is information with regard to a speed of rotation or an angle of rotation of the master shaft (master shaft default 34). 18. The device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the actual value (30) can be stored in a memory (32) of the comparator (31) as synchronous value (37), and in that the comparison with the actual value relates to the stored synchronous value (37). 19. The device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that each dependent drive (20-22) can have its own synchronous value (37) and/or its own limit value (33) stored in the comparator (31). 20. The device as claimed in claim 14, characterized in that the master drive (11) is assigned its own servo actuator (master shaft servo 42) and its own transducer (master shaft transducer 41), in that, from an input signal (43) of the master shaft servo (42), a default (master shaft default 34) for the master drive (11) can be determined and can be delivered to the comparator (31) for the master drive (11), and in that the comparator (31) is provided for comparing an actual value (30) of the master drive (11), detectable by the master shaft transducer (41), with a limit value (33) which can be stored in particular in the servo actuator (23-25) and/or with the master shaft default (34) and for generating a stop signal (38) in the event of a deviation. 21. The device as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the master shaft default (34) is limited by a limit value (33) stored in the master shaft servo (42). 22. The device as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the master shaft default (34) can be delivered to an input of the servo actuator (23-25) of the dependent drive (20-22). 23. The device as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that a hood signal (40) can be delivered to the servo actuator (23-25) and if appropriate also to the master shaft servo (42) and/or to the comparator (31), which hood signal (40) can be triggered when access is made into the production unit, and in that, as a function of a status of the hood signal (40), the limit value (33) in the servo actuator (23-25) and/or in the comparator (31), if appropriate also a master shaft limit value (45) in the master shaft servo (42), can be reduced.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a production unit of a production installation. Said production installation is, in particular, a production and packaging installation, preferably one for cigarettes or other articles for smoking. Such an installation comprises a number of different production units, which however are combined with one another in the production and packaging process, for example a cigarette production machine (maker), a packaging machine (packer), a film-wrapping machine, and, if appropriate, a multipacker and a carton packer. The speeds within the individual production units are coordinated in respect of a speed of a central drive of the respective production unit, also referred to as master drive or master shaft. The speeds of all other drives (slave drives) of the production unit are derived from the speed of the master shaft. For servicing, it is necessary to gain access into the production installation or into an individual production unit. During such access, the installation or the production unit is in principle shut down. However, it may be necessary that the installation or production unit, hereinafter referred to jointly as installation, is started up again at a controlled speed during the service work, for example to permit access also to otherwise concealed sections of individual units, for example a section of a revolver in the area of the film-wrapping machine. This has hitherto been achieved by the installation or a central part of the installation being covered by a protective arrangement, for example in the form of a hood. To gain access into the installation, the hood has to be opened. When the hood is opened, the installation shuts down. The master shaft can now be turned further using a handwheel. The speed of rotation thus set for the master shaft influences the speeds of rotation of the dependent drives. Even with a comparatively low speed of rotation of the master shaft, it is possible for there to be a high speed of rotation of individual dependent drives. For this reason, all the dependent drives are safeguarded by in each case a further hood, as it were a “hood within a hood”. When a hood of a dependent drive is opened, further movement of the master shaft is blocked. The object of the invention is to make available a simple and safe method for controlling a production unit and also a device for carrying out this method. In particular, in the event of servicing, access into the installation must be possible while maintaining the possibility of moving the central drive and dependent drives. The object is achieved by a method having the features of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 and by a device having the features of claims 13, 14, 15 or 16. Accordingly, provision is made for the monitoring of limit values, namely limit values concerning speed or position, for example limit speeds or synchronous rotation positions. The monitoring of the limit speeds is useful when generating desired speed values (desired speeds) for the individual drives. Moreover, the speed actually achieved can be monitored in respect of a limit speed (safely limited speed). The speed actually achieved for the individual drives can furthermore be monitored in respect of the respective desired speed, because synchrony of the individual drives with one another and with the central drive is guaranteed only if the desired speed is maintained exactly (synchronous speed). The monitoring of the synchronous rotation positions is in principle analogous to the monitoring of the limit speeds or synchronous speeds, the only difference being that the positions of rotation of the respective drives, that is to say the angle positions, are monitored instead of the speeds of rotation. This is expedient for dependent drives which, for example, do not execute a complete revolution but instead execute oscillating movements or the like. Even in the case of dependent drives that execute complete revolutions, the monitoring of the position of rotation and the comparison of the respective position of rotation with the position of rotation of the central drive permit the best possibility of monitoring the synchrony of the movement of the respective dependent drive with the corresponding movement of the central drive. The actually achieved position of the individual drives can moreover be monitored in respect of a limit value functionally corresponding to the limit speed in the speed monitoring. Such a limit value sets a tolerance range in the environment of the respective desired position, because an exact synchrony of position is often not possible to attain in practice. The tolerance range set by the limit value can be adapted by changing the limit value, that is to say made smaller or larger. Because of the theoretical analogy of a limit value in the form of a limit speed and a limit value in the form of a position-related tolerance range, both are referred to hereinafter simply as limit value. A particular feature of the method according to the invention is that, in the event of access being made into the installation, which access is detected through opening of a protective arrangement, for example a hood or the like, a related signal (hood signal) is generated and this signal is used to reduce the speed of rotation, in particular the speed of rotation of the central drive, so that the drives automatically run more slowly in the event of such access being made. By reducing the speed of rotation of the central drive, a corresponding reduction in the speeds of rotation of the dependent drives is automatically obtained. This modified pattern of movement can additionally be monitored by means of the respective limit values also being correspondingly reduced. Reducing the limit value for the central drive ensures that, if for any reason a speed above the respective desired speed is reached, the central drive is stopped or switched off, at least when the speed set by the limit value is reached. In the case of the dependent drives, a corresponding reduction of the limit values has the effect that, if the respective set desired speed is exceeded, these drives also only reach at most a speed set by the limit value. This thus ensures safe limiting of the speed, so that sufficient safety of the operating personnel is guaranteed. Another particular feature of the invention is that speed information concerning a speed of rotation or angle of rotation of the central drive (speed of rotation or angle of rotation of master shaft) is evaluated such that, at a master shaft speed of rotation with the value zero, the limit value for the drives, in particular the limit value for the dependent drives, is likewise set to zero or kept at zero. This ensures that dependent drives do not incorrectly start running (i.e. they are safely stopped) and thus increases the safety of the operating personnel. Finally, one particular feature of the invention is that the safely limited speed thus achieved is also guaranteed in the normal operating mode of the installation. In this way it is possible to avoid asynchronies of the dependent drives with one another or in relation to the master drive even in the normal operating mode. Further particular features of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a production installation, FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a chain of action for individual drives of the installation, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the chain of action with the master drive integrated into the chain of action. The illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings relates to a production and packaging installation for cigarettes as production installation. This usually comprises a number of production units, for example a cigarette-production machine, namely a maker, a packaging machine following the latter, that is to say a packer, a subsequent film-wrapping machine 10, a packaging machine for producing multipacks from a plurality of cigarette packs, that is to say a multipacker and a cartoner which packages multipacks, that is to say cigarette multipacks, in a shipping carton. Cigarettes produced by the maker are fed to the packer which is provided for producing hinge-lid boxes for receiving the cigarettes. The cigarette packs formed by the packer, that is to say the combination of hinge-lid box and the cigarettes contained in them, are delivered to the film-wrapping machine 10. The latter has the task of wrapping the cigarette packs in an outer film or plastic blank. The finished cigarette packs are used to form pack groups which are provided with a multipack wrapper in the region of the multipacker and thus produce a cigarette multipack comprising usually ten cigarette packs. These cigarette multipacks are fed, by a multipack conveyor, to the cartoner which transfers finished shipping cartons, with a plurality of cigarette multipacks, to a removal conveyor. Each of these production units comprises one or more drives. Of these drives, one has the function of a central drive or master drive 11. The speeds or angles of rotation of all the other drives (dependent drives) are derived directly or indirectly from the speed of the master drive 11 or from the respective angle of rotation. If appropriate, account is taken in this case of predefined or predefinable laws of movement which describe mathematically, for example, an oscillating movement of a dependent drive synchronously to a rotation movement of the master drive 11 or the like. The film-wrapping machine 10 is shown in a side view as a detail from the installation. The (concealed) master drive 11 is shown by broken lines. To protect the operating personnel, the film-wrapping machine 10 has a central hood 12 which can be opened via a handle 13. The central hood 12 conceals a unit 14 with its own drive, namely a dependent drive 20. The unit 14 is a cutter block. The unit is covered by a hood 15 provided within the central hood 12 (hood within a hood). The hood-15 is shown in the closed state, while the opened state is indicated by broken lines. The hood 15 can be opened only when the central hood 12 has first been opened. Finally, a handwheel 16 is shown which cannot be accessed or cannot be actuated when the central hood 12 is closed. The master drive 11 can be turned with the handwheel 16. The production unit comprises, if appropriate, further dependent drives (not shown in detail). Further dependent drives may form part of further production units, for example of the maker and/or of the packer. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a chain of action for individual drives 20, 21, 22 of the installation. The drives 20-22 are dependent drives. They are referred to hereinafter simply as drives 20 22. Each drive 20-22 is assigned a servo actuator 23, 24, 25, hereinafter referred to in short as servo 23, 24, 25, and is also assigned, as transducer 26, 27, 28, a sensor for speed of rotation and/or angle of rotation. The or each servo 23-25 sets a desired value 29 for the respective drive 20-22, in particular in the form of a desired speed or a desired angle of rotation. The actual movement of each drive 20-23 is determined by the transducer 26-28 assigned in each case to the drive 20-23 and is transmitted as actual value 30, in particular as actual value of the instantaneous speed or as actual value of the instantaneous position, that is to say the angle of rotation, to a comparator 31. The comparator 31 is provided for comparing desired value 29 and actual value 30 for each drive. Each servo 23-25 comprises at least one input at which it can receive a transmitted speed of rotation or angle of rotation of the master shaft, hereinafter referred to jointly as the master shaft default 34. From the master shaft default 34, the servo 23-25 derives a default speed or default position and transmits this as desired value 29 in the form of a default speed or default angle of rotation to the respective drive 20-23. The desired value 29 is derived using not only the master shaft default 34 but also a limit value 33 which is either stored in a memory 35 of the respective servo 23-25 or is transmitted to this in the form of a limit value signal 36. The limit value 33 is taken into account by the servo 23-25 such that the desired value 29 never exceeds the limit value 33. The storage of the limit value 33 in the memory 35 or its transmission as limit value signal 36 can exist alternately or concurrently. Limit value 33 and limit value signal 36 are also referred to hereinafter as “safe value”. In the variant in which the safe value is either only stored in the memory 35 as limit value 33 or is only transmitted as limit value signal 36, the respectively available safe value is used to derive the desired value 29. In the variant in which the safe value is both stored in the memory 35 and is also transmitted as limit value signal 36, it is conceivable that the limit value 33 stored in the memory 35 acts as an upper limit, so that the limit value signal 36 is used to derive the desired value 29 as long as the limit value signal 36 remains below the limit value 33, and that, with a limit value signal 36 above the limit value 33, the limit value 33 stored in the memory 35 is always used to derive the desired value 29. Of course, exactly the reverse scenario or similar variants are conceivable. The master shaft default 34 is taken in a manner not shown in detail either from the master shaft itself or from the handwheel 16, specifically for example with a transducer coupled to the master shaft or to the handwheel 16, for example an incremental transducer. Taking speed information or position information from the handwheel 16 is provided for only in setup mode, because in normal operation the handwheel 16 is not accessible for actuation, since it is covered by the central hood 12. Moreover, taking information from the handwheel 16 is provided for exclusively when the handwheel 16 acts not directly but only indirectly on the master shaft, for example via an electronic transmission. The desired value 29 derived from the master shaft default 34 is delivered not only to the respective drive 20-22 but also to the comparator 31. Each desired value 29 is stored as synchronous value 37 in the memory 32 of the comparator 31. During operation, the actual value 30 taken for each drive 20-22 can be compared with the respective synchronous value 37 by the comparator 31. If the actual value 30 of a drive 20-22 exceeds the respective synchronous value 37, a corresponding stop signal 38 is generated which switches off either all the drives 20-22 or the drive 20-22 which is no longer running synchronously, in particular also the master drive 11 too. In addition, or as an alternative, provision can be made for the stop signal 38 to be generated not only when the synchronous value 37 is exceeded, but for said stop signal 38 to be generated when the actual value 30 departs from a predefined or predefinable range about the synchronous value 37. It is then possible, for example, to also detect asynchronies caused by drives 20-22 erroneously running too slowly. In addition, the individual actual values 30 are also monitored in respect of the limit value 33, i.e. the limit value 33 forms an upper limit which must not be exceeded by the desired value 29 given a corresponding default. When the limit value 33 is exceeded, the stop signal 38 is therefore also triggered. The limit value 33 can be an upper limit common to all drives 20-22 or can be set individually for each drive. The limit value 33 is then a field of possibly respectively different individual speed limits or position tolerance ranges. The or each stop signal 38 is routed through a display device 39 which for example supplies information, about the drive 20-22 causing the error, via optical display elements (not shown), for example a screen, in particular with clear-text display, or control lights. Instead of the situation shown, each drive 20-22 can be provided with its own comparator. Each of these comparators then comprises its own memory in which at least the limit value 33 set for the respective drive 20-22 and the actual synchronous value 37 are stored. The stop signal 38 possibly generated by an individual comparator of this kind is either delivered individually to the respective drive 20-22 or delivered to all the drives 20-22, in particular also the master drive 11. In the normal operation of the installation, that is to say during ongoing production, the synchrony of the individual drives 20-22 with one another and with the master drive 11 can be assured in this way. This is done by monitoring the synchronous value 37. Moreover, it is possible to ensure that none of the drives 20-22 exceeds a predefined or predefinable upper limit, for example an upper speed limit. This is done by monitoring the limit value 33. When access is made into the installation, for example for maintenance or inspection purposes, that is to say in what is called a setup mode, monitoring of the movement of the individual drives 20-22 is likewise necessary. The setup mode differs from the normal operating mode in that the drives 20-22 run at much reduced speed. This is achieved by the fact that, in the setup mode, the speed of rotation of the master shaft is reduced. The speed of rotation of the master shaft can be predefined by the handwheel 16 or an otherwise suitable setting device, for example a modifiable resistance, that is to say a potentiometer or the like. When a handwheel 16 acting directly on the master shaft is used, the speed of the master shaft is limited on account of the limited physical power of the operator actuating the handwheel 16. When using a handwheel 16 coupled only indirectly to the master shaft, for example via an electronic transmission, or when using for example a potentiometer instead of the handwheel 16, the speed of the master shaft is limited by suitable monitoring of limit values. This is explained below with reference to FIG. 3. Access into the installation is possible only when the central hood 12 is opened. In other words, at least a hood signal 40 is present from the central hood 12. With the hood signal 40, the limit value 33 is reduced. This can be done by virtue of the fact that, on the one hand, a limit value for the normal operating mode and, on the other hand, a limit value for the setup mode are stored as limit value 33 in the memory 32 of the comparator 31 and in the memory 35 of the respective servo 23-25, and the respective limit value 33 is chosen depending on the status of the hood signal 40. Alternatively, it is possible, for example, that the limit value 33 in the setup mode, that is to say when a hood signal 40 is present, is reduced in a defined manner, which can be easily done, for example, by a mathematical or logic operation (division or shift operation, respectively). Finally, it is also conceivable that the limit value signal 36 is reduced in a defined manner when the hood signal 40 is present. In the setup mode, the reduced speed of the master shaft thus also results in reduced desired values 29 for the drives 20-22. The desired values 29 are maintained through monitoring the synchronous value 37 by the comparator 31 in the same way as in the normal operating mode. Likewise, limiting the movement of the drives 20-22, that is to say safely avoiding a speed of rotation or a position outside the range defined by the limit value 33, is also ensured in the same way as in the normal operating mode. To limit the speed of the master shaft, the master drive 11 itself is integrated in the chain of action according to FIG. 2. The conditions that arise are shown in FIG. 3. The master drive 11, in the same way as the dependent drives 20-22, is assigned its own transducer, namely the master shaft transducer 41. The speed of rotation or position of rotation of the master shaft is, like the speed of rotation or position of rotation of the dependent drives 20-22, detected as actual value 30 and delivered to the comparator 31. Upstream of the master drive 11 there is a master shaft servo 42 which provides the same function as the servos 23-25 of the dependent drives 20-22, i.e. a default, in particular a speed default, is determined from an input signal 43 and this default is conveyed onward as master shaft default 34 to the master drive 11. The input signal 43 is derived from the handwheel 16 or from an otherwise suitable setting device. The master shaft default 34 is at the same time input of the servos 23-25 of the dependent drives 20-22. On determination of the master shaft default 34, a master shaft limit value 45 stored in a memory 44 of the master shaft servo 42 is taken into account so that the master shaft default 34 never exceeds this master shaft limit value 45. In other words, upon calculation of the master shaft default 34, each value for the master shaft default 34 above or outside the master shaft limit value 45 is discarded and, instead, the master shaft limit value 45 itself is used. In the presence of the hood signal 40, the master shaft limit value 45 can be reduced exactly like the limit value 33 of the servos 23-25, so that, when access is made into the installation, the master shaft default 34 can be reduced immediately. Through monitoring of the limit value 33 and of the synchronous value 37, the installation can be operated with a safely limited movement in respect of position and/or speed, specifically both in the normal operating mode and also in the setup mode. A safe stopping of the drives, in particular of the master drive 11 and of the dependent drives 20-22, is possible by delivering the master shaft default 34 or the input signal 43 of the master shaft to the comparator 31. FIG. 2 shows that the master shaft default 34 is delivered not only to the servos 23-25 but also to the comparator 31. In the comparator 31, the respective value of the master shaft default 34 has the effect that for a master shaft default 34 not equal to zero the instantaneous limit value 33 is used and for a master shaft default 34 equal to zero the limit value 33 itself is set to zero. In case of integration of the master drive 11 in the chain of action, as is shown in FIG. 3, the master shaft default 34 is also delivered to the comparator 31 and in a particularly preferred embodiment also the input signal 43. In this arrangement, the limit value 33 is set to zero if either the master shaft default 34 or the input signal 43 is equal to zero. This also takes account of any errors in the determination of the master shaft default 34 in the master shaft servo 42 from the input signal 43. With a limit value 33 equal to zero, starting up of each drive, that is to say of the dependent drives 20-22 or of the dependent drives 20-22 including the master drive 11, is safely avoided, because the comparator 31 switches off the respective drive or all drives immediately by means of a corresponding stop signal 38 upon each movement of a drive and when there is thus an actual value 30 different than zero for this drive. In a preferred embodiment, the or each transducer 26-28, in particular also the master shaft transducer 41, can be designed as a combined movement transducer and torque transducer or as a combination of a separate transducer for recording movement information, i.e. position and/or speed, and a separate torque transducer. Correspondingly, at least the limit value 33 then comprises on the one hand a limit value related to speed of rotation or position and on the other hand a limit value relating to torque. In this way it is also possible to avoid damage to the installation when the drives, in particular also the master shaft, are blocked. An advantage of the invention lies in the fact that it is possible to cut down on the safety mechanisms hitherto required for the dependent drives, that is to say the hoods or the like. On the other hand, an advantage of the invention is also the fact that, in the case where safety mechanisms are still present on individual dependent drives, a speed reduction adapted to signals from these safety mechanisms is possible, for example such that, with the central hood 12 opened, the speed of the central drive is reduced by 90% for example and, with additional opening of a specific further hood, there is a further speed reduction of a further 50% for example, and when another hood is opened, by contrast, a further speed reduction of, for example, 30% and so on. Such combinations and links can be easily stored in the comparator 31 and/or in the servo 23-25, if appropriate also in the master shaft servo 42. In summary, the invention can be described as follows: A method and a device are made available for controlling a production unit in a production installation, controlling referring to the controlling and monitoring of speeds of rotation or angles of rotation of individual drives 20-22 such that the movements of these are monitored in respect of a synchronous value 37 and/or a limit value 33 according to position and/or speed. The monitoring in respect of the limit value 33 results in a safely limited movement of the individual drives. The monitoring in respect of the synchronous value 37 permits detection of asynchronies. The monitoring can be carried out in normal operating mode and/or in setup mode, and, in setup mode, it serves particularly to protect the operating personnel from drives 20-22 that start up suddenly or are running too fast. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 10 film-wrapping machine 11 central drive 12 central hood 13 handle 14 unit 15 hood 16 handwheel 17 — 18 — 19 — 20 drive 21 drive 22 drive 23 servo actuator (servo) 24 servo actuator (servo) 25 servo actuator (servo) 26 transducer 27 transducer 28 transducer 29 desired value 30 actual value 31 comparator 32 memory 33 limit value 34 master shaft default 35 memory 36 limit value signal 37 synchronous value 38 stop signal 39 display device 40 hood signal 41 master shaft transducer 42 master shaft servo 43 input signal 44 memory 45 master shaft limit value

20051024

20071120

20061130

70970.0

G05B1132

MASIH, KAREN

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A PRODUCTION UNIT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G05B

ACCEPTED

Reproduction apparatus and method

Reproduction signals which are simultaneously obtained from an Ach head 3 and a Bch head 4 are time division multiplexed by a signal layout converting circuit 9 and arranged. An HPF unit 12 and an LPF unit 14 of a waveform equalizing circuit 16 are optimally switched on the basis of sync adjustment information such as switching information of the heads. An edge detection pulse width of an edge detecting circuit and an output frequency of a VCO 23 are controlled on the basis of the sync adjustment information. The output frequency of the VCO 23 is used as a clock signal of the reproduction signals by a signal processing unit 27 at the post stage.

1. A reproducing apparatus in which a first reproduction signal and a second reproduction signal are simultaneously obtained by a plurality of reading means from a disc-shaped recording medium on which data of a high-transfer rate and data of a low-transfer rate have been recorded, comprising: signal layout converting means for time division multiplexing said first reproduction signal and said second reproduction signal and arranging them; sync adjustment information forming means for forming sync adjustment information which is optimum to each reproduction signal from said first reproduction signal and said second reproduction signal; waveform equalizing means for executing a waveform equalizing process to an output of said signal layout converting means; switching means for switching characteristics of said waveform equalizing means in accordance with said sync adjustment information; and a PLL for generating a clock signal according to said sync adjustment information. 2. A reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signals are reproduced so that the sum of the transfer rate of said first reproduction signal and the transfer rate of said second reproduction signal is set to be almost constant. 3. A reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said PLL comprises a voltage controlled oscillator, a phase comparator for phase-comparing an output of said voltage controlled oscillator or its frequency-divided output with an edge detection pulse of the reproduction signal, and a charge pump filter to which an output of said phase comparator is supplied and which forms a control voltage for said voltage controlled oscillator, and an output frequency of said voltage controlled oscillator and a pulse width of said edge detection pulse are controlled on the basis of switching information of heads and linear velocity information as said sync adjustment information. 4. A reproducing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising phase lock detecting means for detecting whether or not the apparatus is in a phase locked state on the basis of the output of said phase comparator, and wherein said voltage controlled oscillator is controlled on the basis of a detection result of said phase lock detecting means. 5. A reproducing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said disc-shaped recording medium has a duplex recording structure and said reading means are provided for both sides of the disc. 6. A reproducing method whereby a first reproduction signal and a second reproduction signal are simultaneously obtained by a plurality of reading means from a disc-shaped recording medium on which data of a high-transfer rate and data of a low-transfer rate have been recorded, comprising: a signal layout converting step of multiplexing said first reproduction signal and said second reproduction signal and arranging them; a sync adjustment information forming step of forming sync adjustment information which is optimum to each reproduction signal from said first reproduction signal and said second reproduction signal; a waveform equalizing step of executing a waveform equalizing process to an output of said signal layout converting means; and a step of switching characteristics of said waveform equalizing step in accordance with said sync adjustment information, inputting an output signal of said waveform equalizing step to a PLL, and generating a clock signal according to said sync adjustment information.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to reproducing apparatus and method and, more particularly, the invention is suitable when it is applied to reproduction of a disc-shaped recording medium of an improved constant angular velocity system or the like. BACKGROUND ART As a recording/reproducing system of a disc-shaped recording medium, there is an improved constant angular velocity (hereinbelow, referred to as MCAV (Modified Constant Angular Velocity)) system. It is a system which satisfies both of a constant angular velocity (CAV: Constant Angular Velocity) system which attaches importance to high-speed accessing performance in that a rotational speed of a disc is controlled so as to be constant and the nearer a track approaches an outer rim where a linear velocity increases, the higher transfer rates of recording and reproduction are set and a constant linear velocity (CLV: Constant Liner Velocity) system which attaches importance to satisfying both of a predetermined transfer rate of the recording and the reproduction and a high-recording density. A reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method of a disc-shaped recording medium having zones of different transfer rates as in the MCAV system or the like have been disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 3106750. However, the following problems exist in the reproduction of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system. To allow a head to trace the disc-shaped recording medium and read a reproduction signal, a waveform equalizing circuit for correcting characteristics of the reproduction signal, a clock reproducing circuit to obtain bit synchronization, for example, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) or the like are necessary. However, the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system has a plurality of zones of the different transfer rates and there is a case where a difference between the transfer rate of the innermost rim and that of the outermost rim reaches three times or more. Therefore, it is very difficult to reproduce the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system by the single clock reproducing circuit. In the reproducing apparatus having a plurality of heads for reproducing the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system, it is necessary to equip a clock extracting circuit corresponding to the different transfer rates which are used when the respective heads reproduce. In the conventional reproducing apparatus, therefore, there is such a problem that if signal processes of transfer rates in a wide range are enabled, parts of high performance and high costs are necessary, a circuit scale enlarges, or costs rise. In the reproduction of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system using a plurality of heads, since different transfer rates are accessed, in order to optimize a reproduction signal obtained from each head, there is a case where an optimum one of a plurality of clock extracting circuits is selected and processes are executed. In this case, since an accessing time to access each clock extracting circuit and a switching time to switch the processes are necessary, there is such a problem that a processing time which is required until the reproducing operation reaches a stable region is long. In the reproduction of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system using a plurality of heads, to enable the reproduction of the transfer rates in a wide range, there has been proposed a method whereby each transfer rate zone is divided into two zones of a high-transfer rate zone and a low-transfer rate zone and, upon extraction of the reproduction signal by each reproducing head, the signal processes are executed so that the sum of the transfer rates is always constant. In this case, there is such a problem that a control system for making management to set the sum of the transfer rates to be constant to each zone becomes complicated. Those problems obstruct reduction of a signal processing time and an accessing time in a disc-shaped recording medium of the next-generation high-density recording which is predicted in future. To solve the above problems, therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide reproducing apparatus and method which can realize rationalization of a scale of a clock extracting circuit of reproduction signals which are simultaneously obtained from a plurality of heads and realize low costs and a high processing speed. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION To accomplish the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, there is provided a reproducing apparatus in which a first reproduction signal and a second reproduction signal are simultaneously obtained by a plurality of reading means from a disc-shaped recording medium on which data of a high-transfer rate and data of a low-transfer rate have been recorded, comprising: signal layout converting means for time division multiplexing the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal and arranging them; sync adjustment information forming means for forming sync adjustment information which is optimum to each reproduction signal from the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal; waveform equalizing means for executing a waveform equalizing process to an output of the signal layout converting means; switching means for switching characteristics of the waveform equalizing means in accordance with the sync adjustment information; and a PLL for generating a clock signal according to the sync adjustment information. According to the invention of claim 6 of the invention, there is provided a reproducing method whereby a first reproduction signal and a second reproduction signal are simultaneously obtained by a plurality of reading means from a disc-shaped recording medium on which data of a high-transfer rate and data of a low-transfer rate have been recorded, comprising: a signal layout converting step of multiplexing the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal and arranging them; a sync adjustment information forming step of forming sync adjustment information which is optimum to each reproduction signal from the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal; a waveform equalizing step of executing a waveform equalizing process to an output of the signal layout converting means; and a step of switching characteristics of the waveform equalizing step in accordance with the sync adjustment information, inputting an output signal of the waveform equalizing step to a PLL, and generating a clock signal according to the sync adjustment information. According to the reproducing apparatus and method of the invention constructed as mentioned above, the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal are time division multiplexed and arranged, the sync adjustment information which is optimum to each reproduction signal is formed from the first reproduction signal and the second reproduction signal, the waveform equalizing process is executed to the output of the signal layout converting means, the characteristics of the waveform equalization are switched in accordance with the sync adjustment information, and the clock signal according to the sync adjustment information is generated by the PLL, so that the invention can rapidly cope with the transfer rates of a wide range and can be constructed by the clock reproducing circuit of a single system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a construction of a reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the operation of a head. FIGS. 3A to 3D are schematic diagrams showing an example of layout conversion of signals according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 4A to 4E are schematic diagrams for explaining synchronization control according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing another example of the operation of the head. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention will be described hereinbelow. FIG. 1 shows an example of a construction of a driving system of the reproducing apparatus of a disc-shaped recording medium and a clock extracting circuit. Reference numeral 1 denotes a disc-shaped recording medium (hereinafter, referred to as a disc) of the MCAV system in which recorded reproduction signals are read out from both of a front surface and a back surface of the disc. The disc 1 is rotated by a spindle motor 2. A video signal, an audio signal, and the like encoded by an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) 2 system or the like have been recorded on the disc 1. The disc 1 has data of a high-transfer rate and data of a low-transfer rate. Those transfer rates will be described in detail hereinafter. An Ach head 3 reproduces the front surface of the disc 1 and, at the same time, a Bch head 4 reproduces the back surface of the disc 1. The Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4 read the data of the high-transfer rate and the data of the low-transfer rate. A first reproduction signal read by the Ach head 3 is supplied to a preamplifier 5. A second reproduction signal read by the Bch head 4 is supplied to a preamplifier 6. The preamplifier 5 amplifies the second reproduction signal read by the Bch head 4. The preamplifier 6 amplifies the first reproduction signal read by the Ach head 3. An output signal of the preamplifier 5 and an output signal of the preamplifier 6 are supplied to a signal layout converting circuit 9 and an address demodulating unit 7. The address demodulating unit 7 demodulates address data from the output signal of the preamplifier 5 and detects a track deviation and a linear velocity. The address demodulating unit 7 also demodulates address data from the output signal of the preamplifier 6 and detects a track deviation and a linear velocity. The respective demodulated address data and information of the respective detected track deviations and linear velocities are supplied to a reproduction control unit 8 and a microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as a micom) 10. The reproduction control unit 8 makes feedback control of positions of the Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4 and makes rotation control of the spindle motor 2 on the basis of the respective address data demodulated by the address demodulating unit 7 and the information of the respective detected track deviations and linear velocities. Those control information is supplied to the micom 10. The signal layout converting circuit 9 layout-converts the output signals from the preamplifiers 5 and 6 on a time base. Details of the layout conversion will be described hereinafter. The signals which were layout-converted by the signal layout converting circuit 9 are stored into an FIFO (First In First Out) buffer. The signals stored in the FIFO buffer are supplied to a signal processing unit 27 and a clock extracting unit 11 at the post stage under control of the micom 10. The micom 10 recognizes the transfer rate by the layout information obtained from the address data of the signal layout converting circuit 9 and switching information of the outputs of the preamplifiers, that is, the switching information showing timing for switching the reproduction outputs of the two heads. The micom 10 forms optimum sync adjustment information on the basis of the recognized transfer rate and various kinds of information which is supplied from the address demodulating unit 7, the reproduction control unit 8, and the signal layout converting circuit 9. The sync adjustment information formed in the micom 10 is supplied to an electronic volume 26. The clock extracting unit 11 is an internal signal generating circuit corresponding to the high-transfer rate and the low-transfer rate. An example of an internal construction of the clock extracting unit 11 will be described hereinbelow. The output signal from the FIFO buffer of the signal layout converting circuit 9 is first supplied to a waveform equalizing circuit in the clock extracting unit 11. The waveform equalizing circuit is constructed by: a high pass filter (hereinafter, abbreviated to HPF) unit 12; an adder 28; an RF amplifier 13; a low pass filter (hereinafter, abbreviated to LPF) unit 14; and a binary limiter circuit (LIM) 15. The HPF unit 12 has an HPF 12a for the high-transfer rate and an HPF 12b for the low-transfer rate and the HPFs 12a and 12b to be used f or processes are switched under control of the micom 10. Such control is made in accordance with the sync adjustment information based on the foregoing various information supplied to the micom 10, for example, on the basis of the transfer rate information and the switching information of the outputs of the preamplifiers. An output signal of the HPF unit 12 is supplied to the adder 28. The adder 28 adds an output signal of the LPF unit 14 to the output signal of the HPF unit 12. An output signal of the adder 28 is amplified by the RF amplifier 13 and supplied to the binary limiter circuit 15. The binary limiter circuit 15 converts an analog signal supplied from the RF amplifier 13 into a digital binary signal. An output signal of the binary limiter circuit 15 is supplied to the LPF unit 14 and a clock reproducing circuit. The LPF unit 14 has an LPF 14a for the high-transfer rate and an LPF 14b for the low-transfer rate and the LPFs 14a and 14b to be used for processes are switched under control of the micom 10. Such control is made in accordance with the sync adjustment information based on the foregoing various information supplied to the micom 10, for example, on the basis of the transfer rate information and the switching information of the outputs of the preamplifiers. The output signal of the LPF unit 14 is returned to the adder 28. The clock reproducing circuit is constructed by: an edge detecting circuit 17; a phase comparator 18; a phase lock detecting circuit 19; a charge pump circuit 20; a charge pump filter circuit 21; a current-voltage converting circuit (hereinafter, properly referred to as a V/I converter) 22; an internal clock signal generator (hereinafter, properly referred to as VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator)) 23; a timing matching circuit 24; and an RF buffer 25. A PLL is constructed by the VCO 23, the phase comparator 18, the charge pump circuit 20, and the charge pump filter circuit 21. The signal supplied from the binary limiter circuit 15 to the clock reproducing circuit is first supplied to the edge detecting circuit 17. The edge detecting circuit 17 sets the digital signal supplied from the binary limiter circuit 15 to the high level synchronously with each of a leading edge and a trailing edge and converts it into a pulse time width which is equal to about ¼ of a time width T as a pulse width of an output pulse of the VCO 23. The conversion of the pulse time width is determined by predetermined characteristics of the VCO 23 and a control signal (a) from the electronic volume 26, which will be explained hereinafter. An edge detection pulse as an output signal of the edge detecting circuit 17 is supplied to the phase comparator 18. The phase comparator 18 compares a phase of the edge detection pulse from the edge detecting circuit 17 with that of an output signal (d) of the VCO 23 and generates a comparison output of a pulse width according to a phase difference. The comparison output of the phase comparator 18 is supplied to the phase lock detecting circuit 19, which will be explained hereinafter. The comparison output of the phase comparator 18 is supplied to the charge pump circuit 20. The charge pump circuit 20 converts a phase difference time signal as a comparison output of the phase comparator 2 into a current value. An output signal of the charge pump circuit 20 is supplied to the charge pump filter 21. The charge pump filter 21 determines a time constant upon transferring to the VCO 23 by, for example, a resistor and a capacitor C. That is, the charge pump filter 21 forms a control voltage which is supplied to the VCO 23 through the V/I converter 22. An current-converted output signal of the charge pump filter 21 is transmitted to the current-voltage converting circuit 22. The V/I converter 22 converts a current signal inputted from the charge pump filter 21 into a voltage signal. The output voltage of the V/I converter 22 is supplied as a control voltage to a control terminal of the VCO 23. The VCO 23 generates a signal of a frequency according to the output voltage of the V/I converter 22 on the basis of a control signal (b) of the electronic volume 26, which will be explained hereinafter, and an output signal (c) of the phase lock detecting circuit 19. The signal generated from the VCO 23 is fed back to the phase comparator 18 and this signal is outputted to the timing matching circuit 24. The output frequency from the VCO 23 can be also divided by a frequency divider (not shown) and subsequently supplied to the phase comparator 18 and the timing matching circuit 24. The timing matching circuit 24 varies a phase of the signal supplied from the VCO 23. An output signal of the timing matching circuit 24 is stored into the RF buffer 25. The RF buffer 25 supplies the stored signal to the signal processing unit 27. The signal processing unit 27 executes various signal processes to the output signal supplied from the signal layout converting circuit 9. At this time, the output signal from the RF buffer 25 is used as a clock signal. The phase lock detecting circuit 19 makes a discrimination of the phase lock according to the comparison output inputted from the phase comparator 18. The output signal (c) as a discrimination result of the phase lock detecting circuit 19 is supplied to the VCO 23. The electronic volume 26 forms the control signals (a) and (b) in correspondence to each transfer rate in accordance with the sync adjustment information supplied from the micom 10, for example, on the basis of the head switching information and the linear velocity information and optimizes the edge detecting circuit 17 and the VCO 23. Details of the layout conversion in the signal layout converting circuit 9 mentioned above will now be described. First, relations of an example of the disc-shaped recording medium, zones, access of the heads, and the transfer rates will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A shows the front surface side of the disc 1. FIG. 2B shows the back surface side of the disc 1. On the front surface of the disc 1, the Ach head 3 accesses the tracks from the outer rim toward the inner rim direction as shown by an arrow in FIG. 2A. On the back surface of the disc 1, the Bch head 4 accesses the tracks from the inner rim toward the outer rim direction. The disc 1 has a plurality of zones. In the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first to fourth zones are sequentially provided on the front surface of the disc 1 from the outside to the inside and the fifth to eighth zones are sequentially provided on the back surface from the outside to the inside. Although the zones shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrated by simply dividing one side into four regions for simplicity of explanation, a construction of the zones is not limited to such an example. The disc 1 is a disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system and the data has been recorded so as to make an information linear density almost constant. Therefore, if the data is reproduced at a constant angular velocity, the nearer the track approaches the outer rim, the higher the transfer rate of the signal is, and the nearer the track approaches the inner rim, the lower the transfer rate is. In the reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment, the transfer rate is divided into two rates of the high-transfer rate and the low-transfer rate at a predetermined position on the disc 1. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the first, second, fifth, and sixth zones on the outer rim side are set to the high-transfer rate and the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth zones on the inner rim side are set to the low-transfer rate. That is, the data recorded in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th zones is the data of the high-transfer rate and the data recorded in the 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 8th zones is the data of the low-transfer rate. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment can control in such a manner that the two heads of the front and back surfaces are accessed in the radial direction of the disc in the opposite directions, respectively, and the sum of the transfer rates is set to be almost constant. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the Ach head 3 of the front surface traces from the outer rim to the inner rim side of the disc and the Bch head 4 of the back surface traces from the inner rim to the outer rim side of the disc. However, they can also trace in the directions opposite to them. In the reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment mentioned above, when the reproduction control unit 8 designates a desired address on the basis of such a reproduction tracing pattern, each of the Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4 accesses the track to trace so that the sum of the transfer rates is always set to be constant from the address data detected by the address demodulating unit 7. The first and second reproduction signals accessed by those heads are arranged as a pair by the signal layout converting circuit 9. FIGS. 3A to 3D show an example of two signal layouts. FIG. 3A shows a head switching timing. FIG. 3B shows the signals read by the Ach head. FIG. 3C shows the signals read by the Bch head. FIG. 3D shows the signals after the layout conversion. Signals A-ad0, A-ad1, . . . read by the Ach head 3 shown in FIG. 3B and signals B-ad100, B-ad101, . . . read by the Bch head 4 shown in FIG. 3C are time division multiplexed as shown in FIG. 3D. Data units such as A-ad0, B-ad100, and the like which are time division multiplexed are, for example, packets of a program stream of MPEG2. Each of the arranged signals is inputted to the clock extracting unit 11. The micom 10 switches the HPF unit 12 and the LPF unit 14 of the waveform equalizing circuit in the clock extracting unit 11 on the basis of the sync adjustment information such as transfer rate information, switching information, and the like, thereby converting the signal into the optimum binary signal. Details of the synchronization control in the clock reproducing circuit mentioned above will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4E. FIG. 4A shows the reproduction signal which was read by the Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4 and multiplexed as mentioned above. FIG. 4B shows a switching signal. The electronic volume 26 sets the control signal (a) in accordance with the foregoing sync adjustment information, for example, on the basis of two information of the transfer rate information and the switching information. FIG. 4D shows a waveform of the multiplexed reproduction data. On the basis of the control signal (a) supplied from the electronic volume 26, the edge detecting circuit 23 automatically sets a pulse width of the output signal from the limiter 15 to a value of about ¼ of a clock period of the VCO 23 as shown in FIG. 4E. On the basis of the control signal (b) supplied from the electronic volume 26, the VCO 23 changes a frequency of the clock signal to be outputted so that the leading edge lies within the pulse width of the ¼ period as shown by a broken line in FIG. 4E. The phase synchronization corresponding to the transfer rates of the wide range is performed by automatically controlling the relation between the binary pulse widths and the clock signal of the VCO 26 in accordance with the change in transfer rate as mentioned above. FIG. 4C shows the phase lock detection signal. It is necessary to instantaneously perform the phase locking with respect to the portion where the transfer rate changes suddenly due to the switching of the heads or the like. Therefore, in addition to the foregoing sync adjustment information, for example, the two information of the transfer rate information and the switching information, as shown in FIG. 4C, by instantaneously performing the shape change of the pulse width in the edge detecting circuit 23 by the control signal (a) and the frequency change of the VCO 23 by the control signal (b) when the output signal of the phase lock detecting circuit 19 is changed to the low level, the high-speed phase synchronization is performed. The clock signal which was optimally phase-synchronized is transmitted to the signal processing unit 27 of a running system and a signal processing system for demodulation and the like at the post stage of the clock extracting unit 11 and a disc recording and reproducing apparatus is formed. A reproducing method of the disc 1 in which the sums of the transfer rates of the front and back surfaces of the disc 1 are not constant will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. According to a tracing pattern of the head shown in FIG. 5A, both of the Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4 trace from the outer rim of each of the front and back surfaces of the disc toward the inner rim side, that is, from the zone of the high-transfer rate to the zone of the low-transfer rate. According to a tracing pattern of the head shown in FIG. 5B, both of the Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4 trace from the inner rim of each of the front and back surfaces of the disc toward the outer rim side, that is, from the zone of the low-transfer rate to the zone of the high-transfer rate. When a target address is designated in the reproduction control unit 8 on the basis of the reproduction tracing patterns shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the track which is traced by each head is accessed from the address data detected by the address demodulating unit 7. As for a flow of the subsequent signal processes, in a manner similar to the above description, the clock is extracted, the sync clock signal which is thus outputted is transmitted to the signal processing unit 27 at the post stage, and the disc recording and reproducing apparatus is formed. As described above, according to the embodiment, the reproduction signals are simultaneously read out of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system by the two heads of the Ach head 3 and the Bch head 4. The read-out two reproduction signals are time-sequentially multiplexed by the signal layout converting circuit 9 and layout-converted. The micom 10 controls the outputs of the electronic volume 26 so as to optimize the switching of the HPF unit 12 and the LPF unit 14 and the outputs of the edge detecting circuit 17 and the VCO 23. Therefore, the clock extracting unit 11 can be constructed by one system. Consequently, the circuit system is simplified, the circuit scale is reduced, and the disc recording and reproducing apparatus which is very effective also in terms of the costs can be realized. Also in the signal processes of the reproduction signals of the transfer rates which are largely different, the good clock signal can be easily extracted by optimally controlling on the basis of the switching information of the heads, the transfer rate information obtained from the linear velocities, and the adjustment parameters in the clock extracting unit 11 based on those information. By controlling the clock extracting unit 11 by the output information of the phase lock detecting circuit 19 in addition to the sync adjustment information such as transfer rate information, switching information, and the like, even if the access is freely executed irrespective of the tracing zone of each head, that is, irrespective of the sum of the transfer rates, the phase synchronization can be performed. The disc recording and reproducing apparatus which is very advantageous in the realization of a high speed of the trackability of the tracking control regarding the servo system and the accessing speed at the time of the random access can be realized. Since the automatic control and the optimizing process of the pulse width of the edge detecting circuit 17 and the output frequency of the VCO 23 are executed in the clock reproducing circuit, the phase synchronization can be held in accordance with the instantaneous change of the transfer rate. Easiness and stability of the tracking control regarding the servo system and the high-speed accessing performance at the time of the random access are remarkably improved. The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the invention as mentioned above but many modifications and applications are possible within the scope without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although the above embodiment has a construction in which the disc-shaped recording medium in the MCAV format is used as a disc 1 and the heads are provided for the front and back sides of the disc 1, the invention is not limited to such a construction but a construction in which the head is provided only for one side can be also used so long as it is a construction in which the reproduction signals are read out from a plurality of heads. The disc 1 is not limited to the disc in the MCAV format but the invention can be further applied to various disc-shaped recording media such as optical disc, magnetooptic disk, magnetic disk, and the like. Although the transfer rate has been divided into two rates of the low-transfer rate and the high-transfer rate, the transfer rate can be also further finely divided so as to cope with three or more different transfer rates. Although the data of the respective heads is alternately multiplexed on a packet unit basis in the layout conversion in the signal layout converting circuit 9 described in FIGS. 3A to 3D, another multiplexing construction and another data unit can be also used so long as the reproduction signals from the respective heads are multiplexed into one signal. As described above, according to the reproducing apparatus and method of the invention, from the first and second reproduction signals simultaneously read out of the disc-shaped recording medium by a plurality of reading means, the sync adjustment information which is optimum to each reproduction signal is formed, those reproduction signals are time division multiplexed, the time division multiplexed reproduction signal is processed by switching the waveform equalizing characteristics in accordance with each sync adjustment information, and the clock signal according to the sync adjustment information is generated. Therefore, the clock extracting circuit can be constructed by a single system. The clock signal corresponding to the reproduction signals of the transfer rates of the wide range can be formed without making the circuit redundant. Consequently, the generation of the clock signal corresponding to the reproduction signals of the transfer rates in the wide range can be realized at a high speed with low costs.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>As a recording/reproducing system of a disc-shaped recording medium, there is an improved constant angular velocity (hereinbelow, referred to as MCAV (Modified Constant Angular Velocity)) system. It is a system which satisfies both of a constant angular velocity (CAV: Constant Angular Velocity) system which attaches importance to high-speed accessing performance in that a rotational speed of a disc is controlled so as to be constant and the nearer a track approaches an outer rim where a linear velocity increases, the higher transfer rates of recording and reproduction are set and a constant linear velocity (CLV: Constant Liner Velocity) system which attaches importance to satisfying both of a predetermined transfer rate of the recording and the reproduction and a high-recording density. A reproducing apparatus and a reproducing method of a disc-shaped recording medium having zones of different transfer rates as in the MCAV system or the like have been disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 3106750. However, the following problems exist in the reproduction of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system. To allow a head to trace the disc-shaped recording medium and read a reproduction signal, a waveform equalizing circuit for correcting characteristics of the reproduction signal, a clock reproducing circuit to obtain bit synchronization, for example, a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) or the like are necessary. However, the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system has a plurality of zones of the different transfer rates and there is a case where a difference between the transfer rate of the innermost rim and that of the outermost rim reaches three times or more. Therefore, it is very difficult to reproduce the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system by the single clock reproducing circuit. In the reproducing apparatus having a plurality of heads for reproducing the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system, it is necessary to equip a clock extracting circuit corresponding to the different transfer rates which are used when the respective heads reproduce. In the conventional reproducing apparatus, therefore, there is such a problem that if signal processes of transfer rates in a wide range are enabled, parts of high performance and high costs are necessary, a circuit scale enlarges, or costs rise. In the reproduction of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system using a plurality of heads, since different transfer rates are accessed, in order to optimize a reproduction signal obtained from each head, there is a case where an optimum one of a plurality of clock extracting circuits is selected and processes are executed. In this case, since an accessing time to access each clock extracting circuit and a switching time to switch the processes are necessary, there is such a problem that a processing time which is required until the reproducing operation reaches a stable region is long. In the reproduction of the disc-shaped recording medium of the MCAV system using a plurality of heads, to enable the reproduction of the transfer rates in a wide range, there has been proposed a method whereby each transfer rate zone is divided into two zones of a high-transfer rate zone and a low-transfer rate zone and, upon extraction of the reproduction signal by each reproducing head, the signal processes are executed so that the sum of the transfer rates is always constant. In this case, there is such a problem that a control system for making management to set the sum of the transfer rates to be constant to each zone becomes complicated. Those problems obstruct reduction of a signal processing time and an accessing time in a disc-shaped recording medium of the next-generation high-density recording which is predicted in future. To solve the above problems, therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide reproducing apparatus and method which can realize rationalization of a scale of a clock extracting circuit of reproduction signals which are simultaneously obtained from a plurality of heads and realize low costs and a high processing speed.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a construction of a reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams showing an example of the operation of a head. FIGS. 3A to 3 D are schematic diagrams showing an example of layout conversion of signals according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 4A to 4 E are schematic diagrams for explaining synchronization control according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams showing another example of the operation of the head. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051021

20090721

20061019

60452.0

G11B700

BATTAGLIA, MICHAEL V

CLOCK SYSTEM FOR REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND METHOD

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G11B

ACCEPTED

Probe for detecting and quantifying lipid second messenger and method of detecting and quantifying lipid second messenger using the same

The present invention provides probes for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger, which comprises: a polypeptide specifically bound to the lipid second messenger; two chromophores respectively having different fluorescence wavelengths, wherein each of the chromophores is linked to each end of the polypeptide through a rigid linker sequence; and a membrane localization sequence linked to one of the chromophores through a rigid linker sequence. According to the present invention, it is now possible to quantitatively detect when and in which site of a living cell the lipid second messengers are produced.

1. A probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger, which comprises: a polypeptide which can specifically bind the lipid second messenger, two chromophores respectively having different fluorescence wavelengths, wherein each of the chromophores is linked to each end of the polypeptide through a rigid linker sequence; and a membrane localization sequence linked to one of the chromophores through a rigid linker sequence. 2. The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1, wherein the polypeptide which can specifically bind the lipid second messenger is a lipid second messenger-binding protein. 3. The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 2, wherein the lipid second messenger-binding protein is a pleckstrin homology domain from GRP1. 4. The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1, wherein the chromophores are a cyan fluorescent protein linked to N-terminal end of the polypeptide and a yellow fluorescent protein linked to C-terminal end of the polypeptide. 5. The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1, wherein the linker sequence is a rigid α-helix linker consisting of repeated sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1. 6. The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1, wherein at least one linker sequence has a single di-glycine motif. 7. The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1, wherein the membrane localization sequence is a lipidized sequence or a transmembrane sequence. 8. A method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger, which comprises: co-existing the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1 with the lipid second messenger; and measuring changes in fluorescence spectra. 9. The method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger according to claim 8, which comprises: introducing a polynucleotide to express the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger into cells; and co-existing the probe with the lipid second messenger. 10. The method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger according to claim 8, which comprises: introducing a polynucleotide to express the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger into a non-human totipotent cell; and ontogenizing the cell to non-human animal, thereby co-existing the probe with the lipid second messenger in all cells of the animal or offspring animal. 11. The method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger according to claim 9, wherein the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger is fixed on membrane in the cells, and the lipid second messenger produced in the membrane is detected and quantified. 12. A non-human animal or offspring animal thereof, which is obtained by: introducing a polynucleotide to express the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of claim 1 into a non-human totipotent cell; and ontogenizing the cell to the non-human animal. 13. A method for screening a substance for quantifying a lipid second messenger, in the cells of the non-human animal or offspring animal thereof of claim 12, which comprise introducing a test sample into the non-human animal or the offspring animal thereof. 14. The method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger according to claim 10, wherein the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger is fixed on membrane in the cells, and the lipid second messenger produced in the membrane is detected and quantified.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention of the present application relates to a probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger. More particularly, the invention of the present application relates to a probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger for the quantitative detection of when and where the lipid second messenger is produced in living cells, and to a method for detecting and quantifying the lipid second messenger using the probe. BACKGROUND ART Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3), one of the lipid second messengers, is present in cell membranes and plays an important role in intracellular signal transduction. To be more specific, it has been known to activate its binding protein such as Akt, PDK1 and Btk, and to adjust various cell functions associated with apoptosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and so on (Cantley, L. C. (2002) Science, 296, 1655-1657; Czech, M. P. (2000) Cell, 100, 603-606; Vanhaesebroeck, B and Alessi, D. R. (2000) Biochem. J., 346, 561-576). It has been clarified that production of PIP3 in cell membranes is catalyzed by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) (Wymann, M. P. and Pirola, L. (1998) Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1436, 127-150). A large number of stimuli elicit the PI3K activation, however, exactly how, when, and where the PIP3 production occurs has remained unknown. This appears to be due in part to the lack of appropriate methods to quantitatively analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of PIP3 in single living cells. Actually, labeling of cells with [32P]orthophosphate has widely been used to measure PIP3 changes, however, this method has several limitations to obtain such spatial and temporal information, because millions of cells must be smashed and analyzed to obtain sufficient radiochemical signals. Recently, fused proteins of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and PIP3 binding domains derived from Btk (Varnal, P., Rother, K. I. and Balla, T. (1999) J. Biol. Chem., 274, 10983-10989), GRP1 (Venkateswarlu, K., Gunn-Moore, F., Tavare, J. M. and Cullen, P. J. (1998) Biochem. J., 335, 139-146), ARNO (Venkateswarlu, K., Oatey, P. B., Tavare, J. M. and Cullen, P. J. (1998) Curr. Biol., 8, 463-466) or Akt (Watton, J. and Downward, J. (1999) Curr. Biol., 433-436) have been reported as indicators for PIP3 accumulation in the cellular membrane, in which the translocation of the fusion proteins from the cytosol to the membrane has been explained to reflect the PIP3 accumulation. However, several factors such as changes in the cell shapes and membrane ruffles, which are frequently observed during fluorescence imaging experiments, cause serious artifacts. Moreover, it is difficult with these fluorescent fusion proteins to distinguish to which membranes the fusion proteins translocated in the cell. The invention of the present application has been conducted in view of the above-mentioned circumstances and its object is to solve the problems in prior arts. The present invention aims to provide a probe for quantitatively detecting when and where lipid second messengers such as PIP3 are produced in single living cells. The invention of the present application also provides a method for screening a substance which affects the signaling by an intracellular lipid second messenger and a diagnostic method by measuring the signal associated with the diseases by using the probe as such. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the invention of this application firstly provides a probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger, which comprises: a polypeptide specifically bound to the lipid second messenger, two chromophores respectively having different fluorescence wavelengths, wherein each of the chromophores is linked to each end of the polypeptide through a rigid linker sequence; and a membrane localization sequence linked to one of the chromophores through a rigid linker sequence. Secondly, the invention of this application is the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger, wherein said polypeptide specifically bound to the lipid second messenger is a lipid second messenger-binding protein. Thirdly, it provides the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger, wherein said lipid second messenger-binding protein is a pleckstrin homology domain from GRP1. Fourthly, the invention of this application provides the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above, wherein the chromophores are a cyan fluorescent protein linked to N-terminal end of the polypeptide and a yellow fluorescent protein linked to C-terminal end of the polypeptide. Fifthly, the invention of this application provides the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above, wherein the linker sequence is a rigid α-helix linker consisting of repeated sequences of SEQ ID NO: 1. Sixthly, it provides the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above, wherein at least one linker sequence has a single di-glycine motif. Seventhly, the invention of this application provides the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above, wherein the membrane localization sequence is a lipidized sequence or a transmembrane sequence. Eighthly, the invention of this application provides a method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger, which comprises: co-existing the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one the above with the lipid second messenger; and measuring changes in fluorescence spectra. Ninthly, the invention of this application provides the method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger, which comprises: introducing a polynucleotide expressing the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above into cells; and co-existing the probe with the lipid second messenger. Tenthly, it provides the method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger, which comprises: introducing a polynucleotide expressing the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above into a non-human totipotent cell; and ontogenizing the cell to non-human animal, thereby co-existing the probe with the lipid second messenger in all cells of the animal or offspring animal. Eleventhly, the invention of the present application provides the method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger according to any one of the above method, wherein the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger is tethered to a membrane in the cells, and the lipid second messenger produced in the membrane is detected and quantified. Twelfthly, the invention of this application provides a non-human animal or offspring animal thereof, which is obtained by: introducing a polynucleotide expressing the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger of any one of the above into a non-human totipotent cell; and ontogenizing the cell to the non-human animal. Thirteenthly, the invention of this application provides a method for screening a substance for quantifying a lipid second messenger in the cells of the non-human animal or offspring animal thereof of the above which comprises introducing a test sample into the non-human animal or the offspring animal thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a principle of the lipid second messenger probe of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of domain structures of the probe for detecting and quantifying various kinds of lipid second messengers prepared in Examples of this invention (a: Fllip-pm; b: Fllip-pmR284C; c: Fllip-del; d: Fllip-em). FIG. 3 is fluorescence microscopic images of Fllip-pm expressed in CHO cells in the Example of this invention (a and c: vertical direction; b: horizontal direction). FIG. 4 confocal laser scanning microscopic images of Fllip-em expressed in CHO cells in the Example of this invention (a: stained with Cy5 by anti-GFP antibody; b: stained with BODIPY-ceramide CS which is a Golgi body marker; c: stained with breferdin A which is a endoplasmnic reticulum marker; d: superimposition of a, b and c). FIG. 5 is a graph showing the time course of FRET response of Fllip-pm in CHO cells (ratio of degree of CFP (480±15 nm) excited at 25° C. and 440±10 nm to emission intensity of YFP (535±12.5 nm) in the Example of this invention (Each arrow means addition of PIP3 (1 μl)). FIG. 6 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to Fllip-pm-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells in the Example of this invention (Arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: PDGF added; b: PDGF added after Wortmannin treatment). FIG. 7 is fluorescence microscopic images of Fllip-pm-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells before and after addition of PDGF (50 ng/mL) to the cells in the Example of this invention (a: 0 second; b: 100 seconds; c: 300 seconds: d: 500 seconds). FIG. 8 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to Fllip-pmR284C-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells and Fllip-del-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: Fllip-pmR284C; b: Fllip-del). FIG. 9 is fluorescence microscopic images (25° C.) of Fllip-em-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells before and after addition of PDGF (50 ng/mL) to the cells in the Example of this invention (a: 0 second; b: 120 seconds; c: 300 seconds: d: 600 seconds). FIG. 10 is a graph showing the time course of CFR/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to Fllip-em-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells and Fllip-pm-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: Fllip-em; b: Fllip-pm). FIG. 11 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio at endomembranes when DynK44A-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells were stimulated with PDGF (50 ng/mL) in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: no expression of DynK44A (endoplasmic reticulum stimulation); b: expression of DynK44A (PDGF stimulation); c: no expression of DynK44A (PDGF stimulation)). FIG. 12 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio at the plasma membrane when DynK44A-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells were stimulated with PDGF (50 ng/mL) in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: expression of DynK44A; b: no expression of DynK44A). FIG. 13 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission intensity ratio at endomembranes when PDGF was added to CHO-PDGFR cells where PTP1B was excessively expressed using Fllip-em in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: excessive expression of PTP1B; b: no excessive expression of PTP1B). FIG. 14 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission intensity ratio at the plasma membrane when PDGF was added to CHO-PDGFR cells where PTP1B was excessively expressed using Fllip-em in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: excessive expression of PTP1B; b: no excessive expression of PTP1B). SYMBOLS IN THE DRAWINGS MEAN AS FOLLOWS A Absence of lipid second messenger B Presence of lipid second messenger 1 A lipid second messenger detecting- and quantifying-probe 2 Specific binding site for lipid second messenger 31 chromophore (CFP) 32 chromophore (YFP) 41 rigid linker sequence 42 rigid linker sequence 43 flexible site 44 rigid linker sequence 5 membrane localization sequence 6 lipid second messenger 7a emission in the absence of lipid second messenger 7b emission in the presence of lipid second messenger 8 membrane BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger according to the present invention comprises three sites having different functions, respectively. Thus, the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger comprises: a lipid second messenger-specific binding site, which specifically recognizes the lipid second messenger; a coloring site emitting optical signal upon recognition of a lipid second messenger at the specific binding site; and a membrane tethering site to tether the probe to the membrane. FIG. 1 shows a schematic drawing of the probe for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger according to the present invention. Probe 1 is based on a principle that, when probe 1 coexists with a lipid second messenger 6, the specific binding of lipid second messenger 6 with specific binding site 2 causes changes in configuration between chromophores 31 and 32, which then leads to changes in optical signals 7a and 7b. Measuring the signal changes 7a and 7b makes it possible to specify and quantify where and when the lipid second messenger is produced. The lipid second messenger-specific binding site 2 is, for example, a polypeptide such as lipid second messenger-binding proteins. Preferable examples for the lipid secondary messenger-binding proteins include pleckstrin homology domain (hereinafter, referred to as PH domain) of GRP1 (Venkatewarlu, K., Gunn-Moore, F., Tavare, J. M. and Cullen, P. J. (1998) Biochem. J., 335, 139-146), PH domain of ARNO, PH domain of Btk in the case of the lipid second messenger 6 being phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3); PH domain of TAPP for phosphatidylinositol-3,4-diphosphate (PI(3,4)P2); PH domain of PLCδ for phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate (PI(4,5)P2); PX domain of p40phox and FYVE domain of EEA1-2× for phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI(3)P) (Misra, S., Miller, G. J. and Hurley, J. H. (2001) Cell, 107, 559-562); C1 domain of PKC for diacylglycerol (Zhang, C., Kazanietz, M. G., Blumberg, P. M. and Hurley, J. H. (1995) Cell, 81, 917-924), etc. The specific binding site 2 is not limited to the above, so far as it is a polypeptide specifically binding to the lipid second messenger 6, and all kinds of natural and synthetic peptides may be used. In probe 1 of this invention, various chromophores 31 and 32 may be employed as the coloring sites. The chromophores 31 and 32 are required to change the wavelengths by precisely responding to a conformational change in probe 1 that is resulted upon binding of lipid second messenger 6 with specific binding site 2. In the field of biochemistry, various fluorescent chromophores are usually used. As a chromophore capable of quickly responding to conformation changes, there is a chromophore that changes color tone by occurrence of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) (Miyawaki, A and Tsien, R. Y. (2000) Method. Enzymol., 327, 472-500; Sato, M., Hida, N., Ozawa, T., and Umezawa, Y. (2000) Anal. Chem., 72, 5918-5924; Sato, M., Ozawa, T., Inukai, K., Asano, T. and Umezawa, Y. (2002) Nature Biotechnol., 20, 287-294). Accordingly, in probe 1 of this invention, as a site for optical signal change resulted from recognition of the lipid second messenger molecule, each of two fluorescent chromophores 31 and 32 having different fluorescence wavelengths respectively is linked to both terminals of specific binding site 2. Examples of the fluorescent chromophores as such are cyan fluorescent protein (CFP), a blue shift variant protein of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP), a red shift variant protein of GFP. CFP 31 linked at N-terminal and YFP 32 at C-terminal of a lipid second messenger-specific binding polypeptide act as a donor and a acceptor, respectively, and FRET occurs. The chromophore is not limited to the above examples, various kinds thereof acting as donor/acceptor for FRET may be applied. Probe 1 of this invention has a membrane localization sequence 5 at the terminal thereof for tethering itself at a membrane, since lipid second messenger 6 is produced in membrane 8 such as plasma membranes and endomembranes. Such membrane localization sequence 5 is linked to any of the chromophores and has a role of tethering probe 1 at membrane 8. To be more specific, for tethering the probe to cell membranes, a lipidizatoin sequence such as K-Ras and N-Ras (Resh, M. D. (1996) Cell. Signal., 8, 403-412) and transmembrane sequence are exemplified. By appropriately selecting membrane localization sequence 5 depending upon lipid second messenger 6 to be detected or membrane 8 to be tethered, probe 1 is able to be tethered not only to plasma membranes or endomembranes but also to other organelle membranes such as inner membrane of nucleus or outer membrane of mitochondria. To be more specific, C181S variant of N-Ras and C181 variant-eNOS of N-Ras for endoplasmic reticulum membrane and Golgi body membrane; Tom20 for mitochondrial membrane; caveolin for caveola; and Cbp for raft may be exemplified. In addition, lipid second messenger 6 on organelle membrane such as other nuclear membrane or peroxisome membrane may be detected by using a localization sequence of a protein localized in each organelle membrane. When probe 1 of this invention is introduced into cells, probe 1 is tethered to cell membranes and has a conformation where two chromophores 31 and 32 are apart (A). When lipid second messenger 6 is produced in cell membrane 8, specific binding site 2 specifically recognizes and binds it, and conformational change of probe 1 occurs. As a result, the two chromophores 31 and 32 come closer to result in FRET (B). For the purpose that FRET is resulted from such a mechanism and lipid second messenger 6 is detected as an optical change, it is necessary that the two fluorescence chromophores 31 and 32 having different fluorescence wavelengths in probe 1 are sterically parted in the absence of lipid second messenger 6, and that the conformation of probe 1 is quickly reversed upon binding of lipid second messenger 6 and specific binding site 2. Therefore, specific binding site 2 and fluorescence chromophores 31 and 32 are linked through a rigid linker sequences 41 and 42 such as a rigid α-helical linker comprising repeated sequences of EAAAR (SEQ ID NO: 1) (Merutka, G., Shalongo, W. and Stellwagen, E. (1991) Biochemistry, 30, 4245-4248). Further, it is desired that at least one of the rigid linker sequences 41 and 42 have a flexible site 43 acting as a hinge. According to this structure, when probe 1 is tethered to the cell membrane 8, it shows the conformation where two chromophores 31 and 32 are apart in the absence of lipid second messenger 6. On the other hand, when lipid second messenger 6 is produced in the cell membrane 8, specific binding site 2 binds to lipid second messenger 6 and the conformation is reversed so that two chromophores 31 and 32 come closer. Hinge-like flexible site 43 may comprise several amino acids having small side chains, and its specific example includes a di-glycine motif. In probe 1 of this invention, membrane localization sequence 5 and fluorescent chromophore 32 shall be also linked through the same rigid linker sequence 44. Although membrane localization sequence 5 may be linked to any of chromophores 31 and 32, for taking a preferred conformation when probe 1 is tethered to cell membrane 8, it is desired that membrane localization sequence 5 shall be linked to the chromophore 32 to which linker sequence 42 having hinge-like flexible site 43 is linked. As mentioned above, when probe 1 of this invention coexists with lipid second messenger 6, specific binding site 2 binds to lipid second messenger 6 and FRET by fluorescent chromophores 31 and 32 at N- and C-terminals, respectively, occurs whereby fluorescence spectra are changed. Accordingly, when the fluorescence change is measured by commonly used various chemical or biochemical analytical methods, it is now possible to detect lipid second messenger 6. In addition, if the relation between the fluorescence intensities corresponding to some amounts of lipid second messenger 6 is previously calibrated, it is also possible to quantify the lipid second messenger in a sample. In the invention of the present application, various methods are available for coexisting probe 1 with lipid second messenger 6. For example, cells are destructed, a lipid second messenger is extracted from the cells, and probe 1 is added to the solution thereby probe 1 and lipid second messenger 6 coexist. In this method, further, a lipid is previously supplied to form liposome membrane and probe 1 is localized on the liposome membrane thereby lipid second messenger 6 can be detected and quantified in vitro. Further, in accordance with the invention of this application, it is also possible to coexist probe 1 with lipid second messenger 6 in cells by introducing an expression vector expressing probe 1 into each culture cell. With regard to the expression vector, plasmid vectors for animal cells are preferably used. Introduction of the plasmid vector into cells may be performed with known methods such as electroporation, calcium phosphate method, liposome method and DEAE dextran method. As above, employing the method for introducing probe 1 expression vector into cells, probe 1 and lipid second messenger 6 are able to coexist in cells. Accordingly, it is possible to conduct an in vivo detection and quantification of lipid second messenger 6 without destruction of cells. Furthermore, in accordance with the method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger of this invention, a polynucleotide expressing probe 1 is introduced into a non-human animal totipotent cell and then the cell is ontogenized into the non-human animal. Probe 1 coexists with lipid second messenger 6 within all cells of the animal or offspring animal thereof. In this case, probe 1 expressed in the cells is tethered to the membrane on cells and the lipid second messenger produced in the cells can be detected and quantified. In the invention of the present application, the polynucleotide to express probe 1 can be introduced into the non-human totipotent cells by various methods as mentioned above, and probe 1 coexists with lipid second messenger 6 in the cells of the transgenic non-human animal. A transgenic non-human animal can be established by a known preparing method (such as Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 77: 7380-7384, 1980). The transgenic non-human animal has probe 1 in all somatic cells and, therefore, when a test substance such as drug or toxin is introduced into its body and concentration of a lipid second messenger in cells and tissues is measured, it is now possible to screen various substances. As hereunder, Examples according to the attached drawings will be shown to illustrate the invention in more detail. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the following Examples but various embodiments in particulars are possible. EXAMPLES [Preparations] (1) Reagents In the following Examples, each of materials and reagents used was as follows. Synthetic PIP3 and L-α-phosphatidyl-D-myo-inositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (Dic16) were purchased from Wako Pure Chemical (Osaka, Japan). Hamls F-12 medium, fetal calf serum, Hank's balanced salt solution and LipofectAMINE 2000 reagent were obtained from Life Technologies (Rockville, Md.). Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium and PDGF-BB were purchased from Sigma Chemical (St. Louis, Mo.). Anti-GFP antibody was obtained from Clontech (Palo Alto, Calif.). Anti-rabbit IgG antibody labeled with Cy5 was obtained from Jacson ImmunoResearch Lab., Inc. (West Glove, Pa.). BONIPY-ceramide CS and breferdin A were purchased from Molecular Probes Inc. (Eugene, Oreg.). CFP mutations were F64L/S65T/Y66W/N146I/M 153T/V163A/N212K, and YFP mutation was S65G/V68L/Q69K/S72A/T203Y. Other chemicals used were all of analytical reagent grade. (2) Plasmid Construction To construct cDNAs of a probe for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger, fragment cDNAs of CFP, PHD with linker sequences (Ln1 and Ln2), YFP with a linker sequence (Ln3) and membrane localization sequence (MLS 1), PHD-R284C (the 84th R in PHD was substituted with C) with linker sequences (Ln1 and Ln2), YFP with a linker sequence (Ln3) (hereinafter, referred to as “YFP-Ln3”) and YFP with a linker sequence (Ln3) and a membrane localization sequence (MLS2) were generated by standard PCR. Each cDNA was subcloned into pBLuescript SK(+). All cloning enzymes were from Takara Biomedical (Tokyo, Japan) and were used according to the manufacturer's instructions. All PCR fragments were sequenced with an ABI310 genetic analyzer. Each cDNA encoding the probes was subcloned at HindIII and XhoI sites of a mammalian expression vector, pcDNA3.1(+) (Invitrogen Co., Carlsbad, Calif.). Example 1 Preparation of a Probe for Detection and Quantification of a Lipid Second Messenger As shown in FIG. 1, cyan fluorescence protein (CFP), a variant of green fluorescence protein (GFP) (for example, Current Biology 6(2): 178-182, 1996) derived from Aequorea victoria is linked by a genetic engineering techniques at N-terminal of PHD derived from human GRP1 (261-382) through the linker Ln1 (SEQ ID NO: 2), while yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) is similarly linked at C-terminal of the PHD through the linker Ln2 (SEQ ID NO: 3) and, further, a CAAX box motif of N-Ras (Choy, E. et al. (1999) Cell, 98, 68-80) is linked through the linker Ln3 (SEQ ID NO: 4) at C-terminal of YFP as the membrane localization sequence MLS1 (SEQ ID NO: 5). Thus, probe 1 for detection and quantification of a lipid second messenger (hereinafter, referred to as “Fllip-pm”) was prepared. For probe 1, addition to Fllip-pm that has the full length of amino acid sequence of PHD (FIG. 2a), the followings were prepared by the same manner: a probe in which the 284th arginine residue of PHD was replaced with cysteine, abolishing binding to PIP3 (hereinafter, referred to as “Fllip-pmR284C”) (FIG. 2b); a probe having no membrane localization sequence MLS1 (hereinafter, referred to as “Fllip-del”) (FIG. 2c); and a probe where membrane localization sequence MLS1 was changed to MLS2 (SEQ ID NO: 6) (hereinafter, referred to as “Fllip-em”) (FIG. 2d). Example 2 Introduction of the Probe (CGY) into CHO-PDGFR Cells Ovarian cells of Chinese hamster (CHO) were cultured in Ham's F-12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) at 37° C. in 5% CO2. The resulting CHO-PDGFR cells were plated onto glass-bottomed dishes, each of Fllip-pm, Fllip-pmR284C, Fllip-del and Fllip-em expression vectors were transfected with LipofectAMINE2000 reagent (manufactured by Life Technology) and left for 24 hours at 37° C. in 5% CO2. Example 3 Imaging of CHO-PDGFR with the Probe (1) Fllip-pm After serum starvation with serum-free incubating medium, the medium was replaced with a Hank's balanced salt solution. Then, in accordance with a method already reported by the inventors (such as Non-Patent Documents 12 and 13), the cells were imaged at room temperature on a Carl Zeiss Axiovert 135 microscope with a cooled CCD camera, MicroMAX (Roper Scientific lnc, Tucson, Ariz.), controlled by MetaFluor. (Universal Imaging, West Chester, Pa.). The fluorescence images were obtained through 480±15 nm and 535±12.5 nm filters with a 40× oil immersion objective (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany). YFP images were detected by a confocal laser scanning microscope LSM 510 (Carl Zeiss). FIG. 3 is a microscopic image of Fllip-pm in CHO cells (a and c: vertical section; b: horizontal section). It was confirmed that Fllip-pm was mainly localized on plasma membrane of CHO-PDGFR cells. (2) Fllip-em A microscopic image of Fllip-em in CHO cells is shown in FIG. 4. a: Cy5 staining with anti-GFP antibody; b: BODIPY-ceramide C5 (the Golgi marker) staing; c: the breferdin A (the endoplasmic reticulum marker) staining; d: the merged image of a through c. In Fllip-em, in which Cys 181 in MLS1 was replaced with a serine, the observed fluorescence was localized on the endomembranes (that is, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. Example 4 Response of the Probe (Addition of Synthetic PIP3 into Fllip-pm-expressing CHO cells) Each probe prepared in Example 1 was stimulated by microinjecting synthetic PIP3 (1 μM) and fluorescence was measured by a dual-emission fluorescence microscope. FIG. 5 shows the time course in FRET response of Fllip-pm in CHO cells. That is, it shows the emission ratio of CFP (480±15 nm) to YFP (535±12.5 nm) when excited at 440±10 nm at 25° C. It was confirmed from FIG. 5 that the CFP:YFP emission ratio of Fllip-pm rapidly decreased by addition of synthetic PIP3 (1 μl) and reached a plateau. Therefore, it was noted that FRET from CFP to YFP dependently increased on PIP3, and Fllip-pm could be used for visualizing PIP3 dynamic on plasma membrane. Example 5 Response of the Probe (PDGF Stimulation to Fllip-pm-Expressing CHO-PDGFR Cells) Response of Fllip-pm to PIP3 produced by physiological stimulation was examined. Fllip-pm was expressed in CHO-PDGFR cells stably expressing platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR). PDGF treatment promotes dimerization of PDGFR that results in phosphorylation of multiple tyrosine residues of PDGFR and its activation. PI3K is recruited to these tyrosine phosphorylation sites through its Src-homology 2 (SH2) domain, resulting in its activation (Schlessinger, J. (2000), Cell, 103, 211-225). The time course of CFP/YFP-emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to a cell expressing Fllip-pm at plasma membrane are shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. From FIG. 6a, it was confirmed that, as a result of addition of PDGF (50 ng/mL), the CFP/YFP emission ratio decreased immediately, reaching a plateau in 300 seconds. On the other hand, the same pretreatment of the cell with 100 nM of wortmannin, which is a specific PI3K inhibitor, FRET response from Fllip-pm by the PDGF stimulation completely disappeared (FIG. 6b). From the above, it was confirmed that Fllip-pm was able to detect the level of PIP3 physiologically produced at plasma membrane. Comparative Example 1 Response of the Probe (1) PDGF Stimulation in CHO-PDGFR Cell Expressing Fllip-pmR284C According to the same method as in Examples 4 and 5, response of Fllip-pmR284C, of which PHD was mutated not to bind to PIP3, was examined. FIG. 8a shows the time course of CFR/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to a cell expressing Fllip-pmR284C (FIG. 2b) at plasma membrane. As mentioned in a publication (Venkateswarlu, K., Cunn-Moore, F., Tavare, J. M. and Cullen, P. J. (1999) J. Cell Sci., 112, 1957-1965), Fllip-pmR284C did not respond to PDGF stimulation. Accordingly, it was confirmed that FRET response from Fllip-pm was caused by the fact that PHD recognized PIP3 at membrane. (2) PDGF Stimulation in CHO-PDGFR Cell Expressing Fllip-del The time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to a cell expressing Fllip-del lacking the membrane localization sequence (MLS) (FIG. 2d) at plasma membrane are shown in FIG. 8b. Fllip-del did not show any response after PDGF stimulation. Accordingly, it was confirmed that MLS is important not only for tethering the probe to cell membrane but also for eliciting a reversed type conformational change of the probe at membrane. Example 6 Response of the Probe (PDGF Stimulation to Fllip-em-Expressing CHO-PDGFR Cells) PIP3 dynamics in the endomembranes, i.e., the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi body, were visualized by using Fllip-em, location of which was shown to be spatially confirmed in endomembranes in Example 3(2). Fllip-em was expressed in the CHO-PDGFR cells by the same method as in Example 2. After that, the cells were stimulated with PDGF by the same method as in Example 5 and the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio was measured. The result is shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. Upon PDGF stimulation, the CFP/YFP emission ratio of Fllip-em did not change immediately (FIG. 10a). On the other hand, Fllip-pm at the plasma membrane responded rapidly (FIG. 10b). However, after 100 to 150 seconds, the CFP/YFP emission ratio was found to decrease in the endomembranes and reach to a plateau in 500 seconds (FIG. 3a). This result clearly indicates that PIP3 is increased not only in the plasma membrane but also in encomembranes upon PDGF stimulation. Also, it should be noted that the extent of PIP3 increase in the endomembranes was found to be twice to three times lager than that in the plasma membrane. Incidentally, the present inventors have also confirmed that other peptide ligand, insulin and epidermal growth factors, likewise induced the PIP3 increase in plasma membranes and endomembranes. Example 7 To explore the molecular mechanism, which underlies the PIP3 increase in the endomembranes, the effect on the PIP3 increase of a dominant-negative mutant of dynamin (DynK44A), in which the lysine 44 is substituted by an alanine, was assessed. The dynamin is a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) that controls the clathrin-mediated endocytosis (Qualmann, B., Kessels, M. M. and Kelly, R. B. (2000) J. Cell Biol., 150, F111-F116) of receptor tyrosine kinases, including PDGFR. DynK44A lacks the GTPase activity and inhibits a clathrin-mediated endocytosis of PDGFR. The DynK44A was expressed in CHO-PDCFR cells by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, the cells were stimulated with PDGF (50 ng/mL) and time course of CFP/YFP in endomembranes was measured as shown in FIG. 11. The FRET response was completely lost to the basal level in the endomembranes. On the other hand, in the plasma membrane, the FRET response of Fllip-pm was immediately observed upon PDGF stimulation even in the presence of the DynK44A expression, as observed in the absence of the DynK44A expression (FIG. 12). These results show that the PDGF-stimulated PIP3 increase in the endomembranes was completely inhibited by overexpression of the DynK44A, whereas that in the plasma membrane was not affected. The PIP3 increase in the endomembranes by other peptide ligands, insulin and epidermal growth factor, was also inhibited by the DynK44A overexpression. Thus, it was revealed that the clathrin-mediated endocytosis causes the time-delayed PIP3 increase in the endomembranes. Example 8 It was investigated how the endocytosis triggers the PIP3 increase in the endomembranes. For further dissecting the PIP3 dynamics in the endomembranes, protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) was overexpressed in CHO-PDGFR cells by adenovirus-mediated gene transfer. The PTP1B is localized exclusively on the cytoplasmic surface of the ER (Frangioni, J. V., Beaham, P. H., Shifrin, V., Jost, C. A. and Neel, B. G. (1992) Cell, 68, 545-560). It has recently been reported that upon ligand stimulations, receptor tyrosine kinases, including PDGFR, are dephosphorylated and inactivated by the PTP1B on the cytoplasmic surface of the ER after the receptors activated at the cell surface were internalized by endocytosis (Haj, F. G., Verveer, P. J., Squire, A., Neel, B. G. and Bastiaens, P. I. H. (2002), Science, 295, 1708-1711). The inventors expected the overexpressed PTP1B to selectively dephosphorylate the endocytosed PDGFR and to inhibit the recruitment and activation of PI3K by the PDGFR on the cytoplasmic surface of ER, without affecting the PDCFR in the plasma membrane. PTP1B was overexpressed in CHO-PDGFR cells and time course of CYP/YFP emission ratio in endomembranes after PDGF stimulation using Fllip-em were measured as shown in FIG. 13 the PDGF-stimulated PIP3 increase was completely lost. On the other hand, in the plasma membrane, the PIP3 increases upon PDGF stimulation, which was monitored with Fllip-pm, was not affected by the overexpression of PTP1B (FIG. 14). It is probably due to the absence of PTP1B in the plasma membrane. Taken these together, it is concluded that PIP3 was increased by its production in the endomembranes when the activated PDGFR was internalized to the endomembranes by the clathrin-coated endocytosis vesicles and thereby activated the P13K there. This means that the influx by the endocytosis vesicles of the PIP3 produced in the plasma membrane to the endomembranes is negligible, but rather that the PIP3 observed in the endomembranes is produced in situ in the endomembranes. Example 9 It has been known that C1B domain derived from PKC is selectively bound to DAG. Therefore, this domain was selected as an LBD and the lipid second messenger detecting- and quantifying-probe (hereinafter, referred to as DAG-Fllip) was prepared. Localization domains to the plasma membrane and endomembranes are linked with DAG-fllip to prepare DAG-fllip-pm and DAG-fllip-em. After that, in order to confirm whether the DAG-fllip-pm and the DAG-fllip-em respond to DAG, the DAG-fllip-pm and the DAG-fllip-em were evaluated by using phorbol ester (PMA), which is a substance having a membrane permeability, and specifically bound to C1B domain. When phorbol ester was added, fluorescence intensity ratios were decreased in both cases of fllip-pm and fllip-em (FIG. 15). From this result, it was confirmed that each of the DAG-fllip-pm and DAG-fllip-em acts as probes for visualizing DAG in cell membrane and endomembranes. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As fully illustrated hereinabove, this invention provides a probe by which a lipid second messenger can be detected and quantified easily with high accuracy even in vivo, and also provides a method for detecting and quantifying a lipid second messenger using the probe. The probe of this invention is genetically encoded fluorescent indicators and has general applicability for other lipid second messengers as well. Accordingly, when the probe of this invention is used, it is now possible to visualize not only the dynamics of lipid second messengers in a single living cell but also in which of plasma membrane and endomembranes a lipid second messenger is increased by various stimulations from outside or by what mechanism a lipid second messenger is increased is elucidated. Receptor endocytosis has previously been suggested to play roles not only in attenuating the receptor activation but also in modulating the downstream signaling (Vieria, A. V., Lamaze, C. and Schmid, S. L. (1996) Science, 274, 2086-2089; Ceresa, B. C. and Schmid, S. L. (2000) Curr. Opin. Cell Biol., 12, 204-210; Lavoie, C. et al. (2002) J. Biol. Chem., 277, 35402-35410). However, to date, it has not yet been clarified exactly how, when and where the signaling pathways are elicited by the receptor endocytosis in living cells. The probe of the invention is very highly useful in knowing wide insights into mechanism, timing and location of the lipid second messenger production. In addition, by using the probe of this invention, it is expected to clarify that, for example, the same lipid second messenger (such as PIP3) produced in different membrane in cells adjusts different downstream signal depending upon the type of the binding protein and finally leads to individual cell functions such as gene expression, cell metabolism and cell skeleton adjustment.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP 3 ), one of the lipid second messengers, is present in cell membranes and plays an important role in intracellular signal transduction. To be more specific, it has been known to activate its binding protein such as Akt, PDK1 and Btk, and to adjust various cell functions associated with apoptosis, diabetes mellitus, cancer, and so on (Cantley, L. C. (2002) Science, 296, 1655-1657; Czech, M. P. (2000) Cell, 100, 603-606; Vanhaesebroeck, B and Alessi, D. R. (2000) Biochem. J., 346, 561-576). It has been clarified that production of PIP 3 in cell membranes is catalyzed by phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) (Wymann, M. P. and Pirola, L. (1998) Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1436, 127-150). A large number of stimuli elicit the PI3K activation, however, exactly how, when, and where the PIP 3 production occurs has remained unknown. This appears to be due in part to the lack of appropriate methods to quantitatively analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of PIP 3 in single living cells. Actually, labeling of cells with [ 32 P]orthophosphate has widely been used to measure PIP 3 changes, however, this method has several limitations to obtain such spatial and temporal information, because millions of cells must be smashed and analyzed to obtain sufficient radiochemical signals. Recently, fused proteins of green fluorescent protein (GFP) and PIP 3 binding domains derived from Btk (Varnal, P., Rother, K. I. and Balla, T. (1999) J. Biol. Chem., 274, 10983-10989), GRP1 (Venkateswarlu, K., Gunn-Moore, F., Tavare, J. M. and Cullen, P. J. (1998) Biochem. J., 335, 139-146), ARNO (Venkateswarlu, K., Oatey, P. B., Tavare, J. M. and Cullen, P. J. (1998) Curr. Biol., 8, 463-466) or Akt (Watton, J. and Downward, J. (1999) Curr. Biol., 433-436) have been reported as indicators for PIP 3 accumulation in the cellular membrane, in which the translocation of the fusion proteins from the cytosol to the membrane has been explained to reflect the PIP 3 accumulation. However, several factors such as changes in the cell shapes and membrane ruffles, which are frequently observed during fluorescence imaging experiments, cause serious artifacts. Moreover, it is difficult with these fluorescent fusion proteins to distinguish to which membranes the fusion proteins translocated in the cell. The invention of the present application has been conducted in view of the above-mentioned circumstances and its object is to solve the problems in prior arts. The present invention aims to provide a probe for quantitatively detecting when and where lipid second messengers such as PIP 3 are produced in single living cells. The invention of the present application also provides a method for screening a substance which affects the signaling by an intracellular lipid second messenger and a diagnostic method by measuring the signal associated with the diseases by using the probe as such.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a principle of the lipid second messenger probe of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of domain structures of the probe for detecting and quantifying various kinds of lipid second messengers prepared in Examples of this invention (a: Fllip-pm; b: Fllip-pmR284C; c: Fllip-del; d: Fllip-em). FIG. 3 is fluorescence microscopic images of Fllip-pm expressed in CHO cells in the Example of this invention (a and c: vertical direction; b: horizontal direction). FIG. 4 confocal laser scanning microscopic images of Fllip-em expressed in CHO cells in the Example of this invention (a: stained with Cy5 by anti-GFP antibody; b: stained with BODIPY-ceramide CS which is a Golgi body marker; c: stained with breferdin A which is a endoplasmnic reticulum marker; d: superimposition of a, b and c). FIG. 5 is a graph showing the time course of FRET response of Fllip-pm in CHO cells (ratio of degree of CFP (480±15 nm) excited at 25° C. and 440±10 nm to emission intensity of YFP (535±12.5 nm) in the Example of this invention (Each arrow means addition of PIP 3 (1 μl)). FIG. 6 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to Fllip-pm-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells in the Example of this invention (Arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: PDGF added; b: PDGF added after Wortmannin treatment). FIG. 7 is fluorescence microscopic images of Fllip-pm-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells before and after addition of PDGF (50 ng/mL) to the cells in the Example of this invention (a: 0 second; b: 100 seconds; c: 300 seconds: d: 500 seconds). FIG. 8 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to Fllip-pmR284C-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells and Fllip-del-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: Fllip-pmR284C; b: Fllip-del). FIG. 9 is fluorescence microscopic images (25° C.) of Fllip-em-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells before and after addition of PDGF (50 ng/mL) to the cells in the Example of this invention (a: 0 second; b: 120 seconds; c: 300 seconds: d: 600 seconds). FIG. 10 is a graph showing the time course of CFR/YFP emission ratio when PDGF (50 ng/mL) was added to Fllip-em-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells and Fllip-pm-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: Fllip-em; b: Fllip-pm). FIG. 11 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio at endomembranes when DynK44A-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells were stimulated with PDGF (50 ng/mL) in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: no expression of DynK44A (endoplasmic reticulum stimulation); b: expression of DynK44A (PDGF stimulation); c: no expression of DynK44A (PDGF stimulation)). FIG. 12 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission ratio at the plasma membrane when DynK44A-expressing CHO-PDGFR cells were stimulated with PDGF (50 ng/mL) in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: expression of DynK44A; b: no expression of DynK44A). FIG. 13 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission intensity ratio at endomembranes when PDGF was added to CHO-PDGFR cells where PTP1B was excessively expressed using Fllip-em in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: excessive expression of PTP1B; b: no excessive expression of PTP1B). FIG. 14 is a graph showing the time course of CFP/YFP emission intensity ratio at the plasma membrane when PDGF was added to CHO-PDGFR cells where PTP1B was excessively expressed using Fllip-em in the Example of this invention (arrow/broken line: PDGF (50 ng/mL) added; a: excessive expression of PTP1B; b: no excessive expression of PTP1B). detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051024

20090324

20061123

94056.0

A01K6700

GEBREYESUS, KAGNEW H

PROBE FOR DETECTING AND QUANTIFYING LIPID SECOND MESSENGER AND METHOD OF DETECTING AND QUANTIFYING LIPID SECOND MESSENGER USING THE SAME

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A01K

ACCEPTED

Legged mobile robot

In a legged mobile robot, each hip joint that connects a body with a thigh link comprises a first rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a yaw axis, a second rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a roll axis, and a third rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a pitch axis, and in addition thereto, a fourth rotary shaft that provides a redundant degree of freedom. Owing to this configuration, the amount of body bending and the movable range of the legs can be increased, thereby improving the degree of posture and gait freedom.

1. A legged mobile robot equipped with legs each having a hip joint that connects a body with a thigh link, a knee joint that connects the thigh link with a shank link, and an ankle joint that connects the shank link with a foot to move by driving each leg, wherein each of the hip joint comprises a first rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a yaw axis, a second rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a roll axis, and a third rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a pitch axis, a fourth rotary shaft that provides a redundant degree of freedom. 2. The robot according to claim 1, wherein each of the hip joint is further equipped with a first member that is connected to the body through one of the first to third rotary shafts, and a second member that is connected to the thigh link through others of the first to third rotary shafts, and the first member and the second member are connected through the fourth rotary shaft. 3. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the fourth rotary shaft is a shaft that is not parallel to the yaw axis. 4. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the fourth rotary shaft is situated forward of the first rotary shaft in a direction of the roll axis. 5. The robot according to claim 1, further including: a first rotary shaft motor that drives the first rotary shaft and a first rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the first rotary shaft motor in speed, and output shafts of the first rotary shaft motor and the first rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the first rotary shaft. 6. The robot according to claim 1, further including: a second rotary shaft motor that drives the second rotary shaft and a second rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the second rotary shaft motor in speed, and output shafts of the second rotary shaft motor and the second rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the second rotary shaft. 7. The robot according to claim 1, further including: a third rotary shaft motor that drives the third rotary shaft and a third rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the third rotary shaft motor in speed, and an output shafts of the third rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the third rotary shaft. 8. The robot according to claim 1, further including: a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated at a same position as the fourth rotary shaft or at a position closer to the body than the fourth rotary shaft. 9. The robot according to claim 8, further including: a fourth rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the fourth rotary shaft motor, and an output shaft of the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the fourth rotary shaft. 10. The robot according to claim 2, further including: a second rotary shaft motor that drives the second rotary shaft and a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the second member is connected with the thigh link through at least the second rotary shaft such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated toward a side of the body from the second rotary shaft motor. 11. The robot according to claim 2, further including: a third rotary shaft motor that drives the third rotary shaft and a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the second member is connected with the thigh link through at least the third rotary shaft such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated toward a side of the body from the third rotary shaft motor. 12. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated on a side opposite from the fourth rotary shaft in the direction of the roll axis, sandwiching a center axis of the leg therebetween. 13. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the first rotary shaft is offset relative to the center axis of the leg in the direction of the roll axis. 14. The robot according to claim 1, wherein the second rotary shaft and the third rotary shaft intersect at right angles.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a legged mobile robot, particularly to the hip joint structure of a legged mobile robot. BACKGROUND ART As examples of technologies concerning hip joint structures for legged mobile robots are known from Japanese Patent Publication No. 2592340 ('340) and Japanese Laid-Open Application Nos. 2001-62761 ('761) and 2001-150371 ('371). In '340 (especially at pages 4 and 5 and FIG. 2), there is taught a configuration in which the motors for driving the hip joints are disposed on the body side so as to reduce weight toward the distal ends of the legs and lower the inertial moment produced in the legs. The teaching of '761 (especially at paragraphs 0053 to 0055 and FIG. 12) relates to a configuration in which the hip joints are provided with a parallel link mechanism with which the right and left legs are connected and the parallel link mechanism is operated at free leg footfall to move the leg upward so as to mitigate the ground impact force. The teaching of '371 (especially at 0070 to 0086 and FIGS. 5 and 7) relates to a configuration in which each rotary shaft providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the yaw axis among the degrees of freedom of the hip joints is offset relative to the roll axis direction to avoid interference between the feet when the robot changes directions of movement. Aside from the above, in the case where the body of the legged mobile robot is to be bent (i.e., bent forward or backwards), situations sometimes arise in which the desired amount of bending cannot be realized solely within the movable range of the respective shafts that rotate about the pitch axis and the roll axis of the hip joints. It has therefore been proposed to increase the amount of bending of the body by dividing the body into an upper section and a lower section, connecting the two sections through a joint having a degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis and rotating the upper and lower sections relative to each other so as to realize an amount of body bending that is larger than that realized by the movable range of the hip joints (this can be seen by, for example, Kawada Industries, Inc., “‘Rise/Lie Actions’ Achieved by Humanoid Worker Robot,” [online], Sep. 19, 2002, Kawada Industries Homepage, topics, [retrieved May 2, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.kawada.co.jp/general/topics/020919_hrp-2p.html>). However, the structure described on the aforesaid website has a problem in that the division of the body into upper and lower sections degrades the ability of the body to accommodate equipment internally. Moreover, the fact that the movable range of hip joints is deficient means not only that the amount of body bending is deficient but also simultaneously that the movable range of the legs cannot be increased. In the technology described on the website, the amount of bending of the body is increased by equipping the body with the joint, which does nothing to increase the moveable range of legs, so that no improvement is achieved in the degree of posture and gait freedom of the whole robot including its lower part. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of this invention is therefore to provide a legged mobile robot configured to increase the amount of body bending and the movable range of the legs, thereby improving the degree of posture and gait freedom, without degrading the ability of the body to accommodate equipment internally. In order to achieve the object, as recited in claim 1 mentioned below, this invention is configured to have a legged mobile robot equipped with legs each having a hip joint that connects a body with a thigh link, a knee joint that connects the thigh link with a shank link, and an ankle joint that connects the shank link with a foot to move by driving each leg, in which each of the hip joint comprises a first rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a yaw axis, a second rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a roll axis, and a third rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a pitch axis, and in addition thereto, a fourth rotary shaft that provides a redundant degree of freedom. Thus, it is configured such that each hip joint connecting the body with the thigh link comprises a first rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a yaw axis, a second rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a roll axis, and a third rotary shaft that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a pitch axis, and in addition thereto, a fourth rotary shaft that provides a redundant degree of freedom. Owing to this configuration, the amount of body bending and the movable range of the legs can be increased, thereby improving the degree of posture and gait freedom, without degrading the ability of the body to accommodate equipment internally. As recited in claim 2 mentioned below, this invention is configured such that each of the hip joint is further equipped with a first member that is connected to the body through one of the first to third rotary shafts, and a second member that is connected to the thigh link through others of the first to third rotary shafts, and the first member and the second member are connected through the fourth rotary shaft. Thus, since it is configured such that each hip joint is further equipped with a first member that is connected to the body through one of the first to third rotary shafts, and a second member that is connected to the thigh link through others of the first to third rotary shafts, and the first member and the second member are connected through the fourth rotary shaft, similarly to claim 1, the amount of body bending and the movable range of the legs can be increased, thereby improving the degree of posture and gait freedom. As recited in claim 3 mentioned below, this invention is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft is a shaft that is not parallel to the yaw axis. Thus, since it is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft is a shaft that is not parallel to the yaw axis, similarly to claim 1, the amount of body bending and the movable range of the legs can be increased, thereby improving the degree of posture and gait freedom. As recited in claim 4 mentioned below, this invention is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft is situated forward of the first rotary shaft in a direction of the roll axis. Thus, since it is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft is situated forward of the first rotary shaft in a direction of the roll axis, in addition to the effects and advantages mentioned above, this makes it easy to bend the body forward. As recited in claim 5 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further include a first rotary shaft motor that drives the first rotary shaft and a first rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the first rotary shaft motor in speed, and output shafts of the first rotary shaft motor and the first rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the first rotary shaft. Thus, since it is configured to further include a first rotary shaft motor that drives the first rotary shaft and a first rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the first rotary shaft motor in speed, and output shafts of the first rotary shaft motor and the first rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the first rotary shaft, in addition to the effects and advantages mentioned above, the structure of the motor output transmission concerning the first rotary shaft can be made compact. As recited in claim 6 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further include a second rotary shaft motor that drives the second rotary shaft and a second rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the second rotary shaft motor in speed, and output shafts of the second rotary shaft motor and the second rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the second rotary shaft. Thus, since it is configured such that it further include a second rotary shaft motor that drives the second rotary shaft and a second rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the second rotary shaft motor in speed, and output shafts of the second rotary shaft motor and the second rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the second rotary shaft, in addition to the effects and advantages mentioned above, the structure of the motor output transmission concerning the second rotary shaft can be made compact. As recited in claim 7 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further includes a third rotary shaft motor that drives the third rotary shaft and a third rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the third rotary shaft motor in speed, and an output shaft of the third rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the third rotary shaft. Since it is configured to further includes a third rotary shaft motor that drives the third rotary shaft and a third rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the third rotary shaft motor in speed, and an output shaft of the third rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the third rotary shaft, in addition to the effects and advantages mentioned above, the structure of the motor output transmission concerning the third rotary shaft can be made compact. Moreover, since the output shaft of the third rotary shaft speed reducer and the third rotary shaft are made coaxial, other transmission element required for driving the third rotary shaft is only that situated between the third rotary shaft motor and the third rotary shaft speed reducer. Since it suffices if this transmission element can transmit a small driving force before reduced in speed (i.e., the output of the third rotary shaft motor) to the third rotary shaft speed reducer, its torque capacity can be made small. With this, since a relatively light transmission element can be used, even if an axial-to-axial distance between the motor and speed reducer is increased and the transmission element is elongated, the weight will not grow markedly, thereby improving the degree of freedom of positioning of the third rotary shaft motor. As recited in claim 8 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further include a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated at a same position as the fourth rotary shaft or at a position closer to the body than the fourth rotary shaft. Since it is configured to further include a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated at a same position as the fourth rotary shaft or at a position closer to the body than the fourth rotary shaft, it becomes possible to reduce the inertial moment produced in the leg when the fourth rotary shaft is driven, as the fourth rotary shaft motor is not subject of rotation of the fourth rotary shaft. As recited in claim 9 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further include a fourth rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the fourth rotary shaft motor in speed, and an output shaft of the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the fourth rotary shaft. Since it is configured to further includes a fourth rotary shaft speed reducer that reduces an output of the fourth rotary shaft motor in speed, and an output shaft of the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the fourth rotary shaft, in addition to the effects and advantages mentioned above, the structure of the motor output transmission concerning the fourth rotary shaft can be made compact. Moreover, since the output shaft of the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer and the fourth rotary shaft are made coaxial, other transmission element required for driving the fourth rotary shaft is only that situated between the fourth rotary shaft motor and the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer. Since it suffices if this transmission element can transmit a small driving force before reduced in speed (i.e., the output of the fourth rotary shaft motor) to the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer, its torque capacity can be made small. With this, since a relatively light transmission element can be used, even if an axial-to-axial distance between the motor and speed reducer is increased and the transmission element is elongated, the weight will not grow markedly, thereby improving the degree of freedom of positioning of the fourth rotary shaft motor. As recited in claim 10 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further include a second rotary shaft motor that drives the second rotary shaft and a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the second member is connected with the thigh link through at least the second rotary shaft such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated toward a side of the body from the second rotary shaft motor. Since it is configured such that the second member is connected with the thigh link through at least the second rotary shaft, i.e., the fourth rotary shaft is situated at a position closer to the body than the second rotary shaft, such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated toward a side of the body from the second rotary shaft motor, it becomes possible to reduce the weight toward the distal end of the leg (the center of gravity of the leg can be moved away from the distal end) and to reduce the inertial moment produced in the leg during moving of the robot. Specifically, by situating the fourth rotary shaft at a position closer to the body than the second rotary shaft, the number of members rotated by the fourth rotary shaft becomes larger than the number of members rotated by the second rotary shaft. Since the fourth rotary shaft motor is therefore required to produce more driving power than the second rotary shaft motor, a larger and heavier motor should be used. The mounting of the fourth rotary shaft motor at a position closer to the body than the second rotary shaft motor makes it possible to reduce weight toward the distal end of the leg, thereby reducing the inertial moment produced in the leg during moving of the robot. As recited in claim 11 mentioned below, this invention is configured to further include a third rotary shaft motor that drives the third rotary shaft and a fourth rotary shaft motor that drives the fourth rotary shaft, and the second member is connected with the thigh link through at least the third rotary shaft such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated toward a side of the body from the third rotary shaft motor. Since it is configured such that the second member is connected with the thigh link through at least the third rotary shaft, i.e., the fourth rotary shaft is situated at a position closer to the body than the third rotary shaft, such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated toward a side of the body from the third rotary shaft motor, it becomes possible to reduce the weight toward the distal end of the leg (the center of gravity of the leg can be moved away from the distal end) and to reduce the inertial moment produced in the leg during moving of the robot. Specifically, by situating the fourth rotary shaft at a position closer to the body than the third rotary shaft, the number of members rotated by the fourth rotary shaft becomes larger than the number of members rotated by the third rotary shaft. Since the fourth rotary shaft motor is therefore required to produce more driving power than the third rotary shaft motor, a larger and heavier motor should be used. The mounting of the fourth rotary shaft motor at a position closer to the body than the third rotary shaft motor makes it possible to reduce weight toward the distal end of the leg, thereby reducing the inertial moment produced in the leg during moving of the robot. As recited in claim 12 mentioned below, this invention is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated on a side opposite from the fourth rotary shaft in the direction of the roll axis, sandwiching a center axis of the leg therebetween. Since it is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated on a side opposite from the fourth rotary shaft in the direction of the roll axis, sandwiching a center axis of the leg therebetween, in addition to the effects and advantages mentioned above, the center of gravity balance of the legs can be improved. In addition, no interference arises between the body and fourth rotary shaft motors even when the body bends sharply forward, so that a large amount of forward bending can be achieved. As recited in claim 13 mentioned below, this invention is configured such that, the first rotary shaft is offset relative to the center axis of the leg in the direction of the roll axis. Since it is configured such that the first rotary shaft is offset relative to the center axis of the leg in the direction of the roll axis, it becomes possible to minimize interference between the feet when the legs are turned or rotated and to increase the angle of turning of the legs. As recited in claim 14 mentioned below, this invention is configured such that the second rotary shaft and the third rotary shaft intersect at right angles. Since it is configured such that the second rotary shaft and the third rotary shaft intersect at right angles, the hip joints can be made compact despite the provision of the fourth rotary shaft to generate the redundant degree of freedom at the hip joints. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a legged mobile robot according to an embodiment of this invention; FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the robot illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 showing the structural details of its right leg; FIG. 3 is a front view of the robot illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 showing the structural details of its right leg; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of a gait (knee-in turning) of the robot illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another gait (knee-out turning) of the robot illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing an example of the driving directions of a hip joint pitch shaft and a hip joint redundant shaft when compliance capability is imparted to the legs of the robot shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a set of graphs showing comparisons of ground impact force during footfall of the legs between the cases of driving and of not driving the hip joint pitch shaft and hip joint redundant shaft in opposite directions; and FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1 showing an example in which the hip joint redundant shaft provides a degree of freedom to rotate about axes other than the pitch axis. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A legged mobile robot according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the attached drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a legged mobile robot, more exactly a biped robot 10, according to this embodiment. As shown, the biped robot (hereinafter called simply “robot”) 10 is equipped with right and left legs 12R, 12L (R and L indicating Right and Left). The right and left legs 12R, 12L have hip (crotch) joints 18R, 18L that connect a body 14 with thigh links 16R, 16L, knee joints 22R, 22L that connect the thigh links 16R, 16L with shank links 20R, 20L, and ankle joints 26R, 26L that connect the shank links 20R, 20L with feet 24R, 24L. Each hip joint 18R, 18L has a hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ, 18LZ (the aforesaid first rotary shaft) that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about the yaw axis (Z axis; vertical direction), a hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX (the aforesaid second rotary shaft) that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about the roll axis (X axis; direction of forward movement of the robot 10), a hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY (the aforesaid third rotary shafts) that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis (Y axis; lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of forward movement of the robot 10 and the vertical direction), and a hip joint redundant shaft 18RR, 18LR (the aforesaid fourth rotary shafts) that provides a redundant degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX and the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY intersect at right angles. Each hip joint 18R, 18L is further equipped with a first hip joint link 30R, 30L (the aforesaid first member) that is connected to the body 14 through the hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ, 18LZ, and a second hip joint link 32R, 32L (the aforesaid second members) that is connected to the thigh link 16R, 16L through the hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX and the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY. The first hip joint link 30R, 30L and second hip joint link 32R, 32L are connected through the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR, 18LR. In order to avoid an unnatural impression owing to the incorporation of the first hip joint link 30R, 30L and the second hip joint link 32R, 32L in the hip joint 18R, 18L, these members are made shorter than the thigh link 16R, 16L and the shank link 20R, 20L. Each knee joint 22R, 22L has a knee joint pitch shaft 22RY, 22LY that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis. Each ankle joint 26R, 26L has an ankle joint roll shaft 26RX, 26LX that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about the roll axis and an ankle joint pitch shaft 26RY, 26LY that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis. The aforesaid rotary shafts are driven by electric motors (explained later). A conventional six-axis force sensor is installed between the ankle joint 26R, 26L and the foot 24R, 24L that measures three directional force components Fx, Fy and Fz and three directional momentum components Mx, My and Mz, so as to detect whether or not the foot of the leg 12R (12L) lands and the floor reaction force acting on the leg 12R (12L) from the floor. An inclination sensor is installed on the body 14 to detect inclination of the robot 10 relative to the Z axis and the angular velocity of the inclination. Each electric motor that drives the associated rotary shaft is equipped with rotary encoder that detects the amount of rotation thereof. The outputs of the foregoing sensors are sent to a control unit accommodated in the body 14. Based on data stored in memory and the inputted detection values, the control unit calculates control values for the motors that drive the rotary shafts. Since the calculation of the control values is not an essential feature of this invention, neither it nor the aforesaid sensors and control unit to be used therefor will be explained in detail. The right and left legs 12R, 12L of the robot 10 according to this embodiment are thus each given 7 rotary shafts (degrees of freedom). The legs as a whole can therefore be imparted with desired movements by driving the 14 (=7×2) rotary shafts by the electric motors, thereby enabling to move in three-dimensional space as desired. Although arms and a head can be attached to the body 14 as described in the publication of WO 02/40226A1, these are not directly related to the essential feature of this invention and will therefore not be explained or illustrated here. The right and left legs 12R, 12L of the robot 10 will now be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 2 onward. Since the right and left legs 12R, 12L are laterally symmetrical, the explanation will therefore be made with respect to only the right leg 12R on the understanding that the explanation also applies to the left leg 12L. FIG. 2 is a right-side view showing the structural details of the leg 12R illustrated schematically in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the structural details of the leg 12R. As shown in these two drawings, an electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint yaw shaft motor”) 50 that drives the hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ is mounted on the body 14. Note that the hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ is aligned with the center axis 12RC of the leg 12R. The output shaft of the hip joint yaw shaft motor 50 is directly connected to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer”) 52 fastened to the bottom of the body 14, so that the output reduced its speed by the hip joint yaw shaft motor 50 is directly transmitted to the hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer 52. The output shaft of the hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer 52 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ, so that the output reduced its speed by the hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer 52 is directly transmitted to hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ so as to rotate or turn the first hip joint link 30R and the body 14 relatively to one another. The hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer 52 is configured so that its input shaft (i.e., the output shaft of the hip joint yaw shaft motor 50) and output shaft are situated to be coaxial with each other. In other words, the output shafts of the hip joint yaw shaft motor 50 and hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer 52 are both made coaxial with the hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ. An electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint redundant shaft motor) 54 that drives the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR is mounted on the first hip joint link 30R. The output of the hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 is transmitted to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint redundant shaft speed reducer”) 58 through a belt 56. The output shaft of the hip joint redundant shaft speed reducer 58 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR, so that the output reduced its speed by the hip joint redundant shaft speed reducer 58 is directly transmitted to the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR so as to rotate the first hip joint link 30R and the second hip joint link 32R relatively to one another about the pitch axis. The hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 is mounted or situated at a position closer to the body 14 than the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR. The hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 is not therefore a subject of rotation of the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR. To go into further detail, the hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 is not a subject of rotation of except for the yaw axis, since no degree of freedom other than the yaw axis exists beyond the hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 in the direction of body 14. The inertial moment produced in the leg 12R can therefore be reduced when the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR is driven, in other words, when the robot 10 moves. An electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint roll shaft motor”) 60 that drives the hip joint roll shaft 18RX is mounted on the thigh link 16R. The output shaft of the hip joint roll shaft motor 60 is directly connected to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint roll shaft speed reducer”) 62 fastened on the thigh link 16R, so that output of the hip joint roll shaft motor 60 is directly transmitted to the hip joint roll shaft speed reducer 62. The output shaft of the hip joint roll shaft speed reducer 62 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the hip joint roll shaft 18RX, so that the output reduced its speed by the hip joint roll shaft speed reducer 62 is directly transmitted to the hip joint roll shaft 18RX so as to rotate the second hip joint link 32R and the thigh link 16R relatively to one another about the roll axis. The hip joint roll shaft speed reducer 62 is configured so that its input shaft (i.e., the output shaft of the hip joint roll shaft motor 60) and output shaft are situated to be coaxial with each other. In other words, the output shafts of the hip joint roll shaft motor 60 and hip joint roll shaft speed reducer 62 are both made coaxial with the hip joint roll shaft 18RX. An electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint pitch shaft motor”) 66 that drives the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY is mounted on the thigh link 16R. The output of the hip joint pitch shaft motor 66 is transmitted to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “hip joint pitch shaft speed reducer”) 70 through a belt 68. The output shaft of the hip joint pitch shaft speed reducer 70 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, so that the output reduced its speed by the hip joint pitch shaft speed reducer 70 is directly transmitted to the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY so as to rotate the second hip joint link 32R and thigh link 16R relatively to one another about the pitch axis. Thus in this embodiment, the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR is installed or situated at a position closer to the body 14 than the hip joint roll shaft 18RX and hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, and the hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 is installed or situated at a position closer to the body 14 than the hip joint roll shaft motor 60 and hip joint pitch shaft motor 66. Therefore, the weight toward the distal end of the leg 12R can be reduced (the center of gravity of the leg 12R can be moved away from the distal end) so as to reduce the inertial moment produced in the leg during moving of the robot 10. This will be explained more specifically. By situating the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR at a position closer to the body 14 than the hip joint roll shaft 18RX and hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, the number of members rotated by the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR (members from the second hip joint link 32R to the foot 24R) becomes larger than the number of members rotated by the hip joint roll shaft 18RX or hip joint pitch shaft 18RY (members from the thigh link 16R to the foot 24R). Since the hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 is therefore required to produce more driving power than the hip joint roll shaft motor 60 and hip joint pitch shaft motor 66, a larger and heavier motor should be used. The mounting of the heavy hip joint redundant shaft motor 54 at a position closer to the body 14 than the hip joint roll shaft motor 60 and hip joint pitch shaft motor 66 makes it possible to reduce weight toward the distal end of the leg 12R, thereby reducing the inertial moment produced in the leg 12R during moving of the robot 10. The explanation of FIGS. 2 and 3 will be resumed. An electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “knee joint pitch shaft motor) 74 that drives the knee joint pitch shaft 22RY is mounted on the thigh link 16R. The output of the knee joint pitch shaft motor 74 is transmitted to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “knee joint pitch shaft speed reducer”) 78 through a belt 76. The output shaft of the knee joint pitch shaft speed reducer 78 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the knee joint pitch shaft 22RY, so that the output reduced its speed by the knee joint pitch shaft speed reducer 78 is directly transmitted to the knee joint pitch shaft 22RY so as to rotate the thigh link 16R and shank link 20R relatively to one another about the pitch axis. An electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “ankle joint roll shaft motor”) 80 that drives the ankle joint roll shaft 26RX is mounted on the shank link 20R. The output shaft of the ankle joint roll shaft motor 80 is directly connected to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “ankle joint roll shaft speed reducer”) 82 fastened to the shank link 20R, so that the output of the ankle joint roll axis motor 80 is directly transmitted to the ankle joint roll shaft speed reducer 82. The output shaft of the ankle joint roll shaft speed reducer 82 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the ankle joint roll shaft 26RX, so that the output reduced its speed by the ankle joint roll shaft speed reducer 82 is directly transmitted to the ankle joint roll shaft 26RX so as to rotate the shank link 20R and foot 24R relatively to one another about the roll axis. The ankle joint roll shaft speed reducer 82 is configured so that its input shaft (i.e., the output shaft of the ankle joint roll shaft motor 80) and output shaft are situated to be coaxial with each other. In other words, the output shafts of the ankle joint roll shaft motor 80 and ankle joint roll shaft speed reducer 82 are both made coaxial with the ankle joint roll shaft 26RX. An electric motor (hereinafter referred to as “ankle joint pitch shaft motor) 84 that drives the ankle joint pitch shaft 26RY is mounted on the shank link 20R. The output of the ankle joint pitch shaft motor 84 is transmitted to a speed reducer (hereinafter referred to as “ankle joint pitch shaft speed reducer”) 88 through a belt 86. The output shaft of the ankle joint pitch shaft speed reducer 88 is situated or installed to be coaxial with the ankle joint pitch shaft 26RY, so that the output reduced its speed by the ankle joint pitch shaft speed reducer 88 is directly transmitted to the ankle joint pitch shaft 26RY so as to rotate the shank link 20R and foot 24R relatively to one another about the pitch axis. Thus in the robot 10 according to this embodiment, each hip joint 18R, 18L comprises the hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ, 18LZ providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the yaw axis, the hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the roll axis, and the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis, and additionally comprises the hip joint redundant shaft 18RR, 18LR providing the redundant degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis. Owing to this configuration, the movable range of the hip joints 18R, 18L is expanded to increase the amount of bending (the amount of bending forward and backward) of the body 14. Moreover, the movable range of the legs 12R, 12L is expanded, thereby improving the degree of posture and gait freedom of the robot 10 to enable, for example, knee-in turning as shown in FIG. 4, knee-out turning as shown in FIG. 5, squatting and the like. Further, owing to the fact that each hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX and hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY are arranged to intersect at right angles or orthogonally, the hip joints 18R, 18L can be made compact despite the provision of the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR. Also noteworthy is that, unlike in the prior art, the ability of the body 14 to accommodate equipment internally is not decreased, since the body 14 is not divided. In addition, the provision of the hip joints 18R, 18L with the redundant degree of freedom makes it possible to expand the range of reach of the body 14 in comparison with the case of providing the body 14 with a joint (degree of freedom) and by this to expand the range of reach of arms attached to the body 14. This is because the provision of the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR at positions near the other shafts of the hip joint has an effect similar to increase of flexibility in the case of a human being's body. The leg 12R (12L) can be imparted with compliance capability by appropriately driving the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY (18LY), hip joint roll shaft 18RX (18LX) and hip joint redundant shaft 18RR (18LR) during landing of the leg 12R (12L), for example, by, as shown in FIG. 6, driving the hip joint pitch shaft 18RY (18LY) and hip joint redundant shaft 18RR (18LR) in opposite directions (rotate in the direction of contracting the hip joint 18R (18L)). FIG. 7 is a set of graphs showing comparisons of the ground impact force during footfall of the legs 12R, 12L between the cases of driving (solid line curves), and of not driving (broken line curves), the hip joint pitch shafts 18RY, 18LY and the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR in opposite directions. As can be seen from these graphs, when the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR are provided and compliance capability is imparted, the ground impact force (specifically, the force acting in the Z-axis direction designated Fz above) can be quickly mitigated to enable stable walking or running. When, as described in the prior art, the right and left legs are connected to the body by a parallel link mechanism, only one leg can be moved upward, which leads to the inconvenience that the ground impact force cannot be mitigated when, for example, the two legs land simultaneously. In contrast, in this embodiment, both the right and left hip joints 18R, 18L are provided with the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR, so that the aforesaid inconvenience can be avoided by independently imparting each leg with compliance capability. Further, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR are situated forward of the leg center axes 12RC, 12LC in the direction of forward movement of the robot 10 (forward in the direction of the X axis (roll axis)), thereby facilitating bending motion of the body 14. Moreover, the heavy hip joint redundant shaft motors 54 are situated on the side opposite from the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR in the roll axis direction (rearward thereof in the direction of forward movement of the robot 10), sandwiching the leg center axis 12RC (12LC) therebetween, so that the center of gravity balance of the legs 12R, 12L is improved despite the fact that the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR are located forward of the leg center axes 12RC, 12LC. Further, owing to the positioning of the heavy hip joint redundant shaft motors 54 rearward in the direction of forward movement of the robot 10, the stability of the robot 10 when bending forward without leg-bending improves. In addition, no interference arises between the body 14 and hip joint redundant shaft motors 54 even when the body 14 bends sharply forward, so that a large amount of forward bending can be achieved. In the case where the walking mode is made human-like biped walking as in the robot 10 according to this embodiment, it is more natural for the amount of forward bending to be larger than the amount of rearward bending, so the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR are positioned forward and the hip joint redundant shaft motors 54 are positioned rearward. However, when it is desired to make the amount of rearward bending greater than the amount of forward bending, it suffices to position the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR rearward and the hip joint redundant shaft motors 54 forward. Moreover, the structure of the electric motor output transmission can be made compact, since the axis of the output shaft of each speed reducer that transmits motor output is made coaxial with the associated axis of rotation. Particularly noteworthy is that in the case of the hip joint yaw shafts 18RZ, 18LZ, hip joint roll shafts 18RX, 18LX and ankle joint roll shafts 26RX, 26LX, the axis of rotation, the axis of the electric motor and the axis of the speed reducer are in each instance all made coaxially aligned to enable direct connection without need to interpose other transmission elements, thereby enabling still further size reduction of the output transmission structure. On the other hand, the hip joint pitch shafts 18RY, 18LY, hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR, knee joint pitch shafts 22RY, 22LY and ankle joint pitch shafts 26RY, 26LY require greater driving force than that required by the yaw shafts and roll shafts. The inputs to the speed reducers associated with these shafts are therefore increased or magnified by transmitting the outputs of the associated electric motors to the speed reducers through the belts (and pulleys of different diameter). The belt interconnecting each motor and the associated speed reducer transmits only relatively small driving force before speed reduction by the speed reducer, namely the motor output itself, so that it makes torque capacity small. It can therefore be a belt with a small torque capacity and, as such, can be a light-weight belt that is relatively small in both width and thickness. As a result, the belts do not cause a major increase in weight even if they are of extended in length owing to the distance between the motors and speed reducers being increased. Freedom in positioning the electric motors is therefore enhanced. In the configuration described in the foregoing, the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR each provides the degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis. However, a similar effect can also be achieved by any shaft not parallel to the yaw axis (Z axis; vertical direction), i.e., any shaft that changes the amount of bending of the body 14. Therefore, how the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR are oriented should be appropriately determined taking into account the postures and gaits the robot 10 is required to achieve. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR provide degrees of freedom to rotate about axes other than the pitch axes (provide degrees of freedom in the XY plane). In the configuration described in the foregoing, the hip joint yaw shafts 18RZ, 18LZ are aligned with the center axes 12RC, 12LC of the legs. However, the hip joint yaw shafts 18RZ, 18LZ can instead be offset from the leg center axes 12RC, 12LC in the direction of roll axes. This makes it possible to minimize interference between the feet when the legs 12R, 12L are turned or rotated and to increase the angle of turning of the legs 12R, 12L. In the configuration described in the foregoing, the electric motors and speed reducers associated with the hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR, hip joint pitch shafts 18RY, 18LY, knee joint pitch shafts 22RY, 22LY and ankle joint pitch shafts 26RY, 26LY are interconnected by the belts. Instead, however, it is possible to install the electric motors at the same positions as the axes of rotation and establish direct connections by aligning the output shaft of each electric motor coaxially with the axis of the speed reducer and the shafts. In the configuration described in the foregoing, the hip joints 18R, 18L are structured to have the hip joint yaw shafts 18RZ, 18LZ, hip joint redundant shafts 18RR, 18LR, hip joint roll shafts 18RX, 18LX and hip joint pitch shafts 18RY, 18LY positioned in the order mentioned from the side of the body 14. However, the configuration should not be limited thereto. As stated above, the embodiment of this invention is configured to have a legged mobile robot (10) equipped with legs (12R, 12L) each having a hip joint (18R, 18L) that connects a body (14) with a thigh link (16R, 16L), a knee joint (22R, 22L) that connects the thigh link with a shank link (20R, 20L), and an ankle joint (26R, 26L) that connects the shank link with a foot (24R, 24L) to move by driving each leg (12R, 12L), in which each of the hip joint (18R, 18L) comprises a first rotary shaft (hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ, 18LZ) that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a yaw axis (Z axis), a second rotary shaft (hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX) that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a roll axis (X axis), and a third rotary shaft (hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY) that provides a degree of freedom to rotate about a pitch axis (Y axis), and in addition thereto, a fourth rotary shaft (hip joint redundant shaft 18RR, 18LR) that provides a redundant degree of freedom. In addition, it is configured such that each of the hip joint (18R, 18L) is further equipped with a first member (first hip joint link 30R, 30L) that is connected to the body (14) through one of the first to third rotary shafts (hip joint yaw shaft 18RZ, 18LZ), and a second member (second hip joint link 32R, 32L) that is connected to the thigh link (16R, 16L) through others of the first to third rotary shafts (hip joint roll shaft 18RX, 18LX and hip joint pitch shaft 18RY, 18LY), and the first member (30R, 30L) and the second member (32R, 32L) are connected through the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR). In addition, it is configured such that, the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR) is a shaft that is not parallel to the yaw axis (Z axis). In addition, it is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR) is situated forward of the first rotary shaft (18RZ, 18LZ) in a direction of the roll axis. In addition, it is configured to further include a first rotary shaft motor (hip joint yaw shaft motor 50) that drives the first rotary shaft (18RZ, 18LZ) and a first rotary shaft speed reducer (hip joint yaw shaft speed reducer 52) that reduces an output of the first rotary shaft motor (50) in speed, and output shafts of the first rotary shaft motor and the first rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the first rotary shaft (18RZ, 18LZ). In addition, it is configured to further include a second rotary shaft motor (hip joint roll shaft motor 60) that drives the second rotary shaft (18RX, 18LX) and a second rotary shaft speed reducer (hip joint roll shaft speed reducer 62) that reduces an output of the second rotary shaft motor (60) in speed, and output shafts of the second rotary shaft motor and the second rotary shaft speed reducer are situated to be coaxial with the second rotary shaft (18RX, 18LX). In addition, it is configured to further include a third rotary shaft motor (hip joint pitch shaft motor 66) that drives the third rotary shaft (18RY, 18LY) and a third rotary shaft speed reducer (hip joint pitch shaft speed reducer 70) that reduces an output of the third rotary shaft motor (66) in speed, and an output shaft of the third rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the third rotary shaft (18RY, 18LY). In addition, it is configured to further include a fourth rotary shaft motor (hip joint redundant shaft motor 54) that drives the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR), and the fourth rotary shaft motor is situated at a same position as the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR) or at a position closer to the body (14) than the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR). In addition, it is configured to further include a fourth rotary shaft speed reducer (hip joint redundant shaft speed reducer 58) that reduces an output of the fourth rotary shaft motor in speed, and an output shaft of the fourth rotary shaft speed reducer is situated to be coaxial with the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR). In addition, it is configured to further include a second rotary shaft motor (hip joint roll shaft motor 60) that drives the second rotary shaft (18RX, 18LX) and a fourth rotary shaft motor (hip joint redundant shaft motor 54) that drives the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR), and the second member (32R, 32L) is connected with the thigh link (16R, 16L) through at least the second rotary shaft (18RX, 18LX) such that the fourth rotary shaft motor (54) is situated toward a side of the body (14) from the second rotary shaft motor (60). In addition, it is configured to further include a third rotary shaft motor (hip joint pitch shaft motor 66) that drives the third rotary shaft (18RY, 18LY) and a fourth rotary shaft motor (hip joint redundant shaft motor 54) that drives the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR), and the second member (32R, 32L) is connected with the thigh link (16R, 16L) through at least the third rotary shaft (18RY, 18LY) such that the fourth rotary shaft motor (54) is situated toward a side of the body (14) from the third rotary shaft motor (66). In addition, it is configured such that the fourth rotary shaft motor (54) is situated on a side opposite from the fourth rotary shaft (18RR, 18LR) in the direction of the roll axis, sandwiching a center axis of the leg (12RC, 12LC) therebetween. In addition, it is configured such that the first rotary shaft (18RZ, 18LZ) is offset relative to the center axis of the leg (12RC, 12LC) in the direction of the roll axis. In addition, it is configured such that the second rotary shaft (18RX, 18LX) and the third rotary shaft (18RY, 18LY) intersect at right angles. It should be noted in the above that, although a biped robot is taken as an example of the legged mobile robot, this invention can be applied to any type of robots if they move by their legs. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The legged mobile robot according to this invention is equipped with hip joints that connect the body and the thigh links have the first rotary shafts providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the yaw axis, the second rotary shafts providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the roll axis and the third rotary shafts providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis, and further have the fourth rotary shafts providing the redundant degree of freedom. Owing to this configuration, the amount of bending of the body and the movable range of the legs are expanded to improve the degree of posture and gait freedom.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>As examples of technologies concerning hip joint structures for legged mobile robots are known from Japanese Patent Publication No. 2592340 ('340) and Japanese Laid-Open Application Nos. 2001-62761 ('761) and 2001-150371 ('371). In '340 (especially at pages 4 and 5 and FIG. 2), there is taught a configuration in which the motors for driving the hip joints are disposed on the body side so as to reduce weight toward the distal ends of the legs and lower the inertial moment produced in the legs. The teaching of '761 (especially at paragraphs 0053 to 0055 and FIG. 12) relates to a configuration in which the hip joints are provided with a parallel link mechanism with which the right and left legs are connected and the parallel link mechanism is operated at free leg footfall to move the leg upward so as to mitigate the ground impact force. The teaching of '371 (especially at 0070 to 0086 and FIGS. 5 and 7) relates to a configuration in which each rotary shaft providing the degree of freedom to rotate about the yaw axis among the degrees of freedom of the hip joints is offset relative to the roll axis direction to avoid interference between the feet when the robot changes directions of movement. Aside from the above, in the case where the body of the legged mobile robot is to be bent (i.e., bent forward or backwards), situations sometimes arise in which the desired amount of bending cannot be realized solely within the movable range of the respective shafts that rotate about the pitch axis and the roll axis of the hip joints. It has therefore been proposed to increase the amount of bending of the body by dividing the body into an upper section and a lower section, connecting the two sections through a joint having a degree of freedom to rotate about the pitch axis and rotating the upper and lower sections relative to each other so as to realize an amount of body bending that is larger than that realized by the movable range of the hip joints (this can be seen by, for example, Kawada Industries, Inc., “‘Rise/Lie Actions’ Achieved by Humanoid Worker Robot,” [online], Sep. 19, 2002, Kawada Industries Homepage, topics, [retrieved May 2, 2003], Internet <URL: http://www.kawada.co.jp/general/topics/020919_hrp-2p.html>). However, the structure described on the aforesaid website has a problem in that the division of the body into upper and lower sections degrades the ability of the body to accommodate equipment internally. Moreover, the fact that the movable range of hip joints is deficient means not only that the amount of body bending is deficient but also simultaneously that the movable range of the legs cannot be increased. In the technology described on the website, the amount of bending of the body is increased by equipping the body with the joint, which does nothing to increase the moveable range of legs, so that no improvement is achieved in the degree of posture and gait freedom of the whole robot including its lower part.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a legged mobile robot according to an embodiment of this invention; FIG. 2 is a right-side view of the robot illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 showing the structural details of its right leg; FIG. 3 is a front view of the robot illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 showing the structural details of its right leg; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an example of a gait (knee-in turning) of the robot illustrated in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing another gait (knee-out turning) of the robot illustrated in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing an example of the driving directions of a hip joint pitch shaft and a hip joint redundant shaft when compliance capability is imparted to the legs of the robot shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 is a set of graphs showing comparisons of ground impact force during footfall of the legs between the cases of driving and of not driving the hip joint pitch shaft and hip joint redundant shaft in opposite directions; and FIG. 8 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 1 showing an example in which the hip joint redundant shaft provides a degree of freedom to rotate about axes other than the pitch axis. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051024

20081028

20061102

65482.0

B62D5106

ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER

LEGGED MOBILE ROBOT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B62D

ACCEPTED

Ruthenium (II) complexes for the treatment of tumors

Ruthenium (II) compounds of formula (I) are useful in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.

1. Ruthenium(II) compound of formula (I): wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently represent H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7, CONR8R9, COR10, SO3H, SO2NR11R12, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13, NR14R15, aryl or aralkyl, which latter two groups are optionally substituted on the aromatic ring by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7a, CONR8aR9a, COR10a, SO3G, SO2NR11aR12a, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13a, NR14aR15a, or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic group containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, and wherein each of the rings may be optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7b, CONR8bR9b, SO3G′, SO2NR11bR12b, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13b, NR14bR15b or (C1-C6)alkoxy; one or more of R1 to R6 optionally being covalently bonded via a carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen or carbon-oxygen bond to another R1 to R6 group on another compound of formula (I); R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R7aR8a, R9aR10a, R11a, R12a, R13a, R14a, R15a, R7b, R8b, R9b, R10b, R11b, R12b, R13b, R14b and R15b are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; X is a neutral or negatively charged O-, N- or S-donor ligand or halo; G and G′ are independently selected from alkali metals, aryl, aralkyl and (C1-C6) alkyl; Y is NR16R17 and Y′ is NR18R19, wherein R16, R17, R18 and R19 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; L is 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene or (C2-C6)alkylene, provided that when L is (C2-C6)alkylene, one of R16 and R17 is covalently bonded to one of R18 and R19 such that they form with L a ring containing Y and Y′, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups being optionally fused with one or more saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups and/or the groups to which they are fused being optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2N R11′, R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′, NR14′R15′, aryl or aralkyl, and having one or more CH2 groups optionally replaced by C═O groups, wherein R7′, R8′, R9′, R10′, R11′, R12′, R13′, R14′ and R15′ are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; m is −2, −1, 0, +1 or +2 and the compound comprises a counterion when m is not 0; the compound of formula (I) optionally being in the form of a dimer in which two L groups are linked either directly or through a group comprising one or more of (C1-C6)alkylene, (C1-C6)alkenylene, arylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, Se, Se—Se, S—S, N═N and C═O or in which L bears two Y groups and two Y′ groups; provided that when R2, R3, R5 and R6 are all H, X is chloro, Y and Y′ are both NH2 and L is 1,2-phenylene, R1 is not CH3 when R4 is CH(CH3)2 and R1 and R4 are not both H. 2. Compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl and phenyl or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent indan, anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene, said phenyl, indan and anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene group being optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, halo, hydroxyl, carboxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, CONH2, COH, CO(C1-C6)alkyl, SO3H, SO2NH2, phenoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, NH2 or (C1-C6)alkoxy. 3. Compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein m is +1. 4. Compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein X is halo. 5. Compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Y-L-Y′ is selected from ligands of formulae (II) to (IV): wherein: n is 1, 2 or 3, each pair of groups R8d and R9d are the same or different when n is 2 or 3; and R1c to R9c, R1d to R9d and R1e to R4e, are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2N R11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13, NR14′R15′, aryl or aralkyl, and one or more of pairs of groups R1c to R9c, R1d to R9d and R1e to R4e that are bonded to the same or adjacent carbon atoms are optionally covalently bonded to each other to form a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic group, and Y-L-Y′ is optionally in the form of a dimer in which two compounds of formula (II), two compounds of formula (III) or two compounds of formula (IV) are directly covalently bonded to each other. 6. Compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein R16, R17, R18 and R19 are all H. 7. Compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein R1c to R9c, R1d to R9d and R1e to R4e, are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)alkoxy. 8. Compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein Y-L-Y′ is a ligand of formula (V) wherein R1f, R2f, R3f and R4f are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2NR11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′ and NR14′R15′. 9. Compound as claimed in claim 5, wherein Y-L-Y′ is a ligand of formula (VIA) or (VIB) wherein R1g, R2g, R3g, R4g, R5g and R6g are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2NR11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′ and NR14′R15′. 10. Compound as claimed in claim 8, wherein R1f, R2f, R3f and R4f are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl and hydroxyl. 11. Compound as claimed in claim 9, wherein R1g, R2g, R3g, R4g, R5g and R6g are all H. 12-13. (canceled) 14. Pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I): wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently represent H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C1-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7, CONR8R9, COR10, SO3H, SO2NR11R12 aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13, NR14R15, aryl or aralkyl, which latter two groups are optionally substituted on the aromatic ring by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7a, CONR8aR9a, COR10a, SO3G, SO2NR11aR12a, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13a, NR14aR15a, or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic group containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, and wherein each of the rings may be optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7b, CONR8bR9b, COR10b, SO3G′, SO2NR11bR12b, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13b, NR14bR15b or (C1-C6)alkoxy; one or more of R1 to R6 optionally being covalently bonded via a carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen or carbon-oxygen bond to another R1 to R6 group on another compound of formula (I: R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R7a, R8a, R9a, R10a, R11a, R12a, R13a, R14a, R15a, R7b, R8b, R9b, R10b, R11b, R12b, R13b, R14b and R15b are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; X is a neutral or negatively charged O-, N- or S-donor ligand or halo; G and G′ are independently selected from alkali metals, aryl, aralkyl and (C1-C6) alkyl; Y is NR16R17 and Y′ is NR18R19, wherein R16, R17, R18 and R19 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; L is 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene or (C2-C6)alkylene, provided that when L is (C2-C6)alkylene, one of R16 and R17 is covalently bonded to one of R18 and R19 such that they form with L a ring containing Y and Y′, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups being optionally fused with one or more saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups and/or the groups to which they are fused being optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2N R11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′, NR14′R15′, aryl or aralkyl, and having one or more CH2 groups optionally replaced by C═O groups, wherein R7′, R8′, R9′, R10′, R11′, R12′, R13′, R14′ and R15′ are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; m is −2, −1, 0, +1 or +2 and the compound comprises a counterion when m is not 0; the compound of formula (I) optionally being in the form of a dimer in which two L groups are linked either directly or through a group comprising one or more of (C1-C6)alkylene, (C1-C6)alkenylene, arylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, Se, Se—Se, S—S, N═N and C═O or in which L bears two Y groups and two Y′ groups, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. 15. A method of treating and/or preventing cancer which comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I): wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently represent H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C1-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7, CONR8R9, COR10, SO3H, SO2NR11R12, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13, NR14R15, aryl or aralkyl, which latter two groups are optionally substituted on the aromatic ring by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7a, CONR8aR9a, COR10a, SO3G, SO2NR11aR12a, aryloxy (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13a, NR14aR15a, or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic group containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, and wherein each of the rings may be optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, COR7b, CONR8bR9b, COR10b, SO3G′, SO2NR11bR12b, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13b, NR14bR15b or (C1-C6)alkoxy; one or more of R1 to R6 optionally being covalently bonded via a carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen or carbon-oxygen bond to another R1 to R6 group on another compound of formula (I); R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R7a, R8a, R9a, R10a, R11a, R12a, R13a, R14a, R15a, R7b, R8b, R9b, R10b, R11b, R12b, R13b, R14b and R15b are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl aryl or aralkyl; X is a neutral or negatively charged O-, N- or S-donor ligand or halo; G and G′ are independently selected from alkali metals, aryl, aralkyl and (C1-C6) alkyl; Y is NR16R17 and Y′ is NR18R19, wherein R16, R17. R18 and R19 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; L is 12-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene or (C2-C6)alkylene, provided that when L is (C2-C6)alkylene, one of R16 and R17 is covalently bonded to one of R18 and R19 such that they form with L a ring containing Y and Y′, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups being optionally fused with one or more saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups and/or the groups to which they are fused being optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2N R11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′, NR14′R15′, aryl or aralkyl, and having one or more CH2 groups optionally replaced by C═O groups, wherein R7′, R8′, R9′, R10′, R11′, R12′, R13′, R14′ and R15′ are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; m is −2, −1, 0, +1 or +2 and the compound comprises a counterion when m is not 0; the compound of formula (I) optionally being in the form of a dimer in which two L groups are linked either directly or through a group comprising one or more of (C1-C6)alkylene, (C1-C6)alkenylene, arylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, Se, Se—Se, S—S, N═N and C═O or in which L bears two Y groups and two Y′ groups. 16. Process for preparing the compound of claim 1 which comprises the reaction of a compound of formula [(η6-C6(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)(R5)(R6))RuX2], optionally in the form of a dimer, with Y-L-Y′, in a suitable solvent for the reaction, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X, Y, Y′ and L are as defined in claim 1.

This invention relates to ruthenium(II) compounds, to their use in medicine, particularly for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer, and to a process for their preparation. Certain ruthenium(II) complexes have been proposed for use in treating cancer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,473 discloses 1,10-phenanthroline complexes of ruthenium(II) and cobalt(III) which are said to be useful for the treatment of tumour cells in a subject. Some other ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes which have been shown to exhibit antitumour activity are mentioned in Guo et al, Inorganica Chimica Acta, 273 (1998), 1-7, specifically trans-[RuCl2(DMSO)4], trans-[RuCl4(imidazole)2]− and trans-[RuCl4(indazole)2]−. Clarke et al have reviewed the anticancer, and in particular the antimetastatic, activity of ruthenium complexes: Chem. Rev., 1999, 99, 2511-2533. Also, Sava has reviewed the antimetastatic activity in “Metal Compounds in Cancer Therapy” Ed by S P Fricker, Chapman and Hall, London 1994, p. 65-91. Dale et al, Anti-Cancer Drug Design, (1992), 7, 3-14, describes a metronidazole complex of ruthenium(II) ie, [(η6-C6H6)RuCl2(metronidazole)] and its effect on DNA and on E. coli growth rates. Metronidazole sensitises hypoxic tumour cells to radiation and appears to be an essential element of the complexes of Dale et al. There is no indication in Dale et al that the complexes would be at all effective in the absence of the metronidazole ligand. Krämer et al, Chem Eur J., 1996, 2, No. 12, p. 1518-1526 discloses half sandwich complexes of ruthenium with amino esters. Bennett et al, Canadian Journal of Chemistry, (2001), 79, 655-669 discloses certain ruthenium(II) complexes with acetylacetonate ligands. Oro et al, J Chem Soc, Dalton Trans, (1990), 1463 describes ruthenium(II) complexes containing η6-p-cymene and acetylacetonate ligands. Our copending application GB 0215526.5 describes ruthenium(II) compound containing a bidentate ligand bearing an overall negative charge. Chen et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc., volume 124, no 12, 3064, (2002), describes the mechanism of binding of ruthenium complexes to guanine bases. The binding model requires NH bonds from a diamino ligand to be present in the complex for hydrogen bonding to the guanine base. Similarly, Morris et al, J. Med. Chem., volume 44, 3616-3621, (2001), describes the selectivity of ruthenium(II) complexes for binding to guanine bases. WO 01/30790 discloses ruthenium(II) compounds and their use as anticancer agents. WO 02/02572 also discloses ruthenium(II) compounds that have activity against cancer cell lines. Complexes are disclosed containing a bidentate ligand which is a neutral diamine ligand. Garcia et al, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 467 (1994), 119-126 discloses the preparation of [(η6-arene)Ru(o-phenylenediamine)Cl]PF6 wherein arene is benzene or p-cymene. There exists a need for novel anti-cancer compounds which can be used as alternatives to the compounds which are currently available. In particular, there exists a need for compounds which can have a different profile of activity against different types of tumour cells and/or which can exhibit activity against cells that are resistant to other anti-cancer agents (such as adriamycin). The present invention provides a novel class of ruthenium(II) complexes having anti-tumour activity. According to the present invention, there is provided a ruthenium(II) compound of formula (I): wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 independently represent H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7, CONR8R9, COR10, SO3H, SO2NR11R12, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13, NR14R15, aryl or aralkyl, which latter two groups are optionally substituted on the aromatic ring by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7a, CONR8aR9a, COR10a, SO3G, SO2NR11aR12a, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13a, NR14aR15a, or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic group containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, and wherein each of the rings may be optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7b, CONR8bR9b, COR10b, SO3G′, SO2NR11bR12b, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13b, NR14bR15b or (C1-C6)alkoxy; one or more of R1 to R6 optionally being covalently bonded via a carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen or carbon-oxygen bond to another R1 to R6 group on another compound of formula (I); R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R7a, R8a, R9a, R10a, R11a, R12a, R13a, R14a, R15a, R7b, R8b, R9b, R10b, R11b, R12b, R13b, R14b and R15b are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; X is a neutral or negatively charged O-, N- or S-donor ligand or halo; G and G′ are independently selected from alkali metals, aryl, aralkyl and (C1-C6) alkyl; Y is NR16R17 and Y′ is NR18R19, wherein R16, R17, R18 and R19 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; L is 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene or (C2-C6)alkylene, provided that when L is (C2-C6)alkylene, one of R16 and R17 is covalently bonded to one of R18 and R19 such that they form with L a ring containing Y and Y′, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups being optionally fused with one or more saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic groups containing up to three 3- to 8-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, wherein each carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring may be fused to one or more other carbocyclic or heterocyclic rings, said 1,2-arylene, 1,2-(C5-C8)cycloalkylene and (C2-C6)alkylene groups and/or the groups to which they are fused being optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, nitro, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2N R11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′, NR14′R15′, aryl or aralkyl, and having one or more CH2 groups optionally replaced by C═O groups, wherein R7′, R8′, R9′, R10′, R11′, R12′, R13′, R14′ and R15′ are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; m is −2, −1, 0, +1 or +2 and the compound comprises a counterion when m is not 0; the compound of formula (I) optionally being in the form of a dimer in which two L groups are linked either directly or through a group comprising one or more of (C1-C6)alkylene, (C1-C6)alkenylene, arylene, aralkylene, alkarylene, Se, Se—Se, S—S, N═N and C═O or in which L bears two Y groups and two Y′ groups; provided that when R2, R3, R5 and R6 are all H, X is chloro, Y and Y′ are both NH2 and L is 1,2-phenylene, R1 is not CH3 when R4 is CH(CH3)2 and R1 and R4 are not both H. The compounds of the invention may be in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and/or prodrugs. Prodrugs are variants of the compounds of the invention which can be converted to compounds of formula (I) in vivo. The compounds of formula (I) may have one or more chiral centres. When the compounds of formula (I) have one or more chiral centres, they may be in the form of one enantiomer, may be enriched in one enantiomer or may be a racemic mixture. The term “alkyl” as used herein includes C1 to C6 alkyl groups which may be branched or unbranched and may be open chain or, when they are C3 to C6 groups, cyclic. Unbranched open chain alkyl groups include, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl. Branched open chain alkyl groups include, for example, 2-propyl, 2-butyl and 2-(2-methyl)propyl. Cyclic groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl. The alkyl groups in the compounds of the invention may optionally be substituted. Substituents include one or more further unsubstituted alkyl groups and/or one or more further substituents, such as, for example, cyano, nitro, —CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, thiol (SH), thioether (eg, S—(C1-C6)alkyl) and sulfonate. The term “alkoxy” means —O-alkyl. The term “alkylthio” means —S-alkyl. The terms “hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl” and “amino(C1-C6)alkyl” refer to alkyl groups, as defined above, substituted with one or more hydroxyl (OH) or amino (NH2) groups, respectively. The terms “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” are defined similarly to the term “alkyl” but refer to groups that contain from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and include one or more carbon-carbon double bonds or one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds, respectively. Alkenyl and alkynyl groups may be optionally substituted in the same way as alkyl groups. Examples of alkenyl groups are ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 1,4-butadienyl, cyclohexenyl and cyclohexadienyl. The term “alkylene” is defined similarly to the definition of the term “alkyl” but includes C2 to C6 groups and represents a divalent species with radicals separated by two or more (eg, from two to six) carbon atoms linked in a chain. Preferably, the alkylene groups are straight chain groups. Examples of alkylene groups are 1,2-ethylene and 1,3-propylene. The terms “alkenylene” and “alkynylene” are defined similarly and refer to divalent radicals containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds or one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds, respectively. The term “aryl” as used herein includes aromatic carbocyclic rings such as phenyl, naphthyl and anthracenyl and heterocyclic rings such as pyridyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl and furanyl. Aryl groups may optionally be substituted with one or more substituents including, for example, (C1-C6)alkyl, cyano, nitro, hydroxyl, halo(C1-C6)alkyl, —CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, thiol (SH), thioether (eg, S—(C1-C6)alkyl) and sulfonate (SO3H). The term “aryloxy” means —O-aryl. The term “heterocyclic ring” refers to a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, -7, or 8- (preferably 5-, 6- or 7-) membered saturated or unsaturated ring, which may be aromatic or non-aromatic, containing from one to three heteroatoms independently selected from N, O and S, eg, indole. The term “arylene” refers to a divalent radical comprising an aromatic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring in which the radicals are present at different positions on the ring. An example of an arylene group is 1,2-phenylene. The term “aralkyl” means alkyl substituted with aryl eg, benzyl. The term “alkaryl” means aryl substituted with alkyl eg, methylphenyl. The term “aralkylene” refers to a divalent radical that can be derived from an aralkyl group eg, 1-methylene-4-phenyl. Each of the two radicals may be present on the aryl ring or on the alkyl group or one of the radicals may be present on the alkyl group and the other radical present on the aryl ring. The term “alkarylene” is defined similarly. The term ferrocenylene refers to a diradical derived from ferrocene (FeCp2). Each radical may be present on the same ring or on different rings. The term “halo” means a halogen radical selected from fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo. Chloro is particularly preferred. When X is halo in formula (I), it will be appreciated that X may be thought of as having at least some of the character of a negatively charged ion rather than being covalently bonded to the ruthenium atom. Indeed, all ligands X may have some ionic as well as some covalent character. The term “haloalkyl” means alkyl substituted with one or more halo groups eg, trifluoromethyl. In the compounds of the invention, R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound in compounds of formula (I) may represent an ortho- or peri-fused carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system. The carbocyclic and heterocyclic ring systems can be saturated or unsaturated. When the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring systems are unsaturated, they can be aromatic or non-aromatic. R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound may, for example, represent a wholly carbocyclic fused ring system such as a ring system containing 2 or 3 fused carbocyclic rings eg, optionally substituted, optionally hydrogenated naphthalene or anthracene. Thus, R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound in compounds of formula (I) may represent a fused bicyclic ring such as indan, a fused tricyclic ring such as anthracene or a mono, di, tri, tetra or higher hydrogenated derivative of anthracene. For example, R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound in formula (I) may represent 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene, anthracene, 1,4-dihydroanthracene or 1,4,9,10-tetrabydroanthracene. Preferably, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl and phenyl or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent indan, anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene, said phenyl, indan and anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene being optionally substituted by one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, halo, hydroxyl, carboxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, CONH2, COH, CO(C1-C6)alkyl, SO3H, SO2NH2, phenoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, NH2 or (C1-C6)alkoxy. Most preferably, one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is phenyl and the other groups are all H, or one or two of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is or are (C1-C6)alkyl and the other groups are H, or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene. In another embodiment of the invention, one or more of R1 to R6 is or are optionally covalently bonded via a carbon-carbon, carbon-nitrogen or carbon-oxygen bond to another R1 to R6 group on another compound of formula (I). Thus, the compounds of the invention may be multinuclear complexes in which two or more compounds of formula (I) are linked together. Examples of dinuclear complexes include compounds in which the C6(R1R2R3R4R5R6) group is a group of formula C6(R2R3R4R5R6)—R1—C6(R2R3R4R5R6), wherein R1 is (C1-C6)alkylene optionally comprising one or more groups of formula —O—, NR14 and (NR14R15)+, wherein R14 and R15 are as defined above. Also, two or more other groups on the aromatic rings can be linked such that a tricyclic ring is formed, for example in the form of a dibenzo crown ether. Trinuclear complexes include, for example, those compounds in which the C6(R1R2R3R4R5R6) group is a group of formula X′(—R1—(C6(R2R3R4R5R6))3, wherein X′ is CR14, N or (NR14)+ and R14 is as defined above. Similarly, examples of tetranuclear complexes are those compounds in which the C6(R1R2R3R4R5R6) group is a group of formula C(—R1—(C6(R2R3R4R5R6))4. Compounds of the invention may be charged (either positively or negatively) or uncharged. In formula (I), it is preferred that m is +1. When m is not equal to zero, the compounds of formula (I) comprise a counterion. Suitable counterions include non-nucleophilic ions such as, for example, PF6− and BF4−. In compounds of formula (I), X is a neutral or negatively charged O-, N- or S-donor ligand or halo. Suitable ligands include, for example, H2O, di((C1-C6)alkyl)S(O), (C1-C6)alkylCO2− or di((C1-C6)alkyl)C═O. Other ligands include, for example, N-donor nitrile ligands (eg, compounds of formula (C1-C6)alkylCN) and N-donor pyridine ligands, optionally substituted at one or more of the carbon rings of the pyridine ring eg, by (C1-C6)alkyl or halo. Other suitable ligands are (C1-C6)alkyl primary amines such as methylamine and ethylamine. Preferably, X is halo or CH3CN, most preferably, X is chloro. Y-L-Y′ is a bidentate ligand. Preferably, Y-L-Y′ is selected from ligands of formulae (II) to (IV): wherein: n is 1, 2 or 3, each pair of groups R8d and R9d are the same or different when n is 2 or 3; and R1c to R9c, R1d to R9d and R1e to R4e, are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxy, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2N R11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′, NR14′R15′, aryl or aralkyl, and one or more of pairs of groups R1c to R9c, R1d to R9d and R1c to R4c that are bonded to the same or adjacent carbon atoms (i.e., carbon atoms that are directly bonded to each other) are optionally covalently bonded to each other to form a saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic or heterocyclic group (the carbocyclic and heterocyclic ring systems can be saturated or unsaturated, and when the carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring systems are unsaturated and bonded to adjacent carbon atoms, they can be aromatic or non-aromatic), and Y-L-Y′ is optionally in the form of a dimer in which two compounds of formula (II), two compounds of formula (III) or two compounds of formula (IV) are directly covalently bonded to each other. The two nitrogen atoms in formulae (II) to (IV) coordinate to the ruthenium atom in formula (1). It is also preferred that R1c to R9c, R1d to R9d and R1e to R4e, are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)alkoxy. It is particularly preferred that Y-L-Y′ is a ligand of formula (V) wherein R1f, R2f, R3f and R4f are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, CORN10′, SO3H, SO2NR11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′ and NR14′R15′. More preferably, R1f, R2f, R3f and R4f are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl and hydroxyl. For example, it is preferred that in Y-L-Y′ L is 1,2-phenylene, 1,2-cyclohexylene or a (C4-C6)heterocycle containing two nitrogen atoms (e.g., piperazinyl or homopiperazinyl), optionally substituted with with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, halo, hydroxyl, carboxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, CONH2, COH, CO(C1-C6)alkyl, SO3H, SO2NH2, phenoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, NH2 or (C1-C6)alkoxy. More preferably, in Y-L-Y′, R16, R17, R18 and R19 are all H. For example, R16, R17, R18 and R19 may be H and L is 1,2-phenylene, 1,2-cyclohexylene or homopiperazinyl, optionally substituted with one or two groups selected from (C1-C6)alkyl and hydroxy. Another group of ligands Y-L-Y′ are those which comprise a fused carbocyclic ring system in which one or more of the CH2 groups of the fused ring system are optionally replaced by C═O groups. Examples of this group of ligands are those in which Y-L-Y′ is a ligand of formula (VIA) or (VIB) wherein R1g, R2g, R3g, R4g, R5g and R6g are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, halo, hydroxyl, CO2R7′, CONR8′R9′, COR10′, SO3H, SO2NR11′R12′, aryloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, —N═N—R13′ and NR14′R15′. Preferably, all of R1g, R2g, R3g, R4g, R5g and R6g are H. It is also preferred that the ligand is of formula (VIA). The compounds of formula (I) may be in the form of dimers, which may also be termed dinuclear complexes—such complexes contain two ruthenium atoms. Dinuclear complexes can be provided by employing a ligand which comprises two linked ligands Y-L-Y′ so as to bridge between two ruthenium centres. Preferably such linkage is by way of a direct covalent bond between two L groups, so that the ligand has the formula YY′L-LYY′. Compounds of formula (I) and ligands of formula Y-L-Y′ may exist in one or more tautomeric forms, all of which are covered by the present invention. A particularly preferred group of compounds of formula-(I) are those in which: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently selected from H, (C1-C6)alkyl and phenyl or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent indan, anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene, said phenyl, indan and anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene group being optionally substituted with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, halo, hydroxyl, carboxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, CONH2, COH, CO(C1-C6)alkyl, SO3H, SO2NH2, phenoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, NH2 or (C1-C6)alkoxy; X is chloro; m is +1; R16, R17, R18 and R19 are all H; and L is 1,2-phenylene, 1,2-cyclohexylene or a (C4-C6)heterocycle containing two nitrogen atoms (e.g., piperazinyl or homopiperazinyl), optionally substituted with with one or more groups independently selected from (C1-C6)alkyl, (C2-C6)alkenyl, (C2-C6)alkynyl, hydroxy(C1-C6)alkyl, amino(C1-C6)alkyl, phenyl, benzyl, halo, hydroxyl, carboxyl, CO2(C1-C6)alkyl, CONH2, COH, CO(C1-C6)alkyl, SO3H, SO2NH2, phenoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio, NH2 or (C1-C6)alkoxy. A further preferred group of compounds of formula (I) is that in which: one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is phenyl and the other groups are all H, or one or two of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 is or are (C1-C6)alkyl and the other groups are H, or R1 and R2 together with the ring to which they are bound represent indan, anthracene or a hydrogenated derivative of anthracene; X is chloro; m is +1; R16, R17, R18 and R19 are all H; and L is 1,2-phenylene, 1,2-cyclohexylene or homopiperazinyl, optionally substituted with one or two groups selected from (C1-C6)alkyl and hydroxy. The compounds of the invention comprising the complex [(η6-biphenyl)Ru(o-phenylenediamine)Cl]+, particularly as its salt with the counterion PF6−, is particularly preferred. The compounds of the invention have been found to exhibit cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines and can therefore be expected to show anticancer activity. In another embodiment, therefore, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) as defined above without the proviso for use in medicine. The invention also contemplates the provision of a compound of formula (I) as defined above without the proviso for use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer and the use of a compound of formula (I) as defined above without the provisos in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer. Also provided by the invention is the use of a compound of formula (I) as defined above without the proviso in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer. Further provided by the invention is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) as defined above without the proviso together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. Yet another aspect of the invention is a method of treating and/or preventing cancer which comprises administering to a subject a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) as defined above without the proviso or a composition of the invention. The compounds of the invention may be used directly against a tumour. Alternatively or additionally, the compounds may be used to prevent or inhibit metastasis and/or to kill secondary tumours. It will be understood that the prevention or inhibition of metastasis is encompassed by the term “preventing cancer”, as used herein. The term “tumour” is to be understood as referring to all forms of neoplastic cell growth, including tumours of the lung, liver, blood cells, skin, pancreas, stomach, colon, prostate, uterus, breast, lymph glands and bladder. Ovarian tumours may especially suitable for treatment according to the invention. Compounds of the invention may be effective in treating and/or preventing tumours caused by cells that are resistant to other cytotoxic drugs, such as cis-platin, for example. Certain compounds of the invention have the surprising advantage that they exhibit improved non-cross resistance with other anti-cancer agents such as cis-platin and adriamycin whilst still possessing good activity against non-resistant tumour cells. It is clearly highly desirable to be able to kill tumour cells that have developed resistance to other anti-cancer agents. The compounds of the invention may be administered by a number of routes including, for example, orally, parenterally (eg, by injection intramuscularly, intravenously or subcutaneously), topically, nasally or via slow releasing microcarriers. Thus, suitable excipients for use in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include saline, sterile water, creams, ointments, solutions, gels, pastes, emulsions, lotions, oils, solid carriers and aerosols. The compositions of the invention may be formulated in unit or sub-unit dosage form including, for example, tablets, capsules and lozenges and containers containing the composition in a form suitable for parenteral administration. Preferably, the compositions are in a form that is suitable for injection. The specific dosage level of the compounds and compositions of the invention will depend upon a number of factors, including the biological activity of the specific compound used and the age, body weight and sex of the subject. It will be appreciated that the subject may be a human or a mammalian animal. The compounds and compositions of the invention can be administered alone or in combination with other compounds. The other compounds may have a biological activity which complements the activity of the compounds of the invention eg, by enhancing its effect in killing tumours or by reducing any side-effects associated with the compounds of the invention. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a process for preparing the compound of formula (1) which comprises the reaction of a compound of formula [(η6-C6(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)(R5)(R6))RuX2], optionally in the form of a dimer, with Y-L-Y′, in a suitable solvent for the reaction, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X, Y, Y′ and L are as defined for formula (I) above. Preferably, the process comprises the reaction of a compound of formula [(η6-C6(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)(R5)(R6))RuX2], optionally in the form of a dimer, with Y-L-Y′ at a temperature of from 0° C. to 100° C. (eg, 10° C. to 80° C.) in a polar solvent (such as a (C1-C4)alkanol, di(C1-C6)alkyl ketone (eg, acetone) or water or mixtures thereof). The compound of formula (I) can be separated from the reaction mixture, for example by crystallisation from the reaction mixture following the addition of a counterion for the compound of formula (I) (e.g., PF6−) in the form of a salt that is soluble in the reaction mixture e.g., NH4+PF6−. The compound is optionally purified (eg, by recrystallisation from a suitable solvent or mixture of two or more different solvents). Suitable compounds of formula [(η6-C6(R1)(R2)(R3)(R4)(R5)(R6))RuX2] for use as starting materials (starting ruthenium complexes) in the process of the invention can be produced as described in WO 01/30790 and WO 02/02572. Compounds of formula Y-L-Y′ are either commercially available or can be synthesised by routes well known to those skilled in the art. The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES Starting Materials [Ru(η-p-cymene)(CH3CN)2Cl]PF6 was prepared as follows. [Ru(η6-p-cymene)Cl2]2 (0.50 g, 0.74 mmol) and NH4PF6 (0.256 g, 1.6 mmol) was placed in CH3CN (20 ml) and stirred for 18 hours at ambient temperature. The precipitate was removed by filtration and the solvent removed on the rotary evaporator to give an orange/red oil. Ether was added and trituration gave a yellowish orange solid. Yield 0.635 g (91%). The above complex was used as a starting material for Example 6. Example 1 [(η6-Biphenyl)Ru(o-phenylenediamine)Cl]PF6 The dimer [Ru(Biphenyl)Cl2]2 (0.220 g, 0.35 mmol) was suspended in MeOH/H2O (50 ml/10 ml) and heated under reflux for one hour and cooled to ambient temperature. Diaminobenzene (0.065 g, 0.60 mmol) in MeOH (5 ml) was then added dropwise and the reaction mixture further heated under reflux for 15 min and filtered. To the filtrate NH4PF6 (0.122 g, 0.75 mmol) was added and the volume of the filtrate reduced on the rotary evaporator to about 20 ml and kept in the freezer overnight to give a brownish microcrystalline solid. The product was collected by filtration, washed with MeOH and ether and dried in air. It was recrystallised from MeOH. Yield (0.180 g, 54%) 1H δ (DMSOd6): 8.49 (d, NH, 2H), 7.81 (m, 2H), 7.47 (m, 3H), 7.18-7.15 (m, 4H), 6.46 (d, NH, 2H), 6.28 (m, 2H), 6.00 (m, 1H), 5.86 (m, 2H). Example 2 {[(η6-Biphenyl)Ru(diaminobenzidine)Cl]PF6}2 The dimer [Ru(Biphenyl)Cl2]2 (0.365 g, 0.55 mmol) was suspended in MeOH (50 ml) and heated under reflux for one hour and cooled to ambient temperature. Diaminobenzidine (0.065 g, 0.107 mmol) in MeOH (10 ml) was then added dropwise and the reaction mixure further heated under reflux for 20 min and filtered. To the filtrate NH4PF6 (0.401 g, 2.45 mmol) was added and the volume of the filtrate reduced on the rotary evaporator to about 20 ml and kept in the freezer overnight to give a brownish microcrystalline solid. The product was collected by filtration, washed with MeOH and ether and dried in air. Yield (0.435 g, 80%). 1H δ (DMSOd6): 8.42 (m, NH, 4H), 7.86 (m, 4H), 7.5 (m, 6H), 7.36-7.51 (m, 6H), 6.58 (m, NH, 4H), 6.30 (m, 4H), 6.02 (m, 2H), 5.91 (m, 4H). Example 3 [(η6-dihydroanthracene)Ru(o-phenylenediamine)Cl]PF6 The dimer [Ru(tetrahydroanthracene)Cl2]2 (0.140 g, 0.20 mmol) was suspended in MeOH (40 ml) and water (8 ml) and heated under reflux for one hour and cooled to ambient temperature. 1,2-Diaminobenzene (0.045 g, 0.042 mmol) in MeOH (5 ml) was then added dropwise and the reaction mixure further heated under reflux for 20 min and filtered to give a red solution. To the filtrate NH4PF6 (0.100 g, 0.61 mmol) was added and the solvent was taken off on the rotary evaporator to give a reddish solid. The solid was recrystallised from methanol and was collected by filtration, washed with MeOH and ether and dried in air. Yield 81 mg, 35% 1H δ (DMSOd6): 8.15 (d, NH, 2H), 7.24-7.13 (m, 8H), 6.25 (d, NH, 2H), 5.78-5.73 (m, 4H), 4.11-3.92 (m, 4H). Example 4 [(η6-Biphenyl)Ru(2,3-diaminophenol)Cl]PF6 The above complex was prepared in the same way as the compound of Example 2. Yield 38% 1H δ (DMSOd6): 8.30 (d, NH, 1H), 8.04 (d, NH, 1H), 7.82 (m, 2H), 7.49 (m, 3H) 6.98 (m, 1H), 6.65 (m, 2H), 6.43 (d, NH, 1H), 6.24 (m, 2H), 6.01-5.94 (m, 3H), 5.46 (m, NH, 1H). Example 5 [(η6-indan)Ru(3,4-diaminotoluene)Cl]PF6 The dimer [Ru(C9H10)Cl2]2, ([Ru(indan)Cl2]2) (0.244 g, 0.42 mmol) was dissolved in MeOH (25 ml) and 3,4-diaminotoluene (0.100 g, 0.84 mmol) in MeOH (5 ml) was added and stirred at ambient temperature for two hours. It was filtered and to the filtrate NH4PF6 (0.205 g, 1.26 mmol) was added and the volume of the filtrate reduced on the rotary evaporator to about 3 ml and kept in the freezer overnight to give a brownish microcrystalline solid. The product was collected by filtration, washed with MeOH and ether and dried in air. It was recrystallised from MeOH. Yield 79% 1H δ (DMSOd6): 8.04 (m, NH, 2H), 7.08 (m, 1H), 6.98 (m, 2H), 6.21 (m, NH, 2H), 5.73 (m, 2H), 5.63 (m, 2H), 2.25 (s, 3H), 2.74-2.68 (m, 4H), 2.09-1.97 (m, 2H). Example 6 [(η6-p-cymene)Ru(o-phenylenediamine)Cl]PF6 [Ru(η-p-cymene)(CH3CN)2Cl]PF6 (0.12 g 0.25 mmol) was dissolved in CH3CN (20 ml) to give a yellowish solution. To this 1,2 phenylenediamine (0.151 g, 1.40 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 18 hours to give a deep red solution. The solvent was removed on the rotary evaporator to give a brownish/red oily solid. This was washed many times with ether and triturated to give a reddish powder. Yield 47%. 1H δ (DMSOd6): 8.58 (d, NH, 2H), 7.20-7.23 (m, 4H), 6.21 (d, NH, 2H), 5.85 (d, 2H), 5.65 (d, 2H), 3.06 (s, 1H), 2.26 (s, 3H), 1.23 (d, 6H). Example 7 [(η6-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene)Ru(1,2-diamino-4-nitrobenzene)Cl]PF6 To [Ru(C10H12)Cl2]2 (0.154 g, 0.253 mM) in MeOH (30 ml), 1,2 diamino-3-nitro benzene (0.078 g, 0.51 mM) suspended in MeOH (5 ml) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 2.5 hours to give a clear dark red solution. The solution was filtered and the volume of the filtrate was reduced on the rotary evaporator to about 7 ml. NH4PF6 (0.2 g, 1.2 mM) was added and the flask left at −20° C. for two days. Dark/black solid (0.55 g) was collected by filtration. NMR (DMSOd6) 1.93 (m, 2H), 2.60(m, 2H), 2.75 (m, 2H), 5.0 (s, NH2), 5.52 (m, 2H), 5.74 (m, 2H), 6.52 (s, 1H), 7.38 (m, 2H). Example 8 [(η6-indan)Ru(1,2-diaminoanthraquinone)Cl]Cl To [Ru(C9H10)Cl2] (0.170 g, 0.3 mM) in MeOH (40 ml), 1,2-diaminoanthraquinone 0.143 g, 0.6 mM) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 2 h. After this time a reddish/violet solid precipitated out of solution. The precipitate was collected by filtration and dried in air. Yield 0.23 g, 75%. NMR (DMSOd6) 1.93 (m, 2H), 2.60 (m, 2H), 2.75 (m, 2H), 5.77 (m, 2H), 5.88 (m, 2H), 6.30 (s, 2H, NH2), 6.70 (d, 1H), 7.47 (d, 1H), 7.80 (m, 2H), 7.90 (s, 2H, NH2), 8.10 (m, 1H), 8.20 (m, 1H). Example 9 [(η6-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene)Ru(1,2-diaminoanthraquinone)Cl]Cl The compound of Example 9 was prepared in an analogous way to the compound of Example 8. Yield (70%). NMR (DMSOd6) 1.66-1.73(m, 4H), 2.42-2.45(m, 2H), 2.74-2.77 (m, 2H), 5.54 (m, 2H), 5.73 (m, 2H), 6.33 (s, 2H, NH2), 6.77 (d, 1H), 7.47 (d, 1H), 7.80 (m, 2H), 7.92 (s, 2H, NH2), 8.10 (m, 1H), 8.20 (m, 1H). B. Biological Data 1. Protocol for Testing Ru Compounds The human ovarian cells were added at a density of 1×104 cells per well to 24-well tissue culture trays (Falcon Plastic, Becton Dickenson, Lincon Park, N.J., USA) and allowed to grow for 72 h before addition of the Ru(II) arene complexes. Stock solutions of the ruthenium compounds were made up fresh in deionised water and sonicated to ensure complete dissolution. These stock solutions were diluted with media to give final concentrations ranging between 0.1 and 100 μM. All compounds were evaluated at each concentration in duplicate wells, and complete assays were repeated a minimum of three times. Cisplatin or carboplatin was employed as a positive and comparative control in each experiment. After 24-hours exposure the drug-containing medium was removed, the cells washed with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and fresh medium was added. Cell number was assessed after a further 72 h growth using a Coulter counter (Coulter Electronics Ltd, Luton, UK) and the IC50 values (concentration of drug causing 50% growth inhibition) calculated by linear regression analysis comparing the inhibitory effects of the drugs against the growth of untreated cells. The cell lines and methods used are also described in Aird et al, Br. J. Cancer, (2002), 86, 1652-1657. 2. Results Using the above protocol, a number of compounds of the invention were tested on A2780 ovarian cancer cell line, on an A2780 ovarian cancer cell line resistant to cis-platin (A2780CIS), and on an A2780 ovarian cancer cell line resistant to adriamycin (A2780AD). Some of the compounds were tested on an A549 cell line. The results are shown in Table 1: Table 1 is a summary of cytotoxicity data for different cell types A2780CIS A2780AD Schematic A2780 Fold fold Example structure IC50 (μM) resistance resistance EX 1 5 1 0.8 EX 2 52 EX 3 7 5 2 EX 4 32 EX 5 4 EX 6 11 1 0.6 Schematic A2780 A549 Example Structure IC50 (μM) IC50 (μM) Example 7 59 148 Example 8 15 48 Example 9 37 61 Data were obtained showing cytotoxicity for the analogues of the compounds of Examples 1, 3 and 6 in which the 1,2-diaminobenzene ligand is replaced by a 1,2-diaminoethane ligand (comparative Examples 1, 2 and 3, respectively) in an otherwise identical molecule. The results are as follows: A2780CIS A2780 Fold A2780AD Example IC50(μM) resistance fold resistance EX 1 5 1 0.8 Comparative 5 1 45 Example 1 EX 3 7 5 2 Comparative 2 0.5 >100 Example 2 EX 6 11 1 0.6 Comparative 10 0.6 10 Example 3

20051024

20070710

20061116

90776.0

A61K31555

NAZARIO GONZALEZ, PORFIRIO

RUTHENIUM COMPOUNDS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

System for broadcasting advertisements

A system for broadcasting inter-programme and/or intra-programme advertisements to a viewing or listening audience is disclosed. A given advertisement's target audience profile is matched to an obtained real audience profile to dictate not only that certain advertisements shall be broadcast only between and/or during certain programmes but also that certain individual members of, or groups of members within, the programme-receiving audience may receive one advertisement, during and/or between certain programmes, whilst other audience members or member groups receive a different advertisement, in one or more of the same respective advert ‘slots’, whilst watching or listening to the same broadcast.

1-7. (canceled) 8. A system for broadcasting advertisements to an audience which comprises: means for obtaining programme-receiving audience profiles; means for matching a given advertisement's target audience profile to a given programme-receiving audience profile; and means for broadcasting advertisements dependent upon target audience profiles and programme-receiving audience profiles; wherein: said means for obtaining programme-receiving audience profiles operate with means for interrogating set top boxes with individual IP addresses in order to determine the nature of the programs viewed by the programme receiving audience per at least one IP address; said means for broadcasting advertisements operate with means for analysing viewer habits for particular IP addresses in order to generate a programme-receiving audience profile for at least one IP address; and the system further comprises: means for dictating not only that certain advertisements shall be broadcast but also that certain IP addresses within the programme-receiving audience may receive one advertisement, whilst other IP addresses receive a different advertisement, in at least one of the same respective advertisement ‘slots’, during the same broadcast. 9. A system according to claim 8, wherein the system collects data by using polling pulses and stores data for analysis in a data collector located remotely from the set top boxes. 10. A system according to claim 8, wherein the system uses a bank of advertising campaigns where advertising campaigns are classified by integrating numerically tagged segment codes. 11. A system according to claim 8, comprising a first server for obtaining programme-receiving profiles and at least a second server containing tagged advertisements. 12. A system according to claim 8, comprising means for receiving multiple advertisements from a broadcast network and a mechanism for allowing the play-out of only a portion of the advertisements' broadcast whilst the remaining portion expires. 13. A system according to claim 8, wherein the system stores further information such as the program buyer profile, time of broadcast and nature of broadcast and utilises an interface between the audience profiles data stored and said further information to select appropriate advertisements. 14. A system according to claim 8, wherein the system further comprises means allowing the audience to interact during an advertisement, means which store data as part of the audience profile to record any such interaction and means which may be set to trigger the release of further similarly classified advertisements to the audience. 15. A system according to claim 8, wherein during a given broadcast with a plurality of advertisement breaks, the system is adapted to record for an individual audience the series of advertisements delivered during an initial break and then adjust the content of the following series of advertisements delivered during a subsequent break. 16. A system according to claim 8, wherein during a given broadcast on a given channel with a plurality of advertisement breaks, the system is adapted to record for an individual audience whether the viewer switches to another channel during the break and the system comprises means to calculate which channel he/she is likely to switch to and tailor the advertisement delivered to said roost probable channel to correspond to the audience in question. 17. A system according to claim 8, wherein the information identified such as the audience profiles is stored remotely from the viewer/listener receiver units.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to the electronic capture, analysis and delivery of mass media and consumer information and in particular to a system of broadcasting advertisements. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Present mass media advertising models assign particular areas of interest to certain classes of consumers based on available demographic information. From this starting point mechanisms are developed to deliver the advertising content to as many potential consumers as possible whether: Over the air (radio stations); Via television (television networks); Via cable and/or satellite transmission; or by Mass distribution of printed copies (newspapers and magazines) The main drawback with this approach is the lack of commercial efficiency in the existing models. Without reliable profiling demographic data on audiences and/or subscribers, individualisation and personalised targeting remains a tough challenge for the whole advertising industry. A too narrowly focused advertising campaign runs the risk of missing potential consumers and a too broadly focused campaign runs the risk of not attracting enough consumers as it may not be appealing enough. Advertisers have always attempted to use targeting methodologies—direct mailing is one obvious example—to better identify and reach potential prospects or specific classification groups of purchasers. This has always been difficult in television where the underlying premise of broadcasting—one to many—has always prevailed. The attempts to match viewers to advertised products rely on assumptions about stereotypes rather than specific analysis and interpretations of individual consumer viewing patterns. This absence of accurate prospect profiling data particularly in the TV medium means that identifying leveraging and retaining product responsive television audiences remains a largely unachieved priority for the advertising industry. This dilemma for television is made even more significant by advances in technology that increase the overall number of channel mix options available to the advertising campaign strategist i.e. message delivery at the touch of a button direct to a mobile phone. Individuals at home, work or on the move now come into contact with an ever expanding number of different forms of mass media. Recent additions to the established and traditional options include: Broadband; Digital television; Digital radio; Webcasting; Internet audio streams; and Internet video streams. The problem therefore is that: Advertisers globally would prefer to accurately target individual consumers based on an improved understanding of their propensity to purchase particular types of product and in order to maximise the overall effectiveness of their industry; Consumers would prefer to receive advertisements relating to products of personal interest rather than campaigns which have no relevance. At present there is no way of electronically matching the viewer to the playout material; Broadcasters need to capture accurate programme ratings and channel market share data since this forms a valuable currency for their industry. At present there is neither net-centric nor automated option for carrying out this type of measurement. An objective of the present invention is to provide a system which addresses these problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its broadest aspect, the invention provides a system for, broadcasting inter-programme and/or intra-programme advertisements to a viewing or listening audience, characterised in that the system comprises: means for obtaining real audience profiles; means for matching a given advertisement's target audience profile to said real audience profile; and means for dictating not only that certain advertisements shall be broadcast only between and/or during certain programmes but also that certain individual members of, or groups of members within, the programme-receiving audience may receive one advertisement, during and/or between certain programmes, whilst other audience members or member groups receive a different advertisement, in one or more of the same respective advert ‘slots’, whilst watching or listening to the same broadcast. This concept may be applied to a wide range of implementations including cable, terrestrial, satellite networks and future systems such as those embodying broadband television technologies. Such an arrangement largely overcomes (or at least mitigates) the drawbacks previously listed with respect to known mass media advertising models. In addition to the completely new design of an analysis tool and a database management engine the invention provides a software based link which brings both component parts of a complex value chain together and then automates playout of TV commercials as part of an end to end process. In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's broadest aspect, the system stores further information such as a program buyer profile, time of broadcast and/or nature of broadcast and utilises an interface between the real audience profiles data stored and said further information to select appropriate advertisements. This optional feature would allow even better tailored advertisements to be broadcast on a network by combining the information that is already usually readily available with the viewing habits of individuals. This may also allow a broadcaster to automatically modify its viewer classification dependent in part on criteria such as the nature of the program or the age of the program buyer. In other words, different classes of adverts may be sent to a particular television at different times. This would allow focused advertising despite several viewers viewing programs from the same television in sequence. In a further subsidiary aspect, the system further comprises means allowing the viewer or listener to interact during an advertisement, means which store data as part of the audience profile to record any such interaction and means which may be set to trigger the release of further similarly classified advertisements to the viewer or listener in response to such interaction. This optional feature allows fine tuning of the advertisement content sent to individuals. For example, if an individual interactively orders a brochure for a particular type of new motorcar, the system could store such data and send more adverts for similar or even the same motorcars to the viewer. In a further subsidiary aspect, during a given broadcast with a plurality of advertisement breaks, the system is adapted to record for an individual audience the series of advertisements delivered during an initial break and then adjust the content of the following series of advertisements delivered during a subsequent break. This would allow the system to deliver a tailored sequence of series of advertisements to the individual audience. It may for example choose a series of adverts which are best suited for the 1st 15 minutes of viewing even when a viewer joins the broadcast part way through. This will further improve the efficiency of the adverts delivered to individual audiences. In a further subsidiary aspect, where a given broadcast on a given channel has a plurality of advertisement breaks, the system is adapted to record for an individual audience whether the viewer switches to another channel during the break and the system comprises means to calculate which channel he or she is likely to switch to and tailor the advertisement delivered to said most probable channel to correspond to the audience in question. This system will allow the audience to be delivered the adverts even when they try to change channels to avoid them. In a further subsidiary aspect, the information identified such as the real audience profiles is stored remotely from the viewer/listener receiver units. This will do away with the requirement to have each receiver unit incorporate bespoke memory devices. The system may therefore rapidly be integrated to the existing broadcasting infrastructure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an operational system. FIG. 2 shows a block representation of a typical system architecture. FIG. 3 shows an alternative block representing a typical system architecture. FIG. 4 shows a further alternative block representing a typical system architecture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A system and method of linking consumers and advertising campaigns with the aim to provide individual targeted advertising is described. We (i.e. the general public) think we are unique individuals but we unconsciously reveal elements of our character in everything that we do—from what we watch, read, listen to, wear, and what we eat. When these are collected together a person's character can be analysed, assigned a ‘type’ and used to successfully determine a propensity to buy certain types of product. The system as defined by the present invention uses a viewing based analysis system (which may collate information as points) to obtain multiple layering of behavioural habits—the true secret of accurate targeting. Real live input feeds from continually refreshed mainstream broadcast sources are collated on an individual location basis via consumer specific IP addresses to form a centralised database which is used as an analysis platform (or in other words a management tool) to collate and develop these classification groupings. These subsequently form the basis and the main trigger for the automated playout of advertising material. In operation, the service provider—who may either be a traditional broadcaster or a next generation video based ISP (Internet Service Provider)—transmits an interleaved data stream to a viewer/consumer. The incoming signal is decrypted and displayed as either an audio data stream, a video data stream, or a combined audio and video data stream on a variety of terminal devices. The system may operate following these method steps: Track and read the viewing habits of individual households in a given area; Capture this information either locally or remotely in a deep level network environment; Analyse and assign subsequent captured data into classification groups; Create an output using this data which can be used as a decision tree to determine the suitability of particular individual households—via their classification group status—to receive particular types of advertising material according to that segmentation; Separately classify all types of advertising by numerically tagging segments (abbreviated as NTS codes by the present applicant). These groupings will support the onward addressing of advertising material to appropriate target destinations; Use this output seamlessly within appropriate software to provide listings of household identifications via destination addressing which can be used to direct advertising material from those central servers out to potential prospects using the new NTS codes; Co-ordinate the play out of advertising from centrally located broadcast servers out to end consumers using the outputs described. This will involve the manipulation and management of individual broadcast streams. Using television as an example medium a preferred embodiment of the present invention is will now be described. An electrical signal of defined structure (interleaved audio and/or video data streams) is fed into households covered by a broadcasting network having at least one television viewing device which is able to detect, interpret and convert the data stream into a television picture containing programmes, trailers and advertisements. A viewing profile is obtained as a result of analysing what is being watched on the television. Standard audience ratings are obtained by taking a snapshot of how many televisions are tuned into a certain channel at a certain instance in time—this only usefully tells you what channel is on not who might be watching it. By interrogating a Set Top Box (STB) connected to the television and equipped with an individual IP address, a more accurate picture of the viewer can be built up over time and has the added feature that it is continually being updated. Information such as the nature of the program may be utilised and the system may be equipped with an analysing interface set to identify that for individual addresses there are in fact a certain number of different viewers. The interface may identify that a particular household comprises a husband, a wife and a young child. This additional data may then be used to tailor the adverts to specific individuals during different periods throughout the day. The analysis of probabilities of who might be viewing a particular program may then be carried out. The system may even conclude that it is likely that all are watching a particular program and deliver the appropriate mix of adverts. The system may be adapted to record any interaction of the viewer for those adverts with which a viewer interacts and to take into account the interaction to select future adverts to send to the user. Such information of interaction may also be stored and sent to the advertiser as proof of effectiveness of their adverts and the present inventive system. The system may also be adapted to record viewer switching habits in order to deliver adverts at appropriate times to a secondary channel which may also correspond to the viewer's profile. The system may also be adapted to measure the time the viewer has been receiving the broadcast and tailor the successive adverts' breaks in accordance. STB's have unique electronic addresses which can be used to uniquely identify the television connected to the STB. As the viewing profile is formed the electronic address of the STB is its unique identifier. Substantially similar profiles are then grouped up into viewing clusters. Advertising campaigns are categorised according to content and predetermined viewing profiles and reclassified by integrating Numerically Tagged Segment (NTS) codes into the bank of advertising campaigns pipelined for transmission. NTS codes are associated with viewing clusters resulting in automatic play out of advertisements from broadcast networks matching adverts to suitable consumers. Consumer profiling is achieved across the broadcast network. The broadcast capacity or bandwidth of the line or channel is effectively increased without the need of additional cables, connectors or the inevitable loss of service whilst such maintenance is being performed. Broadcast networks provide a combination of multicast (traditional broadcasts) and unicast (Video on Demand—VOD) services. This system utilises a bridging protocol that supports multicast and unicast applications producing multicast application having unicast characteristics. This protocol combined with an expiry mechanism achieves selective play-out from multiple video play-out. For any given advertisement slot multiple advertisements may be transmitted from the broadcast network but only those with the inbuilt expiry mechanism disabled will play out at the target destination. The expiry mechanism or TTL (Time to Live), if set at a value approaching zero, causes the advertisement that it is assigned to, to effectively die on arrival at the target destination, i.e. play-out. Only advertisements with higher TTL's are played out. Whilst, for example, eight adverts may be transmitted for a three advert slot, only three adverts are played out at the target destination and the content of the play-out may be different from one target destination to another. The target destination is specified by the STB electronic address. This overcomes any data protection legal issues as at no time are viewer's individual details (name, age, location, occupation etc) used in anything other than an aggregated capacity. The arrangement described is applicable to any multimedia transmission system capable of reaching mass audiences. The whole invention is particularly advantageous because it has the additional benefit of being able to deliver accurate programme rankings and channel market share information using network embedded technology. This can be used to supplement the outmoded and inefficient measurement techniques based on random probability sampling which have been used for the last thirty years. It is envisaged that the present system will eventually replace these prior art systems over time. The present system may have particular applications in the ‘Video on Demand’ (VOD) market. In this context, the system may be adapted to select appropriate adverts to accompany personal broadcasts such a pay per view film. Against this background, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, and incorporated text references, are generally self explanatory. In FIG. 2, an example of a system configuration is shown where part of the Zap system is co-located with the Host's broadcast source network and another part is located elsewhere. Alternatively, the entire Zap system can be co-located within the Host's source network. The Host's broadcast source network comprises optical drives, Web or Internet servers, exchange servers, video servers and configuration database housed in racks along with uninterrupted power supplies (UPS). These are standard network components and as such require no further explanation. The Zap video server, a stand-alone server preloaded with the system software is integrated into the Host's broadcast network. All components are linked to be able to communication with each other. Alongside the Zap video server are the facilities to monitor the data collection from the STB's. Typically, when the polling pulse is fired to the STB and a return pulse of consumer data is received, this is stored by a data collector machine and each data collector machine can monitor 25,000 STB's. This data is used to perform the consumer profiling and from this profile the actual play-out to each target destination (STB) is determined. FIG. 3 is a representation of the system wherein all of the Zap processes are located and performed within the broadcaster's or Host's source network at a single site. In FIG. 4, an alternative system configuration is shown. Here the interaction between the Zap server and the Host's network is clearly shown. The Bridge Group references relate to the bridging protocol, the content store is the complete set of advertisement, the ad server contains the tagged advertisements originally in the content store when untagged, CPE are consumer premises equipment and relate to individual households each having a related STB or set top box, ATM or Asynchronise Transfer Mechanism refers to the main network of the broadcaster. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims which now follow.

<SOH> BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION <EOH>Present mass media advertising models assign particular areas of interest to certain classes of consumers based on available demographic information. From this starting point mechanisms are developed to deliver the advertising content to as many potential consumers as possible whether: Over the air (radio stations); Via television (television networks); Via cable and/or satellite transmission; or by Mass distribution of printed copies (newspapers and magazines) The main drawback with this approach is the lack of commercial efficiency in the existing models. Without reliable profiling demographic data on audiences and/or subscribers, individualisation and personalised targeting remains a tough challenge for the whole advertising industry. A too narrowly focused advertising campaign runs the risk of missing potential consumers and a too broadly focused campaign runs the risk of not attracting enough consumers as it may not be appealing enough. Advertisers have always attempted to use targeting methodologies—direct mailing is one obvious example—to better identify and reach potential prospects or specific classification groups of purchasers. This has always been difficult in television where the underlying premise of broadcasting—one to many—has always prevailed. The attempts to match viewers to advertised products rely on assumptions about stereotypes rather than specific analysis and interpretations of individual consumer viewing patterns. This absence of accurate prospect profiling data particularly in the TV medium means that identifying leveraging and retaining product responsive television audiences remains a largely unachieved priority for the advertising industry. This dilemma for television is made even more significant by advances in technology that increase the overall number of channel mix options available to the advertising campaign strategist i.e. message delivery at the touch of a button direct to a mobile phone. Individuals at home, work or on the move now come into contact with an ever expanding number of different forms of mass media. Recent additions to the established and traditional options include: Broadband; Digital television; Digital radio; Webcasting; Internet audio streams; and Internet video streams. The problem therefore is that: Advertisers globally would prefer to accurately target individual consumers based on an improved understanding of their propensity to purchase particular types of product and in order to maximise the overall effectiveness of their industry; Consumers would prefer to receive advertisements relating to products of personal interest rather than campaigns which have no relevance. At present there is no way of electronically matching the viewer to the playout material; Broadcasters need to capture accurate programme ratings and channel market share data since this forms a valuable currency for their industry. At present there is neither net-centric nor automated option for carrying out this type of measurement. An objective of the present invention is to provide a system which addresses these problems.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In its broadest aspect, the invention provides a system for, broadcasting inter-programme and/or intra-programme advertisements to a viewing or listening audience, characterised in that the system comprises: means for obtaining real audience profiles; means for matching a given advertisement's target audience profile to said real audience profile; and means for dictating not only that certain advertisements shall be broadcast only between and/or during certain programmes but also that certain individual members of, or groups of members within, the programme-receiving audience may receive one advertisement, during and/or between certain programmes, whilst other audience members or member groups receive a different advertisement, in one or more of the same respective advert ‘slots’, whilst watching or listening to the same broadcast. This concept may be applied to a wide range of implementations including cable, terrestrial, satellite networks and future systems such as those embodying broadband television technologies. Such an arrangement largely overcomes (or at least mitigates) the drawbacks previously listed with respect to known mass media advertising models. In addition to the completely new design of an analysis tool and a database management engine the invention provides a software based link which brings both component parts of a complex value chain together and then automates playout of TV commercials as part of an end to end process. In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's broadest aspect, the system stores further information such as a program buyer profile, time of broadcast and/or nature of broadcast and utilises an interface between the real audience profiles data stored and said further information to select appropriate advertisements. This optional feature would allow even better tailored advertisements to be broadcast on a network by combining the information that is already usually readily available with the viewing habits of individuals. This may also allow a broadcaster to automatically modify its viewer classification dependent in part on criteria such as the nature of the program or the age of the program buyer. In other words, different classes of adverts may be sent to a particular television at different times. This would allow focused advertising despite several viewers viewing programs from the same television in sequence. In a further subsidiary aspect, the system further comprises means allowing the viewer or listener to interact during an advertisement, means which store data as part of the audience profile to record any such interaction and means which may be set to trigger the release of further similarly classified advertisements to the viewer or listener in response to such interaction. This optional feature allows fine tuning of the advertisement content sent to individuals. For example, if an individual interactively orders a brochure for a particular type of new motorcar, the system could store such data and send more adverts for similar or even the same motorcars to the viewer. In a further subsidiary aspect, during a given broadcast with a plurality of advertisement breaks, the system is adapted to record for an individual audience the series of advertisements delivered during an initial break and then adjust the content of the following series of advertisements delivered during a subsequent break. This would allow the system to deliver a tailored sequence of series of advertisements to the individual audience. It may for example choose a series of adverts which are best suited for the 1 st 15 minutes of viewing even when a viewer joins the broadcast part way through. This will further improve the efficiency of the adverts delivered to individual audiences. In a further subsidiary aspect, where a given broadcast on a given channel has a plurality of advertisement breaks, the system is adapted to record for an individual audience whether the viewer switches to another channel during the break and the system comprises means to calculate which channel he or she is likely to switch to and tailor the advertisement delivered to said most probable channel to correspond to the audience in question. This system will allow the audience to be delivered the adverts even when they try to change channels to avoid them. In a further subsidiary aspect, the information identified such as the real audience profiles is stored remotely from the viewer/listener receiver units. This will do away with the requirement to have each receiver unit incorporate bespoke memory devices. The system may therefore rapidly be integrated to the existing broadcasting infrastructure.

20051004

20121023

20070111

72612.0

H04N5445

HOSSAIN, FARZANA E

SYSTEM FOR BROADCASTING TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04N

ACCEPTED

Baton

The invention relates to a baton comprising at least two tube pieces, an outer tube piece and an inner tube piece which can be inserted into each other like a telescope and are interlockable in both the retracted and the deployed position. A radially displaceable locking top is disposed in the final region of the inner tube piece, which can be inserted into the outer tube piece, while a circumferential catching groove is arranged on the inside of the final region of the outer tube piece. The locking top is composed of several parts that are embodied like sectors of a circle and are joined so as to form a ring while the locking cap extends past the final region of the inner tube piece by means of a locking bulb. An expanding cone for the locking top is placed in side the inner tube piece across from the catching groove for the locking bulb, said expanding cone being movable to a limited extent in an axial direction and being fixed at the end of a positioning rod.

1-10. (canceled) 11. A baton comprising: at least an outer tube section and an inner tube section telescopically arranged within one another and adapted to interlock in an extended and retracted position; a radially adjustable locking crown arranged in an end region of the inner tube section, the locking crown adapted to be retracted into the outer tube section; and a circumferential locking groove arranged on an inside region of the outer tube section, wherein: the locking crown is composed of a number of parts formed as sectors of a circle and adapted to be joined to form a ring, the locking crown protrudes over the end region of the inner tube section with a locking bead, and an axially adjustable expanding cone for the locking crown is fixed on the end of a positioning rod and is arranged in the inner tube section opposite of the circumferential locking groove. 12. The baton according to claim 11, wherein the locking crown is fixed in a circumferential holding groove of the inner tube section with a holding bead that has a smaller diameter than the locking bead. 13. The baton according to claim 11, wherein the positioning rod is connected to a push-button under the influence of a spring and arranged in an end cap screwed into the outer tube section adapted to be easily accessed and actuated. 14. The baton according to claim 11, wherein the inner tube section is provided with an end cap on its extension side, wherein the end cap is adapted to be engaged with a locking extension of the positioning rod that protrudes over the expanding cone in the retracted position. 15. The baton according to claim 11, wherein another tube end section comprising a correspondingly reduced diameter and an end cap is arranged in the inner tube section, the another tube end section provided with a locking crown of correspondingly reduced diameter in a retractable end region, the inner tube section contains a circumferential locking groove, and another opposite expanding cone is arranged to the locking groove and carried by a rod adapted to be supported in the positioning rod in an extendible fashion and extends through the expanding cone. 16. The baton according to claim 11, wherein the locking crown comprises a one piece structure constructed of a material with limited elasticity. 17. The baton according to claim 12, wherein both sides of the locking crown are provided with equidistant slots that divide the locking and holding beads. 18. The baton according to claim 11, wherein sliding rings are arranged between the outer tube section and the inner tube section in corresponding receptacle grooves. 19. The baton according to claim 1, wherein fixing or holding tension is generated with the aid of a clamping ring constructed of a material adapted to be inserted into the locking crown. 20. The baton according to claim 11, wherein at least one ventilation bore is provided in an end cap screwed into the outer tube section for pressure compensation purposes. 21. The baton according to claim 16, wherein the material is polyamide.

The invention pertains to a baton according to the preamble of Claim 1. Batons of this type are known, particularly in the form of police gear, from EP 0 961 097 A2. In this case, the interlocking mechanism between the at least two tube sections is realized with the aid of spring-loaded balls. This interlocking mechanism requires much space in the radial direction and consequently results in a correspondingly large diameter, i.e., the tube section that can be extended from the tube section forming the handle has a correspondingly small diameter, particularly if such a baton is conventionally composed of three telescopic tube sections in order to simplify the stowing and carrying thereof. However, this causes the striking force to be transformed into a correspondingly high percussion on the respective person and therefore increases the risk of personal injuries. This contradicts the true purpose of batons as relatively harmless defensive and disincentive weapons when they are used by police to maintain order, for example, during escalating demonstrations. Based on batons of the initially cited type, the invention aims to design and improve these batons in such a way that fewer components are required and, in particular, higher forces can be absorbed and transmitted by the interlocking mechanism. Another objective of the invention consists of realizing the tube section(s) that can be extended from the baton handle section such that it/they only has/have a slightly smaller diameter than the handle section despite the interlocking elements to be accommodated therein, i.e., the second or third effective tube section still has a comparatively large outside diameter. It should also be possible to easily disengage the respective interlocking mechanism in order to retract the baton. According to the invention, this objective is attained with a baton of the initially described type that is realized in accordance with the characteristics disclosed in the characterizing portion of Claim 1. The locking crown according to the invention is composed of a number of preferably identical (individual) parts that are realized in the form of sectors of a circle and can be joined so as to form a ring, wherein the locking crown protrudes over the end region or the upper end of the inner tube section with a locking bead, and wherein an expanding cone for the locking crown that is fixed on the end of a positioning rod and can be axially adjusted to a limited degree is arranged in the inner tube section opposite of the groove for the locking bead. One decisive aspect for attaining the aforementioned objective is the utilization of an annular, radially adjustable locking crown (with planar force transmitting regions) rather than a spring-loaded arrangement of interlocking balls (with punctual force transmitting regions), wherein said locking crown consists of a suitable material with respect to costs, sliding properties and noise development, preferably of polyamide, and has such dimensions referred to the available inside diameter of the baton tube sections that it adjoins the adjacent inner wall in the installed state. The locking crown is automatically extended and interlocked when the extendable tube sections are “whipped out,” namely due to the impact of the locking crown on the expanding cone that practically is arranged stationarily in the baton. In addition, a slight axial adjustment of this expanding cone makes it possible to disengage the interlocked tube sections so as to retract the baton as described in greater detail below. Advantageous additional developments and embodiments of invention are described below: A holding bead of the described locking crown has a smaller diameter than the locking bead and is fixed in a circumferential holding groove of the inner tube section. In this case, it would be conceivable to insert a suitable clamping ring into the locking crown, namely in the region of the holding bead that extends radially outward. Suitable embodiments in this respect are described in greater detail below. In order to disengage the locking crown, the aforementioned positioning rod is advantageously connected to a spring-loaded pushbutton that is arranged in an end cap screwed into the outer tube section, namely such that the pushbutton can be easily accessed and actuated with a finger. In other words, the pushbutton can be easily actuated with the thumb of the hand holding the baton, wherein the baton is then simply retracted with the other hand. On its extension side, the inner tube section is also provided with an end cap that can be engaged with a locking extension protruding over the expanding cone in the retracted position as described in greater detail below. This measure makes it possible to also secure the baton in the retracted position. In one preferred embodiment, another tube end section that has a correspondingly reduced diameter and comprises an end cap is arranged in the inner tube section, wherein the inner end of this tube end section is provided with a locking crown that has a correspondingly reduced diameter and adjoins the inside of the inner tube section with its locking bead, wherein said inner tube section is provided with a circumferential locking groove, to which another opposite expanding cone is assigned, and wherein this additional expanding cone is carried by a rod that is supported in the positioning rod in an extendible fashion and extends through the expanding cone. This basically means that the third tube section and the second tube section are interlocked analogous to the above-described engagement between the two tube sections of a two-part baton. In this case, the third tube section still has a relatively large outside diameter. Sliding rings of a suitable plastic material (preferably also polyamide) are advantageously arranged between the telescopic tube sections in corresponding receptacle grooves so as to simplify the extending and retracting of the baton tube sections and to improve their guidance within one another, as well as to the prevent the admission of dirt, to realize a largely maintenance-free baton design and to minimize the noise development when a baton of this type is extended. In this context, at least one ventilation bore is arranged in the aforementioned end cap that is screwed into the outer tube for pressure compensation purposes. A preferred three-part baton according to the invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. The figures show: FIG. 1, a section through the baton in the extended state; FIG. 2, an enlarged representation of the baton according to FIG. 1 in the retracted state, and FIG. 3, an additionally enlarged perspective representation of a locking crown. The baton consists of at least two tube sections that are telescopically arranged within one another, namely an outer tube section 1 and an inner tube section 2 that can be interlocked in the extended and in the retracted position. In this case, a radially adjustable locking crown 4 is arranged in the end region 3 of the inner tube section 2 that can be retracted into the outer tube section 1, and a circumferential locking groove 8 is arranged on the inside of the end region 7 of the outer tube section 1. Leaving aside the fact that FIGS. 1 and 2 show a three-part baton, the essential aspects of the baton according to the invention are that the locking crown 4 is composed of a number of (usually and preferably) identical (individual) parts that are realized in the form of sectors of a circle and can be joined so as to form a ring, that the locking crown 4 protrudes over the end region 3 of the inner tube section 2 with a locking bead 5, and that an expanding cone 11 for the locking crown 4 that is fixed on the end of a positioning rod 10 and can be axially adjusted to a limited degree in order to disengage the connection is arranged in the inner tube section 2 opposite of the locking groove 8 for the locking bead 5. According to FIG. 3, this locking crown 4 is composed of a number of identical individual parts and fixed in a circumferential holding groove 12 of the inner tube section 2 with a holding bead 6 that has a smaller diameter than the locking bead 5. In this case, the fixing or holding tension is generated with the aid of an inserted clamping ring 27 of a suitable material. If a suitable plastic material is chosen, it would also be conceivable to realize the locking crown 4 in one piece, wherein the required axially oriented bead slots are arranged offset relative to one another on the upper and lower end in this case. The positioning rod 10 is connected to a pushbutton 13 that is under the influence of a spring 9, wherein this pushbutton is arranged, for example, in a pot-shaped end cap 14 screwed into the outer tube section 1 such that it can be easily accessed and actuated. This makes it possible to depress the pushbutton 13 with the thumb of the hand holding the baton as described above in order to disengage the locking crown 4. On its extension side, the inner tube section 2 is also provided with an end cap 16 that can be engaged with a locking extension 17 protruding over the expanding cone 11 in the retracted position. Since a baton consisting of only two tube sections is not illustrated in the figures, one has to imagine that the elements identified by the reference symbols 19, 25 and 15 in FIG. 1 are eliminated in this case and that the end cap 16 is directly arranged on the free end of the tube section 2. We refer to FIG. 2 with respect to a sensible holding arrangement for this end cap. FIG. 2 shows the preferred embodiment, in which another tube end section 15 that has a correspondingly reduced diameter and comprises an end cap 16 is arranged in the inner tube section 2, wherein this additional tube end section is provided with a locking crown 19 of correspondingly reduced diameter in its end region 18. This locking crown 19 also adjoins the inside of the inner tube section 2 with its locking bead 23, wherein the inner tube section contains a circumferential locking groove 24, to which another opposite expanding cone 25 is assigned, and wherein this additional expanding cone is carried by a rod 26 that is supported in the positioning rod 10 in an extendible fashion and extends through the expanding cone 11. Consequently, the interlocking mechanism between the tube end section 15 and the inner tube section 2 essentially corresponds to that between the inner tube section 2 and the outer tube section 1, wherein the interlocked tube sections are disengaged as described above by depressing the pushbutton 13. However, the inner tube section 2 and the tube end section 15 are disengaged by means of the aforementioned rod 26 that, when the baton is retracted, contacts the bottom of the end cap 14 provided with ventilation bores 22 for pressure compensation purposes. In a two-part as well as a three-part design of the baton, it is advantageous to arrange sliding rings 21 between the respective telescopic tube sections 1, 2 and 2, 15 in corresponding receptacle grooves 20 for the initially cited reasons. In other respects, the outer tube section 1 is conventionally provided with a coating 28 that has a good grip. List of Reference Symbols 1 Tube section 2 Tube section 3 End region 4 Locking crown 5 Locking bead 6 Holding bead 7 End region 8 Locking groove 9 Spring 10 Positioning rod 11 Expanding cone 12 Holding groove 13 Pushbutton 14 End cap 15 Tube end section 16 End cap 17 Locking extension 18 End region 19 Locking crown 20 Receptacle groove 21 Sliding ring 22 Ventilation bore 23 Locking bead 24 Locking groove 25 Expanding cone 26 Rod 27 Clamping ring 28 Coating

20060822

20090210

20070419

93651.0

A63B5900

PIERCE, WILLIAM M

INTERLOCKABLE TELESCOPIC BATON

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A63B

ACCEPTED

Delayed release tablet with defined core geometry

A press-coated tablet comprising a core containing an drug substance, and a coating, the core being disposed within the coating such that the coating has a first thickness about an axis A-B and a thickness about an orthogonal axis X-Y, such that the coating about the axis X-Y is thicker than the coating about the axis A-B, and is adapted to provide a lag time of between about 2 to 6 hours during which substantially no drug substance is released.

1. A tablet comprising a core containing a drug, and a coating around the core, said core being disposed within said coating such that the coating thickness about an axis (X-Y) is thicker than the coating about an axis (A-B) orthogonal to (X-Y), wherein the thickness of the coating about the axis (X-Y) is selected such that the coating ruptures upon immersion in an aqueous medium after a period of between about 2 to 6 hours to release the drug. 2. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the coating thickness about the axis (X-Y) is at least 2.2 mm. 3. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the coating thickness about the axis (X-Y) is about 2.2 mm to about 2.6 mm. 4. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the coating is a water insoluble or poorly soluble hydrophobic material. 5. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the coating contains hydrophobic cellulosic derivatives and polymers selected from alkylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and derivatives thereof; polymethacrylic polymers, polyvinyl acetate polymers, cellulose acetate polymers; fatty acid esters, fatty acid salts; long chain fatty alcohols; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers; polyoxyethylene stearates; sugar esters; lauroyl macrogol-32 glyceryl, stearoyl macrogol-32 glyceryl and combinations thereof. 6. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the coating comprises calcium phosphate salt, glyceryl behenate, polyvinyl pyrollidone, or mixtures thereof. 7. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the core comprises a drug substance and a disintegrating agent. 8. The tablet according to claim 1 containing cross-linked polyvinyl pyrollidone and croscarmellose sodium. 9. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein the active substance is a glucocorticosteroid selected from prednisone, prednisolone, or methylprednisolone. 10. The tablet according to claim 9 comprising 1 mg prednisone. 11. The tablet according to claim 21 containing the following ingredients: Core of 5 mg prednisone tablet: Prednisone 8.33%; Lactose monohydrate 64.47%; Povidone 6.67%; Croscarmellose sodium 18.33%; Red ferric oxide 0.5%; Magnesium stearate Vegetable origin 1.0%; Colloidal silicon dioxide 0.5%; Coating: Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate 50%; Glyceryl behenate 40%; Povidone 8.40%; Yellow ferric oxide 0.1%; Magnesium stearate Vegetable origin 1.0%; Colloidal silicon dioxide 0.5%; 12. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein, upon administration to a patient, the lag time before drug release is 2 to 6 hours. 13. The tablet according to claim 1, said tablet having an in vitro dissolution profile using USP dissolution apparatus No. 2, at a stirring rate of 100 rpm and in a dissolution medium of purified water (500 ml), wherein said dissolution profile comprises a median lag time of about 4 hours with at least about 80% of a drug substance being released after 4.5 hours and about 100% of the drug substance being released after 5 hours. 14. The tablet according to claim 13 wherein the drug substance is selected from prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisolone. 15. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein intra-subject or inter-subject variability in Tmax differs by less than +/−20% whether or not a patient is in a fed or a fasted (fed/fasted) state. 16. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein upon administration to a patient the ratio of Cmax fed/fasted upon single dosing is 0.7 to 1.43. 17. The tablet according to claim 1 wherein upon administration to a patient the ratio of AUC fed/fasted upon single dosing is 0.8 to 1.25. 18. A pharmaceutical package containing a tablet according to claim 1 together with labelling or instructions that the tablet can be taken with or without food. 19. A method of treating arthritic pain, allergies, asthma, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by providing to a patient in need of treatment a tablet according to claim 1 containing prednisone, prednisolone, or methylprednisolone. 20. A method of preparing a tablet according to claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) forming a first granulate-containing coating material; (b) forming a core comprising a second granulate-containing core material; and (c) press coating the first granulate-containing coating material around the core. 21. The tablet according to claim 9 comprising 5 mg prednisone.

This invention is concerned with a tablet comprising a core containing a drug substance and a coating that is applied to said core by means of compression-coating techniques. The tablet can contain all manner of drug substances, but is particularly suitable for administering those that are advantageously released only after a predetermined lag time after administration. The tablets are particularly suitable for administering lucocorticosteroids selected from prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisolone. Research into the chronopharmacological field has demonstrated the importance of biological rhythms in drug therapy. Very often, optimal clinical outcomes cannot be achieved if a drug is released constantly after ingestion. This is particularly the case if symptoms of a disease display circadian variations. In such cases, drug release should vary in a manner that is sympathetic to these variations in order that drug plasma concentrations are at an optimal therapeutic level only when required to treat symptoms of a disease state. In particular, if symptoms of a disease become apparent at night, or in the early hours upon walking, the time when a patient must take its medication in order to affect the best clinical outcome requires detailed consideration. For example, most asthma attacks occur in the early hours of the morning, e.g. 4 am to 6 am. This is a result of complex circadian rhythms such as the secretion of hydrocortisone and adrenaline. Ischaemic heart diseases occur most often during the night or in the early waking hours around breakfast time. Stiffness and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis occur in the early walking hours, which is believed to be as a result of the secretion of IL-6 in the early hours of the morning, e.g. around 2 am to 4 am. With conventional immediate release dosage forms, synchronization of drug administration with a nocturnal circadian rhythm responsible for the symptoms experienced by a patient would require a patient having to be disturbed from sleep to take a medicament during the early hours of the morning in order to achieve the most efficacious clinical outcome. Of course, this would be highly inconvenient for a patient. Accordingly, there remains a need to provide dosage forms that can be taken at a convenient hour before bedtime that will release an effective dose of a drug substance only after a pre-determined lag time in order to synchronise peak plasma concentrations of drug with a particular circadian rhythm. Furthermore, particularly in relation to drug substances that have a narrow absorption window, or in the case of drug substances that are adapted to treat a local condition in the colon such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS and IBD there is also a need to provide a dosage form that rapidly releases the drug substances after reaching the end of the lag time. Still further, having regard to the varied life styles of patients, in order to reduce the inter- and intra-subject variance in bioavailability there is a need to provide a dosage form that releases a drug with a reliable lag time, and to provide peak plasma drug concentrations at a pre-determined time, irrespective of whether a patient is in a fed or fasted state. Time controlled release formulations are known in the art that are able to deliver drug substances with a defined release rate after a lag time during which no drug substance is released. Such a dosage form is disclosed in WO 02/072033. This dosage form is characterized by a coating containing a natural or synthetic gum that gels in the presence of aqueous media. The coating acts as a barrier to the ingress of aqueous media into an active-agent-containing core and thereby creating a lag time during which no drug substance is released. The gellable coating acts as a medium through which drug is released in a delayed or modified manner. It is stated that the lag time can be modulated by varying the coating weight. There are several problems with such an approach: First, release of the drug occurs by means of diffusion through the gelled coating. In the case of drugs that have a narrow absorption window, or in the case of drugs adapted to treat a relatively small affected area of the GI tract or colon, once the lag time has expired it is desirable to release the drug as rapidly as possible to ensure that all or substantially all of the drug released at the desired site. A slow diffusion of the drug is not appropriate in such cases. Further, by attempting to control lag time by controlling the coating weight, the formulator's latitude is limited in this regard, because increasing coating weight adds additional cost to the dosage form, and it also adds to the size of the dosage form, which may make it difficult to swallow for certain patient populations such as minors and for the elderly or infirm. Still further, merely adjusting coat weight does not ensure that a coating is of a desired thickness at a particular site. It remains that if the core is not correctly positioned within a die of a press coating machine, despite having selected a particular coat weight, part of the coating may be unintentionally thinner than desired, resulting in unforeseen premature release of the drug. The applicant has now surprisingly found that by carefully selecting the geometry of a core within its coating, it is possible to manipulate the coating thickness at specific points on the tablet to ensure an appropriate coating thickness to produce tablets having a specifically tuned lag time. Furthermore, because one is able to increase thickness where it is needed in the coating, one can reduce coating material to allow use of the minimum amount necessary to achieve the desired release characteristics, thus saving on cost of materials and also reducing the overall tablet size. Still further, the applicant has found that by selecting appropriate core and coating materials, one is able not only to accurately control the lag time, one is also to ensure that all, or substantially all, of the drug substance upon expiry of the lag time is released rapidly and at the absorption site, or the locally affected site. Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a tablet comprising a core containing an drug substance, and a coating around said core, the core being disposed within said coating such that the coating thickness about an axis (X-Y) (see FIG. 1) is thicker than the coating about an axis (A-B) (see FIG. 1) orthogonal to (X-Y), and wherein the thickness of the coating about the axis (X-Y) is selected such that the coating is adapted to rupture upon immersion in an aqueous medium after a period of between about 2 to 6 hours. According to the present invention, the coating thickness about the axis (X-Y) is thicker than the coating about the axis (A-B). The ratio of the thickness of the coating about the axis (X-Y) to the thickness of the coating about the axis (A-B) may be from 2.2 to 2.6:1.0 to 1.6. In another aspect of the invention there is provided a tablet comprising a core containing an drug substance and a coating around said core, the core being disposed within said coating such that the coating thickness about an axis (X-Y) is thicker than the coating about an axis (A-B) orthogonal to (X-Y), and the thickness of the coating about the axis (X-Y) is at least about 2.2 mm, particularly about 2.2 to 2.6 mm, more particularly about 2.35 to 2.45 mm. The thickness of the coating around or about the axis (A-B) is not critical for controlling the lag time. Accordingly, the formulator has some latitude in selecting its thickness. It should not be so thick as to render the final tablet to large, yet on the other hand the coating should not be so thin that the coating is render weak and liable to crack under the slightest mechanical stress. Preferably, the thickness of the coating about the axis (A-B) is about 1.0 to about 1.6 mm. The coating thickness either side of the core on the axis (A-B) may or may not be equal. For example, on a first side of the core (A-core) the coating may have a thickness of about 1.2 to 1.6 mm, more preferably 1.35 to 1.45 mm, whereas on the other side of the core (B-core) the thickness may be about 1.0 to 1.4 mm, more preferably 1.15 to 1.25 mm. Accordingly, in a particular embodiment of the present invention there is provided a tablet comprising a core containing an drug substance, and a coating, the core being disposed within the coating such that the coating has a thickness about an axis (X-Y) of at least about 2.2 mm, more particularly about 2.2 to about 2.6 mm, still more particularly 2.35 to 2.45 mm, and the thickness of the coating about an axis (A-B) orthogonal to (X-Y) is between 1.0 and 1.6 mm. More particularly, along the axis (A-B) on a first side of the core (A-core) the thickness may be about 1.2 to 1.6 mm, more preferably 1.35 to 1.45 mm, and on a second side of the core (B-core) the thickness may be about 1.0 to 1.4 mm, more preferably 1.15 to 1.25 mm. Tablets of the present invention are formed by compression coating methods as will be described in more detail herein below. Compression coated tablets are generally formed by placing a portion of a powdered coating material in a die and tamping the powder into a compact form using a punch. A core is then deposited onto the compacted coating material before the remainder of the coating material is introduced into the die and compression forces are applied to form the coated tablet. To ensure that the core is placed on the tamped coating material to ensure its correct geometry relative to the coating in the final tablet form, it is preferable to employ means for positioning the core in relation to the coating material in a die. Typically such means may be provided by a pin punch. A pin punch is a punch that has a convex surface that contacts the coating material to leave a small depression or hollow in the tamped coating material. Thus, when the core is placed into the die on the tamped material, it sits in the depression or hollow and its correct geometry is assured in the final tablet form. The thickness of the coating along and about the axis of the direction of movement of the punch (the “(A-B)” axis referred to above) is determined by the amount of coating material added to the die and the compaction force applied to form the tablet. On the other hand, the thickness of the coating along and about the “(X-Y)” axis is determined by the size of the core, its position within the die and the diameter of the die. It will be apparent to the skilled person that there is a plurality of axes (X-Y) orthogonal to the axis of movement of the punch (the “A-B” axis), which extend radially from the centre of the tablet to its circumference, and when the reference is made to the thickness of the coating about an axis X-Y, reference is being made the thickness about any or all of these axes. During the compression of the coating around the core, the coating material above and below the core (the material along and about the (A-B) axis) is relatively highly compacted and dense. On the other hand, the coating material disposed along and about the (X-Y) axis is subjected to lower compaction forces and is relatively less dense. Accordingly, the material about the (X-Y) axis is relatively porous and permissive towards the ingress of aqueous media. The rate of ingress of the aqueous medium through the coating along the direction of the X-Y axis is, in part, responsible for controlling the release of the drug substance from the. core. Once the aqueous medium contacts the core, the core reacts by swelling or effervescing thereby to break open the core generally along the direction of ingress of the aqueous media (i.e. the X-Y axis) to form to essentially two hemispheres of coating material that may remain conjoined, which has an appearance of an opened clam shell. The reaction of the core material to the presence of the aqueous medium is likewise in part responsible for controlling the release of drug substance from the core. The hardness of the tablet is preferably at least 60 Newtons, e.g. 60 to 80 Newtons, and more particularly 60 to 75 Newtons. Hardness may be measured according to a process described in The European Pharmacopoeia 4, 2.9.8 at page 201. The test employs apparatus consisting of 2 opposing jaws, one of which moves towards the other. The flat surfaces of the jaws are perpendicular to the direction of movement. The crushing surfaces of the jaws are flat and larger than the zone of contact with the tablet. The apparatus is calibrated using a system with a precision of one Newton. The tablet is placed between the jaws. For each measurement, the tablet is oriented in the same way with respect to the direction of the applied force. Measurements are carried out on 10 tablets. Results are expressed in terms of the mean, minimum and maximum values (in Newtons) of the force needed to crush the tablets. Tablets having a hardness within this range are mechanically robust to withstand forces generated in the stomach, particularly in the presence of food. Furthermore, the tablets are sufficiently porous about the (X-Y) plane of the tablet to permit ingress of physiological media to the core at an appropriate rate to ensure that the drug substance is released within an appropriate lag time, e.g. within 2 to 6 hours. As stated above, it is a preferred aspect of the present invention that the tablets are adapted to release a drug substance from the core after a pre-determined lag time, as well as being adapted to release all, or substantially all, of the drug substance within a very short period of time after the expiry of the lag time. This ensures that all, or substantially all, of the drug is released at the intended absorption site along the GI tract, or onto the affected site of the GI tract if the condition to be treated is a local topical condition. It is preferred that the tablets of the present invention release all, or substantially all of a drug substance within about ½ hour to about 1 hour after the selected lag time. This aspect of the present invention is important for delivering drugs having a rather narrow absorption window in the upper GI tract, such as the glucocorticosteroids referred to above. In such cases, the drug should be released before the tablet can pass into the bowel, where absorption of such drugs is poor. It is made particularly important if the tablet is intended to perform in the same manner independent of the effects of food. It is well known that the rate at which a tablet will pass through the GI tract will vary depending on whether a patient is in a fed or fasted state. In the fasted state, a tablet will typically clear the stomach within about ½ hour and 1 hour after ingestion, and thereafter take a further 4 to 5 hours to clear the upper GI tract through the ileosecal junction. In a fed state, a tablet may take as long as 4 hours to be cleared from the stomach, and a further 4 to 5 hours to clear the upper GI tract. Accordingly, if a tablet is to release of all, or substantially all, of its drug into the upper GI tract irrespective of the fed state of a patient, it is preferable that the release the drug after the lag time occurs within a time limit referred to in the paragraph above. It should be understood that whereas it is desirable that no drug substance is released during the lag time, some release may occur. However, any release of drug substance during the lag time should not exceed 10% of the total amount of drug substance in the core. The coating employed in a tablet according to the present invention is preferably formed of insoluble or poorly water soluble hydrophobic material. In use, the coating optimally acts merely as a barrier to the ingress of aqueous physiological media thereby providing a drug release lag time. For the reasons set forth above, optimally the tablet should have the minimum thickness possible consistent with the desired lag time. Accordingly, employing water insoluble or poorly soluble hydrophobic coating materials, one is able to produce a coating that is relative recalcitrant to the ingress of moisture and so long lag times can be achieved with relatively thin coatings. Further, in order to achieve the rapid release of drug substance after the lag time has expired, it is desirable that the coating contains no, or substantially no, ingredients that swell and gel agents to such an extent that the coating acts as a diffusion barrier to the release of drug substance. In this regard, it is preferable that the coating contains no, or substantially no, materials such as natural or synthetic gums that modulate release of the drug substance through an intact swollen coating. Drug substance is released from the core as a result of the physical rupturing of the coating and not as a result of the drug substance diffusing through a swollen coating material. That the mechanism of drug release is substantially dependent on the physical splitting of the coating, and not on a diffusion process through a swellable and gellable coating, means that a wide range of drug substances can be delivered from tablets according to the invention in a reliable and reproducible manner. The tablet coating may contain one or more water insoluble or poorly soluble hydrophobic excipients. Such excipients may be selected from any of the known hydrophobic cellulosic derivatives and polymers including alkylcellulose, e.g. ethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, and derivatives thereof; polymethacrylic polymers, polyvinyl acetate and cellulose acetate polymers; fatty acids or their esters or salts; long chain fatty alcohols; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers; polyoxyethylene stearates; sugar esters; lauroyl macrogol-32 glyceryl, stearoyl macrogol-32 glyceryl, and the like. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose materials are preferably selected from those low Mw and low viscosity materials such as E-Type methocel, and 29-10 types as defined in the USP. Other agents or excipients that provide hydrophobic quality to coatings may be selected from any waxy substance known for use as tablet excipients. Preferably they have a HLB value of less than 5, and more preferably about 2. Suitable hydrophobic agents include waxy substances such as carnauba wax, paraffin, microcrystalline wax, beeswax, cetyl ester wax and the like; or non-fatty hydrophobic substances such as calcium phosphate salts, e.g. dibasic calcium phosphate. Preferably the coating contains a calcium phosphate salt, glyceryl behenate, and polyvinyl pyrollidone, or mixtures thereof, and one or more adjuvants, diluents, lubricants or fillers. Preferred components in the coating are as follows, with generally suitable percentage amounts expressed as percentage weight of the coating. Polyvinyl pyrollidone (Povidone) is preferably present in amounts of about 1 to 25% by weight or the coating, more particularly 4 to 12%, e.g. 6 to 8%. Glyceryl behenate is an ester of glycerol and behenic acid (a C22 fatty acid). Glyceryl behenate may be present as its mono-, di-, or tri-ester form, or a mixture thereof. Preferably it has an HLB value of less than 5, more preferably approximately 2. It may be present in amounts of about 5 to 85% by weight of the coating, more particularly from 10 to 70% by weight, and in certain preferred embodiments from 30 to 50%. Calcium phosphate salt may be the dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate and may be present in an amount of about 10 to 90% by weight of the coating, preferably 20 to 80%, e.g. 40 to 75%. The coating may contain other common tablet excipients such as lubricants, colourants, binders, diluents, glidants and taste-masking agents or flavourants. Examples of excipients include colourants such a ferric oxide, e.g. yellow ferric oxide; lubricants such as magnesium stearate; and glidants such as silicon dioxide, e.g. colloidal silicon dioxide. Yellow ferric oxide may be used in amounts of about 0.01 to 0.5% by weight based on the coating; magnesium stearate may be present in amounts of 1 to 20% by weight of the coating, more preferably 2 to 10%, e.g. 0.5 to 1.0%; and colloidal silica may be used in amounts of 0.1 to 20% by weight of the coating, preferably 1 to 10%, more preferably 0.25 to 1.0%. The core comprises in addition to a drug substance, a disintegrating agent or mixtures of disintegrating agents used in immediate release formulations and well know to persons skilled in the art. The disintegrating agents useful in the exercise of the present invention may be materials that effervesce and or swell in the presence of aqueous media thereby to provide a force necessary to mechanically disrupt the coating material. Preferably a core contains, in addition to the drug substance, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrollidone and croscarmellose sodium. The following is a list of preferred core materials. The amounts are expressed in terms of percentage by weight based on the weight of the core. Cross-linked polyvinyl pyrollidone is described above and is useful as a disintegrating agent, and may be employed in the core in the amounts disclosed in relation to the core. Croscarmellose sodium is an internally cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (also known as Ac-Di-Sol) useful as a disintegrating agent. Disintegrating agents may be used in amounts of 5 to 30% by weight based on the core. However, higher amounts of certain disintegrants can swell to form matrices that may modulate the release of the drug substance. Accordingly, particularly when rapid release is required after the lag time it is preferred that the disintegrants is employed in amounts of up to 10% by weight, e.g. about 5 to 10% by weight. The core may additionally comprise common tablet excipients such as those described above in relation to the coating material. Suitable excipients include lubricants, diluents and fillers, including but not limited to lactose (for example the mono-hydrate), ferric oxide, magnesium stearates and colloidal silica. Lactose monohydrate is a disaccharide consisting of one glucose and one galactose moiety. It may act as a filler or diluent in the tablets of the present invention. It may be present in a range of about 10 to 90%, preferably from 20 to 80%, and in certain preferred embodiments from 65 to 70%. As stated above, it is an important aspect of the present invention that core is correctly located within the coating to ensure that a tablet has the appropriate coating thickness. In this way, lag times will be reliable and reproducible, and intra-subject and inter-subject variance in bioavailability can be avoided. It is advantageous to have a robust in process control to ensure that tablets in a batch contain cores having the appropriate geometry in relation to the coating. Controls can be laborious in that they require an operator to remove random samples from a batch and to cut them open to physically inspect the quality of the core (i.e. whether it is intact, and whether it is correctly located). Furthermore, if a significant number of tablets from the sample fail, a complete batch of tablets may be wasted. Applicant has found that if one adds to the core a strong colourant such as iron oxide, such that the core visibly contrasts with the coating when as strong light is shone on the tablet, it is possible for any faults in the position or integrity of the core to be picked up automatically by a camera appropriately located adjacent a tabletting machine to inspect tablets as they are ejected therefrom. In this way, if a faulty tablet is identified it is possible to halt production and correct any problems in the manufacturing process quickly, thereby potentially avoiding wastage of batch quantities of tablets. Whereas colourants contained in the core are useful for this purpose, equivalent solutions are also possible. For example, instead of a colourant, one can include a material that is opaque to x-rays, such as barium sulphate. If an x-ray imager is then coupled to a tablet machine, the core will contrast with the coating material and the x-ray imager will pick up any faults in the positioning or integrity of the core in a similar fashion. The amount of drug substance employed in tablets of the present invention will depend on the particular drug substance used, the condition of the patient and the nature and severity of the condition to be treated. A typical drug loading might be from 1 to 50% by weight of the core. As stated above a wide variety of drug substances may be employed in the present invention. Drugs for treating conditions the symptoms of which result from nocturnal circadian rhythms are particularly suitable. Accordingly, drugs for treating incontinence, sleep disorders, apnoea, asthma, epilepsy, bronchitis, parkinsonism, rheumatoid arthritis, allergic rhinitis and ischaemic heart diseases, cluster and migraine headache, congestive heart failure, and depression are particularly suitable for use in tablets according to the present invention. Further, drug substances that are metabolized by cytochrome P450 are also particularly suitable, they include:—Amitriptyline, caffeine, clomipramine, clozapine, fluvoxamine, haloperidol, imipramine, mexilitine, oestradiol, olanzepine, paracetamol, propranolol, tacrine, theophylline, warfarin, Bupropion, Cyclophosphamide, Celecoxib, Diclofenac, Flubiprofen, Ibuprofen, glimepirideindome, thacin, naproxen, phenytoin, piroxicam, tenoxicam, citalopram, diazepam, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprozole, propanolol, topiramate, Alpranolol, chlorpromazine, clomipramine, codeine, Desipramine, dextromethorphan, diphenhydramine, donepezil, flecainide, fluoxetine, labetalol, Methadone, metoprolol, mianserin, nortripyline, ondansetron, oxprenolol, oxycodone, paroxetine, perhehexilene, pethidine, promethazine, risperdone, thioridazine, ticlopidine, timolol, trimipramine, venlafaxine, paracetamol, alprazolam, amiodarone, budesonide, buprenorphine, buspirone, Calcium Channel Blockers, carbamazepine, cisapride, clarithromycin, clonazepam, cocaine, cortisol, cyclosporine, dexamethasone, erythromycin, fentanyl, ketoconazole, losartan, miconazole, midazolam, quinidine, sertraline, statins, tacrolimus, tamoxifen, TCAs, triamzolam, zolpidem, or mixtures thereof. Additional examples of drug classes and drugs that can be employed in tablets of the present invention include: antihistamines (e.g., azatadine maleate, brompheniramine maleate, carbinoxamine maleate, chlorpheniramine maleate, dexchlorpheniramine maleate, diphenhydramine hydrochloride, doxylamine succinate, methdilazine hydrochloride, promethazine, trimeprazine tartrate, tripelennamine citrate, tripelennamine hydrochloride and triprolidine hydrochloride); antibiotics (e.g., penicillin V potassium, cloxacillin sodium, dicloxacillin sodium, nafcillin sodium, oxacillin sodium, carbenicillin indanyl sodium, oxytetracycline hydrochloride, tetracycline hydrochloride, clindamycin phosphate, clindamycin hydrochloride, clindamycin palmitate HCL, lincomycin HCL, novobiocin sodium, nitrofurantoin sodium, metronidazole hydrochloride); antituberculosis agents (e.g., isoniazid); cholinergic agents (e.g., ambenonium chloride, bethanecol chloride, neostigmine bromide, pyridostigmine bromide); antimuscarinics (e.g., anisotropine methylbromide, clidinium bromide, dicyclomine hydrochloride, glycopyrrolate, hexocyclium methylsulfate, homatropine methylbromide, hyoscyamine sulfate, methantheline bromide, hyoscine hydrobromide, oxyphenonium bromide, propantheline bromide, tridihexethyl chloride); sympathomimetics (e.g., bitolterol mesylate, ephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride, ephedrine sulphate, orciprenaline sulphate, phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride, pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, ritodrine hydrochloride, salbutamol sulphate, terbutaline sulphate); sympatholytic agents (e.g., phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride); miscellaneous autonomic drugs (e.g., nicotine); iron preparations (e.g., ferrous gluconate, ferrous sulphate); haemostatics (e.g., aminocaproic acid); cardiac drugs (e.g., acebutolol hydrochloride, disopyramide phosphate, flecainide acetate, procainamide hydrochloride, propranolol hydrochloride, quinidine gluconate, timolol maleate, tocainide hydrochloride, verapamil hydrochloride); antihypertensive agents (e.g., captopril, clonidine hydrochloride, hydralazine hydrochloride, mecamylamine hydrochloride, metoprolol tartrate ); vasodilators (e.g., papaverine hydrochloride); non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g., choline salicylate, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, magnesium salicylate, meclofenamate sodium, naproxen sodium, tolmetin sodium); opiate agonists (e.g., codeine hydrochloride, codeine phosphate, codeine sulphate, dextromoramide tartrate, hydrocodone bitartrate, hydromorphone hydrochloride, pethidine hydrochloride, methadone hydrochloride, morphine sulphate, morphine acetate, morphine lactate, morphine meconate, morphine nitrate, morphine monobasic phosphate, morphine tartrate, morphine valerate, morphine hydrobromide, morphine hydrochloride, propoxyphene hydrochloride); anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital sodium, phenytoin sodium, troxidone, ethosuximide, valproate sodium); tranquilizers (e.g., acetophenazine maleate, chlorpromazine hydrochloride, fluphenazine hydrochloride, prochlorperazine edisylate, promethazine hydrochloride, thioridazine hydrochloride, trifluoroperazine hydrochloride, lithium citrate, molindone hydrochloride, thiothixine hydrochloride); chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., doxorubicin, cisplatin, floxuridine, methotrexate, combinations thereof); lipid lowering agents (e.g., gemfibrozil, clofibrate, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, such as for example, atorvastatin, cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin); H.sub.2-antagonists (e.g., cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine, ranitidine HCl); anti-coagulant and anti-platelet agents (e.g., warfarin, cipyridamole, ticlopidine); bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, terbutaline); stimulants (e.g., benzamphetamine hydrochloride, dextroamphetamine sulphate, dextroamphetamine phosphate, diethylpropion hydrochloride, fenfluramine hydrochloride, methamphetamine hydrochloride, methylphenidate hydrochloride, phendimetrazine tartrate, phenmetrazine hydrochloride, caffeine citrate); barbiturates (e.g., amylobarbital sodium, butabarbital sodium, secobarbital sodium); sedatives (e.g., hydroxyzine hydrochloride, methprylon); expectorants (e.g., potassium iodide); antiemetics (e.g., benzaquinamide hydrochloride, metoclopropamide hydrochloride, trimethobenzamide hydrochloride); gastrointestinal drugs (e.g., ranitidine hydrochloride); heavy metal antagonists (e.g., penicillamine, penicillamine hydrochloride); antithyroid agents (e.g., methimazole); genitourinary smooth muscle relaxants (e.g., flavoxate hydrochloride, oxybutynin hydrochloride); vitamins (e.g., thiamine hydrochloride, ascorbic acid); unclassified agents (e.g., amantadine hydrochloride, colchicine, etidronate disodium, leucovorin calcium, methylene blue, potassium chloride, pralidoxime chloride. steroids, particularly glucocorticoids (e.g., prednisolone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, cortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone). Notwithstanding the general applicability of the tablets in relation to a wide range of drug substances, the present invention is particularly suited to delivery of the glucocorticosteroids aforementioned, and particularly prednisone, prednisolone and methylprednisolone. These steroids are useful in the treatment i.a, of rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain. As already stated, the symptoms of these conditions appear according to a circadian rhythm and with great predictability during the early hours of the morning. Accordingly, the glucocorticosteroids, and in particular prednisone are eminently suited for delivery from tablets according to this invention not only because of their narrow absorption window, but also because a tablet may be administered in the evening before bedtime anytime around 8 pm until midnight, e.g. around 10-12 at night, to deliver maximum plasma concentration of the drug substance before maximum secretion of IL-6 (which occur around 2 am to 4 am), thereby effectively addressing the underlying causes of the morning symptoms. In this way, these symptoms are more effectively treated. As used above, prednisone refers to the compound and its salts or derivatives thereof, including prednisone 21 acetate. As used above, prednisolone refers to the compound and its salts or derivatives including the 21-acetate, its 21-tert-butyl acetate, 21-succinate sodium salt, 21-stearoylglycolate, 21-m-sulphobenzoate sodium salt, and its trimethylacetate. Methylprednisolone, as used above refers to the compound or and its salts and derivatives thereof including its 21 acetate, 21-phosphate disodium salt, 21-succinate sodium salt, and its acetonate. Typically a core may contain about 0.1 to 50% by weight, more particularly 1 to 20%, still more particularly 1 to 10% by weight of steroid based on the total weight of the core. In the case of prednisone, it may be employed in amounts to provide a total weight per unit dosage form of 1 or 5 mg, to offer convenience and flexibility of dosing, although dosage forms containing larger or smaller amounts of drug substance could be employed if desired. Particularly preferred tablets according to the invention comprising in the core a glucocorticosteroid selected from the group consisting of prednisone, prednisolone and methylprednislone, and cross-inked polyvinyl pyrollidone, cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and one or more adjuvants diluents, lubricants or filler materials as hereinabove described. Preferably the coating comprises a calcium phosphate salt, glyceryl behenate, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrollidone and one or more adjuvants, diluents, lubricants or filler materials as hereinabove described. The composition of one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is: Core of 5 mg Prednisone Tablet: Prednisone 8.33% Lactose monohydrate 64.47% Povidone 6.67% Croscarmellose sodium 18.33% Red ferric oxide 0.5% Magnesium stearate Vegetable origin 1.0% Colloidal silicon dioxide 0.5% Coating Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate 50% Glyceryl behenate 40% Povidone 8.40% Yellow ferric oxide 0.1% Magnesium stearate Vegetable origin 1.0% Colloidal silicon dioxide 0.5% Another preferred embodiment is as follows: Core of 1 mg Prednisone Tablet: Prednisone 1.67% Lactose monohydrate 71.13% Povidone 6.67% Croscarmellose sodium 18.33% Red ferric oxide 0.5% Magnesium stearate Vegetable origin 1.0% Colloidal silicon dioxide 0.5% Coating Dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate 50% Glyceryl behenate 40% Povidone 8.40% Yellow ferric oxide 0.1% Magnesium stearate Vegetable origin 1.0% Colloidal silicon dioxide 0.5% It is surprising that the tablets containing the glucocorticosteroids display such rapid release given that the rate of release relies to some extent on the wetting of the core, and these steroids are rather hydrophobic in nature. The tablets described above are press-coated tablets comprising a core and a coating covering said core. However, variants of this basic construction are within the ambit of the present invention. Thus, the press-coating may be further coated with an outer coating that may be functional and/or aesthetic in its design. For example, functional coatings may include the addition an immediate release coating containing a drug substances that may be the same or different to the drug substance contained in the core. In this manner, the tablet can affect a pulsatile release that is of use in treating symptoms based on circadian rhythms, such as sleep disorders. In this regard one can employ sedative hypnotics in such dosage forms, for example those drug substances mentioned described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,746. Pulsatile release dosage forms may also find general applicability with a wide range of active substances for the treatment of a wide range of indications to provide patients with a more convenient dosage schedule. For example, pulsatile release can provide an alternative to multiple administrations of immediate release forms. Functional coatings also include enteric coatings covering the press-coating. Enteric coated forms may be of use in treating local conditions in the bowel such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS and IBD. In this embodiment, the enteric coating would prevent release of any drug before the tablet enters the bowel. Aesthetic coatings include taste masking coatings and coloured coatings as a generally well known in the art. It is well known in the art that food can change the bioavailability of a drug. Food can alter the bioavailability of a drug by various means such as delaying gastric emptying, changes in gastrointestinal pH, changes in luminal metabolism, and physical and chemical reactions of food items with a dosage form or drug substance. This change in bioavailability as a consequence of food intake is often referred to as a “food effect”. Food effects are quite common in modified-release dosage forms, and also for drugs that have either poor solubility or poor permeability or both (BCS Class II, III, and IV). The applicant has surprisingly found that a tablet that is adapted to release all, or substantially all, of a drug contained therein within a time (Tlag) of between 2 and 6 hours (median time) after administration. Furthermore, the applicant has surprisingly developed a tablet adapted to release a drug substance after a lag time that can deliver a drug to a patient, which upon absorption the peak drug concentration Cmax will be reached in a time Tmax that is independent of a patient's food intake. Tmax is a term well known in the art that refers to the time elapsed between drug administration and the maximum plasma concentration Cmax is reached. Cmax is also an art recognized term that relates to the peak plasma concentration of a drug. Tmax is an important parameter particularly in relation to medicaments that are intended to be taken at a time convenient for a patient, but which release drug substances after a lag time in order to synchronise drug release with a circadian rhythm, and in particular a nocturnal circadian rhythm. By way of example, the glucocorticosteroids, referred to above, e.g. prednisone, are useful in the treatment of i.a. arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Debilitating symptoms are often experienced by a patient upon waking. Current therapy requires a patient to take DecortinR upon waking. However, this is not the most efficacious way of treating the symptoms, as they are believed to be associated with the secretion of IL-6, which occurs during the early morning hours, e.g. from about 2 to 4 am. A medicament that can reach Cmax that is coincident with or anticipates the release of IL-6 is potentially of greater benefit to a patient. Furthermore, given the varied lifestyles of individuals, patients taking medicament between 8 pm and bedtime, e.g. from 10 pm to midnight, may be in a variety of fed states, it is even more advantageous that Tmax should be independent of food intake. Medicaments that can have a pre-determined lag time, and which release drug substance after this lag time in a manner that provides a Tmax independent of considerations of the fed or fasted state of a patient are of potentially great benefit, not only in relation to the glucocorticosteroids and the treatment of arthritis, but for other active substances that are advantageously delivered in synchronicity with a circadian rhythm, or even in relation to drug substances whose efficacy depends on their ability to be delivered accurately to a particular absorption site, or a locally diseased site along the GI tract and bowel. Such medicaments are provided by the present invention. Currently, there are no bioavailability or bioequivalence regulatory guidelines available for Tmax. However, the Guidance For Industry “Food Effect Bioavailability and Fed Bioequivalence Studies”, US Department of Health (CDER) December 2002 suggests that any difference in Tmax should not be clinically relevant. Whether such a difference will be clinically relevant will depend on the drug delivered and the particular indication. Applicant has found that in respect of formulations of the present invention the effect of food on the median value of Tmax is a difference of only about +/−20%, more particularly +/−10% Still further, applicant has found medicaments containing drug substances exhibiting no significant effect of food with respect to bioavailability of the drug substance in terms of Cmax and AUC. The “food effect” as it relates to the bioavailability of drug substances is a well documented phenomenon in relation to drug delivery that describes the variance in uptake of a drug substance by patients depending upon whether the patients are in fed or fasted states. The presence or absence of a food effect may be quantified by making Area under the Curve (AUC) and/or Cmax measurements according to methods well known in the art. Typically AUC measurements and Cmax measurements are made by taking timed biological fluid samples and plotting the serum concentration of drug substance against time. The values obtained represent a number of values taken from subjects across a patient population and are therefore expressed as mean values expressed over the entire patient population. By comparing the mean AUC and/or Cmax values, one can determine whether a drug substance experiences a food effect. Food effect studies may be conveniently carried out on an adequate number of healthy volunteers, the number being sufficient to generate sufficient data for appropriate statistical assessment to be made. Preferably the number of subjects should not be less than 12. To study the effect of food on the bioavailability of a drug substance one may use any conventional study design known in the art, for example a randomised, balanced single-dose, two-treatment, two-period, two-sequence crossover design. Analysis may be carried out using any of the programs known in the art such as SAS PROC GLM, software from the SAS institute, Cary N.C. In quantitative terms, a drug substance may be said to exhibit no food effect if a 90% confidence interval (CI) for the ratio of means (population geometric means based on log transformed data) of fed and fasted treatments fall within the interval of 0.8 to 1.25 for AUC and/or 0.7 to 1.43 for Cmax. Accordingly, the present invention provides in another of its aspects a tablet as defined herein above displaying a ratio AUC fed/fasted after single dosing of 0.8 to 1.25 or the ratio Cmax fed/fasted after single dosing of 0.7 to 1.43. A “fed” subject conveniently may be considered as a subject that has fasted for at least 10 hours before receiving a standard FDA recognised high fat meal. The medicament may then be administered with water shortly after completion of the meal, e.g. within 5 minutes thereof. Preferably no food should be taken for a period of, e.g. 4 hours after receiving medicament although small quantities of water may be permitted after, e.g. 2 hours after receiving the medicament. A “fasted” subject conveniently may receive medicament with water after at least 10 hours fasting. Thereafter, no food may be taken for a period of, e.g. 4 hours although small quantities of water may be taken after, e.g. 2 hours after receiving medicament. A standard FDA high fat meal as referred to hereinabove may comprise any meal that would be expected to provide maximal perturbation due to the presence of food in the GI tract. Said high fat meal typically may comprise 50% of its caloric value in fat. A representative example may be 2 eggs fried in butter, 2 strips of bacon, 2 slices toast with butter, 4 ounces fried potato, and 8 ounces milk. By application of the teachings of the present invention tablets may be provided that display reduced variability in resumption/bioavailability levels achieved both for individual patients receiving a drug as well as between individuals. The tablets of the present invention may be packaged in a variety of ways. Generally an article for distribution includes a container for holding the tablets. Suitable containers are well known to persons skilled in the art and include materials such as bottles, foil packs and the like. In addition, the container will have a label and an insert that describes the contents of the container and any appropriate warnings or instructions for use. It is an advantage of the present invention that the insert and/or label may contain instructions that the tablet may be taken with or without food, or may be absent a warning or instruction that the tablet should be taken only with food or only without food. The invention provides in another aspect, a method of forming tablets as herein above described. The tablets may be formed on conventional press coating equipment. Typically such equipment is composed of a series of die are arranged on a rotating platform. The die are removably mounted in the platform such that differently sized die may be employed as appropriate. Each die is hollow to receive a lower punch. The punch is positioned within the die such that the upper surface of the punch and the inner surface of the die define a volume for receiving a precise amount coating material. Once loaded, the platform is rotated until the die is positioned under an upper punch. The upper punch is then urged down onto the coating material under a defined compression force and the coating material is pre-compressed or tamped between the upper and lower punch. A pre-formed core is then fed into die to rest on the tamped coating. Conventional press coating apparatus may be equipped with centering devices that enable cores to be positioned both vertically and radially. This might be achieved by a tamping process, whereby an initial amount of coating material is placed in a die and is tamped with a shaped punch, such as a pin punch, that leaves an indentation in the coating material in which to receive a core. Thereafter, in a second filling operation, a precise amount of coating material is fed into the die to cover the core, and an upper punch compresses the coating material with a defined compaction force to form tablets according to the present invention. The compression force applied during the tamping process is relatively light and is just sufficient to provide a bed of coating material to receive the core and to prevent movement of the coating material as a result of centrifugal force. Subsequent compression to form the tablet may be adjusted to give tablets of requisite hardness. Preferably, this compression force is 400 kg, although this may be adjusted by +/−30% in order to give tablets of the required hardness. The amount of coating material fed into the die can be precisely defined having regard to the density of the coating material to ensure after compression that the tablet is formed with the required coating thickness about the (A-B) axis; and the dimensions of the die is selected to provide the thickness about the X-Y axis. Should it be necessary to change the thickness of the coating, die of appropriate internal dimensions may be placed in the rotating platform, and the amount of coating material fed into the die may be adjusted accordingly. Suitable rotary tablet machines having high process speeds are known in the art and need no further discussion here. Cores may likewise be formed using a conventional rotary tablet machine. Cores are preferably compressed under compression forces sufficient to provide cores having a hardness of about 60 Newtons at least, e.g. 50 to 70 Newtons. Cores having hardness in this range give desired release characteristics. If desired, the cores can be formed at the same time as the press coated tablets are produced. In such case, one might employ a Manesty Dry Cota. Such a press consists of two side-by-side and inter-connected presses where the core is made on one press before being mechanically transferred to the other press for compression coating. Such equipment and techniques for making tablets using such equipment are known in the art and no more needs to be said about this here. Cores are preferably formed according to wet granulation techniques generally known in the art. In a typical procedure, core materials are sieved and blended. Granulating fluid, typically water is then added to the blend and the mixture is homogenized to form a granulate, which is then sprayed dried or dried on a fluid bed drier to obtain a granulate with requisite residual moisture. Preferably the residual moisture content is from about 0.4 to 2.0% by weight. The granulate is then sized by passing it through screens of desired aperture. At this stage, any adjuvants are sized and added to the granulate to form the core composition suitable for compression. The skilled person will appreciate that a coating composition can be formed in an analogous manner. The skilled person will also appreciate that granulates may be obtained having a range of particle sizes. It is preferred that the coating granulate has a fine fraction that is less than 30%. By “fine fraction” is meant granulate having particle size of up to about 63 microns. Preferred features for the second and subsequent aspects of the invention may be as for the first aspect mutatis mutandis. FIG. 1: is a representation of a tablet in cross section showing the coating and core and the axes (A-B) and (X-Y). FIG. 2: Shows an in-vitro dissolution profile of the dosage form of Example 2. There now follows a series of examples that serve to illustrate the invention. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of a Prednisone-Containing Tablet The active core was prepared for the press coated system as follows. The composition of the core is detailed in Table 1. Lactose monohydrate (Lactose Pulvis·H2O®, Danone, France and Lactose Fast Flo® NF 316, Foremost Ing. Group, USA) is a filling agent with interesting technical and functional properties. Lactose Pulvis·H2O is used in a blend prepared by wet granulation and Lactose Fast Flo is used in a blend prepared for direct compression. Microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel® pH 101, FMC International, Ireland) is used as an insoluble diluent for direct compression. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Plasdone® K29-32, ISP Technology, USA) is a granulating agent, soluble in water, which has the ability of binding the powder particles. Croscarmellose sodium (Ac-Di-Sol®, FMC Corporation, USA) is used in the formulation as a super disintegrant. As the external phase, magnesium stearate (Merck, Switzerland) was added as a lubricant and silicon dioxide (Aerosil® 200, Degussa AG, Germany) in order to improve flow properties of the granular powder. TABLE 1 Ingredients Content (mg/tablet) Prednisone 5.00 Lactose (Lactose Pulvis H2O NF 316) 39.10 Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (Plasdone ® K29-32) 4.00 Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Ac-Di-Sol ®) 11.00 Magnesium stearate 0.60 Silicon dioxide (Aerosil ® 200) 0.30 Total 60.00 The coating of the prednisone press coated tablet is of a hydrophobic, water insoluble nature. This barrier is mainly composed of dibasic calcium phosphate (Emcompress®, Mendell, USA) and glyceryl behenate (Compritol® 888ATO, Gattefossé, France). Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone® K29-32) is a granulating agent, soluble in water, which has the ability of binding the powder particles. Yellow ferric oxide (Sicovit® Yellow 10, BASF, Germany) was added as a dye. A detailed composition of this barrier blend is given in table 2. TABLE 2 Composition of the coating Ingredients Content (%) Dibasic calcium phosphate (Emcompress ®) 50.00 Glyceryl Behenate (Compritol ® 888 ATO) 40.00 Polyvinylpyrrolidone (Plasdone ® K29-32) 8.40 Yellow Ferric Oxide (Sicovit ® yellow 10 E 172) 0.10 Silicon dioxide (Aerosil ® 200) 0.50 Magnesium stearate 1.00 Total 100.00 The required amounts of prednisone, Ac-Di-Sol®, Lactose Pulvis H2O®, Plasdone® K29-32 were weighed and manually sieved with a screen having 0.710 mm apertures. The components were homogeneously mixed in a Niro-Fielder PMA 25-litre mixing granulator for 6 min at impeller speed 250 rpm without chopper. A prednisone assay was performed on this premix. Subsequently, the granulating solution (purified water, 25.47% of the weight of the dry blend) was added within 4 min at impeller speed 250 rpm and chopper speed 1500 rpm, using a nozzle H1/4VV-95015 (spraying rate of 250 g/min). Mixing was continued for homogenisation and massing of the wet mass for 3 min at impeller speed 500 rpm and chopper speed 3000 rpm. The mixed wet granulate was then dried in a Glatt WSG5 fluidised air bed drier. The inlet temperature was maintained at 45° C. during drying. The drying lasted 20 min to get a granulate with a residual moisture less than 2.5%. The yielded dry granulate was calibrated in a Frewitt MGI 205 granulator using a screen with 0.8 mm apertures for 3 min at speed 244 osc/min (graduation 7). Appropriate amounts of Aerosil® 200 and magnesium stearate were manually sieved using a screen. with 1.0 mm apertures. Half of the dry granulate was put in a Niro-Fielder PMA 25-litre mixing granulator, followed by Aerosil® 200 and then by the other half of the dry granulate. The ingredients were mixed for 2 min at impeller speed 250 rpm. Finally, magnesium stearate was added and mixing was continued for 2 min at impeller speed 250 rpm. The coating blend was prepared according to the process described below. Batch size for the barrier blend was 13 kg. Weighed amounts of Emcompress®, Compritol® 888 ATO, Lactose pulvis·H2O®, Plasdone® K29-32 and Sicovit® Yellow 10 E 172 were manually sieved with a screen having 0.710 mm apertures. They were placed in a Niro-Fielder PMA 65-litre mixing granulator. Then, the components were homogeneously mixed for 6 min, at impeller speed 200 rpm, without chopper. Subsequently, the granulating solution (purified water, 8.12% of the weight of the dry blend) was added within 2 min at impeller speed 200 rpm and chopper speed 1500 rpm using a nozzle 4,9 (spraying rate of 520 g/min). Mixing was continued for homogenisation and massing for 1 min at impeller speed 400 rpm and chopper speed 3000 rpm. The mixed wet granulate was then dried in a Niro-Fielder TSG 2 fluidised air bed dryer. The inlet temperature was maintained at 45° C. during drying. The drying lasted 33 min to have residual moisture less than 2.5%. The yielded dry granulate was calibrated in a Prewitt MGI 205 granulator using a screen having 0.8 mm apertures for 4 min at speed 244 osc/min (graduation 7). Appropriate amounts of Aerosil® 200 and magnesium stearate were manually sieved using a screen with 1.0 mm apertures. Half of the dry granulate was put in a Niro-Fielder PMA 65-litre, followed by Aerosil® 200 and then by the other half of the dry granulate. The ingredients were mixed for 2 min at impeller speed 200 rpm, without chopper. Finally, magnesium stearate was added and mixing was continued for 2 more minutes at impeller speed 200 rpm, without chopper. 440 mg of coating blend was press coated on a core to provide press coated tablets (9 mm diameter). 305 mg of coating blend was press coated on a core to provide press coated tablets (8 mm diameter). These different press coatings were done utilising a Kilian RUD tabletting machine. First and second loading hoppers are filled up with the coating granulate. Between the two loading hoppers, the machine is equipped with a transfer system adapted to feed the cores. For each tablet, the first loading hopper supplies with about half of the quantity to be applied to the core. Then, the feeding system provides and positions a core centred in the die. Subsequently, the second loading hopper supplies with the other half of the quantity to be applied to the core. The compression step then occurs. TABLE 3 Equipment implemented for the manufacturing process Equipment Brand name/Type Manufacturer/Supplier Mixing Niro-Fielder PMA Aéromatic-Fielder AG, granulator 25/65 litres Bubendorf, Switzerland Fluidised air Glatt WSG5 Maschinen und apparatebau bed dryer AG, Pratteln, Switzerland Fluidised air Niro-Fielder TSG 2 Aéromatic-Fielder AG, bed dryer Bubendorf, Switzerland Granulator Frewitt MGI 205 Frewitt S A, Granges-Pacot, Switzerland Infrared Mettler PE 360 Mettler Toledo AG, moisture Moisture Analyzer Greifensee, Switzerland analyser Multilayer Hata HT-AP55LS-U/3L Elisabeth-Carbide, Antwerp, tablet press Belgium Dry coating Kilian RUD Kilian & Co GmbH, Cologne, tablet press Germany EXAMPLE 2 In Vitro Dissolution Profile The in vitro dissolution profile of a tablet containing a 5mg loading of prednisone prepared according to the method of Example 1 was determined using USP dissolution apparatus No. 2 (paddles) and stationary baskets and applying a stirring rate of 100 rpm. The dissolution medium was purified water, with a volume of 500 ml. After 4 hours no drug substance release is observed. However, within 4.5 hours there is approximately 80% release and by 5 hours 100% release of the drug substance (see FIG. 2). EXAMPLE 3 A study was carried out to determine the effect of food on the bioavailability of a 5 mg prednisone tablet described above. The study did not compare the tablet in the fed and fasted state. Rather, the study was adjusted to take into account the chrono-pharmacokinetics of prednisone and the fact that it is to be administered in the evening, e.g. about 8 pm, which is required in order that the blood plasma levels will peak before secretion of IL-6 to improve the efficacy of the treatment. Thus the study was designed to compare the tablet during real time administration and with likely food intake scenarios at this time. It was considered unreasonable that at 8 pm a subject would be approximately 8 hours fasted. Accordingly, the following food intake scenarios were tested: a) To simulate a fasted state at 8 pm in the evening, a light meal was given 2½ hours before administration that contained a limited number of calories (i.e. 22% of total daily calories and with a limited fat content of 15.5 g) and being devoid of any slowly digestible nutrients. This is called the “semi-fasted” state. The composition of this meal consisted of brown bread, margarine, cheese spread, an apple (skin removed) and fruit cocktail in syrup. b) Fed state is simulated by giving a higher fat meal ½ hour before dosing containing 35% of the daily intake of calories and 26 g of fat. An assumption made was that in the case of the semi-fasted state, after 2½ hours the stomach was already emptied, or substantially emptied of food, The composition of the high fat meal was pasta with spaghetti sauce, soup and vegetables, Apple juice, Ice cream and whipped cream. The methodology consisted of an open, randomized, 3-period crossover single oral dose study with 7 days washout periods. The patient population consisted of 27 healthy male volunteers. The pharmacokinetics of the formulation was compared for each of the fed and semi-fasted states with a standard immediate release form (DecortinR) administered at 2 am. In the semi-fasted state the formulation exhibited a median lag time of 3.5 hours. Relative to DecortinR dosed at 2 am, the formulation was fully bioequivalent with a Cmax of 97% and relative bioavailabihty of 101% (AUC0-infinity). In the fed state, the median lag time was 4 hours. Cmax was 105% compared to DecortinR, and relative bioavailability (AUC0-infinity) was 113%. Compared to the formulation in the semi-fasted state, the formulation in the fed state was 108% on Cmax and 112% on AUC0-infinity These results demonstrate that formulations of the present invention display excellent bioavailability with no significant effect of food.

20070116

20120501

20070517

84906.0

A61K924

DICKINSON, PAUL W

DELAYED RELEASE TABLET WITH DEFINED CORE GEOMETRY

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Cryptoanalysis method and system

A cryptanalysis method comprising: (A)Perfonning a ciphertext-only direct cryptanalysis of A5/1 and (B) Using results of Step (A) to facilitate the decryption and/or encryption of further communications that are consistent with encryption using the session key and/or decryption using the session key, wherein the cryptanalysis considers par t of the bits of the session key to have a known fixed value, and wherein the cryptanalysis finds the session key. An efficient known plaintext attack on A5/2 comprises trying all the possible values for R4o, and for each such value solving the linearized system of equations that describe the output; The solution of the equations gives the internai state of R1, R2, and R3; Together with R4, this pives the the full internai state which gives a suggestion for the key.

1. A cryptanalysis method comprising: A. Performing a ciphertext-only direct cryptanalysis of A5/1; B. Using results of Step (A) to facilitate the decryption and/or encryption of further communications that are consistent with encryption using the session key and/or decryption using the session key. 2. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 1, wherein the cryptanalysis considers par t of the bits of the session key to have a known fixed value. 3. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cryptanalysis finds the session key. 4. A cryptanalysis method comprising: A. performing a ciphertext-only direct cryptanalysis of A5/2; B. Using results of Step (A) to facilitate the decryption and/or encryption of further communications that are consistent with encryption using the session key and/or decryption using the session key. 5. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 4, wherein the cryptanalysis considers part of the bits of the session key to have a known fixed value. 6. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 4, wherein the cryptanalysis finds the session key. 7. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 1, wherein an attacker emits radio frequency transmissions. 8. The GSM active cryptanalysis method according to claim 7, wherein: A. the attacker's transmission causes the network to decide that the phone's classmark is such that the phone is not able to encrypt with A5/1 but just with A5/2; B. this causes the network to request encryption only with A5/2, enabling the attacker to use the attack and decrypt communications. 9. The GSM active cryptanalysis method according to claim 7, wherein: A. the attacker's transmission causes the network to decide that the phone's classmark is such that the phone is not able to encrypt with A5/3 but just with A5/2 or A5/1; B. this causes the network to request encryption only with A5/1, enabling the attacker to use the attack and decrypt communications. 10. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 7, wherein: A. The attacker's transmission causes the phone to decide that the transmission originated from the network, and requests the phone to encrypt with A5/2; B. The phone replies with data that is encrypted with A5/2; C. Using the session key that results from the cryptanalysis to decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the phone, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1, A5/3 or GPRS, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the phone and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1, A5/3 or GPRS. 11. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 7, wherein: A. The attacker's transmission causes the phone to decide that the transmission originated from the network, and requests the phone to encrypt with A5/1; B. The phone replies with data that is encrypted with A5/1; C. Using the session key that results from the cryptanalysis to decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the phone, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1, A5/3 or GPRS, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on1 the wireless link between the phone and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1 , A5/3 or GPRS. 12. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 6, where the Ciphertext-Only cryptanalysis is performed as follows: A. Performing an efficient known plaintext attack on A5/2 that recovers the session key; B. Improving the known plaintext attack to a ciphertext only attack on A5/2. 13. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 14, fuirther including, after step (B), the step of leveraging of an attack on A5/2 to an active attack on A5/1 or A5/3 or GPRS GSM networks. 14. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 12, wherein the efficient known plaintext attack on A5/2 is algebraic in nature and takes advantage of the low algebraic order of the A5/2 output function. 15. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 13, wherein the known plaintext attack represents the output of A5/2 as a quadratic multivariate function in the initial state of the registers, then constructs an overdefined system of quadratic equations that expresses the key-stream generation process and then solves the equations. 16. The cryptanalysis method according to clain 12, wherein improving the known plaintext attack to a ciphertext only attack on A5/2 by using the fact that GSM employs Error-Correction codes before encryption to adapt the attack to a ciphertext only attack on A5/2 using this fact. 17. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 12, wherein, while leveraging an attack on A5/2 to an active attack on A5/1 or A5/3 GSM networks, using the key that has been found for A5/2 as the same key as that in A5/1, A5/3 or GPRS. 18. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 12, wherein the efficient known plaintext attack on A5/2 comprises trying all the possible values for R40, and for each such value solving the linearized system of equations that describe the output; The solution of the equations gives the internal state of R1, R2, and R3; Together with R4, this gives the the full internal state which gives a suggestion for the key. 19. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 12, wherein the efficient known plaintext attack on A5/2 comprises: A. Knowing the initial internal state of registers R1, R2, R3 and R4, and the initial frame number, the session key is retrieved using simple algebraic operations, using the fact that the initializing process is linear in the session key and the initial frame number; in the attack, focusing on revealing the initial internal state of the registers; B. Let k0, k1, k2, . . . be the output of the A5/2 algorithm divided to frames; each kjis the output key-stream for a whole frame, i.e., each kj is 114 bits long, or the output is 228 bits, when the first part is used to encrypt the network-to-mobile link; Let f, f+1, f+2; . . . be the frame numbers associated with these frames, wheref is the initial frame number; denoting as kj[i] the i'th bit of the key-stream at frame; The initial internal state of register Ri at frame is noted as RiJ; This is the internal state after the initialization but before the 99 clockings; C. Assume the initial state R40of register R4 at the first frame is known; An important observation is that R4 controls the clockings of the other registers, and since the value of R4 is known, the exact number of times that each register has been clocked since its initial state is also known; Each register has a linear feedback, therefore, once given the number of times a register is clocked, every bit of its internal state can be expressed as a linear combination of bits of the original internal state; D. The output of the A5/2 algorithm is an XOR of the last bits of registers R1, R2, and R3, and three majority functions of bits ofR1, R2 and R3 the resulting function is quadratic, when the variables are the bits in the initial state of these registers; taking advantage of this low algebraic degree of the output; The goal in the next paragraphs is to express every bit of the whole output of the cipher (constituting of several frames) as a quadratic multivariate function in the initial state; Then, an overdefined system of quadratic equations that expresses the key-stream generation process is constructed and solved; E. Given a frame nunmber f, there is an algebraic description of every output bit; linearization is performed to the quadratic terms in this algebraic description; it is observed that each majority function operates on bits of a single register; Therefore, there are quadratic terms consisting of variables of the same register only; Taking into account that one bit in each register is set to 1: R1 contributes 18 linear variables plus all their (17·18)/2=153 products; In the same way R2 contributes 22 +(22·21)/2 =22 +231 variables and R3 contributes 22 +(22·21)/2 =22 +231 variables; So far there are 18+153+21+210+22+231=655 variables after linearization; A variable that will take the constant value of 1 is also needed; In total there is a set of 656 variables; the set of these 656 variables is denoted by V0; Of these variables, 18+21+22=61 variables directly describe the full initial state of R1, R2, and R3; F. Every output bit, adds an equation in variables from V0; A frame consists of 114 bits; Resulting in 114 equations from each frame; The solution of the equation system reveals the value of the variables in V0, and among them the linear variables that directly describe the initial internal state of R1, R2, and R3; However, there are not have enough equations at this stage to efficiently solve the system; G. Given the variables in V0 defined on framer, describing the bits of any other frame in linear terms of the variables in the set V0; When moving to the next frame, the frame number is incremented by 1 and the internal state is re-initialized; Assume the value of register R40 is known; Due to the initialization method, where the frame number is XORed bit by bit into the registers (see the A5/2 description), value of R41, is known; Since R10, R20, and R30 are not known, the value of registers R11, R21, and R31, is not known either, but what is known is the XOR-difference--between R10, R20, R30 and R11, R21, R31 respectively; H. Defining the set of variables that describe their state and the linearization of these variables as V1, in the same way as is done with the first frame to create the set V0; Due to the initialization method, for each register i the difference between Ri1 and Ri0 is known; Knowing the difference, the variables in the set V1 can be described in linear term of the variables in the set V0; That is, including the quadratic terms! To see this, assume that a1·b1 is a quadratic term in V1, naturally a0·b0 is a quadratic term in V0, and the difference da and db is known, such that: a1=a0⊕da and b1=b0⊕db; I. Let a1·b1=(a0⊕d0)·(b0⊕db)=a0·b0⊕a0db⊕b0; Since db and da are known, this equation is linear in the variables in V0 ; This fact enables to use the output bits in the second frame in order to get additional linear equations in the variables of V0; The same follows for any other frame; J. Once 656 linearly independent equations are obtained, the system can be easily solved using Gauss elimination; However, it is practicallyvery difficult to collect 656 linearly independent equations; This is an effect of the frequent re-initializations, and the low order of the majority function; there is not actually a need to solve all the variables, i.e., it is enough to solve the linear variables of the system, since the other variables are defined as their products; preferably, after about 450 equations are sequentially obtained, the original linear variables in V0 are then solved using Gauss elimination. 20. The cryptanalysis method according to claim 19, wherein using a different length of registers and/or a different numbers of combinations and variables, adapted to various present and/or future communications standards.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to cryptanalysis methods, and more particularly to ciphertext-only cryptanalysis of GSM encrypted communications received off the air. The present invention is scheduled to be published as a scientific paper and presented in Crypto 2003 conference, Aug. 17-21, 2003, Santa Barbara, Calif., USA. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This section details the need for the present invention, prior art cryptanalysis methods and the encryption method now used in GSM. GSM is the most widely spread method of cellular communications. It includes a measure of data protection by encryption, which sometimes it may be desirable to decrypt. For example, law enforcement agencies, such as the police, may desire to listen to cellular communications, without a physical connection to the cellular infrastructure. This process often requires court permission, and is sometimes referred to as lawful interception. Customers have a sense of security when using the cellular phone, which sometimes is not justified. Eavesdroppers may listen on a conversation, hijack a call or make phone calls at a user's expense. It may be desirable to test the level of security of the system by performing attempts at attacking the system. The actual level of network security can thus be evaluated. Such tests may be performed by the cellular network provider, by local support entities or customer protection agencies. The above, as well as other applications, require the performance of cryptanalysis in real time, in a short time period and using a reasonable amount of digital memory, such as has not been achieved in prior art. GSM is the most widely used cellular technology. By December 2002, more than 787.5 million GSM customers in over 191 countries formed approximately 71% of the total digital wireless market. GSM incorporates security mechanisms. Network operators and their customers rely on these mechanisms for the privacy of their calls and for the integrity of the cellular network. The security mechanisms protect the network by authenticating customers to the network, and provide privacy for the customers by encrypting the conversations while transmitted over the air. GSM uses encryption to protect transmitted signals. There are two basic methods in use now, A5/1 and A5/2, with the former mostly used in the Middle East and the latter generally for the rest of the world. The A5/1 is more difficult to decrypt without a prior knowledge of the key that has been used. Thus, to listen to GSM transmissions, it is required to decrypt the messages. The frequency hopping in GSM makes the problem all the more difficult. There are three main types of cryptographic algorithms used in GSM: A5 is a stream-cipher algorithm used for encryption, A3 is an authentication algorithm and A8 is the key agreement algorithm. The design of A3 and A8 is not specified in the specifications of GSM, only the external interface of these algorithms is specified. The exact design of the algorithm can be selected by the operators independently. However, many operators used the example, called COMP128, given in the GSM memorandum of understanding (MoU). Prior art cryptanalysis methods pose unrealistic demands, such as a few minutes of known conversation to the bits, see list of references below. Briceno, Goldberg, and Wagner have performed cryptanalysis of the found COMP128, allowing to find the shared (master) key of the mobile and the network, thus allowing cloning. The description of algorithm A5 is part of the specifications of GSK, but was never made public. There are two currently used versions of A5: A5/1 and A5/2. A5/1 is the “strong” export-limited version. A5/2 is the version that has no export limitations, however it is considered the “weak” version. The exact design of both A5/1 and A5/2 was reverse engineered by Briceno from an actual GSM telephone in 1999 and checked against known test-vectors. An additional new version, which is standardized but not yet used in GSM networks is A5/3. It was recently chosen, and is based on the block cipher KASUMI. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a new service for GSM networks that offer ‘always-on’, higher capacity, Internet-based content and packet-based data services, it enables services such as color Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services. GPRS uses its own cipher, however, the key for the GPRS cipher is created by the same A3A8 algorithm in the subscriber's SIM card, using the same Ki as used for creating encryption keys for A5/1, A5/2 and A5/3. We will use this fact to attack it later. A5/1 was initially cryptanalized by Golic, and later by: Biryukov, Shamir and Wagner, Biham and Dunkelman, and recently by Ekdahl and Johansson. After A5/2 was reverse engineered, it was immediately cryptanalized by Goldberg, Wagner and Green . Their attack is a known plaintext attack that requires the difference in the plaintext of two GSM frames, which are exactly 211 frames apart (about 6 seconds apart). The average time complexity of this attack is approximately 216 dot products of 114-bit vectors. Apparently, this attack is not applicable (or fails) in about half of the cases, since in the first frame it needs the 11th bit of R4 to be zero after the initialization of the cipher. A later work by Petrovic and Fuster-Sabater suggests to treat the initial internal state of the cipher as variables, write every output bit of the A5/2 algorithm as a quadratic function of these variables, and linearize the quadratic terms. They showed that the output of A5/2 can be predicted with extremely high probability after a few hundreds of known output bits. However, this attack does not discover the session key of A5/2 (Kc). Thus, it is not possible to use this attack as a building block for more advanced attacks, like those that we present later. The time complexity of this later result is proportional to 217 Gauss eliminations of matrices of size of (estimated) about 400×719. Goldberg, Wagner and Green presented the first attack on A5/2. The time complexity of this attack is very low. However, it requires the knowledge of the XOR of plaintexts in two frames that are 211 frames apart. Their attack shows that the cipher is quite weak, yet it might prove difficult to implement such an attack in practice. The problem is knowing the exact XOR of plaintexts in two frames that are 6 seconds apart. Another aspect is the elapsed time from the beginning of the attack to its completion. Their attack takes at least 6 seconds, because it takes 6 seconds to complete the reception of the data. The novel method disclosed in the present application greatly improves the speed of the attack. The known plaintext attack of Petrovic and Fuster-Sabater have similar data requirements as our attack, however it does not recover the session key (Kc) and, therefore, may not be suitable for the active attacks that we describe later. The state of prior art can be reviewed in the following references: 1. A pedagogical implementation (in C programming language) of A5/1 and A5/2: Marc Briceno, Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, A pedagogical implementation of the GSM A5/1 and A5/2 “voice privacy” encryption algorithms, http://cryptome.org/gsm-a512.htm (Originally on www.scard.org), 1999. 2. Description and cryptanalysis of COMP128, used by many GSM operators as A3A8: Marc Briceno, Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, An implmenation of the GSM A3A8 algorithm, http://www.iol.ie/ kooltek/a3a8.txt, 1998. Marc Briceno, Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, GSM Cloning, http ://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/isaac/gsm-faq.html, 1998. 3. Known-Plaintext Cryptanalysis of A5/1: Eli Biham, Orr Dunkelman, Cryptanalysis of the A5/1 GSM Stream Cipher, Progress in Cryptology, proceedings of Indocrypt'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1977, Springer-Verlag, pp. 43-51, 2000. Alex Biryukov, Adi Shamir, Cryptanalytic Time/Memory/Data Tradeoffs for Stream Ciphers, Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Asiacrypt'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1976, Springer-Verlag, pp. 1-13, 2000. Alex Biryukov, Adi Shamir, David Wagner, Real Time Cryptanalysis ofA5/1 on a PC, Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Fast Software Encryption'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1978, Springer-Verlag, pp. 1-18, 2001. Patrik Ekdahl, Thomas Johansson, Another Attack on A5/1, to be published in IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, http://www.it.lth.se/patrik/publications.html, 2002. Jovan Golic, Cryptanalysis of Alleged A5 Stream Cipher, Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Eurocrypt'97, LNCS 1233, pp.239-255, Springer-Verlag, 1997. 4. A5/2 related information: Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, Lucky Green, The (Real-Time) Cryptatialysis of A5/2, presented at the Rump Session of Crypto'99, 1999. Security Algorithms Group of Experts (SAGE), Report on the specification and evaliation of the GSM cipher algorithm A5/2, http://cryptome.org/espy/ETR278e01 p.pdf, 1996. Slobodan Petrovic, Amp aro Fuster-Sabater, Cryptanalysis of the A5/2 Algorithm, Cryptology eprint Archive, Report 2000/052, Available online on http://eprint.iacr.org, 2000. Description of A5/2 and GSM Security Background In this section we describe the internal structure of A5/2 and the way it is used, see FIG. 4. A5/2 consists of 4 maximal-length LFSRs: RI, R2, R3, and R4. These registers are of length 19-bit, 22-bit, 23-bit, and 17-bit respectively. Each register has taps and a feedback function. Their irreducible polynomials are: x19⊕x5⊕x2⊕x⊕1, x22⊕x⊕1, x23⊕x15⊕x2⊕x⊕1, and X17⊕x5⊕1, respectively. Note that we give the bits in the registers in reversed order, i.e., in our numbering scheme, x1 corresponds to a tap in index len-i-1, where len is the absolute register length. For example, when R4 is clocked, the XOR of R4[17−0−1=16] and R4[17−5−1=11] is computed. Then the register is shifted one place to the right, and the value of the XOR is placed in R4[0]. At each step of A5/2 registers R1, R2 and R3 are clocked according to a clocking mechanism that is described later. Then, register R4 is clocked. After the clocking was performed, one output bit is ready at the output of A5/2. The output bit is a non-linear function of the internal state of R1, R2, and R3. After the initialization 99 bits of output are discarded, and the following 228 bits of output are used as the output key-stream. Some references state that A5/2 discards 100 bits of output, and that the output is used with a one-bit delay. This is equivalent to stating that it discards 99 bits of output, and that the output is used without delay. Denote Kc[i] as the ith bit of the 64-bit session-key Kc, Rj[i] the ith bit of registerj, and f[i] the ith bit of the 22-bit publicly known frame number. The key-stream generation is as follows: 1. Initialize with Kc and frame number. 2. Force the bits R1[15], R2[16], R3[18], R4[10] to be 1. 3.Run A5/2 for 99 clocks and ignore the output. 4. Run A5/2 for 228 clocks and use the output as key-stream. The first output bit is defined as the bit that is at the output after the first clocking was performed. The initialization is done in the following way: Set all LFSRs to 0 (R1=R2=R3=R4=0). For i:=0 to 63 do 1. Clock all 4 LFSRs. 2. R1[0]ƒR1[0]⊕Kc[i] 3. R2[0]ƒR2[0]⊕Kc[i] 4. R3[0]ƒR3[0]⊕Kc[i] 5. R4[0]ƒR4[0]⊕Kc[i] For i:=0 to 21 do 1. Clock all 4 LFSRs. 2. R1[0]ƒR1[0]⊕f[i] 3. R2[0]ƒR2[0]⊕f[i] 4. R3[0]ƒR3[0]⊕f[i] 5. R4[0]ƒR4[0]⊕f[i] In FIG. 4 the internal structure of A5/2 algorithm is showed. The clocking mechanism works as follows: register R4 controls the clocking of registers R1, R2, and R3. When clocking of R1, R2, and R3 is to be performed, bits R4[3], R4[7], and R4[10] are the input of the clocking unit. The clocking unit performs a majority fuinction on the bits. R1 is clocked if and only if R4[10] agrees with the majority. R2 is clocked if and only if R4[3] agrees with the majority. R3 is clocked if and only if R4[7] agrees with the majority. After these clockings, R4 is clocked. Once the clocking was performed, an output bit is ready. The output bit is computed as follows: output=R1[18]⊕maj(R1[12],R1[14]⊕01, R1[15])⊕R2[21]⊕maj(R2[9],R2[13],R2[16] ⊕1)⊕R3[22]⊕maj(R3[13]⊕1,R3[16],R3[18]), where maj(;;;) is the majority finction. i.e., out of each register, there are 3 bits whose majority is XORed to form the output (when one bit of each triplet is inverted), in addition to the last bit of each register. Note that the majority function is quadratic in its input: maj(a,b,c)=a·b⊕b·c ⊕c·a. A5/2 is built on a somewhat similar framework of A5/1. The feedback functions of R1, R2 and R3 are the same as A5/1's feedback functions. The initialization process of A5/2 is also somewhat similar to that of A5/1. The difference is that A5/2 also initializes R4, and that after initialization one bit in each register is forced to be 1. Then A5/2 discards 99 bits of output while A5/1 discards 100 bits of output..The clocking nmechanism is the same, but the input bits to the clocking mechanism are from R4 in the case of A5/2, while in A5/1 they are from RI, R2, and R3. The designers meant to use similar building blocks to save hardware in the mobile. This algorithm outputs 228 bits of key-stream. The first block of 114 bits is used as a key-stream to encrypt the link from the network to the customer, and the second block of 114 bits is used to encrypt the link from the customer to the network. Encryption is performed as a simple XOR of the message with the key stream. Although A5 is a stream cipher, it is used to encrypt 114-bit “blocks”. Each such block is the payload of a GSM burst, which is a GSM air-interface data unit. Note that each frame-is constructed of 8 consecutive bursts, serving 8 customers in parallel. Each customer is allocated a burst index. All the bursts in this index are designated for that customer. The frames are sequentially numbered, and each frame has a 22-bit publicly known frame number associated with it. This frame number is used when initializing A5. Since the focus is always on a single customer, we use the terms “burst” and “frame” interchangeably. One might wonder why does GSM use a stream cipher and not a block cipher of 114-bit block size. A possible explanation is that GSM performs error-correction and then encryption. Assume that one bit in a block is flipped due to an error. Decrypting that block with a block cipher would result in a block that would appear random, and that the error-correction codes have no chance to correct. However, when using a stream cipher, one flipped bit causes exactly one flipped bit after decryption. GSM Security Background Following is a more detailed description on the usage and specification of A3 and A8 algorithms. A3 provides authentication of the mobile to the network, and A8 is used for session-key agreement. The security of these algorithms is based on a user-specific secret key Ki that is common to the mobile and the network. The GSM specifications do not specify the length of Ki, thus it is left for the choice of the operator, but usually it is a 128-bit key. Authentication of the customers to the network is performed using the A3 authentication algorithm as follows: The network challenges the customer with a 128-bit randomly chosen value RAND. The customer computes a 32-bit long response SRES=A3(Ki,RAND), and sends SRES to the network, which can then check its validity. The session key Kc is obtained by the A8 algorithm as follows: Kc=A8(Ki,RAND). Note that A8 and A3 are always invoked together and with the same parameters. In most implementations, they are one algorithm with two outputs, SRES and Kc. Therefore, they are usually referred to as A3A8. The above description of prior art encryption in GSM is relayed upon in the detailed description of the invention below. In this inventions the term cryptanalysis is used to describe the process of being able to encrypt/decrypt communication without the prior knowledge of the used session key. In some cases, the cryptanalysis can retrieve the session key that is used.In other cases the session key is not retrieved, however it might still be possible to decrypt or encrypt messages in the same way that would have been if the relevant cipher were used using the session key. Sometimes in this invention the term decryption is also used in the meaning of cryptanalysis. Known plaintext means that the attacker has access to encrypted messages as well as to the messages that were encrypted. Ciphertext only means that the attacker has access only to the encrypted messages, and has no access to the messages before they were encrypted. In this invention the term phone should be understood in the broader sense of a cellular device using the GSM network. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for performing effective cryptanalysis of GSM encrypted communications. The method uses ciphertext-only cryptanalysis. The system needs not be connected by wire to the cellular infrastructure, rather it may receive messages transmitted on the air. New methods for attacking GSM encryption and security protocols are disclosed. These methods are much easier to apply and much faster. Basically, for A5/2 GSM, a mobile attacker system receives the encrypted messages, performs an efficient cryptanalysis and enables listening to the GSM messages and/or to review related information. When performed on a personal computer, the process may take less than one second. In principle, a similar method can be applied to A5/1 GSM, however in this case the encryption is more complex and may require about 5 minutes of communication messages to decrypt. A complex system, which may be difficult to implement, may be required since it has to keep track of frequency hopping in GSM. According to another aspect of the present invention, for A5/1 GSM the attacker system creates a small cell around itself, which cell includes the target GSM phone. The system impersonates the cellular network for the target phone, and the target phone for the GSM infrastructure. This requires a transmit capability in the attacker system, however the decryption is greatly simplified and much faster. Moreover, novel improvements in the GSM networks are presented. These include improvements in the cryptographic algorithms and protocols. Such improvements can be performed, for example, by GSM operators. Even GSM networks using the new A5/3 succumb to our attack, in the way that A5/3 is integrated into GSM. The present disclosure includes changes to the way A5/3 is integrated to protect the networks from such attacks. By performing such tests or attacks on the cellular network, a higher level of security can be achieved and maintained. Present and future weak points can be detected and corrective actions may be taken. The structure of GSM network itself can thus be improved to increase its security. The present invention might not be limited to the GSM cellular network: for example, a similar version of A5/3 is also used in third generation cellular networks. Further objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a GSM cell with a base station, a subscriber and an attacker system. FIG. 2 details a block diagram of the attacker system. FIG. 3 details a block diagram of another embodiment of the attacker system. FIG. 4 details the A5/2 internal design (prior art). FIG. 5 details a method for ciphertext only attack FIG. 6 details a Known Plaintext Attack on A5/2 Method DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a GSM cell 11 with a base station 12, a subscriber 13 and an attacker system 14. There are wireless links 21, 22, 23 between these units. FIG. 2 details a block diagram of the attacker system. The system may be used to implement the methods detailed in the present disclosure. The attacker system comprises a first transceiver 31 with antenna 32, which communicates with a target subscriber set, and a second transceiver 33 with antenna 34, which communicates with a base station. The system also includes a computer/controller 36, which controls the operation of the system, is controlled by the operator and displays the results of the decryption. The computer 36 also allows the operator to listen to the target phone's communications. FIG. 3 details a block diagram of another embodiment of the attacker system. It includes a first transceiver 31 which is at a different location than the transceiver 33—the former is located near a target subscriber, the latter—near the base station. The system further includes an interface means 38, allowing the first transceiver 31 to be placed at a remote location. Alternately, the system may use directional antennas directed each towards a subscriber or the base station, respectively. Although the examples here refer mostly to GSM A5/2, A5/1, A5/3, and GPRS, they can be adapted to other networks as well, using the present invention. The examples in the present disclosure detail a ciphertext-only cryptanalysis of GSM encrypted communication. The attacks work on GSM networks that employ, for example, A5/1 or A5/2 and even the newly chosen A5/3. The attack on A5/2 requires about 40 milliseconds of encrypted off-the-air cellular conversation and finds the correct key in less than a second on a personal computer. It is shown how to easily leverage our attack against A5/2 to active attacks against networks that use A5/1 or A5/3. Previous attacks on GSM required unrealistic information, like long known plaintext periods. Our attacks are the first practical attacks on GSM networks and require no knowledge about the content of the conversation. These attacks enable attackers to tap any conversation and decrypt it either in real-time, or at any later time. We also show how to mount active attacks, such as call hijacking, altering of data messages and call theft. Even when such active attacks are applied, they cannot be identified by the network operator using prior art methods and systems. The A5/3 is also used in third generation cellular networks, thus the present invention is not limited to GSM, rather it can be used with other cellular systems as well. The present disclosure illustrates a method for mounting a ciphertext only attack on A5/2. In tests we made, our attack found the key in less than one second on a personal computer. It is shown that the attack we propose on A5/2 can be leveraged to mount an active attack even on GSM networks that use A5/1 and A5/3, thus realizing a real-time active attack on GSM networks, without any prior required knowledge. Method for Ciphertext Only Attack The new full attack method comprises, see for example FIG. 5: 1. An efficient known plaintext attack on A5/2 that recovers the session key. This first attack is algebraic in nature. It takes advantage of the low algebraic order of the A5/2 output function. We represent the output of A5/2 as a quadratic multivariate function in the initial state of the registers. Then, we construct an overdefined system of quadratic equations that expresses the key-stream generation process and we solve the equations. 2. Improving the known plaintext attack to a ciphertext only attack on A5/2. We observe that GSM employs Error-Correction codes before encryption. We show how to adapt the attack to a ciphertext only attack on A5/2 using this observation. 3. Leveraging of an attack on A5/2 to an active attack on A5/1 and A5/3 GSM networks, and also to GPRS. The present inventor has found that, due to the GSM security modules interface design, the key that is used in A5/2 is the same key as in A5/1 and A5/3. And the same mechanism that sets the key in the A5 cipher, i.e., A3A8 is used to set the key for GPRS. It is showed how to mount an active attack on any GSM network. End of method. Note: See the description of A5/2 and GSM Security Background in the Background section of the present disclosure. Known Plaintext Attack on A5/2 Methods In this section we present a new known plaintext attack (known key-stream attack) on A5/2. Given a key-stream, divided to frames, and the respective frame numbers, the attack recovers the session key. Compared with prior art attacks, the novel attack method might look as if it requires more information, however, it works within only a few milliseconds of data. We then improve our attack to a ciphertext only attack that requires only about 40 milliseconds of encrypted, unknown data. Therefore, our attack is very easy to implement in practice. We have simulated our known plaintext attack on a personal computer, and verified the results. This simulation recovers the key in less than a second. The computation time and memory complexity of this attack are similar to Goldberg, Wagner and Green's attack. Thus, the method comprises, see FIG. 6: 1. Knowing the initial internal state of registers R1, R2, R3 and R4, and the initial frame number, the session key can be retrieved using simple algebraic operations. This is mainly because the initializing process is linear in the session key and the initial frame number. Therefore, in the attack we focus on revealing the initial internal state of the registers. 2. Let k0, k1, k2, . . . be the output of the A5/2 algorithm divided to frames. Note that each kj is the output key-stream for a whole frame, i.e., each kj is 114 bits long. Let f, f+1, f+2, . . . be the frame numbers associated with these frames, wheref is the initial frame number. We denote as kj[i] the i'th bit of the key-stream at framej. The initial internal state of register Ri at frame j is noted as Rij. This is the internal state after the initialization but before the 99 clockings. Note that this notation is somewhat imprecise, since the output is actually 228 bits, when the first part is used to encrypt the network-to-mobile link, and the second 114-bit part the mobile-to-network link. 3. Assume that the initial state R40 of register R4 at the first frame is known. An important observation is that R4 controls the clockings of the other registers, and since R4 is known, the exact number of times that each register has been clocked since its initial state is also known. Each register has a linear feedback, therefore, once given the number of times a register is clocked, every bit of its internal state can be expressed as a linear combination of bits of the original internal state. 4. The output of the A5/2 algorithm is an XOR of the last bits of registers R1, R2, and R3, and three majority functions of bits of R1,R2 and R3 (see FIG. 4 for the exact details). Therefore, the resulting function is quadratic, when the variables are the bits in the initial state of these registers. We take advantage of this low algebraic degree of the output. The goal in the next paragraphs is to express every bit of the whole output of the cipher (constituting of several frames) as a quadratic multivariate function in the initial state. Then, we construct an overdefined system of quadratic equations that expresses the key-stream generation process and solve it. 5. Given a frame number f, there is an algebraic description of every output bit. We perform linearization to the quadratic terms in this algebraic description. We observe that each majority function operates on bits of a single register. Therefore, we have quadratic terms consisting of variables of the same register only. Taking into account that one bit in each register is set to 1: R1 contributes 18 linear variables plus all their (17·18)/2 =153 products. In the same way R2 contributes 22+(22·21)/2=22+231 variables and R3 contributes 22+(22·21)/2=22+231 variables. So far there are 18+153+21+210+22+231=655 variables after linearization. A variable that will take the constant value of 1 is also needed. In total we have a set of 656 variables. We denote the set of these 656 variables by V0. Of these variables, 18+21+22=61 variables directly describe the full initial state of R1, R2, and R3. 6. Every output bit we have, adds an equation in variables from V0. A frame consists of 114 bits. Therefore, we get 114 equations from each frame. The solution of the equation system reveals the value of the variables in V0, and among them the linear variables that directly describe the initial internal state of R1, R2, and R3. However, there are not enough equations at this stage to efficiently solve the system. The main observation is that given the variables in V0 defined on frame f, the bits of any other frame can be described in linear terms of the variables in the set V0. When moving to the next frame, the frame number is incremented by 1 and the internal state is re-initialized. We assume that the value of register R40 is known. Due to the initialization method, where the frame number is XORed bit by bit into the registers (see the description of A5/2), we know the value of R41. Since the values R10, R20, and R30 are not known, we do not know the value of registers R11, R21, and R31, either, but we do know the XOR-difference between R10, R20, R30 and R11, R21, R31, respectively. 7. We define the set of variables that describe their state and the linearization of these variables as V1, in the same way as we did with the first frame to create the set V0. Due to the initialization method, for each register i we know the difference between Ri1 and Ri0. Knowing the difference, we can describe the variables in the set V1 in linear term of the variables in the set V0. That is, including the quadratic terms! To see this, assume that a1−b1 is a quadratic term in V1, naturally a0b0 is a quadratic term in V0, and the difference da and db is known, such that: a1=a0⊕d0 and b1=b0⊕db. 8. Therefore, as b1·b1=(a0⊕d0)·(b0⊕db)=a0b0⊕a0·db⊕b0·da⊕da·db. Since db and da are known, this equation is linear in the variables in V0. This fact enables to use the output bits in the second frame in order to get additional linear equations in the variables of V0. The same follows for any other frame. It is clear that once 656 linearly independent equations are obtained, the system can be easily solved using Gauss elimination. However, it is practically very difficult to collect 656 linearly independent equations. This is an effect of the frequent re-initializations, and the low order of the majority function. It is not actually need to solve all the variables, i.e., it is enough to solve the linear variables of the system, since the other variables are defined as their products. We have tested experimentally and found that after about 450 equations are sequentially obtained, the original linear variables in V0 can be solved using Gauss elimination. End of method. This attack can be summarized as follows: all the possible values for R40 are tried, and for each such value the linearized system of equations that describe the output is solved. The solution of the equations gives the internal state of R1, R2, and R3. Together with R4, the full internal state which gives a suggestion for the key is known. The time complexity of the attack is as follows: There are 216 possible guesses of the value of R40. This figure should be multiplied by the time it takes to solve a linear binary system of 656 variables for a specific guess, i.e., about 6563˜228 XOR operations, or about 244 XORs in total. Result: we have successfully implemented this algorithm, it takes about 40 minutes on our Linux 800 MHz PIII personal computer. The memory requirement is negligible: holding the linearized system in memory requires 6562 bits˜54 KB. When implementing the algorithm on a personal computer, we took advantage of the fact that a PC machine can perform the XOR of 32 bits with 32 other bits in one operation. Optimization of the Known Plaintext Attack on A5/2 Method A possible optimization is filtering wrong values of R40, and solving the system of equations only for the correct value of R40. The filtering is based on the observation that the system of equations for every suggestion of R40 contains linearly dependent lines. This filtering saves a considerable amount of time, by saving the relatively expensive solving of the equation systems. 1. There is a different system of equations for every different value of R40. Our filtering stage technique requires a pre-computation stage that solves the 216 possible systems in advance. Given the matrix S that describes the system, and for any output k, i.e., S·V0=k, we compute a “solving matrix” T of the system. 2. The matrix T is computed by taking the unit matrix that has the same number of rows as the S matrix, and applying to it the same series of elementary operations that are performed during a Gauss elimination of S. Multiplication by Ton the left of S has the impact of applying Gauss elimination to S: T - S = ( V s 0 ) , where Vs is a matrix whose lines are linearly independent, and the rows below the matrix Vs are all zero lines. The zero lines are the result of the equation system containing linearly dependent lines. What we are interested in is taking advantage of the linearly dependent lines of S. 3. We take this advantage by using linearly dependent bits of the output of A5/2: T - k = T - S - V 0 = ( V s 0 ) - V 0 . 4. We like to verify the guess for the value of R40, i.e., filter wrong guesses of R40. The lines of Twhich once multiplied by the output k result in the value zero can be used. On a correct guess, all these lines result in a zero after the above multiplication. On a wrong guess, each line has a probability of about half to be zero once multiplied by k. Therefore, on average about two lines (dot products) have to be computed for each wrong guess of R40. During the pre-computation we keep for each possible value of R40 only about 16 of the lines of T that get the value 0 once multiplied by k. When performing the attack wrong R40 guesses are filtered by multiplying the saved lines by k. 5. When the result of all the multiplications for a guessed R40 are zero, we have a candidate equation system, which is actually a candidate for a value for R40. Given the suggestion for R40, we solve the suggested equation system and compute the initial internal state of R1, R2, and R3. Together with the guess of R40, Kc can be easily determined. The filtering stage is designed so that the correct guess for R40 survives it. Note that the number of values of R40 that survives the filtering stage is about one, i.e., the correct value for R40. End of method. Result: The memory complexity is about the 227.8 bytes (less than 250 MBs) needed to store the above row-vectors. The above result applies when known plaintext from the wireless link originating from the network towards the mobile phone is used. When using the known plaintext from the link originating from the mobile phone towards the network, a few more equations are needed to reach a state that there are linearly depended lines. That is because on the link from the phone toward the network, the second block of 114 bits out of the 228 bits of the output of A5/2 are used. These bits are less affected by the frequent re-initializations, and therefore a little bit less linearly depended. Note that when using this optimization some compromise is needed. Since four known plaintext frames are required, the XOR between the frame numberf and each one of f+1,f+2, and f+3 must be known in advance, before exact value f is known. This XOR-difference is required in order to express the frames' key stream bits as linear terms over the set V0, and to compute the system of equations. In other words, the system of equations depends not only on R40but also on the XOR-difference. The problem here is the addition operation, for example, f+1 can result in a carry that would propagate through f, thus not allowing the calculation of the XOR-difference in advance. To make the calculation easy, we require that f will have a specific bit set to 0. This requirement prevents a carry from propagating beyond the specific bit. We take into account that we need to calculate the XOR-difference for up to an addition of the number 3 to the frame number f, therefore, we need the value of the third least significant bit of f to be zero, and also need to require that the two last bits in f have a constant value since any combination of these bits results in a different XOR-difference after addition. These requirements are sufficient to allow calculating the above differences in advance. To allow any constant value of the two lower bits of f, the pre-computation is performed for each such possible value. There are four possible values. This fact multiplies the memory complexity by a factor of four, and the pre-computation time complexity by a factor of four as well. The above memory complexity already includes this factor. We can remove the requirement for the third bit to be 0, in the case that the two lower bits are zeros, due to the fact that in this case an addition of up to three can not cause a carry outside the first two bits. Thus, out of the eight possible values to the three lower bits of f, we allow five. We stress that this limitation on the possible values of f has no serious practical implications since it is needed to wait at most 3 frames for a frame number that qualify for the requirements. The instant Ciphertext-only attack that we describe relies on this attack and needs to work in 4 frame blocks. Note that in this case, if the first of frame number, out of four consecutive frame does not meet the requirements. If that happens, it is assured that the first frame number in following block of 4 frames meets the requirements. We analyze the time complexity of this optimized attack as follows: given a value of the frame number f, for each wrong guess of R40 we need to try two dot products on average. Once we have the correct R40 value, the time needed to solve the equation system for the correct value is about 228, which is negligible. Therefore, the average time complexity of this optimized attack is approximately 216 dot products. We analyze the time complexity of the pre-computation as follows: in the pre-computation stage we compute the system of equations S and its T matrix for every R40 value, out of the 216 possible values, and for every allowed XOR-difference of f. For each such system, we only keep about 16 of the lines of Tthat get the value 0 once multiplied by k. To compute T we perform Gauss elimination over S. The time complexity for the Gauss elimination is about 228 XORs. When multiplying the above figures we get 244. Since we repeat the process for every one of the four required XOR-difference of f we multiply this figure by four. Therefore, the pre-processing time complexity is 246 XORs. We have implemented this optimized attack on our personal computer, and it takes less than a second to recover Kc. The one-time pre-computation takes about 160 minutes. An Instant Ciphertext Only Attack on A5/2 Method In this section we show an attack on A5/2. An important factor that facilitates us to convert the attack of “Known Plaintext Attack on A5/2” to a ciphertext only attack against A5/2 is that in GSM error correction codes are employed before the encryption. Thus, the plaintext of the encryption has a highly structured redundancy. There are several types of error correction methods that are used in GSM, and different error correction schemes are used for different data channels. For simplicity, we focus on control channels, and specifically on the error-correction codes of the Slow Associated Control Channel (SACCH). Note that this error-correction code is the only code that is used in the initiation of a conversation. Therefore, it suffices to focus on this code. Using this error-correction code we mount a ciphertext-only attack that recovers the key. However, the new attack method can be applied to other error-correction codes as well. In the SACCH, the message to be coded with error-correction codes has a fixed size of 184 bits. The result is 456-bit long. This 456-bit message is interleaved to 4 bursts. The coding operation and interleaving operation can be modeled together as one 456×184 matrix over GF(2), which we denote by G. The message to be coded is regarded as a 184-bit binary vector, P. The result of the coding-interleaving operation is: M=G·P. The resulting vector M is divided to 4 bursts. In the encryption process each burst is XORed with the output of A5/2 for the respective burst. Since the G matrix is a 456×184 binary matrix, there are 456-184 =272 equations that describe the kernel of the inverse transformation. In other words, given the vector M=G·P, there are 272 linearly independent equations on its elements. Let KG be a matrix that describes these linear equations, i.e., Kg·M=0 for any such M. We denote the output sequence bits of A5/2 for a duration of 4 frames by k=kj||kj+1||kj+2||kj+3, where || is the concatenation operator. The ciphertext C is computed by C=M⊕K. We use the same 272 equations on C, namely: KG·(M⊕k)=KG·M⊕KG·k=0⊕KG·k=KG·k. Since the ciphertext C is known, we actually get linear equations over elements of k. Note that the equations we get are independent of P—they only depend on k. We substitute each bit in k with its description as linear terms over V0 (see our description of the instant known-plaintext attack), and thus get equations on variables of V0. Each 456-bit coding block, provides 272 equations. The rest of the details of the attack and its time complexity are similar to the optimized case in the previous section, when we substitute k with KG·k. While in the known-plaintext attack four frames of data are enough to launch the attack, in the ciphertext-only attack we need eight frames, since from each encrypted frame, we get only about half of the information compared to the known plaintext attack. When analyzing the time and memory complexity of this ciphertext only attack, we take into consideration that we restrict the lower four bits of the frame number f. We allow only 9 out of the 16 possible values for these four bits. This restriction doubles the memory complexity compared to the optimized known-plaintext attack, and it also doubles the pre-computation complexity. End of method. We summarize the complexity of the ciphertext only attack as follows: the average time complexity of this ciphertext only attack is approximately 216 dot products. The memory complexity is about 228.8 bytes (less than 500 MBs), the pre-computation time complexity is about 247 XORs. Our implementation on a personal computer recovers Kc in less than a second, and it takes about 320 minutes for the one-time pre-computation to complete. We have also successfully enhanced the attack of Goldberg, Wagner, and Green and the attack of Petrovic and Fuster-Sabater to a ciphertext-only attack using our methods. When given the current disclosure, the abovementioned enhancement should be obvious to those skilled in the art. Direct Attack against A5/1 Method Following is an example of such a direct attack: Given a block of several frames that are encrypted, we use the methods of pervious sections, to compute KG·k. These bits that we get are only dependent in the output of A5/1 on the several frames. We call this output bits the coded-stream. Let's assume that the frame number of the first frame of these frames is known to be divided by four without remainder. The whole process can be viewed as a function from the internal state of A5/1, to the coded stream. Let f( ) be that function, when only 64 bits of output are condifered, therefore, f( ) maps 64 bits to 64 bits. So f( ) is a function that takes an internal state of A5/1 after initialization, and outputs the coded stream. Inverting f( ) will reveal the internal state, and break the cipher. Note that we must make an assumption regarding the frame number, otherwise, f( ) depends on the frame number. We can apply one of the time-memory-data tradeoff known in the art, for example the ones that are described by Biryukov and Shamir in their paper “Cryptanalytic Time/Memory/Data Tradeoffs for Stream Ciphers”, Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Asiacrypt'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1976, Springer-Verlag, pp. 1-13, 2000. We use their notations for the tradeoff, i.e., N is the internal states space, T is the number of evaluations of f( ), D is the number of available data points, M is the number of memory lines. In this case N=264, and each memory line is 16 bytes long. For example, on the tradeoff curve N2=D2M2T, T>D2, and N=264, one point is D=28 which is about 8 seconds of off-the-air data, M=239, which is about 8.8 Tera-Byte(Can be stored on 44hard-disks of 200 GBs). If we take a similar coding to the pervious sections, that means that we have to multiply the data by 4 to compensate for the different frame numbers. So 176 hard-disks of 200 GBs are needed. The time it takes for an actual attack is therefore, T=234 valuations of f( ). Assuming that fo can be computed 220 times in a second on a single personal computer, the computation requires 214 seconds. On a network with 1000 computers it takes about 16 seconds. It will result in about 217 random disk accesses, each disk can be randomly accessed about 200 times a second, therefore, the access time is about 655 seconds, but there are 176 hard-disks, therefore, the total access time is 3.76 seconds, which are done in back-ground when the other computations are performed. Precomputation takes N/D, which is 256 evaluations of f( ), that takes 236 seconds on a personal computer. We need to compute it four times. In total, on a 10,000 computers network, this task should be completed in about 10 months. In a distributed work, that network requires a bandwidth of about 1.35 Mbyte/Second. This is feasible computation over the internet for example. Note that increasing the available data decreases the other requirements dramatically. If we had 5 minutes of such data, which is 37.5 times data than 8 seconds, then D=213, only about 44 Hard-Disks of 200 MBs need to be used in total, that is about M=237, and the time would be T=228, which takes about 5 minutes to compute on a single PC. This means that the attack carries out in real-time, but only one of few thousand of frames is a frame that lets the attack succeed. When a frame is encountered, the attack finds out almost instantaneously if this frame is indeed “the right one” or not. The attack requires 214 random disk accesses, which take about 81 seconds, but are done on 44hard-disks in parallel, which takes in total about 1.86 seconds, which are spent in the background of the computation. The precomputation is reduced to N/D=251 evaluations of f( ), which takes about 231 seconds, or about 3 months on a network of 1000 personal computers. If 1 Hour of such data is allowed, only about 270 GB of memory is needed, which can be stored on one or two hard-disks, The actual attack time takes about one hour on one personal computer, which means it's actually real-time, the hard-disk access time is about 5 minutes which is negligible. The precomputation can be completed on a network of 40 PCs in about 10 months. Even if A5/2 is not used anymore in GSM networks, but A5/1 remains, this direct attack on A5/1 can be used to leverage an attack on GPRS, using the fact that their key is created with the same mechanism (i.e., A3A8), and therefore, when given the same input (i.e. RAND and Ki) the output which is the resulting key, is the same. This is an example, which can occur in other ciphers, as long as two ciphers share the same key agreement, and an active attack can be mounted more easily on one of these ciphers. Briceno discovered that many GSM networks use only 54 bits out of the 64 bits of key, setting 10 key bits to 0. Preior art did not take advantage of this fact when employing cryptanalysis. We observe, that when bits are set to a constant value, the direct A5/1 attack can be dramatically improved. As N decreased from 264 to 254. Only 54 bits of output need to be considered out of f( ). Therefore, each memory line is now only 54 times 2 bits long=13.5 bytes, let's assume 14 bytes. On the tradeoff curve, N2=D2M2T, T>D2, and N=254, consider the example we showed above, where D=28 which is about 8 seconds of off-the-air data, but nowM=233, which is about 500 GB, can be stored on three hard-disks of 200 GB. T=226, this takes only about one minute of computation on a SINGLE PC! This computation can be done in paralleled on a few computers reaching a real-time direct attack on A5/1. The one-time pre-computation takes N/D=246, which is about 3100 computer-days in total, which can be computed on a network of 10 PCs in about 10 months. Leveraging the Attack to networks that require A5/1 or A5/3 but settle for less Some networks may prefer the mobile phone to work with A5/1, but if not possible work with A5/2. When a mobile phone accesses the network, it tells the network what is its capabilities, including which encryption algorithm it can use. A simple classmark attack would be to change the information that the network gets, so it thinks that the phone can work in either A5/2 or A5/0. If the network settles for encryption with A5/2, then the encryption keys can be found using the above detailed method. A similar classmark attack could be mounted when the network prefers A5/3 but settles for less (either A5/1 or A5/2). Leveraging the Attacks to Any GSM Network Method The attack shown in “An Instant Ciphertext Only Attack on A5/2 Method” assumes that the encryption algorithm is A5/2. Using that attack it is easy to recover Kc in real-time from a few tens of milliseconds of ciphertext. We ask the question, what happens when the encryption algorithm is not A5/2, but rather is A5/1 or the newly chosen A5/3 or even GPRS. The surprising answer is that almost the same attack applies. All that is needed for the new attack to succeed is that the mobile handset supports A5/2, but this is actually a mandatory GSM requirement to enable roaming to networks that use A5/2. The following attack retrieves the encryption key that the network uses when A5/1 or A5/3 is employed. The key is discovered by a man in the middle attack on the victim customer. In this attack, the attacker plays two roles. He impersonates the network, as far as the customer sees, and impersonates the customer, as far as the network sees. Note that this kind of an attack is relatively very easy to mount in a cellular environment. During the initialization of a conversation, the network can send the authentication request to the attacker, the attacker sends it to the victim. The victim computes SRES and return it to the attacker, which sends it back to the network. Now the attacker is “authenticated” to the network. Next, the network asks the customer to start encrypting with A5/1. In our attack, since the attacker impersonates the customer, the network will actually ask the attacker to start encrypting with A5/1. The attacker does not have the key, yet, and therefore, is not able to start the encryption. The attacker needs the key before he is asked to use it. To achieve it, the attacker asks the victim to encrypt with A5/2 just after the victim returned the SRES, and before the attacker returns the authentication information to the network. This request looks to the victim as a legitimate request, since the victim sees the attacker as the network. Then, the attacker employs cryptanalysis to retrieve the encryption key of the A5/2 that is used by the victim. Only then, the attacker sends the authentication information to the network. The key only depends on RAND, that means that the key recovered through the A5/2 attack is the same key to be used when A5/1 is used or even when 64-bit A5/3 is used! Now the attacker can encrypt/decrypt with A5/1 or A5/3 using this key. One may suspect that the network may identify this attack, by identifying a small delay in the time it takes to the authentication procedure to complete. However, GSM standard allows 12 seconds for the mobile to complete his authentication calculations and return an answer. The delay incurred by this attack is less than a second. Also, GSM signaling messages can normally take some time to travel between the network and mobile, due to layer 2 protocol delay. In total, there is a delay but it is negligible. Many networks initiate the authentication procedure rarely, and use the key created in the last authentication that is saved in customer's SIM. This key is numbered by the network with a number in the range of zero to six. An attacker can discover these stored keys by impersonating the network to the victim mobile. Then the attacker initiates a radio-session with the victim, and asks the victim mobile to start encrypting using algorithm A5/2 and the relevant key number. The attacker then employs the attack and recovers the key and then ends the radio session. The owner of the mobile and the network will have no indication of the attack. One may wonder if the network operator can discover the attack because the attack transmits, and interface can be caused. While this is generally true, both of these attacks require less transmission than might be expected at first view. In the first one, it might seem that the attacker needs to transmit during the whole conversation time. However, after the first second of communication the attacker already has the encryption key and does not really need to continue the active man in the middle attack. An attacker might want to stop the active attack, let the network and the victim continue communicating, and tap the encrypted conversation using the key he had discovered. The first step in doing that, is changing the cipher that the victim uses to suit the network's requirements. The attacker should ask the victim to change cipher to no cipher, and then to change to the cipher that is used by the network, i.e., A5/1. An attacker might cause the network to order a handover of the conversation to another frequency. At the same time, the attacker requests the mobile victim to perform a handover to the same frequency. Note that GSM does not really transmit on a single frequency. Rather, GSM employs a frequency hopping scheme. For simplicity we relate to a certain hopping sequence as a single frequency. This has no implications on the attacks we present. In most GSM conversations, a handover is initiated by the network shortly after the beginning of the conversation. Since it happens anyway it saves the attacker the need to “cause” the network to order a handover. In such a way, the attacker can stop its transmission, while still being able to eavesdrop to the conversation. In the second scenario, the attacker attacks in the time he chooses, and the whole attack can be completed in a few seconds at most. When these keys are in later use, the attacker does not need to perform any transmission. In the scenarios that are described below, an attack is shown in which the attacker can tap any conversation, while transmitting only for a short duration at a later time of his choosing, possibly after the call has been completed. The leveraging of the attack relies on the fact that the same key is loaded to A5/2 and A5/1 and even to 64-bit A5/3 (in the scenario where A5/3 is used in GSM, according to GSM standards). Thus, discovering the key for A5/2 reveals the key for A5/1 and 64-bit A5/3. This attack also applies to GPRS, due to similar reasons. When the network challenges the mobile for a new GPRS key, using a random 128-bit value RAND, the attacker can use “man-in-the-middle” and initiate radio session with the victim, initiate authentication request using the same RAND value, and then ask him to encrypt with A5/2. Then find the key using the ciphertext-only attack that we present. The key that is recovered will be the same as the GPRS key, that is due to the fact that they are both created using the same A3A8 algorithm, and the same Kj, therefore, when given the same RAND the same session key is produced. The attacker can refrain from a “man-in-the-middle” attack, and record the GPRS communication and then later decrypt it using a similar attack, in which he asks the victim for authentication with the same RAND that was used in the session, and then asking the victim to encrypt with A5/2 and recover the key. Even if GPRS changes the key several times using a new RAND, each time the attacker recorded the communications and the RAND he can repeat this process later in the attack against the victim, find the key and decrypt the communications. These attacks can be used for impersonation, in a similar way.Note that, although A5/3 can be used with key lengths of 64-128 bits, the GSM standard allows the use of only 64-bit A5/3. Unfortunate Consequence Scenarios for GSM The presented attacks can be used to emulate real life attacks in several scenarios. In this section four examples are presented. These attacks work for various encryption algorithm that may be used, for example: A5/1, A5/2 or A5/3, and even GPRS. Call Wire-Tapping Attack A simple scenario that one might anticipate is eavesdropping conversations. Communications that are encrypted using GSM can be decrypted and eavesdropped by an attacker, once the attacker has the encryption key. Both voice conversations and data, for example SMS messages, can be wire-tapped. Another possible wire-tapping attack, is that the attacker records the encrypted conversation. The attacker must make sure that it knows the RAND value that created the key that is in use. At a later time, when it's convenient for the attacker, the attacker impersonates the network to the victim. Then the attacker initiates a radio-session, ask the victim to perform authentication with the above RAAD, and recover the session key that was used in the recorded conversation. Once the attacker has the key he simply decrypts the conversation and can listen to its contents. Note that an attacker can record many conversations and, with subsequent later attacks, recover all the keys. This attack has the advantage of transmitting only in the time that is convenient for the attacker. Possibly even years after the recording of the conversation, or when the victim is in another country, or in a convenient place for the attacker. Another attack is finding the key before the conversation by finding the stored key as we described. Finding the key before the conversation is effective, if the network does not ask the subscriber to perform authentication with a different RAND in the beginning of the conversation. Call Hijacking Attack While a GSM network can perform authentication at the initiation of the call, encryption is the means of GSM for preventing impersonation at later stages of the conversation. The underlying assumption is that an imposter would not have Kc, and thus would not be able to conduct encrypted communications. It is shown how to obtain encryption keys. Once an attacker has the encryption keys, he can cut the victim off the conversation, and impersonate the victim to the other party. Therefore, hijacking the conversation after authentication is possible. Some people may claim that it would be difficult to apply this attack in practice, due to the difficulty in transmitting the required data on the air. It is stressed that impersonation is an attack that is relatively easy to mount in a cellular environment. The GSM transmission is carried over radio frequency, which makes these types of attack very easy to perform and difficult to detect. For example, an attacker might make sure that his signal is received at the cell's antenna with a much higher power than the victim's signal. The attacker can also cause disturbance by making sure that a noise signal is received in high power in the antenna of the victim. The hijacking can occur during the early call-setup, even before the victim's phone begins to ring. The operator can hardly suspect there is an attack. The only clue of an attack is a moment of some increased electromagnetic interface. Another way to hijack incoming calls, is to mount a kind of a “man in the middle” attack, but instead of forwarding the call to the victim, the attacker receives the call. Altering of Data Messages (SMS) Attack Once a call has been hijacked, the attacker decides on the content. The attacker can listen to the contents of a message being sent by the victim, and send his own version. The attacker can stop the message, or send his own SMS message. This compromises the integrity of GSM traffic. Call Theft Attack GSM was believed to be secure against call theft, due to authentication procedures of A3A8. However, due to the mentioned weaknesses, an attacker can make outgoing calls at a victimi's expense. When the network asks for authentication, then a man in the middle attack, similar to the one that we described in leveraging the attack to any GSM Network would succeed. The attacker initiates in parallel an outgoing call to the cellular network, and a radio session to a victim. When the network asks the attacker for authentication, the attacker asks the victim for authentication, and relays the resulting authentication back to the network. The attacker can also recover Kc as described in the present disclosure. Now the attacker can close the radio session with the victim, and continue the outgoing call as regular. This attack is hardly detectable by the network, as it views it as normal access. The victim's phone will not ring, and the victim will have no indication that he/she is a victim. At least until his/her monthly bill arrives. Various other embodiments of attack methods will occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. The abovedetailed methods can be further expanded, for example: 1. A cryptanalysis method comprising A. Requesting a phone to encrypt with A5/2; B. Using the results to decrypt communications which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1 A5/3 or GPRS. Thus, an attacker affects the decision regarding the encryption method to be used, in this case in a way that facilitates its subsequent decryption. 2. A cryptanalysis classmark attack method comprising: A. the attacker causes the network to decide that the phone is not able to encrypt with A5/1 but just with A5/2; B. this enabling the attacker to use the attack and decrypt communications 3. A cryptanalysis method comprising: A. Performing a ciphertext-only direct cryptanalysis of A5/1; B. Using results of Step (A) to facilitate the decryption and/or encryption of further communications that are consistent with encryption using the session key and/or decryption using the session key. In the above method, the cryptanalysis may consider part of the bits of the session key to have a known fixed value. The cryptanalysis may also find the session key. 4. A cryptanalysis method comprising: A. performing a ciphertext-only direct cryptanalysis of A5/2; B. Using results of Step (A) to facilitate the decryption and/or encryption of further communications that are consistent with encryption using the session key and/or decryption using the session key. In the above cryptanalysis method, the cryptanalysis may consider part of the bits of the session key to have a known fixed value. Furthermore, the cryptanalysis method may also find the session key. 5. A method for protecting GSM communications comprising performing repeatedly GSM authentication during an on-going session. In the above method to protect GSM communications, the ciphering key may also be changed as a result of applying the GSM authentication procedure. Furthermore, an attacker may emit radio frequency transmissions. The above GSM active cryptanalysis methods may also include: A. the attacker's transmission causes the network to decide that the phone's classmark is such that the phone is not able to encrypt with A5/1 but just with A5/2; B. this causes the network to request encryption only with A5/2, enabling the attacker to use the attack and decrypt communications. The above GSM active cryptanalysis methods may also include: A. the attacker's transmission causes the network to decide that the phone's classmark is such that the phone is not able to encrypt with A5/3 but just with A5/2 or A5/1; B. this causes the network to request encryption only with A5/1, enabling the attacker to use the attack and decrypt communications. The above GSM active cryptanalysis methods may also include: A. The attacker's transmission causes the phone to decide that the transmission originated from the network, and requests the phone to encrypt with A5/2; B. The phone replies with data that is encrypted with A5/2; C. Using the session key that results from the cryptanalysis to decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the phone, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1, A5/3 or GPRS, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the phone and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1, AS/3 or GPRS. The above GSM active cryptanalysis methods may also include: A. The attacker's transmission causes the phone to decide that the transmission originated from the network, and requests the phone to encrypt with A5/1; B. The phone replies with data that is encrypted with A5/1; C. Using the session key that results from the cryptanalysis to decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the phone, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the attacker and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, A5/1, A5/3 or GPRS, and/or decrypt and/or encrypt communications on the wireless link between the phone and the network, which is encrypted with A5/2, AS/1, A5/3 or GPRS. In the above cryptanalysis method, the Ciphertext-Only cryptanalysis may comprise: A. Performing an efficient known plaintext attack on A5/1 that recovers the session key; B. Improving the known plaintext attack to a ciphertext only attack on A5/1. Improvements in GSM Network Method and System Various improvements in cellular systems will occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the possible novel attack methods detailed in the present disclosure. Examples relating to GSM include: 1. GSM operators should replace the cryptographic algorithms and protocols now in use as early as possible, to protect the privacy of their customers. 2. Even GSM networks using the new A5/3 succumb to the attack presented here, in the way that A5/3 is at present integrated into GSM. Accordingly, it is suggested to make changes in the way A5/3 is integrated to protect the networks from such attacks. A possible correction is to make the keys used in AS/1 and A5/2 unrelated to the keys that are used in A5/3. This change should also be made in GPRS. In general, it is preferable to create unrelated keys for different encryptions, so that a weakness in one of them would be able to inflict on the others. 3. Even if GSM implements larger key sizes for A5/3, the trivial way for GSM to implement it, is to use the same first bits of the key to AS/1 and A5/2, and have some additional key bits added. Such implementation will cause our attack to easily discover 64 key bits of the key that is used in A5/3, thus reducing security considerably. 4. The present ciphertext-only attack is facilitated by the fact that the error-correction codes are now employed before the encryption. In the case of GSM, the addition of such a structured redundancy before the encryption is performed, fatally reduces the system's security. A method and structure to correct this flaw is proposed. 5. Modifying the GSM standard, to allow the use of more than 64-bit A5/3, would deliver a higher security, and limit the effectiveness of the attack. 6. Performing authentication more often, even during an on-going session, may prove to be a good protection. It would prove that the “real” subscriber is still the one on the other side of the channel. Also authentication in GSM changes the key, which would force an eavesdropper to perform the attack from the start. Even if the key is not changed during the conversation, it will still ensure that there is no impersonation. 7. Stop the use of A5/2, especially in phones. Stopping the use of A5/2, would leave the direct attack on AS/i, which is more expensive and difficult to perform. The attack against A5/1 could still be leveraged against GPRS (like the A5/2 attack), but the cost would be much higher to perform. The down side of this change, that it would force upgrading the infrastructure in networks that employ A5/2. An other option is to create series of phones that do not support A5/2. They will be have no encryption when roaming to A5/2 networks (but as we show A5/2 is not secure anyhow), but will increased security in A5/1 or A5/3 networks, since the A5/2 attack would not work. Therefore, the direct A5/1 would have to be employed, and this attack is far more expensive and difficult to perform. 8. Use more of the available bits for encryption, i.e., use the full 64 bits of key available. In future, as more bits may be available—more bits may be used. It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of an apparatus and method within the scope of the present invention and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This section details the need for the present invention, prior art cryptanalysis methods and the encryption method now used in GSM. GSM is the most widely spread method of cellular communications. It includes a measure of data protection by encryption, which sometimes it may be desirable to decrypt. For example, law enforcement agencies, such as the police, may desire to listen to cellular communications, without a physical connection to the cellular infrastructure. This process often requires court permission, and is sometimes referred to as lawful interception. Customers have a sense of security when using the cellular phone, which sometimes is not justified. Eavesdroppers may listen on a conversation, hijack a call or make phone calls at a user's expense. It may be desirable to test the level of security of the system by performing attempts at attacking the system. The actual level of network security can thus be evaluated. Such tests may be performed by the cellular network provider, by local support entities or customer protection agencies. The above, as well as other applications, require the performance of cryptanalysis in real time, in a short time period and using a reasonable amount of digital memory, such as has not been achieved in prior art. GSM is the most widely used cellular technology. By December 2002, more than 787.5 million GSM customers in over 191 countries formed approximately 71% of the total digital wireless market. GSM incorporates security mechanisms. Network operators and their customers rely on these mechanisms for the privacy of their calls and for the integrity of the cellular network. The security mechanisms protect the network by authenticating customers to the network, and provide privacy for the customers by encrypting the conversations while transmitted over the air. GSM uses encryption to protect transmitted signals. There are two basic methods in use now, A5/1 and A5/2, with the former mostly used in the Middle East and the latter generally for the rest of the world. The A5/1 is more difficult to decrypt without a prior knowledge of the key that has been used. Thus, to listen to GSM transmissions, it is required to decrypt the messages. The frequency hopping in GSM makes the problem all the more difficult. There are three main types of cryptographic algorithms used in GSM: A5 is a stream-cipher algorithm used for encryption, A3 is an authentication algorithm and A8 is the key agreement algorithm. The design of A3 and A8 is not specified in the specifications of GSM, only the external interface of these algorithms is specified. The exact design of the algorithm can be selected by the operators independently. However, many operators used the example, called COMP128, given in the GSM memorandum of understanding (MoU). Prior art cryptanalysis methods pose unrealistic demands, such as a few minutes of known conversation to the bits, see list of references below. Briceno, Goldberg, and Wagner have performed cryptanalysis of the found COMP128, allowing to find the shared (master) key of the mobile and the network, thus allowing cloning. The description of algorithm A5 is part of the specifications of GSK, but was never made public. There are two currently used versions of A5: A5/1 and A5/2. A5/1 is the “strong” export-limited version. A5/2 is the version that has no export limitations, however it is considered the “weak” version. The exact design of both A5/1 and A5/2 was reverse engineered by Briceno from an actual GSM telephone in 1999 and checked against known test-vectors. An additional new version, which is standardized but not yet used in GSM networks is A5/3. It was recently chosen, and is based on the block cipher KASUMI. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a new service for GSM networks that offer ‘always-on’, higher capacity, Internet-based content and packet-based data services, it enables services such as color Internet browsing, e-mail on the move, powerful visual communications, multimedia messages and location-based services. GPRS uses its own cipher, however, the key for the GPRS cipher is created by the same A3A8 algorithm in the subscriber's SIM card, using the same K i as used for creating encryption keys for A5/1, A5/2 and A5/3. We will use this fact to attack it later. A5/1 was initially cryptanalized by Golic, and later by: Biryukov, Shamir and Wagner, Biham and Dunkelman, and recently by Ekdahl and Johansson. After A5/2 was reverse engineered, it was immediately cryptanalized by Goldberg, Wagner and Green . Their attack is a known plaintext attack that requires the difference in the plaintext of two GSM frames, which are exactly 2 11 frames apart (about 6 seconds apart). The average time complexity of this attack is approximately 2 16 dot products of 114-bit vectors. Apparently, this attack is not applicable (or fails) in about half of the cases, since in the first frame it needs the 11th bit of R4 to be zero after the initialization of the cipher. A later work by Petrovic and Fuster-Sabater suggests to treat the initial internal state of the cipher as variables, write every output bit of the A5/2 algorithm as a quadratic function of these variables, and linearize the quadratic terms. They showed that the output of A5/2 can be predicted with extremely high probability after a few hundreds of known output bits. However, this attack does not discover the session key of A5/2 (Kc). Thus, it is not possible to use this attack as a building block for more advanced attacks, like those that we present later. The time complexity of this later result is proportional to 2 17 Gauss eliminations of matrices of size of (estimated) about 400×719. Goldberg, Wagner and Green presented the first attack on A5/2. The time complexity of this attack is very low. However, it requires the knowledge of the XOR of plaintexts in two frames that are 2 11 frames apart. Their attack shows that the cipher is quite weak, yet it might prove difficult to implement such an attack in practice. The problem is knowing the exact XOR of plaintexts in two frames that are 6 seconds apart. Another aspect is the elapsed time from the beginning of the attack to its completion. Their attack takes at least 6 seconds, because it takes 6 seconds to complete the reception of the data. The novel method disclosed in the present application greatly improves the speed of the attack. The known plaintext attack of Petrovic and Fuster-Sabater have similar data requirements as our attack, however it does not recover the session key (Kc) and, therefore, may not be suitable for the active attacks that we describe later. The state of prior art can be reviewed in the following references: 1. A pedagogical implementation (in C programming language) of A5/1 and A5/2: Marc Briceno, Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, A pedagogical implementation of the GSM A 5/1 and A 5/2 “voice privacy” encryption algorithms , http://cryptome.org/gsm-a512.htm (Originally on www.scard.org), 1999. 2. Description and cryptanalysis of COMP128, used by many GSM operators as A3A8: Marc Briceno, Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, An implmenation of the GSM A 3A8 algorithm, http://www.iol.ie/ kooltek/a3a8.txt, 1998. Marc Briceno, Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, GSM Cloning, http ://www.isaac.cs.berkeley.edu/isaac/gsm-faq.html, 1998. 3. Known-Plaintext Cryptanalysis of A5/1: Eli Biham, Orr Dunkelman, Cryptanalysis of the A 5/1 GSM Stream Cipher , Progress in Cryptology, proceedings of Indocrypt'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1977, Springer-Verlag, pp. 43-51, 2000. Alex Biryukov, Adi Shamir, Cryptanalytic Time/Memory/Data Tradeoffs for Stream Ciphers , Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Asiacrypt'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1976, Springer-Verlag, pp. 1-13, 2000. Alex Biryukov, Adi Shamir, David Wagner, Real Time Cryptanalysis ofA 5/1 on a PC , Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Fast Software Encryption'00, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1978, Springer-Verlag, pp. 1-18, 2001. Patrik Ekdahl, Thomas Johansson, Another Attack on A 5/1, to be published in IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, http://www.it.lth.se/patrik/publications.html, 2002. Jovan Golic, Cryptanalysis of Alleged A 5 Stream Cipher , Advances in Cryptology, proceedings of Eurocrypt'97, LNCS 1233, pp.239-255, Springer-Verlag, 1997. 4. A5/2 related information: Ian Goldberg, David Wagner, Lucky Green, The ( Real - Time ) Cryptatialysis of A 5/2, presented at the Rump Session of Crypto'99, 1999. Security Algorithms Group of Experts (SAGE), Report on the specification and evaliation of the GSM cipher algorithm A 5/2, http://cryptome.org/espy/ETR278e01 p.pdf, 1996. Slobodan Petrovic, Amp aro Fuster-Sabater, Cryptanalysis of the A 5/2 Algorithm , Cryptology eprint Archive, Report 2000/052, Available online on http://eprint.iacr.org, 2000. Description of A5/2 and GSM Security Background In this section we describe the internal structure of A5/2 and the way it is used, see FIG. 4 . A5/2 consists of 4 maximal-length LFSRs: RI, R2, R3, and R4. These registers are of length 19-bit, 22-bit, 23-bit, and 17-bit respectively. Each register has taps and a feedback function. Their irreducible polynomials are: x 19 ⊕x 5 ⊕x 2 ⊕x⊕1, x 22 ⊕x⊕1, x 23 ⊕x 15 ⊕x 2 ⊕x⊕1, and X 17 ⊕x 5 ⊕1, respectively. Note that we give the bits in the registers in reversed order, i.e., in our numbering scheme, x 1 corresponds to a tap in index len-i-1, where len is the absolute register length. For example, when R4 is clocked, the XOR of R4[17−0−1=16] and R4[17−5−1=11] is computed. Then the register is shifted one place to the right, and the value of the XOR is placed in R4[0]. At each step of A5/2 registers R1, R2 and R3 are clocked according to a clocking mechanism that is described later. Then, register R4 is clocked. After the clocking was performed, one output bit is ready at the output of A5/2. The output bit is a non-linear function of the internal state of R1, R2, and R3. After the initialization 99 bits of output are discarded, and the following 228 bits of output are used as the output key-stream. Some references state that A5/2 discards 100 bits of output, and that the output is used with a one-bit delay. This is equivalent to stating that it discards 99 bits of output, and that the output is used without delay. Denote K c [i] as the ith bit of the 64-bit session-key K c , Rj[i] the ith bit of registerj, and f[i] the ith bit of the 22-bit publicly known frame number. The key-stream generation is as follows: 1. Initialize with K c and frame number. 2. Force the bits R1[15], R2[16], R3[18], R4[10] to be 1. 3.Run A5/2 for 99 clocks and ignore the output. 4. Run A5/2 for 228 clocks and use the output as key-stream. The first output bit is defined as the bit that is at the output after the first clocking was performed. The initialization is done in the following way: Set all LFSRs to 0 (R1=R2=R3=R4=0). For i:=0 to 63 do 1. Clock all 4 LFSRs. 2. R 1[0]ƒR 1[0]⊕K c [i] 3. R 2[0]ƒR 2[0]⊕K c [i] 4. R 3[0]ƒR 3[0]⊕K c [i] 5. R 4[0]ƒR 4[0]⊕K c [i] For i:=0 to 21 do 1. Clock all 4 LFSRs. 2. R 1[0]ƒR 1[0]⊕f[i] 3. R 2[0]ƒR 2[0]⊕f[i] 4. R 3[0]ƒR 3[0]⊕f[i] 5. R 4[0]ƒR 4[0]⊕f[i] In FIG. 4 the internal structure of A5/2 algorithm is showed. The clocking mechanism works as follows: register R4 controls the clocking of registers R1, R2, and R3. When clocking of R1, R2, and R3 is to be performed, bits R4[3], R4[7], and R4[10] are the input of the clocking unit. The clocking unit performs a majority fuinction on the bits. R1 is clocked if and only if R4[10] agrees with the majority. R2 is clocked if and only if R4[3] agrees with the majority. R3 is clocked if and only if R4[7] agrees with the majority. After these clockings, R4 is clocked. Once the clocking was performed, an output bit is ready. The output bit is computed as follows: output=R1[18]⊕maj(R1[12],R1[14]⊕01, R 1[15])⊕R 2[21]⊕maj(R2[9],R2[13],R2[16] ⊕1)⊕R3[22]⊕maj(R3[13]⊕1,R3[16],R3[18]), where maj(;;;) is the majority finction. i.e., out of each register, there are 3 bits whose majority is XORed to form the output (when one bit of each triplet is inverted), in addition to the last bit of each register. Note that the majority function is quadratic in its input: maj(a,b,c)=a·b⊕b·c ⊕c·a. A5/2 is built on a somewhat similar framework of A5/1. The feedback functions of R1, R2 and R3 are the same as A5/1's feedback functions. The initialization process of A5/2 is also somewhat similar to that of A5/1. The difference is that A5/2 also initializes R4, and that after initialization one bit in each register is forced to be 1. Then A5/2 discards 99 bits of output while A5/1 discards 100 bits of output..The clocking nmechanism is the same, but the input bits to the clocking mechanism are from R4 in the case of A5/2, while in A5/1 they are from RI, R2, and R3. The designers meant to use similar building blocks to save hardware in the mobile. This algorithm outputs 228 bits of key-stream. The first block of 114 bits is used as a key-stream to encrypt the link from the network to the customer, and the second block of 114 bits is used to encrypt the link from the customer to the network. Encryption is performed as a simple XOR of the message with the key stream. Although A5 is a stream cipher, it is used to encrypt 114-bit “blocks”. Each such block is the payload of a GSM burst, which is a GSM air-interface data unit. Note that each frame-is constructed of 8 consecutive bursts, serving 8 customers in parallel. Each customer is allocated a burst index. All the bursts in this index are designated for that customer. The frames are sequentially numbered, and each frame has a 22-bit publicly known frame number associated with it. This frame number is used when initializing A5. Since the focus is always on a single customer, we use the terms “burst” and “frame” interchangeably. One might wonder why does GSM use a stream cipher and not a block cipher of 114-bit block size. A possible explanation is that GSM performs error-correction and then encryption. Assume that one bit in a block is flipped due to an error. Decrypting that block with a block cipher would result in a block that would appear random, and that the error-correction codes have no chance to correct. However, when using a stream cipher, one flipped bit causes exactly one flipped bit after decryption. GSM Security Background Following is a more detailed description on the usage and specification of A3 and A8 algorithms. A3 provides authentication of the mobile to the network, and A8 is used for session-key agreement. The security of these algorithms is based on a user-specific secret key Ki that is common to the mobile and the network. The GSM specifications do not specify the length of Ki, thus it is left for the choice of the operator, but usually it is a 128-bit key. Authentication of the customers to the network is performed using the A3 authentication algorithm as follows: The network challenges the customer with a 128-bit randomly chosen value RAND. The customer computes a 32-bit long response SRES=A3(K i ,RAND), and sends SRES to the network, which can then check its validity. The session key K c is obtained by the A8 algorithm as follows: K c =A8(K i ,RAND). Note that A8 and A3 are always invoked together and with the same parameters. In most implementations, they are one algorithm with two outputs, SRES and K c . Therefore, they are usually referred to as A3A8. The above description of prior art encryption in GSM is relayed upon in the detailed description of the invention below. In this inventions the term cryptanalysis is used to describe the process of being able to encrypt/decrypt communication without the prior knowledge of the used session key. In some cases, the cryptanalysis can retrieve the session key that is used.In other cases the session key is not retrieved, however it might still be possible to decrypt or encrypt messages in the same way that would have been if the relevant cipher were used using the session key. Sometimes in this invention the term decryption is also used in the meaning of cryptanalysis. Known plaintext means that the attacker has access to encrypted messages as well as to the messages that were encrypted. Ciphertext only means that the attacker has access only to the encrypted messages, and has no access to the messages before they were encrypted. In this invention the term phone should be understood in the broader sense of a cellular device using the GSM network.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to the present invention, there is provided a method and system for performing effective cryptanalysis of GSM encrypted communications. The method uses ciphertext-only cryptanalysis. The system needs not be connected by wire to the cellular infrastructure, rather it may receive messages transmitted on the air. New methods for attacking GSM encryption and security protocols are disclosed. These methods are much easier to apply and much faster. Basically, for A5/2 GSM, a mobile attacker system receives the encrypted messages, performs an efficient cryptanalysis and enables listening to the GSM messages and/or to review related information. When performed on a personal computer, the process may take less than one second. In principle, a similar method can be applied to A5/1 GSM, however in this case the encryption is more complex and may require about 5 minutes of communication messages to decrypt. A complex system, which may be difficult to implement, may be required since it has to keep track of frequency hopping in GSM. According to another aspect of the present invention, for A5/1 GSM the attacker system creates a small cell around itself, which cell includes the target GSM phone. The system impersonates the cellular network for the target phone, and the target phone for the GSM infrastructure. This requires a transmit capability in the attacker system, however the decryption is greatly simplified and much faster. Moreover, novel improvements in the GSM networks are presented. These include improvements in the cryptographic algorithms and protocols. Such improvements can be performed, for example, by GSM operators. Even GSM networks using the new A5/3 succumb to our attack, in the way that A5/3 is integrated into GSM. The present disclosure includes changes to the way A5/3 is integrated to protect the networks from such attacks. By performing such tests or attacks on the cellular network, a higher level of security can be achieved and maintained. Present and future weak points can be detected and corrective actions may be taken. The structure of GSM network itself can thus be improved to increase its security. The present invention might not be limited to the GSM cellular network: for example, a similar version of A5/3 is also used in third generation cellular networks. Further objects, advantages and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter.

20060925

20110830

20070628

83837.0

H04L900

CHAI, LONGBIT

CRYPTANALYSIS METHOD AND SYSTEM

SMALL

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

User interface unit for telephone

A user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone having an input adapted for inputting telephone control signals; a display for outputting visual information, a communications unit adapted for short distance wireless signal communication; circuitry adapted to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface apparatus and the telephone by the short distance wireless signal communication unit; wherein the circuitry is configured to adapt the input and output signals of the user interface apparatus to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone.

1. A user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone (104), characterised in input means (101B) adapted for inputting telephone control signals; a display (101A) for outputting visual information, communications means (102) adapted for short distance wireless signal communication; circuitry (103) adapted to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface apparatus (100) and the telephone (104) by means of said short distance wireless signal communication means (102); and in that the circuitry (103) is configured to adapt the input and output signals of the user interface apparatus to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone (104). 2. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an electrical connector (105) coupled to the circuitry (103) and adapted to connect to signal lines (107,109) from peripheral equipment (108). 3. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising mechanical attachment means (118) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means of a holder. 4. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising mechanical attachment means (118) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means (119) of a docking unit (110), and an electrical connector (105) coupled to the circuitry (103) and adapted to connect to a corresponding electrical connector of said docking unit (110). 5. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a docking unit (110) adapted for detachably coupling mechanical attachment means (118,119) and for electrically coupling electrical connectors (105,111) of said docking unit (110) and a user interface unit (100), respectively. 6. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and peripheral equipment (108). 7. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being a hands free system (112). 8. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being a vehicle information system (116). 9. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being an entertainment system (117). 10. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to be coupled to a peripheral equipment being a power supply (128). 11. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a connector slot (126) for a battery, said connector slot being coupled to the circuitry (103). 12. The user interface apparatus of the preceding claims 3-12, wherein the connector slot (126) is coupled to the electrical connector (105) for connecting to a charging peripheral power supply (128). 13. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a microphone (130) and a loudspeaker (132) coupled to the circuitry (103). 14. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an input connector (134) coupled to the circuitry 103 for connecting a headset. 15. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising an adapter piece (202) configured to mechanically and electrically fit to first mechanical and electrical couplings (203, 201) of a user interface unit (200) and to second mechanical and electrical couplings (205,206) of a docking unit (204). 16. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an adapter piece (202) having first mechanical attachment means (212) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding first mechanical attachment means (203) of a user interface unit (100) and second mechanical attachment means (214) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding second mechanical attachment means (206) of a docking unit. 17. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an adapter piece (202) having a first electrical connector (208) adapted for connecting to a corresponding first electrical connector (201) of a user interface unit (100) and a second electrical connector (210) adapted for detachably attaching to a corresponding second electrical connector (205) of a docking unit. 18. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an circuitry (103,216) configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit (200) to second signals of peripheral equipment, and vice versa. 19. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a an adapter piece (202) having circuitry configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit (200) to second signals of a docking unit 204. 20. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the display (101A) is touch sensitive and together with the circuitry (103) is configured to realise input keys (101B) for said input means. 21. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a portable housing (1). 22. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the short distance wireless communication means (102) is based on short distance radio communication. 23. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the short distance wireless communication means (102) is based on short distance radio communication according to the Bluetooth standard. 24. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the short distance wireless communication means (102) is based on infra red signal communication. 25. The user interface apparatus of any of the preceding claims, further being adapted to provide a first mode of operation with a first set of functionality and a second mode of operation with a second set of functionality, said second set of functionality being a subset of said first set of functionality. 26. The user interface of the preceding claim, wherein said second mode of operation is activated in response to the user interface being attached to a docking unit.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates in general to user interfaces for communicating with and controlling telephone equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a user interface for wireless communication with telephone equipment. BACKGROUND In order to make the usage of mobile telephones in vehicles safer it is common to have hands free equipment stationary installed in the vehicle for audio input to and output from the telephone. The hands free equipment is provided with a connector for connecting a loudspeaker, a microphone and a power line to the telephone. In stationary hands free equipment the connector is often integrated with a docking unit with a holder fitting the telephone. The docking unit is usually mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle within reach for the user, and when the mobile telephone unit is docked in the holder the telephone is controlled by means of the usual keypad and display on the telephone. There may also be some basic control keys integrated with or attached to the steering wheel. Some stationary hands free equipment is further coupled to an entertainment system or a vehicle information system of the vehicle, so that for example the audio output of a radio or a music player is switched off or silenced when an incoming telephone call is received. There is also simpler hands free equipment such as a cable with an earphone, a microphone and a connector for connecting directly to an input/output socket of the telephone unit. There may also be a switch on the cable for basic control of the telephone such as answering or ending a call. Dialling and other handling of the telephone is done by means of the keypad and the screen of the telephone. However, modern mobile telephones are small and for example in the vehicle environment it is often difficult to read the small screen of the telephone and to use the small keypad when handling the telephone and telephone calls. There are also other environments, circumstances or situations when it is unpractical or unsuitable to handle the telephone unit by means of the integrated keypad and screen. Furthermore, there are technologies for coupling a stationary mounted hands free equipment wirelessly to a mobile telephone unit whereas the telephone might be left in a case or pocket and the user interface of the telephone may thus be out of hand. There is therefore a need for a complementary user interface for mobile telephones. Prior Art There are examples of prior art with regard to user interfaces for hands free equipment inter alia in the following patent publications. In WO 98/57434 there is disclosed a car radio with a removable control and telephone unit. This apparatus is a car radio with a base unit that is stationary mounted in a vehicle and coupled to hands free telephone equipment. A detachable operating and telephone unit is provided with a key panel for operating the telephone and at least some functions of the car radio, a display for telephone and car radio functions, and a connector interface for connecting telephone antenna, audio lines, control lines and power supply. When the operating and telephone unit is dismounted it can be used as an autonomous mobile telephone, and when attached to the base unit it can be used as a hands free mobile telephone or car radio control device. In GB 2 292 857 A there is disclosed a radio communication device with a radio receiver and a visual output interface via a mirrored surface, i.e. the information that is normally displayed on a screen is presented via or through a mirror surface. Input of control signals to the radio receiver is enabled via touch responsive areas on the mirror surface or via a keypad. The keypad is devised for wireless communication with the device by means of an infra red communication link. In FR 2 779 598 A there is disclosed a universal hands free it for use with different types of mobile telephones. An autonomous device with a microphone and a loudspeaker is connectable to a variety of mobile phones via a connector interface that is adaptable to different types of mobile phones. The device is provided with an input/output port for connecting different accessories, such a message recorder, a vibration call indicator, a wireless microphone and a remote control keypad. In DE 297 23 162 U1 there is disclosed a hands free system for a mobile telephone. The mobile telephone has an additional contact device that enables the telephone to be electrically connected to a spatially separate parallel keyboard installed in the hands free system The parallel keyboard can be operated with a connection to the contact device that is parallel to the keyboard of the mobile telephone and has at least partially identical functions. In EP 1 084 894 A2 there is disclosed a multimedia unit for a vehicle with a control panel that is detachable from a stationary installed base unit. The detachable control panel is provided with a touch sensitive display operating together with a processor for controlling different functions such as a telephone, a radio, a CD-player and traffic information display. The detachable control panel is provided with an autonomously usable radio telephone having means for direct access to a radio telephone network There are also products available on the market for wirelessly connecting a stationary mounted hands free system with a mobile telephone unit. An example of such a product is the Sony Ericsson Bluetooth™ Car Handsfree HCB-30, which currently is shown on the www.sonyericsson.com Internet website. This hands free equipment communicates with a telephone unit via a short distance radio communication according to the standard technology that goes under the trade mark Bluetooth™. The HCB-30 connects automatically with a mobile telephone unit correspondingly being provided with Bluetooth™ functionality without placing the telephone unit in any particular position, and therefore the telephone can remain in for example a pocket or a case. The user controls basic functions of the telephone via a keypad mounted on the dashboard and designed as a five button control panel configured to activate the telephone, control loudspeaker volume, and to answer or reject calls. Another similar product is the Sony Ericsson Advanced Car Handsfree HCA-20, also currently shown on the www.sonyericsson.com Internet website. The HCA-20 is further provided with means for voice recognition to enable voice dialing as a means for controlling the telephone. It also has functionality for muting a car stereo for incoming calls. Problem to be Solved by the Invention The general problem that the invention seeks to solve is to achieve a satisfactory user interface for operating a telephone. An aspect of the problem deals with hands free equipment that communicates wirelessly with a telephone unit, for example by means of short distance radio communication such as Bluetooth™ technology. In this connection the user interface of the hands free equipment only allows a limited control of the telephone. For example, there is no possibility to enter a telephone number to the telephone and there is no visual control feedback or other visual information from the telephone to the user via the hands free equipment Another aspect of the problem is that the user interface of the telephone with its capability of two-way communication with the user may for circumstantial reasons not be sufficiently accessible or available. Yet another aspect of the problem is that existing hands free equipment is incompatible with devices for wireless communication with the telephone unit, and when upgrading to such wireless communication between hands free equipment and telephone unit new complete equipment has to be installed. Another aspect of the problem is that in some applications the user interface of the telephone unit is inappropriate or insufficient for the purpose of the application. Furthermore, for some reasons or in some specific situations it may be inappropriate to use the transmitter or the antenna part of the telephone close to the user or close to the head of the user. Yet another aspect of the problem is to provide a user interface for a telephone that is adaptable to personal characteristics, properties or needs. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a user interface for wirelessly communicating with and remotely controlling a telephone unit. A more particular object is to provide a user interface that is connectable to peripheral equipment, such as hands free equipment, and capable of wireless communication with a telephone unit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is achieved and the problem is solved by a user interface unit comprising means for wireless short distance communication with a telephone unit, a display for presenting an output of visual information from the telephone unit, and switch means for inputting control signals to the telephone. The user interface unit possibly further comprises circuitry for adapting input control commands to a signal format that is suitable for wireless short distance transmittal and interpretation as control commands in the telephone unit. The invention operates together with a telephone unit that likewise is provided with means for wireless short distance communication and conveys input and output signals between these devices. The user interface unit according to the invention enables an enlarged and enhanced man-machine-interface (MMI) to remotely operate the telephone unit. One embodiment of the invention comprises adaptation of the telephone unit such that signals corresponding to those of the user input/output interface that is integrated with the telephone unit usually the keypad and the display signals, are also communicated to and from a data processing unit of the telephone via the wireless short distance communication means. This may be performed in parallel with or alternatively to the signal communication of the integrated user input/output interface. Other telephones are already provided with this feature. The invention can be applied together with mobile telephones as well as with stationary installed telephones. The circuitry of the user interface unit is adapted for receiving, interpreting and presenting on the display visual information that is received wirelessly from the telephone unit. Power supply is preferably arranged by means of a connector adapted to be connected to a power line from for example a vehicle battery or electric mains. An embodiment adapted to be capable of fully wireless usage is provided with battery slot and battery connectors for housing or attaching and connecting a small battery. Preferably, this embodiment also has a connector to an external power supply or power line and circuitry such that the user interface unit can be powered and its battery loaded while connected. The user interface unit is preferably made in size, e.g. rather small, and fully portable, dependent on the usage purpose of the specific model. This enables usage of the user interface and the telephone in any circumstances where it is convenient or more suitable to operate the telephone from the user interface and have the telephone positioned or placed somewhere else. For example in a tough working or leisure environment such as a construction site or on a beach, it may be advantageous to have the telephone protected in a case or a pocket whereas it operated via a user interface unit that is adapted to the circumstances of usage. For example, the user interface unit can be manufactured in water protected, particle protected or shock protected design and be usable together with any telephone model that is provided with short distance communication means for wireless communication with the user interface unit. In one embodiment, the user interface unit comprises housing and an electrical connector that detachably fit to a holder for the interface unit. The holder is a docking unit that is electrically connected to peripheral equipment such as audio functionality of bands free equipment, a vehicle entertainment system or a vehicle information system. The holder and the housing can be designed per se and the holder be connected to the electrical wiring of peripheral equipment. Alternatively, the housing can be adapted to fit to holders designed to fit and dock a telephone unit. The latter embodiment would thus fit to existing holders of for example hands free equipment and this equipment is thereby upgradable to operate with a wireless communication with the telephone unit via the user interface unit of the invention. A further development of this embodiment comprises an adapter piece for adapting shape fitting and connector fitting between a holder and the user interface unit. Thereby, the user interface unit is adaptable to fit a holder for example designed for docking a particular model or model series of telephone. One embodiment of the adapter piece further comprises circuitry configured to adapt a first signal format for peripheral equipment of a first manufacture to a second signal format for a user interface unit of a second manufacture, and vice versa. Similarly, one embodiment of the user interface unit is provided with circuitry configured to adapt a first signal format for a telephone unit of a first manufacture to a second signal format for a user interface unit of a second manufacture, and vice versa. One aspect of the invention solves the problem aspect that in some applications the user interface of the telephone unit is inappropriate or insufficient for the purpose of the application. One typical such kind of application is for example game applications, that is when the processing power of the telephone is used to run a game and the user interface unit can be configured to an appropriate input/output game interface. Similarly, mobile Internet applications and the like would also benefit from having the more versatile and handy input/output functionality of the user interface unit. Another aspect of the invention solves the problem aspect that for some reasons or in some specific situations it may be inappropriate to use the transmitter or the antenna part of the telephone close to the user or close to the head of the user. For example, the signal circumstances may be such that the telephone unit is incapable of receiving a signal from the base station in the position where the user wants to or has to be situated. With the user interface unit of the invention, the telephone unit can thus be placed in a suitable position or place and conveniently be operated by means of the separate user interface. The invention thus enables that a telephone unit and/or peripheral equipment are upgraded or supplemented with an enhanced user interface to a comparatively low cost and without any costly installation. From an environmental point of view it is also environmentally beneficial to upgrade and use existing products rather than changing and throwing them away. As mentioned above, different configurations and usage situations are conceivable for the invention. For example, the user interface unit may thus be used as a complementary or enhanced user interface to the telephone with the user interface unit docked to a car hands free system and the telephone unit placed somewhere in the car. The user interface can be detached from the hands free system, and as it is portable it can be handed over and used as a telephone interface for example by other passengers somewhere in the car. Similarly, the user interface unit and the telephone unit can be used in any outdoors or indoors situation. According to an aspect of the invention, the user interface unit is adaptable to personal characteristics, properties or needs. So for example, a disabled person may need a user interface of a certain design, size or disposition of the keys. A person having an impaired vision may need to have keys and visual feedback information in a certain, perhaps variable size or colour. In an embodiment for the purpose of the latter case, the circuitry of the user interface unit comprises software and hardware for adapting a possibly touch sensitive screen to the specific need. According to a further aspect of the invention, the user interface unit is adapted to provide different selectable or controllable extent of functionality or operability of the telephone. Thus, there may for example be different modes of operation of the telephone via the user interface apparatus, for example a fist mode of operations with a limited selection of operability that is adapted to a safe driving situation, and a second mode of operation with full operability of the telephone. The selection or mode of operation is advantageously controlled dependent on the position of the user interface unit, such as a limited functionality mode of operation is activated when the user interface unit is placed in a car holder and else full functionality mode of operations is activated. Aspects and embodiments of the invention further comprise different combinations of features as follows. Described with its basic features the invention concerns a user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone (104), comprising input means (101B) adapted for inputting telephone control signals; a display (101A) for outputting visual information, communications means (102) adapted for short distance wireless signal communication; and circuitry (103) adapted to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface apparatus (100) and the telephone (104) by means of said short distance wireless signal communication means (102). The circuitry (103) is configured to adapt the input and output signals of the user interface apparatus to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone (104). The user interface apparatus further comprises an electrical connector (105) coupled to the circuitry (103) and adapted to connect to signal lines (107,109) from peripheral equipment (108). For the purpose of detachable docking, the user interface apparatus preferably further comprises mechanical attachment means (118) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means of a holder. Preferably, the user interface comprises mechanical attachment means (118) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means (119) of a docking unit (110), and an electrical connector (105) coupled to the circuitry (103) and adapted to connect to a corresponding electrical connector of said docking unit (110). The inventive concept of the user interface apparatus may further comprise a docking unit (110) adapted for detachably coupling mechanical attachment means (118,119) and for electrically coupling electrical connectors (105,111) of said docking unit (110) and a user interface unit (100), respectively. The user interface apparatus is preferably adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and peripheral equipment (108). For example, the user interface apparatus is adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being a bands free system (112); between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being a vehicle information system (116); or between the telephone (104) and a peripheral equipment being an entertainment system (117). Preferred embodiments of the user interface apparatus are further adapted to be coupled to a peripheral equipment being a power supply (128). For the purpose of fully wireless usage of the user interface apparatus, it may further comprise a connector slot (126) for a battery, said connector slot being coupled to the circuitry (103). The connector slot (126) is preferably coupled to the electrical connector (105) for connecting to a charging peripheral power supply (128). Such an embodiment may also comprise a microphone (130) and a loudspeaker (132) coupled to the circuitry (103), or an input connector (134) coupled to the circuitry (103) for connecting a headset For the purpose of adapting a user interface unit of a first type to a docking unit of a second type there are the following varieties of the invention. The user interface apparatus may comprise an adapter piece (202) configured to mechanically and electrically fit to first mechanical and electrical couplings (203, 201) of a user interface unit (200) and to second mechanical and electrical couplings (205,206) of a docking unit (204). It may further comprise an adapter piece (202) having first mechanical attachment means (212) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding first mechanical attachment means (203) of a user interface unit (100) and second mechanical attachment means (214) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding second mechanical attachment means (206) of a docking unit. The an adapter piece (202) preferably also has a first electrical connector (208) adapted for connecting to a corresponding first electrical connector (201) of a user interface unit (100) and a second electrical connector (210) adapted for detachably attaching to a corresponding second electrical connector (205) of a docking unit. The user interface apparatus may further comprise a an circuitry (103,216) configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit (200) to second signals of peripheral equipment, and vice versa. Alternatively, an adapter piece (202) may have circuitry configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit (200) to second signals of a docking unit 204. In an embodiment the display (101A) is touch sensitive and together with the circuitry (103) is configured to realise input keys (101B) for said input means. The user interface apparatus further comprises a portable housing (1) for housing said components. The short distance wireless communication means (102) is preferably based on short distance radio communication, for example according to the Bluetooth standard. The short distance wireless communication means (102) may also be based on infra red signal communication. In one embodiment the user interface apparatus is further adapted to provide a first mode of operation with a first set of functionality and a second mode of operation with a second set of functionality, said second set of functionality being a subset of said first set of functionality. Preferably, said second mode of operation is activated in response to the user interface being attached to a docking unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of the user interface according to the invention with co-operating apparatus; FIG. 2 shows schematically an adapter piece of an embodiment of the inventive user interface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows schematically the inventive user interface unit 100 having a housing 1 provided with a visual output display 101A and input switches 101B, means for short distance wireless data or signal communication 102 and driving circuitry 103 coupled to the before mentioned components. The circuitry 103 is configured to drive the output display 101A, the input switches 101B and the short distance communications means 102, and to convey and adapt signals between these components. The input switches 101B are in different embodiments coupled to a key panel of push buttons or integrated in a touch sensitive display with accompanying software for visualising and activating input key areas on the display. The user interface unit 100 is thus capable of short distance wireless data or signal communication 106 with a telephone unit 104 also having means for short distance wireless data or signal communication 120. Preferably, this short distance wireless communication is realised by means of a radio system for short distance radio communication according to the standard technology that goes under the trade mark Bluetooth™. Other alternatives, such as infra red communication is however also conceivable within the inventive concept. Wireless short distance communication is in this connection meant to concern reliable signal or data communication between devices within a range of typically about 10 meters or so. As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone unit is further coupled or couplable for radio telephone communication 122 to a telephone network 124 such as a stationary telephone network or a radio telephone network that for example operates with a GSM or a GPRS system. The telephone unit may be portable or stationary installed in for example a vehicle. In a basic embodiment the driving circuitry 103 of the user interface unit 100 is configured with basic functionality for remotely operating the telephone unit 104 by means of key input to and visual feedback from the telephone unit 104 via the user interface 100. Basically, per se known hardware and software constructions already employed in existing telephone units can be used in the driving circuitry of the interface unit. In another wording, the circuitry of the user interface unit is configured to be transparent for or to imitate the signalling, electromechanical and logical properties of a telephone. Whereas the data and signal processing power as well as the proper telephone communication functionality is concentrated to the telephone unit 104, operating functionality such as handling calls, managing phonebook and viewing messages is done via the enhanced interface provided by the user interface unit. A further elaborated embodiment is in addition provided with a microphone 130 and a loudspeaker 132, as well as circuitry 103 that is adapted for driving them. Alternatively or additionally, the user interface may be provided with an input connector 134 and driving circuitry 103 that is adapted for driving a headset. Thus, while manufacturing costs can be kept comparatively low, the inventive user interface is designed to have suitable and convenient shape, size and layout of the input keys and the display for specific ranges of purpose. Again referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the user interface unit comprises one or more external electrical connectors 105 for connecting signal lines 107, 109 from peripheral equipment 108. The user interface unit 100 preferably comprises a slot 126 and connector for an internal battery coupled to the circuitry 103, and for charging purposes preferably also coupled to the power line connection of the connector 105. The peripheral equipment is for example a power supply 128 feeding power to the user interface unit through a power line 109. Another piece of possible peripheral equipment is a vehicle or car hands free system 112 having an electronic circuitry for driving the bands free functionality and being coupled to a loudspeaker 114 and a microphone 115. The peripheral equipment may further be a vehicle information system 116 showing e.g. status information and warning signals to the driver, or a car entertainment system 117 e.g. comprising a radio, a compact disk player and the like. In another embodiment, the user interface apparatus is coupled to a GPS position unit or the like. Thus coupled to the user interface unit 100, the input and output means of the user interface would be configured to selectively operate also this peripheral equipment. Possibly, the power line 109 can be led together with a signal bus or bundle of cables making up one of the signal lines 107. The electrical connector is preferably adapted to the standard system connector of a telephone model series so that existing accessories such battery chargers, holder and the like can be used together with the user interface unit. A docking unit 110 in the shape of a holder comprises a corresponding electrical connector 111 that in FIG. 1 is directly coupled to the signal lines 107 and the power line 109 and configured to safely couple to the external connector 105 of the user interface unit 100. The docking unit 110 and the user interface unit 100 have corresponding geometrical shapes such that they fit together and the user interface unit 100 thus can be docked to and held by the docking unit while connecting the electrical connectors 105 and 111. The mentioned geometrical shapes of the user interface unit 100 and the docking unit 110 or specific parts constitute detachable first and second mechanical attachment means 118 and 119 for fitting when in a docked position. The mechanical attachment means may be provided with mechanical locking means for secure locking between the attached user interface unit and the docking unit. In the figure the attachment means have an exemplifying shape, and it should be appreciated that there are many conceivable designs. In one embodiment a realisation of the invention would comprise the user interface unit, with inter alia the display and other internal components, and a holder as a docking unit for the display. The docking unit would be realised such that it is compatible with the signal cable or signal connector of existing peripheral equipment, for example a car hands free system This embodiment can thereby be made available together with new peripheral equipment or as a complement to already installed peripheral equipment. In the latter case only the holder for the user interface unit has to be coupled to the installed peripheral equipment, possibly exchanging an existing telephone unit holder for the user interface unit holder. In another embodiment, the geometrical shape of the user interface unit 100 is adapted to fit to a holder or a docking unit 110 that also fits to a telephone unit 104. This embodiment makes it possible to supplement a set of hands free equipment and telephone unit with the inventive user interface unit and thereby achieve an enhanced or complementary user interface. These embodiments are beneficial for the manufacturer as well as for the consumer. Furthermore, it is also easy to change usage and for example use a likewise dockable telephone unit that lacks the wireless short distance means together with the peripheral equipment by replacing the user interface unit in the docking unit. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the invention with a user interface unit 200 as described above and an adapter piece 202. The adapter piece 202 is configured to mechanically fit and electrically connect to the user interface unit 200 on one hand, and on the other band to a holder or docking unit 204. The docking unit 204 is in its turn possibly connected to peripheral equipment 206 as described above. The adapter piece 202 thus comprises a first electrical connector 208 adapted for coupling with a corresponding electrical connector 201 of the user interface unit 200 and a second electrical connector 210 adapted for coupling with a corresponding electrical connector 205 of the docking unit 204. Similarly, the adapter piece comprises first mechanical attachment means 212 for mechanically attaching the adapter piece 202 to corresponding mechanical attachment means 203 of the user interface unit 200. Further, the adapter piece comprises second mechanical attachment means 214 for mechanically attaching the adapter piece 202 to corresponding mechanical attachment means 206 the docking unit 204. These and the above mention mechanical attachment means are preferably detachable without tools and may be designed for example as bayonet joints or other form fitting shapes in a per se known manner. The adapter piece may further comprise circuitry 216 that is configured to adapt signals of a first format to signals of a second format for enabling signal communication between a user interface unit of a first type and a docking unit of a second type. This embodiment enables adaptation for coupling and usage of a user interface unit of a first manufacture or model series together with a docking unit of a second manufacture or model series. The invention has been explained and described by means of examples, but it is understood that it can be realised in a variety of manners within the scope of the accompanying claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>In order to make the usage of mobile telephones in vehicles safer it is common to have hands free equipment stationary installed in the vehicle for audio input to and output from the telephone. The hands free equipment is provided with a connector for connecting a loudspeaker, a microphone and a power line to the telephone. In stationary hands free equipment the connector is often integrated with a docking unit with a holder fitting the telephone. The docking unit is usually mounted on the instrument panel of the vehicle within reach for the user, and when the mobile telephone unit is docked in the holder the telephone is controlled by means of the usual keypad and display on the telephone. There may also be some basic control keys integrated with or attached to the steering wheel. Some stationary hands free equipment is further coupled to an entertainment system or a vehicle information system of the vehicle, so that for example the audio output of a radio or a music player is switched off or silenced when an incoming telephone call is received. There is also simpler hands free equipment such as a cable with an earphone, a microphone and a connector for connecting directly to an input/output socket of the telephone unit. There may also be a switch on the cable for basic control of the telephone such as answering or ending a call. Dialling and other handling of the telephone is done by means of the keypad and the screen of the telephone. However, modern mobile telephones are small and for example in the vehicle environment it is often difficult to read the small screen of the telephone and to use the small keypad when handling the telephone and telephone calls. There are also other environments, circumstances or situations when it is unpractical or unsuitable to handle the telephone unit by means of the integrated keypad and screen. Furthermore, there are technologies for coupling a stationary mounted hands free equipment wirelessly to a mobile telephone unit whereas the telephone might be left in a case or pocket and the user interface of the telephone may thus be out of hand. There is therefore a need for a complementary user interface for mobile telephones. Prior Art There are examples of prior art with regard to user interfaces for hands free equipment inter alia in the following patent publications. In WO 98/57434 there is disclosed a car radio with a removable control and telephone unit. This apparatus is a car radio with a base unit that is stationary mounted in a vehicle and coupled to hands free telephone equipment. A detachable operating and telephone unit is provided with a key panel for operating the telephone and at least some functions of the car radio, a display for telephone and car radio functions, and a connector interface for connecting telephone antenna, audio lines, control lines and power supply. When the operating and telephone unit is dismounted it can be used as an autonomous mobile telephone, and when attached to the base unit it can be used as a hands free mobile telephone or car radio control device. In GB 2 292 857 A there is disclosed a radio communication device with a radio receiver and a visual output interface via a mirrored surface, i.e. the information that is normally displayed on a screen is presented via or through a mirror surface. Input of control signals to the radio receiver is enabled via touch responsive areas on the mirror surface or via a keypad. The keypad is devised for wireless communication with the device by means of an infra red communication link. In FR 2 779 598 A there is disclosed a universal hands free it for use with different types of mobile telephones. An autonomous device with a microphone and a loudspeaker is connectable to a variety of mobile phones via a connector interface that is adaptable to different types of mobile phones. The device is provided with an input/output port for connecting different accessories, such a message recorder, a vibration call indicator, a wireless microphone and a remote control keypad. In DE 297 23 162 U1 there is disclosed a hands free system for a mobile telephone. The mobile telephone has an additional contact device that enables the telephone to be electrically connected to a spatially separate parallel keyboard installed in the hands free system The parallel keyboard can be operated with a connection to the contact device that is parallel to the keyboard of the mobile telephone and has at least partially identical functions. In EP 1 084 894 A2 there is disclosed a multimedia unit for a vehicle with a control panel that is detachable from a stationary installed base unit. The detachable control panel is provided with a touch sensitive display operating together with a processor for controlling different functions such as a telephone, a radio, a CD-player and traffic information display. The detachable control panel is provided with an autonomously usable radio telephone having means for direct access to a radio telephone network There are also products available on the market for wirelessly connecting a stationary mounted hands free system with a mobile telephone unit. An example of such a product is the Sony Ericsson Bluetooth™ Car Handsfree HCB-30, which currently is shown on the www.sonyericsson.com Internet website. This hands free equipment communicates with a telephone unit via a short distance radio communication according to the standard technology that goes under the trade mark Bluetooth™. The HCB-30 connects automatically with a mobile telephone unit correspondingly being provided with Bluetooth™ functionality without placing the telephone unit in any particular position, and therefore the telephone can remain in for example a pocket or a case. The user controls basic functions of the telephone via a keypad mounted on the dashboard and designed as a five button control panel configured to activate the telephone, control loudspeaker volume, and to answer or reject calls. Another similar product is the Sony Ericsson Advanced Car Handsfree HCA-20, also currently shown on the www.sonyericsson.com Internet website. The HCA-20 is further provided with means for voice recognition to enable voice dialing as a means for controlling the telephone. It also has functionality for muting a car stereo for incoming calls. Problem to be Solved by the Invention The general problem that the invention seeks to solve is to achieve a satisfactory user interface for operating a telephone. An aspect of the problem deals with hands free equipment that communicates wirelessly with a telephone unit, for example by means of short distance radio communication such as Bluetooth™ technology. In this connection the user interface of the hands free equipment only allows a limited control of the telephone. For example, there is no possibility to enter a telephone number to the telephone and there is no visual control feedback or other visual information from the telephone to the user via the hands free equipment Another aspect of the problem is that the user interface of the telephone with its capability of two-way communication with the user may for circumstantial reasons not be sufficiently accessible or available. Yet another aspect of the problem is that existing hands free equipment is incompatible with devices for wireless communication with the telephone unit, and when upgrading to such wireless communication between hands free equipment and telephone unit new complete equipment has to be installed. Another aspect of the problem is that in some applications the user interface of the telephone unit is inappropriate or insufficient for the purpose of the application. Furthermore, for some reasons or in some specific situations it may be inappropriate to use the transmitter or the antenna part of the telephone close to the user or close to the head of the user. Yet another aspect of the problem is to provide a user interface for a telephone that is adaptable to personal characteristics, properties or needs.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The object of the invention is achieved and the problem is solved by a user interface unit comprising means for wireless short distance communication with a telephone unit, a display for presenting an output of visual information from the telephone unit, and switch means for inputting control signals to the telephone. The user interface unit possibly further comprises circuitry for adapting input control commands to a signal format that is suitable for wireless short distance transmittal and interpretation as control commands in the telephone unit. The invention operates together with a telephone unit that likewise is provided with means for wireless short distance communication and conveys input and output signals between these devices. The user interface unit according to the invention enables an enlarged and enhanced man-machine-interface (MMI) to remotely operate the telephone unit. One embodiment of the invention comprises adaptation of the telephone unit such that signals corresponding to those of the user input/output interface that is integrated with the telephone unit usually the keypad and the display signals, are also communicated to and from a data processing unit of the telephone via the wireless short distance communication means. This may be performed in parallel with or alternatively to the signal communication of the integrated user input/output interface. Other telephones are already provided with this feature. The invention can be applied together with mobile telephones as well as with stationary installed telephones. The circuitry of the user interface unit is adapted for receiving, interpreting and presenting on the display visual information that is received wirelessly from the telephone unit. Power supply is preferably arranged by means of a connector adapted to be connected to a power line from for example a vehicle battery or electric mains. An embodiment adapted to be capable of fully wireless usage is provided with battery slot and battery connectors for housing or attaching and connecting a small battery. Preferably, this embodiment also has a connector to an external power supply or power line and circuitry such that the user interface unit can be powered and its battery loaded while connected. The user interface unit is preferably made in size, e.g. rather small, and fully portable, dependent on the usage purpose of the specific model. This enables usage of the user interface and the telephone in any circumstances where it is convenient or more suitable to operate the telephone from the user interface and have the telephone positioned or placed somewhere else. For example in a tough working or leisure environment such as a construction site or on a beach, it may be advantageous to have the telephone protected in a case or a pocket whereas it operated via a user interface unit that is adapted to the circumstances of usage. For example, the user interface unit can be manufactured in water protected, particle protected or shock protected design and be usable together with any telephone model that is provided with short distance communication means for wireless communication with the user interface unit. In one embodiment, the user interface unit comprises housing and an electrical connector that detachably fit to a holder for the interface unit. The holder is a docking unit that is electrically connected to peripheral equipment such as audio functionality of bands free equipment, a vehicle entertainment system or a vehicle information system. The holder and the housing can be designed per se and the holder be connected to the electrical wiring of peripheral equipment. Alternatively, the housing can be adapted to fit to holders designed to fit and dock a telephone unit. The latter embodiment would thus fit to existing holders of for example hands free equipment and this equipment is thereby upgradable to operate with a wireless communication with the telephone unit via the user interface unit of the invention. A further development of this embodiment comprises an adapter piece for adapting shape fitting and connector fitting between a holder and the user interface unit. Thereby, the user interface unit is adaptable to fit a holder for example designed for docking a particular model or model series of telephone. One embodiment of the adapter piece further comprises circuitry configured to adapt a first signal format for peripheral equipment of a first manufacture to a second signal format for a user interface unit of a second manufacture, and vice versa. Similarly, one embodiment of the user interface unit is provided with circuitry configured to adapt a first signal format for a telephone unit of a first manufacture to a second signal format for a user interface unit of a second manufacture, and vice versa. One aspect of the invention solves the problem aspect that in some applications the user interface of the telephone unit is inappropriate or insufficient for the purpose of the application. One typical such kind of application is for example game applications, that is when the processing power of the telephone is used to run a game and the user interface unit can be configured to an appropriate input/output game interface. Similarly, mobile Internet applications and the like would also benefit from having the more versatile and handy input/output functionality of the user interface unit. Another aspect of the invention solves the problem aspect that for some reasons or in some specific situations it may be inappropriate to use the transmitter or the antenna part of the telephone close to the user or close to the head of the user. For example, the signal circumstances may be such that the telephone unit is incapable of receiving a signal from the base station in the position where the user wants to or has to be situated. With the user interface unit of the invention, the telephone unit can thus be placed in a suitable position or place and conveniently be operated by means of the separate user interface. The invention thus enables that a telephone unit and/or peripheral equipment are upgraded or supplemented with an enhanced user interface to a comparatively low cost and without any costly installation. From an environmental point of view it is also environmentally beneficial to upgrade and use existing products rather than changing and throwing them away. As mentioned above, different configurations and usage situations are conceivable for the invention. For example, the user interface unit may thus be used as a complementary or enhanced user interface to the telephone with the user interface unit docked to a car hands free system and the telephone unit placed somewhere in the car. The user interface can be detached from the hands free system, and as it is portable it can be handed over and used as a telephone interface for example by other passengers somewhere in the car. Similarly, the user interface unit and the telephone unit can be used in any outdoors or indoors situation. According to an aspect of the invention, the user interface unit is adaptable to personal characteristics, properties or needs. So for example, a disabled person may need a user interface of a certain design, size or disposition of the keys. A person having an impaired vision may need to have keys and visual feedback information in a certain, perhaps variable size or colour. In an embodiment for the purpose of the latter case, the circuitry of the user interface unit comprises software and hardware for adapting a possibly touch sensitive screen to the specific need. According to a further aspect of the invention, the user interface unit is adapted to provide different selectable or controllable extent of functionality or operability of the telephone. Thus, there may for example be different modes of operation of the telephone via the user interface apparatus, for example a fist mode of operations with a limited selection of operability that is adapted to a safe driving situation, and a second mode of operation with full operability of the telephone. The selection or mode of operation is advantageously controlled dependent on the position of the user interface unit, such as a limited functionality mode of operation is activated when the user interface unit is placed in a car holder and else full functionality mode of operations is activated. Aspects and embodiments of the invention further comprise different combinations of features as follows. Described with its basic features the invention concerns a user interface apparatus for remote control of a telephone ( 104 ), comprising input means ( 101 B) adapted for inputting telephone control signals; a display ( 101 A) for outputting visual information, communications means ( 102 ) adapted for short distance wireless signal communication; and circuitry ( 103 ) adapted to convey input telephone control signals and display control signals between the user interface apparatus ( 100 ) and the telephone ( 104 ) by means of said short distance wireless signal communication means ( 102 ). The circuitry ( 103 ) is configured to adapt the input and output signals of the user interface apparatus to have the same properties as corresponding signals of the telephone ( 104 ). The user interface apparatus further comprises an electrical connector ( 105 ) coupled to the circuitry ( 103 ) and adapted to connect to signal lines ( 107 , 109 ) from peripheral equipment ( 108 ). For the purpose of detachable docking, the user interface apparatus preferably further comprises mechanical attachment means ( 118 ) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means of a holder. Preferably, the user interface comprises mechanical attachment means ( 118 ) adapted for detachably attaching the user interface apparatus to corresponding attachment means ( 119 ) of a docking unit ( 110 ), and an electrical connector ( 105 ) coupled to the circuitry ( 103 ) and adapted to connect to a corresponding electrical connector of said docking unit ( 110 ). The inventive concept of the user interface apparatus may further comprise a docking unit ( 110 ) adapted for detachably coupling mechanical attachment means ( 118 , 119 ) and for electrically coupling electrical connectors ( 105 , 111 ) of said docking unit ( 110 ) and a user interface unit ( 100 ), respectively. The user interface apparatus is preferably adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone ( 104 ) and peripheral equipment ( 108 ). For example, the user interface apparatus is adapted to be intermediately coupled between and conveying signals between the telephone ( 104 ) and a peripheral equipment being a bands free system ( 112 ); between the telephone ( 104 ) and a peripheral equipment being a vehicle information system ( 116 ); or between the telephone ( 104 ) and a peripheral equipment being an entertainment system ( 117 ). Preferred embodiments of the user interface apparatus are further adapted to be coupled to a peripheral equipment being a power supply ( 128 ). For the purpose of fully wireless usage of the user interface apparatus, it may further comprise a connector slot ( 126 ) for a battery, said connector slot being coupled to the circuitry ( 103 ). The connector slot ( 126 ) is preferably coupled to the electrical connector ( 105 ) for connecting to a charging peripheral power supply ( 128 ). Such an embodiment may also comprise a microphone ( 130 ) and a loudspeaker ( 132 ) coupled to the circuitry ( 103 ), or an input connector ( 134 ) coupled to the circuitry ( 103 ) for connecting a headset For the purpose of adapting a user interface unit of a first type to a docking unit of a second type there are the following varieties of the invention. The user interface apparatus may comprise an adapter piece ( 202 ) configured to mechanically and electrically fit to first mechanical and electrical couplings ( 203 , 201 ) of a user interface unit ( 200 ) and to second mechanical and electrical couplings ( 205 , 206 ) of a docking unit ( 204 ). It may further comprise an adapter piece ( 202 ) having first mechanical attachment means ( 212 ) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding first mechanical attachment means ( 203 ) of a user interface unit ( 100 ) and second mechanical attachment means ( 214 ) adapted for detachably attaching to corresponding second mechanical attachment means ( 206 ) of a docking unit. The an adapter piece ( 202 ) preferably also has a first electrical connector ( 208 ) adapted for connecting to a corresponding first electrical connector ( 201 ) of a user interface unit ( 100 ) and a second electrical connector ( 210 ) adapted for detachably attaching to a corresponding second electrical connector ( 205 ) of a docking unit. The user interface apparatus may further comprise a an circuitry ( 103 , 216 ) configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit ( 200 ) to second signals of peripheral equipment, and vice versa. Alternatively, an adapter piece ( 202 ) may have circuitry configured to adapt first signals of a user interface unit ( 200 ) to second signals of a docking unit 204 . In an embodiment the display ( 101 A) is touch sensitive and together with the circuitry ( 103 ) is configured to realise input keys ( 101 B) for said input means. The user interface apparatus further comprises a portable housing ( 1 ) for housing said components. The short distance wireless communication means ( 102 ) is preferably based on short distance radio communication, for example according to the Bluetooth standard. The short distance wireless communication means ( 102 ) may also be based on infra red signal communication. In one embodiment the user interface apparatus is further adapted to provide a first mode of operation with a first set of functionality and a second mode of operation with a second set of functionality, said second set of functionality being a subset of said first set of functionality. Preferably, said second mode of operation is activated in response to the user interface being attached to a docking unit.

20051028

20120605

20070222

94409.0

H04M100

BATISTA, MARCOS

USER INTERFACE UNIT FOR A TELEPHONE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04M

ACCEPTED

Basidiomycetes, basidiomycetes extract composition, health foods, and immunopotentiators

Basidiomycetes which is a novel mushroom having an excellent immunopotentiating action, etc., a Basidiomycetes extract composition, and health foods and immunopotentiators using the Basidiomycetes extract composition are provided. Basidiomycetes has no basidium forming potential. In particular, Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011. A Basidiomycetes extract composition is extracted from them with an extraction solvent including at least one solvent selected from water and a hydrophilic solvent.

1.-12. (canceled) 13. Basidiomycetes, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-1001 1, and has no basidium forming potential. 14. A Basidiomycetes extract composition characterized by being extracted from Basidiomycetes, which is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-1001 1 and has no basidium forming potential, with an extraction solvent including at least one solvent selected from water and a hydrophilic solvent. 15. The Basidiomycetes extract composition according to claim 14, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes extract composition is obtained by heating and extraction. 16. The Basidiomycetes extract composition according to claim 14, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes extract composition is obtained by pressurization and extraction. 17. The Basidiomycetes extract composition according to claim 15, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes extract composition is obtained by pressurization and extraction. 18. A health food characterized by containing, as an active ingredient, a Basidiomycetes extract composition extracted from Basidiomycetes which is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011 and has no basidium forming potential. 19. The health food according to claim 18, characterized in that the health food is in a form selected from a drink form, a snack form, a concentrated extract form, a powder, granules, tablets, and capsules. 20. An immunopotentiator characterized by containing, as an active ingredient, a Basidiomycetes extract composition extracted from Basidiomycetes which is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011 and has no basidium forming potential. 21. Edible Basidiomycetes comprising a hypha mass formed by culturing the Basidiomycetes of claim 13.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to Basidiomycetes which is a novel mushroom (mushroom and other fungi will be collectively referred to hereinafter as mushroom) and has properties such as an immunomodulating effect, a Basidiomycetes extract composition, and health foods and immunopotentiators using the Basidiomycetes extract composition. BACKGROUND ART Mushrooms have been used frequently since olden days as food materials having unique flavors and odors. They have also been used as Chinese herbal medicines as having physiological function activating actions, such as enhancement of immunocompetence, antimicrobial activity, control of biorhythm, and prevention of senescence, or as folk medicines for certain types of diseases. Studies of pharmacological ingredients concerned with mushrooms are in progress, resulting in the discovery of ingredients showing antibacterial and antiviral actions, a cardiotonic action, a hypoglycemic action, a cholesterol lowering action, an antithrombotic action, and an antihypertensive action. Proposals have been made for compositions which are usable as medicines, health foods, etc. and which comprise a mixture of dry products or extracts of two or more mushrooms selected from edible mushrooms among basidiomycetes, especially, Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing., Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Quel., Pholiota nameko (T. Ito) S. Ito et Imai, Grifola frondosa, Flammulina velutipes (Curt. ex Fr.) Sing., and Hypsizigus marmoreus (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1999-152230). In recent years, Agaricus Blazei murill (hereinafter referred to as agaricus mushroom), Phellinus linteus (Berk. et Curt) Tehg (hereinafter referred to as mesimacobu) and so on have attracted attention as having an anticancer action. For examples, proposals have been put forward for a method for high-yield cultivation of mushrooms of the genus Phellinus such as mesimacobu (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1999-262329), a method for culturing mesimacobu mycelia for obtaining large amounts of mycelia of mesimacobu (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-178448) and a method for efficiently extracting ingredients contained in agaricus mushroom by use of ultrasonic waves (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-278805). As described above, various mushrooms have drawn attention as having an anticancer action, etc. However, they are not decisively effective, and the advent of mushrooms having a better effect is desired. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been accomplished in the light of the above-mentioned circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide Basidiomycetes which is a novel mushroom having an excellent immunopotentiating action, etc., a Basidiomycetes extract composition, and health foods and immunopotentiators using the Basidiomycetes extract composition. A first aspect of the present invention, for attaining the above object, lies in Basidiomycetes characterized by having no basidium forming potential. A second aspect of the present invention lies in the Basidiomycetes of the first aspect, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011. A third aspect of the present invention lies in a Basidiomycetes extract composition characterized by being extracted from Basidiomycetes, which has no basidium forming potential, with an extraction solvent including at least one solvent selected from water and a hydrophilic solvent. A fourth aspect of the present invention lies in the Basidiomycetes extract composition of the third aspect, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011. A fifth aspect of the present invention lies in the Basidiomycetes extract composition of the third or fourth aspect, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes extract composition is obtained by heating and extraction. A sixth aspect of the present invention lies in the Basidiomycetes extract composition of any one of the third to fifth aspects, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes extract composition is obtained by pressurization and extraction. A seventh aspect of the present invention lies in a health food characterized by containing, as an active ingredient, a Basidiomycetes extract-composition extracted from Basidiomycetes having no basidium forming potential. An eighth aspect of the present invention lies in the health food of the seventh aspect, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011. A ninth aspect of the present invention lies in the health food of the seventh or eighth aspect, characterized in that the health food is in a form selected from a drink form, a snack form, a concentrated extract form, a powder, granules, tablets, and capsules. A tenth aspect of the present invention lies in an immunopotentiator characterized by containing, as an active ingredient, a Basidiomycetes extract composition extracted from Basidiomycetes having no basidium forming potential. An eleventh aspect of the present invention lies in, the immunopotentiator of the tenth aspect, characterized in that the Basidiomycetes is Basidiomycetes-X FERM BP-10011. A twelfth aspect of the present invention lies in edible Basidiomycetes comprising a hypha mass formed by culturing the Basidiomycetes of the first or second aspect. Basidiomycetes-X of the present invention described above contains large amounts of polysaccharides (β-D-glucan) and has high antioxidant activity, OH radical elimination activity, and an immunomodulating effect. This organism is preferred when used in health foods and immunopotentiators which can be expected to exhibit pharmacological efficacy, such as prevention of senescence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 1. FIG. 2 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 2. FIG. 3 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 3. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the mode of administration in Test Example 4. FIG. 5 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 4. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT INVENTION Basidiomycetes, referred to in the present invention, is a basidiomycete, and has properties such that it has no basidium forming potential, although beak-shaped processes (clamps) are observed. In these respects, this basidiomycete is distinguished from other basidiomycetes. That is, even when cultured, Basidiomycetes does not form basidia, and only forms sclerotia (hypha masses). Such Basidiomycetes was obtained as a result of search for microorganisms in the natural world. It was isolated, and deposited with International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, as Basidiomycetes-X (Accession No.: FERM BP-10011). The organism according to the present invention forms no conidia, namely, has no asexual generation. That is, when this organism is cultured on a potato glucose agar medium, cultured hyphae have clamps, and are smooth, but form no conidia, and form no fruit bodies. When the shape and color of the colony surface are observed, a light pink hypha mass is formed in the colony. If a plurality of hypha masses are formed within the colony which has grown concentrically from the site of inoculation, the hypha masses are interconnected by mycelial strands. The color of the back of the colony is light pink. When this organism is cultured on a glucose-dry yeast agar medium, cultured hyphae have clamps, and are smooth, but form no conidia, and form no fruit bodies. When the shape and color of the colony surface are observed, light pink to white hypha masses are formed in the colony. Hypha masses of 5 to 6 mm in thickness are formed, with the site of inoculation as a center. The color of the back of the colony is light pink to white. The optimum growth conditions for the organism of the present invention are, for example, pH 5.0 to 6.0 and a temperature of 22 to 26° C. The growth range is, for example, pH 4.0 to 7.5 and a temperature of 5 to 30° C. Basidiomycetes, the organism according to the present invention, can be cultured by an ordinary method, and the method of its culture is not limited. The Basidiomycetes extract composition of the present invention may be any cell contents extracted from hypha masses obtained by culturing Basidiomycetes, and the method of extraction is not limited. To extract cell contents from the hypha masses with high efficiency, it is preferred to damage cell walls, for example, by freezing of the hypha masses, if desired, thaw the frozen masses, and then crush them by means of a mixer or the like, followed by extraction. The method of extraction is not limited, but extraction is performed at room temperature, or under heating conditions, or under pressure, with the use of water, a lower alcohol or the like, or an extraction solution further incorporating an acid, an alkali or other additive. Generally, the crushed product is simmered in hot water for extraction, or the crushed product mixed with water or alcohol, or water incorporating an alkali is extracted under pressure, for example, of the order of 100 MPa to 700 MPa, preferably, 300 MPa to 600 MPa. An example of extraction in hot water will be described. For example, frozen Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses are thawed at room temperature; and crushed using a mixer. The ratio of the crushed Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses to water as an extraction solvent is set, for example, at 1:5. For example, 50 g of the crushed Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses are placed in a glass bottle, 250 ml of water is added, and the glass bottle is covered with a lid. A towel is spread at the bottom of a pan, water is poured over the towel, and the glass bottle filled with the crushed hypha masses is placed on the towel, followed by heating and boiling. After boiling, heating is continued for 90 minutes. After cooling, the solids and liquid are separated to obtain a Basidiomycetes-X extract. The pH of the extract shows, for example, 6.3 to 6.5. The resulting extract is concentrated, where necessary, to obtain a Basidiomycetes extract composition. Concentration of the extract is not limited, but is performed, for example, in the following manner: The resulting Basidiomycetes-X extract is transferred into a beaker, and heated and evaporated for concentration. At this time, the extract shows a light beige to brown color, and begins to bubble vigorously. However, evaporation and concentration are continued further, and concentration is completed, for example, at a time when the concentrated extract becomes tarry at pH 4.9 and a density of 1.25 g/cm3. The concentrated extract gives off a soy sauce-like odor. The yield of the concentrated extract from the Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses at this point in time is an average of 12%. The thus obtained concentrated extract becomes very viscous as it cools. Thus, the concentrated extract needs to be transferred into a storage container at the same time as the completion of concentration. The concentrated extract transferred into the storage container is preferably cooled as it is, and then stored in a refrigerated or frozen state. The Basidiomycetes extract composition of the present invention can be used in health foods or medicines, such as immunopotentiators, in the form of, for example, drinks, snacks, concentrated extract, powder, granules, tablets, or capsules. The amount of the Basidiomycetes extract composition added may be set, as appropriate, in accordance with uses, and is not limited. Furthermore, hypha masses obtained by culturing Basidiomycetes, which is the organism according to the present invention, can be used for eating purposes, and are excellent in taste and organoleptic sensation. The Basidiomycetes of the present invention, when cultured, forms hypha masses in accordance with an environment where it is cultured. That is, when the Basidiomycetes is cultured in a vessel of a predetermined shape, hypha masses of the shape of the vessel are obtained. Thus, edible Basidiomycetes easy to use for eating purposes is obtained. The resulting edible Basidiomycetes may be used raw as a food material, or may be used in a frozen or dried state as a food material, but preferably, is used as a raw material or a frozen material. In connection with the method of culture, the Basidiomycetes can be cultured by an ordinary method as stated earlier, and the culture method is not limited. For example, however, an agar medium, a sawdust medium, or a liquid medium, which has been supplemented with a suitable nutrient source and sterilized, is aseptically inoculated with a cultured strain of the invented organism, or the seed organism, and the inoculum is cultured under appropriate temperature conditions, whereby hypha masses of Basidiomycetes-X can be obtained. The method of cooking the edible Basidiomycetes used as a food material is not limited. However, the edible Basidiomycetes can be cooked in the same various ways as for ordinary mushrooms, such as simmering, pan-frying, roasting, and deep-frying, without any limitations. Since the edible Basidiomycetes gives an excellent organoleptic sensation and does not taste characteristically, it can be used widely in various prepared foods. Eating the edible Basidiomycetes is needless to say, assumed to obtain the same effect as when eating the Basidiomycetes extract composition. EXAMPLES The present invention will now be described more concretely with reference to the examples offered below. Examples 1 to 4 represent cultivation examples of Basidiomycetes-X, and Examples 5 to 9 represent extraction examples. Example 1 Separation from Hypha Masses (1) Preparation of Culture Media PSA and PDA culture media were prepared in accordance with the formulations shown in Table 1. Each of the culture media was dispensed into test tubes or Erlenmeyer flasks. Then, silicon caps (or cotton stoppers) were applied, and the stoppered containers were subjected to high pressure steam sterilization in an autoclave for 20 minutes at 121° C. Then, the test tubes were inclined while hot after sterilization to form slant media. On the other hand, the Erlenmeyer flasks were allowed to stand to form plate media. TABLE 1 PSA culture medium PDA culture medium Extract of 200 g of potatoes Extract of 200 g of potatoes boiled for 20 minutes boiled for 20 minutes 20 g sucrose 20 g glucose 15 g agar 15 g agar Total amount 1 liter Total amount 1 liter (2) Separation from Hypha Masses Larger Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses were broken manually, and slices were cut from Basidiomycetes-X sections with a scalpel which had been flame sterilized and cooled. The PDA and PSA slant media of (1) were each inoculated with the Basidiomycetes-X slices using tweezers which had been flame sterilized and cooled. This procedure was performed under aseptic conditions within an aseptic box or a clean bench. (3) Culture The inoculum was cultured in an incubator at 24° C., and found to generate the organism in 24 to 48 hours. After generation of the organism, culture was continued at 24° C. Hyphae grew on the agar media in 14 days. Example 2 Culture on Sawdust Medium for Hypha Mass Production (1) Culture of Seed Organism Water was added to 1 liter of sawdust, 15 g of defatted bran, 15 g of wheat bran, and 5 g of SANPEARL (hypha activator, Nippon Paper Industries), and the mixture was vigorously stirred. This mixture for culture was adjusted such that when it was firmly gripped, water exuded (moisture content of the mixture: about 70%) , whereby a sawdust medium was prepared. This culture medium was placed in an Erlenmeyer flask, which was covered with a silicon cap. Then, the Erlenmeyer flask was subjected to high pressure steam sterilization in an autoclave for 40 minutes at 121° C. Twenty-four hours after the sterilization, Basidiomycetes-X hyphae during culture on the slant media in Example 1 were inoculated into the sawdust medium within an aseptic box by an aseptic operation. The inoculation was carried out such that no damage was caused to the hyphae, with a sterilized triangular knife being used to cut off a part of the slant medium. The density of the inoculation was 20 to 30% of the surface area of the sawdust medium. When the inoculum was cultured at 24° C., the organism was generated in 3 days (in 5 days at the latest). After a lapse of 30 days, the sawdust medium in the Erlenmeyer flask was full of the organism. (3) Generation of Hypha Masses A sawdust medium was prepared in the same manner as in (1). This culture medium was placed in a polypropylene bottle, which was stoppered, and subjected to high pressure steam sterilization in an autoclave for 40 minutes at 121° C. Twenty-four hours after the sterilization, the seed organism cultured in (1) was inoculated into the sawdust medium in the polypropylene bottle by an aseptic operation within an aseptic box after aseptic treatment. The density of the inoculation was such that the surface area of the sawdust medium was nearly covered with the inoculum. When the inoculum was cultured at 24° C., the organism was generated in 48 hours. After a lapse of 60 days, the entire sawdust medium within the polypropylene bottle was full of hyphae. After a further lapse of 40 to 50 days, hyphae spread on the inner wall of the polypropylene bottle, forming mycelial strands. When culture was continued further, hypha masses were formed. Example 3 Culture on Liquid Medium for Hypha Mass Production Potatoes (200 g) cut to a size of 1 cm square were boiled using purified water, followed by heating for 20 minutes. After cooling, the solids and the liquid were separated, and distilled water was added to the resulting potato leachate and 20 g of sucrose to give a total amount of 1 liter, thereby preparing a liquid medium. This liquid medium was dispensed in an amount of 5 ml each into test tubes. The test tubes were covered with silicon caps, and sterilized (high pressure steam sterilization for 20 minute at 121° C. or atmospheric pressure steam sterilization for 8 hours at 100° C.). Then, the liquid media were inoculated by an aseptic operation within an aseptic box after aseptic treatment such that the lower ends of slices of Basidiomycetes-X during culture on the slant media in Example 1 contacted the liquid media. When the inoculum was cultured at 24° C., the organism was generated in 48, hours. Upon further culture, hypha masses were formed in contact with the liquid media. Example 4 Culture on Agar Medium for Hypha Mass Production Potatoes (200 g) cut to a size of 1 cm square were boiled using purified water, followed by heating for 20 minutes. After cooling, the solids and the liquid were separated, and distilled water was added to the resulting potato leachate, 20 g of sucrose, and 1 g (0.1%) agar to give a total amount of 1 liter, thereby preparing an agar medium. Normally, to prepare an agar medium, 1.5 to 2.0% of agar (15 to 20 g based on 1 liter of the resulting medium) is added, but 0.1% of agar was added to facilitate separation of hypha masses after culture and the agar medium, and also to maintain the physical strength of the liquid medium because slices of Basidiomycetes-X tend to settle out in the liquid medium. This 0.1% agar medium was dispensed in an amount of 5 ml each into test tubes. The test tubes were covered with silicon caps, and then subjected to high pressure steam sterilization for 20 minute at 121° C. Then, slices were cut from Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses during culture on the slant media in Example 1, and inoculated into the 0.1% agar media by an aseptic operation within an aseptic box after aseptic treatment. When the inoculum was cultured at 24° C., the organism was generated in 48 hours. Upon further culture, hypha masses were formed. Example 5 Production of Concentrated Basidiomycetes-X Extract Composition by Decoction To cause damage to the cell walls of the hyphae and facilitate the leaching-out of the cell contents, fresh Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses were refrigerated or frozen. The frozen Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses were thawed at room temperature, and crushed using a mixer. The crushed Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses (50 g) were placed in a glass bottle, 250 ml of water was added, and the glass bottle was covered with a lid. A towel was spread at the bottom of a pan, water was poured over the towel, and the glass bottle filled with the crushed hypha masses was placed on the towel, followed by heating and boiling. After boiling, heating was continued for 90 minutes. After cooling, the solids and liquid were separated to obtain a Basidiomycetes-X extract composition. The pH of the extract was 6.3 to 6.5. The resulting Basidiomycetes-X extract composition was transferred into a beaker, and concentrated upon heating and evaporation. The extract composition showed a light beige to brown color, and began to bubble vigorously. However, evaporation and concentration were continued further, and concentration was completed at a time when the concentrated extract composition became tarry at pH 4.9 and a density of 1.25 g/cm3. The concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition gave off a soy sauce-like odor. The yield of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition from the Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses at this point in time was an average of 12%. The Basidiomycetes-X extract composition becomes very viscous as it cools. Thus, simultaneously with the completion of concentration, the concentrate was transferred into a storage container and, after cooling, was stored as such in a refrigerated or frozen state. Example 6 Production of Basidiomycetes-X Extract Composition by Decoction To cause damage to the cell walls of the hyphae and facilitate the leaching-out of the cell contents, fresh Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses were refrigerated or frozen. Then, the frozen Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses were thawed at room temperature. The Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses (wet weight 20 g) after thawing were weighed, cut to a size of 0.5 cm square, and placed in a beaker. After 100 ml of water was added, the contents of the beaker were cooked gently at 90° C., and the solution was boiled down to a half of the original amount. Then, water was added to restore the original amount. The mixture was filtered through a gauze to remove the solids. Then, the filtrate was sealed up, and stored in a refrigerator for use as a Basidiomycetes-X extract composition of Example 6. Example 7 Production of Basidiomycetes-X Extract Composition by High Pressure Treatment The Basidiomycetes-X hypha masses (wet weight 20 g) treated in the same manner as in Example 6 were taken into a vinyl bag, and 100 ml of water was added. Then, the vinyl bag was deaerated under reduced pressure, and sealed. The vinyl bag was set in an ultra-high pressure apparatus (a product of Kobe Steel; capable of treatment at 700 MPa), and treated for 10 minutes at a hydrostatic pressure of 400 MPa. The treated mixture was filtered through a gauze, and the filtrate was stored in a refrigerated state for use as a Basidiomycetes-X extract composition of Example 7. Example 8 Production of Basidiomycetes-X Extract Composition by High Pressure Treatment A composition produced in the same manner as in Example 7, except for treatment at a hydrostatic pressure of 600 MPa, was put to use as a Basidiomycetes-X extract composition of Example 8. Example 9 Production of Basidiomycetes-X Extract Composition by High Pressure Treatment A composition produced in the same manner as in Example 8, except for the use of 100 ml of a 0.1% KCl aqueous solution instead of 100 ml of water, was put to use as a Basidiomycetes-X extract composition of Example 9. Test Example 1 Measurement of Active Oxygen (Hydroxy Radicals) Elimination Activity The activity of eliminating hydroxy radicals was measured by ESR (electron spin resonance) using H2O2/UV as a hydroxy radical generation source, and dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trapper. DMPO (40 mM) and 20 mM of hydrogen peroxide were added to a constant amount of the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition in each of Examples 6 to 9, and purified water was added to give a total amount of 300 μl. The mixture was irradiated with UV (band width 20 nm) at a wavelength of 245 nm, and the resulting hydroxy radical addition product of DMPO was observed for ESR signals. Based on changes in the intensity of the signals, the hydroxy radical elimination activity of the extract composition was determined. The results are shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the larger the amount of the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition, the higher the elimination rate of the hydroxy radicals became. Example 7, which involved extraction by high pressure treatment at 400 MPa in a water solvent, obtained the highest hydroxy radical elimination rate. Test Example 2 Measurement of Active Oxygen (Superoxide Anion Radicals) Elimination Activity The activity of eliminating superoxide anion radicals was measured by ESR (electron spin resonance) in accordance with the spin-trap method using a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system as a superoxide anion radical generation system, and DMPO as a spin trapper. DMPO (0.3 mM), 0.5 mM of hypoxanthine, and 1 mM of diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA) were added to a constant amount of the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition in each of Examples 6 to 9, and 0.2M PBS was added to give a total amount of 300 μl. Xanthine oxidase was added in a concentration of 0.1 unit/ml, and the resulting DMPO-OOH (superoxide anion radical addition product of DMPO) was observed for ESR signals. Based on changes in the intensity of the signals, the elimination activity of the extract composition was determined. The results are shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the larger the amount of the extract composition, the higher the elimination rate of the superoxide anion radicals became. Example 7, which involved extraction by high pressure treatment at 400 MPa in a water solvent, obtained the highest superoxide anion radical elimination rate. These results were similar to those in Test Example 1. Test Example 3 Measurement of Active Oxygen (Hydroxy Radicals) Elimination Activity The activity of eliminating hydroxy radicals was measured by the ESR spin-trap method using Fenton reaction as a hydroxy radical generation source, and DMPO as a spin trapper. Dimethylpyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) (20 mM), 10 mM of hydrogen peroxide, and 0.1 mM of FeSO4 were added to a constant amount (10 or 20 μl) each of an extract obtained by decocting and extracting dried agaricus (a product of Truffle Japan) under the same conditions as in Example 6, an extract obtained by decocting and extracting dried reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum (Leyss. ex Fr.) Karst.; a product of Truffle Japan) under the same conditions as in Example 6, and the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition in each of Examples 6 to 9. Purified water was further added to give a total amount of 300 μl, and the resulting mixture was used as an assay sample. Based on changes in the intensity of the signals of DMPO-OH (a hydroxy radical addition product of DMPO) one minute after addition of FeSO4, the elimination activity was determined. The results are shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, Example 6, which involved extraction by decoction, was not successful in estimating detailed elimination activity, because the extract of Example 6, when at a low concentration, interacted with iron ions as did the reishi mushroom extract, and caused increases in, rather than the elimination of, DMPO-OH signals. When the extract of Example 6 was used at a high concentration minimal in influence on the signals, and was compared with the other extracts, the extract of Example 6 showed comparable elimination activity to that of the agaricus extract. Examples 7 to 9 involving extraction by high pressure treatment gave higher elimination activity than did agaricus and reishi mushroom. Test Example 4 Measurement of Immunomodulating Effect Mice used were C3H/HeJ mice of CLEA Japan. C3H/HeJ mice show deteriorated immunity when elderly. In the present study, “retirees” (20 to 30 week old) were used as elderly mice. The concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition of Example 5 was used as Basidiomycetes-X. For this assay, Associate Professor Akira Yanagawa, Applied Pharmacology Lab., 3rd Dept. Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna Univ. School of Medicine cooperated, and performed work unpaid. The retiree mice were divided into groups of 10 mice, and allocated to a Basidiomycetes-X treatment group administered the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition in a dose of 0.2 ml once daily, and a control group receiving 0.2 ml physiological saline once daily. The Basidiomycetes-X or physiological saline was administered orally for 14 consecutive days using a stomach tube. Ten days after initiation of the treatment, 0.1 ml of 10% sheep red blood cells (SRBC) diluted with phosphate buffered physiological saline (PBS) (i.e., cell count 2×108) was administered intraperitoneally to the mice. After a lapse of 4.5 days, mouse splenic cells were removed, and the number of plaque forming cells (PFC) was counted by the method of Jerne. The PFC count was compared with that in the control group. The results of measurement of the PFC count in the control group are shown in Table 2, and the results of measurement of the PFC count in the Basidiomycetes-X treatment group are shown in Table 3. A schematic view of the modes of administration of Basidiomycetes-X or physiological saline, and SRBC is shown in FIG. 4. The results of assay are shown in FIG. 5. TABLE 2 Cell count Cell in cell suspension suspension seeded PFC (×106 into Petri (/Petri PFC (/106 cells) No. cells/ml) dish (ml) dish) Individual Mean SD 1 31 0.2 0 0 2 51.25 0.03 10.33 6.72 3 59.75 0.03 198.98 110.98 4 53.65 0.03 150.68 93.59 5 76.15 0.03 162.54 71.13 75.399 62.98075 6 42 0.2 0 0 7 62.65 0.03 148.76 79.13 8 26.25 0.03 126.36 160.36 9 38.25 0.03 203.42 177.12 10 63.45 0.03 104.64 54.96 *PFC/Petri dish ÷ (cell suspension seeded into Petri dish × cell count in cell suspension) = PFC individual TABLE 3 Cell count Cell in cell suspension suspension seeded PFC (×106 into Petri (/Petri PFC (/106 cells) No. cells/ml) dish (ml) dish) Individual Mean SD 1 20 0.03 263.33 438.88 2 30.75 0.2 8078.4 1077.12 3 55.25 0.2 4125.6 373.36 4 41.5 0.03 483 387.95 5 32 0.03 565.33 588.89 1345.9 1495.324 6 43.5 0.03 826.34 633.21 7 62 0.2 6236.42 502.9 8 53.45 0.03 7326.6 4567.77 9 36.5 0.2 9236.6 1265.53 10 79.75 0.03 8672 3626.39 As shown in Tables 2 and 3, the Basidiomycetes-X treatment group showed the PFV value of 1345.9 and the SD value of 1495.324, which were about 20 times those in the control group showing the PFC mean value of 75.399 and the SD value of 62.98075. Two-sided test according to equal distribution in Student T test showed Basidiomycetes-X to increase the PFC count significantly at P=0.023363 (p<0.05). The experiments of the present study demonstrated the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition to increase the PFC count significantly in comparison with the physiological saline in the control group. The PFC experimental method using C3H/HeJ mice is the method commonly practiced as a standard screening method for testing the immunomodulating potential. The increase in the PFC count in the aged mice showed that the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition enhances compromised immunocompetence. Test Example 5 Course of Immunocompetence Parameters in Cancer Patients The course of immunocompetence parameters in cancer patients (case 1 to case 6) was monitored during treatment with the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition of Example 5 to investigate the immunopotentiating effect of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition. For this study, Associate Professor Akira Yanagawa, Applied Pharmacology Lab., 3rd Dept., Institute of Medical Science, St. Marianna Univ. School of Medicine, cooperated, and performed work unpaid. Concretely, 1 ml of purified water was added to 1 ml of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition, and the mixture was orally administered 3 times daily, after each meal. This treatment lasted for 3 weeks. As immunocompetence parameters, BML (BML, Inc.) was asked to measure the following items before and after treatment on a blind basis. The results are shown in Tables 4 to 15. The six patients with cancer were all different in the primary lesion of cancer. Since it bears no meaning to calculate the mean value of these six patients, the values of the individual patients were enumerated. As NK cells: Two color (as activity evaluation of NK cells) CD57+CD16+(%) NK activity moderate CD57+CD16−(%) NK activity weak CD57−CD16+(%) NK activity strong CD57−CD16−(%) As total activated NK cell count: CD3+HLA-DR+(%) Activated CD3 cells Besides, the leukocyte count, the lymphocytes (%) and lymphocyte count in the leukocyte differential count were also measured. Furthermore, the cooperative patients were requested to enter in diaries changes in symptoms during treatment. (Case 1) In July 2000, total sigmoidectomy was performed for sigmoid colon cancer. In 2002, recurrent carcinoma was confirmed during operation for parietal cicatricial hernia. Then, ileus frequently occurred. TABLE 4 NK cell system Two color (activity evaluation of NK cells) Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD57+CD16+(%) NK 6.6% (149) 8.0% (250) activity moderate CD57+CD16−(%) NK 17.6% (396) 17.6% (549) activity weak CD57−CD16+(%) NK 4.6% (104) 4.1% (128) activity strong CD57−CD16−(%) 71.2% 70.3% TABLE 5 As total activated NK cell count Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD3+HLA−DR+(%) 9.9% (223) 10.6% (331) Activated CD3 cells In case 1, the lymphocytes having moderate and weak NK cell activity were markedly increased as compared with the pretreatment levels. The CD57−CD16+ cells having strong NK activity showed the post-treatment value of 4.1%, apparently indicating a decrease in %. However, the actual count of lymphocytes increased from 104 to 128. In regard to the CD3+HLA-DR+ cells as an object of assay for the entire profile of NK cells, the post-treatment value was 10.6% (331), showing an increase over the pretreatment value of 9.9% (223). (Case 2) Total resection of left breast cancer was performed in October 1999. Then, the carcinoma relapsed, and has currently metastasized to the lung, bone, brain, and meninx. Even after radiotherapy for meningeal dissemination, cranial nerve paralysis made the patient bedridden. Spinal cord metastasis also caused progressive right upper limb paralysis. The systemic condition is severely poor for terminal cancer. TABLE 6 NK cell system Two color (as activity evaluation of NK cells) Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD57+CD16+(%) NK 12.6% (136) 9.4% (111) activity moderate CD57+CD16−(%) NK 5.76% (62) 6.8% (80) activity weak CD57−CD16+(%) NK 9.4% (102) 7.0% (83) activity strong CD57−CD16−(%) 72.3% 76.8% TABLE 7 As total activated NK cell count Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD3+HLA−DR+(%) 5.7% (62) 3.6% (43) Activated CD3 cells In case 2, the influence of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition on NK cells was not observed. (Case 3) In August 2001, mucinous cystadenocarcinoma and bilateral metastatic ovarian tumor necessitated resection. Then, carcinomatous peritoneal dissemination and carcinomatous inflammation resulted in large amounts of ascitic retention. Currently, the patient is bedridden because of terminal cancer. TABLE 8 NK cell system Two color (as activity evaluation of NK cells) Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD57+CD16+(%) NK 5.5% 5.8% activity moderate CD57+CD16−(%) NK 21.8% 16.0% activity weak CD57−CD16+(%) NK 7.7% 6.8% activity strong CD57−CD16−(%) 65.0% 71.4% TABLE 9 As total activated NK cell count Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD3+HLA−DR+(%) 15.5% 13.1% Activated CD3 cells In Case 3, a slight increase in CD57+CD16+ lymphocytes having moderate NK activity was observed. (Case 4) In 2001, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed for pulmonary carcinoma (squamous cell carcinoma, T2N3M0). Then, an operation for total resection of the left lung was performed. In 2002, metastatic brain tumor (cerebral metastasis of lung cancer) necessitated metastatic brain tumor resection. However, multiple cerebral metastasis occurred as a complication in the same year. TABLE 10 NK cell system Two color (as activity evaluation of NK cells) Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD57+CD16+(%) NK 5.3% 2.6% activity moderate CD57+CD16−(%) NK 1.1% 0.6% activity weak CD57−CD16+(%) NK 8.8% 5.9% activity strong CD57−CD16−(%) 84.8% 90.9% TABLE 11 As total activated NK cell count Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD3+HLA−DR+(%) 5.2% 4.7% Activated CD3 cells In this patient, the NK cell increasing effect of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition was not observed. (Case 5) In October 2001, lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) was noted. At diagnosis, metastasis to the right cervical lymph node was observed, and metastasis to the hilar lymph nodes was complicated by superior vena cava syndrome. Therapies included 60 Gy radiation of the right neck regions and chemotherapy (CBDCA+TAy 4 courses). The superior vena cava remained completely obstructed, and carcinomatous pleuritis concomitantly occurred. The medications were frequently given in the pulmonary cavity, but decreased the lesion only mildly. In addition, metastasis to the brain was recently confirmed upon CT. TABLE 12 NK cell system Two color (as activity evaluation of NK cells) Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD57+CD16+(%) NK 12.1% (256) 17.5% (431) activity moderate CD57+CD16−(%) NK 36.5% (773) 44.6% (1099) activity weak CD57−CD16+(%) NK 4.3% (91) 6.0% (148) activity strong CD57−CD16−(%) 47.0% 31.9% TABLE 13 As total activated NK cell count Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD3+HLA−DR+ (%) 22.2% (469) 32.3% (796) Activated CD3 cells In the present case, all the NK cell parameters were increased, and the oral administration of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition increased NK cell activity and the number of NK cells. This case is evaluated as a case of excellent response. (Case 6) In July 2002, gastric cancer (Borrmann type I gastric carcinoma in the gastric vestibule) was found. However, the patient did not wish for an operation, and fell into the state of terminal cancer. TABLE 14 NK cell system Two color (as activity evaluation of NK cells) Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD57+CD16+ (%) NK 30.1% 30.9% activity moderate CD57+CD16− (%) NK 7.8% 7.1% activity weak CD57−CD16+ (%) NK 6.2% 6.7% activity strong CD57−CD16− (%) 55.9% 55.3% TABLE 15 As total activated NK cell count Before treatment After treatment (lymphocyte count: LC) (LC) CD3+HLA−DR+ (%) 9.9% 9.1% Activated CD3 cells In the present case, CD57−CD16+(%) (NK activity strong) and CD57+CD16+(%) (NK activity moderate) were increased. Even among terminal cancer patients., two types are present, patients who can still live the usual daily life, and bedridden patients in the terminal stage. The concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition, when ingested, was expected to obtain a marked effect of enhancing immunity (increasing NK cells) even in the former patients, i.e., patients with terminal cancer, who can live a daily life. On the other hand, some relationship was suspected between pathological findings of cancer and the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition. In patients with adenocarcinomas, such as case 1 of colon cancer (adenocarcinoma), case 3 of mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (a type of adenocarcinoma), case 5 of pulmonary cancer (adenocarcinoma) and case 6 of gastric carcinoma (adenocarcinoma), some moves were observed in NK cell parameters after treatment with the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition. However, case 4 was likewise a case of pulmonary cancer, but was pathologically diagnosed as having squamous cell carcinoma. In this patient, the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition exerted no influence on any of the NK dynamic parameters. Test Example 6 Course of Immunocompetence Parameters in Cancer Patients (8 Months of Treatment) In case 3 and case 1 of Test Example 5, a mixture of 1 ml of the concentrated Basidiomycetes-X extract composition and 1 ml of purified water was orally administered 3 times daily, after each meal, in succession to Test Example 5. The course of immunological parameters after more than 6 months of treatment is shown in Tables 16 and 17. (Case 3) TABLE 16 Before After 3 After 8 treatment weeks of months of (lymphocyte treatment treatment count: LC) (LC) (LC) WBC count 3,100 3,000 2,900 RBC count 3,420,000 3,340,000 3,430,000 Hb 11.6 11.1 10.4 Ht 34.7 33.5 32.6 CD57+CD16+ (%) 5.5% 5.8% 3.1% NK activity moderate CD57+CD16− (%) 21.8% 16.0% 13.4% NK activity weak CD57−CD16+ (%) 7.7% 6.8% 5.3% NK activity strong CD3+HLA−DR+ 15.5% 13.1% 31.6% (%) Activated CD3 cells In the present patient, moderate to strong NK activity was exhibited as terminal cancer progressed. Lymphocytes gradually decreased. On the other hand, activated lymphocytes were not markedly changed after 3 weeks of treatment, but increased to 31.6% in 8 months. Thus, increases in lymphocytes (activated) similar to those after LAK (lymphokine activated killer) therapy were observed. (Case 1) TABLE 17 Before After 8 treatment After 3 weeks months of (lymphocyte of treatment treatment count: LC) (LC) (LC) WBC count 7,800 7,500 14,400 RBC count 4,170,000 3,720,000 3,760,000 Hb 11.5 10.1 9.1 Ht 35.0 30.5 28.9 CD57+CD16+ 6.6% (149) 8.0% (250) 5.0% (%) NK activity moderate CD57+CD16− 17.6% (396) 17.6% (549) 26.6% (%) NK activity weak CD57−CD16+ 4.6% (104) 4.1% (128) 2.9% (%) NK activity strong CD3+HLA−DR+ (%) 9.9% (223) 10.6% (331) 22.7% Activated CD3 cells In the present patient, CD57+CD16+ with moderate NK activity increased after 3 weeks of oral administration. Moreover, CD57+CD16− cells with weak NK activity increased after 8 months of oral administration. In addition, the activated CD3 cells increased to 10.6% at 3 weeks of treatment, and to 22.7% after 8 months of treatment. In conclusion, NK activity slightly increased after treatment in comparison with that before treatment. The finding worthy of notice was that CD3+HLA-DR+ cells, markers of activated T lymphocytes, remarkably increased after oral administration. This outcome is normally observed after LAK therapy and, without doubt, is considered to be the extraordnary outcome of the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition. In patients receiving long-term treatment with the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition, marked increases in activated lymphocytes similar to those after LAK therapy were observed, although this was the outcome in 2 patients. Based on this finding, further study seems to be necessary in an increased number of patients. However, the Basidiomycetes-X extract composition was suggested to have the potential of increasing activated T lymphocytes and directing the immune system toward exclusion of cancer in patients with terminal cancer. Example 10 Foods were cooked in accordance with the following recipes using edible Basidiomycetes. In all foods, the organoleptic sensation of edible Basidiomycetes was satisfactory, and its taste was good and went well with the foods. 1. Pasta Just boiled pasta and sliced edible Basidiomycetes are lightly pan-fried in olive oil. Then, the mixture is preferredly seasoned with a seasoning such as salt or pepper. Once the edible Basidiomycetes is cooked through, the food is ready. 2. Pizza Slices of raw edible Basidiomycetes are arranged on pizza dough, cheese is sprinkled, and this combination is baked in an oven. Once cheese is melted uniformly, the food is ready. 3. Deep-Fried Seasoned Meat or Fish Chicken or fish is preliminarily seasoned with soy sauce or seasoning sweet sake. The pre-seasoned chicken or fish is sprinkled with Erythronium japonicum starch, and slightly soaked in beaten eggs. Then, sliced raw edible Basidiomycetes is evenly pressed against the chicken or fish, and the thus treated chicken or fish is deep-fried in oil. Once the edible Basidiomycetes becomes crisp, the food is ready. 4. Omelet Eggs are beaten, and seasoned in the desired manner with a seasoning such as salt or pepper. Finely cut raw edible Basidiomycetes is added, followed by further stirring. Then, the beaten eggs with the other material are poured into a frying pan hot enough for an oil to smoke lightly. The beaten eggs are agitated so as not to become solid, and the flame is turned down. While the surface of the eggs is solidified with the remaining heat of the frying pan, the egg material is rolled. When it is golden brown on the surface, and half-done inside, the food is ready. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present invention can provide Basidiomycetes which is a novel mushroom having an excellent immunopotentiating action, a Basidiomycetes extract composition, health foods and immunopotentiators using the Basidiomycetes extract composition, and edible Basidiomycetes. Mention of Microorganism Name of Deposition Organ: International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Address of Deposition Organ: Chuo Dai-6, Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba City, Ibaragi Prefecture, Japan (postal code 305-8566) Date of Deposition with Deposition Organ: Feb. 27, 2003 Accession Number Assigned by Deposition Organ at Deposition: FERM BP-10011 Name of Depositor: Y. Tsuno, Representative Director, Mycology Techno Kabushiki Kaisha Address of Depositor: Bandai 4-3-20, Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan (postal code 950-0088) The deposited microorganism was domestically deposited on Feb. 27, 2003 with International Patent Organism Depositary, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Accession No.: FERM P-19241), and transferred to international deposition (Accession No.: FERM BP-10011) on Apr. 15, 2004. Other information on the features of the microorganism Type of the microorganism: Mold Place in taxonomy: Basidiomycetes, sclerotium (hypha mass) unidentified in species Culture conditions: Name of culture medium . . . Potato glucose agar medium Composition of culture medium . . . Leachate of 200 g of potatoes, 20 g glucose, 20 g agar per 1000 mL of the culture medium pH of culture medium . . . 5.6 Sterilization conditions for culture medium: 121° C., 20 minutes in autoclave Culture temperature . . . 24° C. Culture period . . . 5 days Requirement for oxygen . . . Aerobic Culture method . . . Aerobic Requirement for light . . . Unnecessary Subculture conditions . . . Transfer interval 3 months, storage temperature 50 in cool dark place Storage conditions: Storage by freeze-drying . . . Negative Storage by L-drying . . . Negative Storage by freezing (around −80° C.) . . . Negative Storage if the above methods are unavailable . . . Storage by subculture (transfer interval 3 months, storage temperature 50 in cool dark place) Spore (conidium) formation: None

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Mushrooms have been used frequently since olden days as food materials having unique flavors and odors. They have also been used as Chinese herbal medicines as having physiological function activating actions, such as enhancement of immunocompetence, antimicrobial activity, control of biorhythm, and prevention of senescence, or as folk medicines for certain types of diseases. Studies of pharmacological ingredients concerned with mushrooms are in progress, resulting in the discovery of ingredients showing antibacterial and antiviral actions, a cardiotonic action, a hypoglycemic action, a cholesterol lowering action, an antithrombotic action, and an antihypertensive action. Proposals have been made for compositions which are usable as medicines, health foods, etc. and which comprise a mixture of dry products or extracts of two or more mushrooms selected from edible mushrooms among basidiomycetes, especially, Lentinus edodes (Berk.) Sing., Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Quel., Pholiota nameko (T. Ito) S. Ito et Imai, Grifola frondosa, Flammulina velutipes (Curt. ex Fr.) Sing., and Hypsizigus marmoreus (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1999-152230). In recent years, Agaricus Blazei murill (hereinafter referred to as agaricus mushroom), Phellinus linteus (Berk. et Curt) Tehg (hereinafter referred to as mesimacobu) and so on have attracted attention as having an anticancer action. For examples, proposals have been put forward for a method for high-yield cultivation of mushrooms of the genus Phellinus such as mesimacobu (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1999-262329), a method for culturing mesimacobu mycelia for obtaining large amounts of mycelia of mesimacobu (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-178448) and a method for efficiently extracting ingredients contained in agaricus mushroom by use of ultrasonic waves (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-278805). As described above, various mushrooms have drawn attention as having an anticancer action, etc. However, they are not decisively effective, and the advent of mushrooms having a better effect is desired.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 1. FIG. 2 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 2. FIG. 3 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 3. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the mode of administration in Test Example 4. FIG. 5 is a view showing the results of measurements in Test Example 4. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051031

20090414

20061123

58170.0

A61K3609

AFREMOVA, VERA

BASIDIOMYCETES, BASIDIOMYCETES EXTRACT COMPOSITION, HEALTH FOODS, AND IMMUNOPOTENTIATORS

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Remote sensor, device and method for activating selected remote sensor components

This publication discloses a remote identifier, a reader, and a method for activating a desired remote identifier. The remote identifier (2) includes a microcircuit (7), in which there is a memory and means for processing a radio-frequency signal, an antenna (6) connected to the microcircuit (7), by means of which both the signal and also electric power for the operating voltage of the microcircuit (7) can be received. According to the invention, a component (3), the electrical properties of which change due to the effect of infrared, or visible light, is electrically connected to the microcircuit (7) of the remote identifier and in the microcircuit (7) there are means, by which the combined effect of a change in the radio-frequency signal and the electrical component (3) can be expressed by a correlation method for the signals, in order to activate the remote identifier (2) for two-way data transmission.

1. A remote identifier (2) that can be attached to products, which includes a microcircuit (7), in which there is a memory and means for processing a radio-frequency signal and an antenna (6) connected to the microcircuit (7), by means of which both the signal and also electric power for the operating voltage of the microcircuit (7) can be received, characterized in that a component (3), the electrical properties of which change due to the effect of infrared, or visible light, is electrically connected to the microcircuit (7) of the remote identifier and there are means in the microcircuit (7), by which the combined effect of a change in the radio-frequency signal and the electrical component (3) can be expressed by a correlation method for the signals, in order to activate the remote identifier (2) for two-way data transmission. 2. A remote identifier (2) according to the above claim, characterized in that the component (3) that changes electrically due to the effect of radiation is a photosensitive polymer resistance. 3. A reader for reading the remote identifier (2), which reader includes means for transmitting and receiving a radio-frequency signal to and from the remote identifier (2), characterized in that the reader (1) includes a light source (10), and control means (11) for a light source (10), by means of which the signal of the light source can be synchronized with a radio-frequency signal. 4. A reader (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it is integrated in a mobile station (1). 5. A method in a reader (1) of remote identifiers, in which reader information is sent to the remote identifier (2) and information is received from the remote identifier (2), characterized in that a signal in the infrared or visible light range, which is synchronized with the radio-frequency signal, is sent to the remote identifier simultaneously with the radio-frequency signal. 6. A remote-identifier system, which includes a reader (1), in which there are means for radio-frequency transmission and reception, a remote identifier (2), in which there are means for radio-frequency two-way communication with the reader (1) and means for exploiting the energy radiated by the reader as its own operating voltage, characterized in that the reader (1) includes a light source (10) operating in the infrared or visible light range and control means (11) for controlling the light source in synchronization with a radio-frequency signal, and the remote identifier (2) includes means (3) for detecting the simultaneous presence of a light signal and a radio-frequency signal. 7. A remote-identifier method, in which radio-frequency information and electrical power is sent to the remote identifier, with the aid of the reader (1), the remote identifier (2) is used to receive and transmit radio-frequency information using a radio-frequency signal as operating energy, characterized in that the reader (1) is used to transmit radiation in the infrared or visible-light ranges, in synchronization with the radio frequency, and the remote identifier (2) is used to detect the simultaneous presence of a light signal and a radio-frequency signal. 8. A method in a remote-identifier reader (1), in which reader information is transmitted to the remote identifier (2) and information is received from the remote identifier (2), characterized in that the transmission power of the reader (1) is reduced to such a level that the reader (1) is able to read only in the immediate vicinity of a remote identifier (2).

The present invention relates to a remote identifier according to the preamble of Claim 1. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for activating desired remote-identifier components. The use of remote identifiers (RFID) will increase in the near future. They will largely replace, for example, optically-read bar-codes in the tagging of products. A remote identifier is a tag that is read remotely using a radio signal, and which includes an antenna, a voltage-generation circuit, rf-signal modulation/demodulation circuits, and a memory. The memory can be both written and read with the aid of the radio signal. There are several types of remote identifiers: passive and active, as well as those that can be connected inductively, capacitively, or with the aid of a radio-frequency radiation field. Passive remote identifiers generate the electrical energy they need from the rf-field aimed at them. Active identifiers contain a separate battery. Inductively-connected remote identifiers typically operate at frequencies of 125 kHz or 13.56 MHz. This invention concerns a passive remote identifier read using a radio-frequency radiation field. In Europe, the 868-870 MHz band and the 2.4-2.4835 GHz ISM (Industrial Scientific Medical) band have been reserved for this operation. Remote sensors can be considered to be a sub-set of remote identifiers. A remote sensor has essentially the same operating principle as a remote identifier. In place of, or in addition to the memory, there are circuits for converting a quantity (e.g., pressure, temperature) into a transmittable form. Remote sensors have the advantage that wireless reading eliminates the need for cables. The cable and its installation usually form a considerably larger cost item than the sensor itself. If a product, or goods are tagged using a remote identifier utilizing UHF or microwave-frequency radio waves, the reader can be made small enough to be held in the hand. The reader can also be integrated as part of a mobile telephone. Though the reader is small, the reading distance can be several metres. If a user wants data concerning a product they see, the following problem arises—they must read the data of all of the products that are nearby, then use a menu to select the correct product from a set of several products. This is because the wavelength of a microwave is typically longer than the size of the reader, which means that the microwaves can only be partly aimed. In principle, the user can defined the product sufficiently precisely for only the data on the desired product to be transmitted to the device. The differences between products are often so small (different sizes of shoe) that the selection is laborious, while in addition the user does not have the code for searching for a specific product. If a mobile telephone is made to be able to control all kinds of devices, to read different kinds of goods, most of the memory of the mobile telephone will be used for storing this information. Another example is controlling a device (e.g., a television). If we want to control nearby devices, according to existing technology we select a suitable operating device from a menu and control it. The situation can also be arranged so that all devices nearby automatically hand over the ability to control them to a mobile telephone. Both of the aforementioned solutions are clumsy. The invention is intended to create an entirely new type of remote identifier and an apparatus and method for activating desired remote-identifier components, with the aid of which the problems of the prior art described above can be solved. The invention is based on using a reader to actively select a remote-identifier component, either by bringing the reader sufficiently close to the remote identifier, or by pointing to the remote-identifier component over another transmission path, typically an optical signal. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the reader is brought into the immediate vicinity of the tag and a low reading power is used so that the other tags do not come into reading range. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the remote identifier or sensor is targeted using a different frequency to the reading frequency, typically using infrared or visible light. The second frequency is preferably synchronized with the reading frequency. The sensor according to the invention is equipped with means for indicating this second frequency. In practice, this means can be an element with a conductivity that changes due to the effect of light. More specifically, the remote identifier according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 1. The reader according to the invention is, in turn, characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 3. The method according to the invention in the reader is, in turn, characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 5. The system according to the invention is, in turn, characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 6. The method according to the invention is, in turn, characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 7. The method according to the invention in the reader is, in turn, characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of Claim 8. Considerable advantages are gained with the aid of the invention. With the aid of the invention, a desired remote identifier and its related product can be selected in a situation, in which several remote identifiers are within the range of the reader. Such a situation can arise, for example, in a shop, in which nearly all the products are equipped with a remote identifier. The invention also permits a new user interface to be transferred to a reader, such as a mobile station. Thus, according to the invention, the mobile station can be converted, for example, into a remote control for a TV, DVD, or other remotely controlled device. One preferred embodiment of the invention permits product data to be read using a contact method. For its part, the synchronization of the two different signals in the activation event allows a remote identifier according to the invention to be manufactured at very low cost. For example, the photosensitive identifier element can be made from cheap and unstable material. In the following, the invention is examined with the aid of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows schematically the remote identifier according to the invention and its reader. FIG. 2 shows the behaviour of the signals according to the invention on a time axis. The reader according to the invention can be an entirely independent unit, which is intended only for reading remote identifiers. However, such a reader is typically integrated in connection with some second device. A very natural and technically suitable device for implementing the functions of a reader is a mobile station, typically a mobile telephone. Mobile stations include an antenna, a radio-frequency component, a microprocessor, a memory, and a battery acting as a power supply, making it an easy and cost-effective task to integrate a reader in such a unit. The combination of a reader with a mobile station is disclosed in, for instance, PCT application FI02/00818. From the user's viewpoint, the user interface operates by the user either touching or pointing to the product in one way or another, so that in this way only this product's data is transferred to the reader, or the device in question activates and transfers the ability to control it to the mobile station. Products or goods that the user ‘touches’ with the device can be called TouchMe products. If the product is far away and the user does not want to, or cannot touch the product, they can point to the product using a laser or lamp in the reader. Such products can be termed PointMe products. Consider a situation, in which a person enters a room, in which there is a television. They notice that there is a sticker on the television, stating that the device is according to the pointing system (PointMe). They point their mobile telephone at the sticker, in which case the sticker tells the mobile station that the TV can be controlled with the aid of Bluetooth. The sticker on the TV automatically initiates the mobile station's Bluetooth and ‘calls’ the Bluetooth receiver in the television. The TV's Bluetooth transfers a menu to the mobile station and simultaneously the television is switched on. Because the user's mobile station knows that the user wants to watch, for example, the CNN news, the mobile station sends this information to the TV, which selects this channel. In other words, simply having the mobile station pointing towards the TV leads to the selection of the correct channel for the user while, in addition, the mobile station is given the ability to change channel and control, for example, the sound volume. The technology disclosed in this invention allows the properties in question to be added to all devices with an infrared, Bluetooth, GPRS, or some other wireless communications functionality. This invention discloses the technical solutions required to implement both the touching (TouchMe) and pointing (PointMe) concepts. FIG. 1 shows in general the manner, in which a mobile station 1 activates a remote identifier 2, with the aid of a photosensitive material 3 added to the antenna laminate. Two conductive electrodes 4 and 5, the resistance between which is measured by current-measurement using an RFID circuit 7, are located inside the photosensitive material. An antenna 6, with the aid of which the remote identifier communicates with the reader, in this case the mobile station, is also connected to the RFID circuit 7. The mobile station includes a light source 10, which can be a semiconductor laser in the visible-light or infrared range. Alternatively, the light source can be a normal incandescent-wire lamp, with suitable focussing optics. At least in some embodiments, the light source should be able to form a beam narrow enough for only a single remote identifier 1 to be selected for reading. A suitable beam width (diameter) for the light is 10-50 cm at a distance of five metres from the reader. However, the suitable beam width will always vary according to the target. The light source is controlled using a control circuit 11, which pulses the light at the same frequency as the radio-frequency signal. The modulation of the light source can be implemented using an electrically controlled switch, the modulation being textbook information and will not be described in greater detail in this connection. If the product is of a touch type (so-called TouchMe type), the user presses a button in the mobile station 1, which activates reading. The device adjusts the reading power to be so low that only a sticker that is very close will be activated. The power is increased until one, and only one sticker is activated. The maximum power is limited, so that reading will only succeed if the sticker is at an agreed distance (e.g., 5 cm) from the reader. By this procedure, it is highly probable that the device will read only one sticker that is even closer. If the products are so close to each other that they activate at the same power, the correct sticker can be selected on the basis of the strength of the reflected signal. When using UHF and microwaves, touch reading (TouchMe) often takes place at a distance that is shorter than the wavelength. This means that in practice a radiation field is not used, instead the connection to the product is formed using either a magnetic field or an electrical field. The antenna of the reader and correspondingly the antenna of the sticker should therefore be designed to be compatible with each other. If photosensitive material 3 is added to the circuit and/or antenna according to FIG. 1, the remote identifier 2 will become sensitive to visible light, or infrared radiation. One preferred way of adding photosensitivity to the remote identifier 2 is to surface the antenna entirely or partly with an electrically conductive polymer, which can be manufactured to be semiconducting. To convert the light into electricity, it is possible to use a photo-acoustic phenomenon, a pyro-electrical phenomenon, or semiconductors (e.g., semiconducting polymers), in which the number of charge-carriers depends on the strength of the light. In principle, the photosensitivity can be located in either an integrated circuit, or in the antenna laminate. However, in the case of a remote identifier, the signal is so weak and the power of the remote identifier so small that it is very difficult to use only a single value to express the light. It should also be noted, that ambient light levels vary continuously and the sensitivity of a cheap photoelectric detector depends on both the time and the lighting. Because in remote-identifier technology the power is fed to the circuit by radio, the amplitude modulation of the radio signal, or the pulse-width modulation of the pulse, sent by the mobile station, can be synchronized with the amplitude modulation of the light. A simple solution is created by modulating the amplitude of a microwave or a radio-frequency signal, using the same frequency as in the modulation of the intensity of the light source. Another simple method is to modulate the remote-identifier circuit electrically using a frequency f and the light using the frequency f/2. In the remote identifier, the frequency f is divided by two and is correlated against the light signal (f/2). The use of different frequencies helps to symmetrize the signal and to eliminate crosstalk. As the remote-identifier circuit 1 receives very highly correlated signals over two routes, we can considerably improve the ability of the remote-identifier 1 to distinguish the desired light signal from other signals. FIG. 2 shows one simple method for combining a light signal and an RF signal. The explanations of the waveforms are shown at the right-hand end of each curve. The curves have a common horizontal time axis. In the following, reference is also made to the numbered elements of FIG. 1. In the method, a microwave signal is modulated using pulse-width modulation at a frequency f and a symmetrical square-wave at a frequency f/2 is made by division from this signal. The light is modulated at the frequency f/2, which leads to the modulation, at the frequency f/2, of the value of the resistance 3 in the laminate. In the figure, this is shown by the curve depicting the conductivity of the photoelectric detector 3. The conductivity signal is obtained from measuring the current between the electrodes 4 and 5. In this simple procedure, the electrically produced symmetrical signal at the frequency f/2 is fed as voltage between the electrodes 4 and 5. The current is thus determined from the conductivity of the resistance 3, which, in turn, depends on the external lighting. If the value of the resistance does not correlate at the frequency f/2 the current flowing through the resistance averages zero. If, however, the resistance value varies at the frequency f/2 and is phase-synchronized with the electrically produced signal, a direct-current component appears in the current and is detected by the comparator after the filter (the lowest curve in FIG. 2). This voltage signal, which is proportional to the current, is integrated for a predefined time, typically a few tens-hundred of milliseconds and, if a predefined voltage limit (the broken line in the figure) is reached, two-way communications are activated between the remote identifier 2 and the reader 1. Thus, in the method according to the invention, the electrical signal is compared in the remote identifier with the light signal, or with some other independent signal coming from the reader and, if a correlation is detected between these two signals, the remote identifier 2 begins to communicate with the reader 1. Naturally, in entertainment-electronics applications (TV, DVD), for example, the simple form of detection described above can be replaced with a more advanced and expensive circuit, utilizing, for example, the infrared receivers of remote-controlled devices. In practice, it is possible that, in some embodiments, it will be necessary to make more complex electronics, to be able to ensure the presence of the optical signal. However, the essential feature is that the synchronization of the radio path and the optical link permits the optical signal to be detected using a very low measurement power. Both the touching (TouchMe) and pointing (PointMe) concepts can be applied to obtain data from the desired product. For example, when looking for new shoes, one can first of all touch one's own shoes, when the size of shoe and other data will be transferred to the mobile station. This information can be used when buying new shoes. The light source can also be pointed at a light, when a sticker will tell the mobile station that the light can be controlled, for example, using Bluetooth and the remote identifier activates communications immediately, the light comes on, and possibly the mobile station can be used to adjust the light's brightness. If a light or TV can be controlled using infrared, the remote identifier will also tell this and automatically active the function in the mobile station required for control. By using the touching (TouchMe) concept embedded in the mobile station, or on the other hand the pointing (PointMe) concept connected to the remote identifier and a remote-identifier reader in the mobile station, the mobile station will very economically be turned into a device, which can be used to collect information on desired products, or to control the environment, by either pointing to products or devices, or by touching them. For example, if we touch another person's business card that is equipped with a remote identifier with a mobile station, the information on the person's business card will be automatically transferred to the mobile station. The data can be taken from the identifier as such, or else the identifier will activate Bluetooth in the reading mobile station, which will, in turn, read the necessary data from the mobile telephone of the person owning the business card, without anyone pressing the keys of the mobile telephone. By touching the service manual of a car, the mobile station will automatically contact the nearest service facility. Corresponding examples can be invented endlessly. The essential feature is that, by adding the said properties to both the reader and the remote identifier, the invention can be used to offer consumers a ‘physical’ interface with the environment, through a personal handheld device. This permits an interface that is concrete and very natural to people, and which can be tailored separately for each consumer. Both the pointing and the touching methods are also highly suitable for use in connection with remote sensor technology. Thus, for example, readings can be obtained from a remotely read temperature sensor, without disturbing other sensors. For example, this makes it possible to obtain a reading from a sensor in a wine bottle, either by pointing to the sensor, or by bringing the reader (e.g., a mobile telephone) close to the sensor.

20051101

20100302

20060914

57325.0

G05B2302

WILSON, BRIAN P

REMOTE SENSOR, DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ACTIVATING SELECTED REMOTE SENSOR COMPONENTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G05B

ACCEPTED

Communication system

In a communication system subject to variations in channel quality, transmit power control is used to reduce the variations in received signal quality. If the channel quality degrades to such an extent that a high transmit power would be required to ensure good received signal quality, the transmit power is decreased and is not increased until the channel quality recovers sufficiently to enable an acceptable transmit power level to be used. While the power is at the decreased level, transmission of a data block may continue, or may be suspended, with the data block being truncated if the whole block has not been transmitted by the end of the time period available for transmission of the data block.

1. A radio station (100) comprising transmitter means (110) for transmitting over a channel in a predetermined time period (0 to tF) a data block comprising information symbols (I) and parity check symbols (C) and control means (150) responsive to an indication of a reduction in channel quality according to a first criterion for decreasing the data transmit power and responsive to an indication within the predetermined time period of an increase in channel quality according to a second criterion for increasing the data transmit power. 2. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means (110) is adapted to suspend transmission of the data block in response to the indication of a reduction in channel quality according to the first criterion and to resume transmission of the data block in response to the increase in channel quality according to the second criterion. 3. A radio station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resumption proceeds from the portion of the data block corresponding to the unexpired portion of the predetermined period. 4. A radio station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resumption proceeds from the point of suspension of the data block and the data block is truncated if the predetermined time period expires before the whole of the data block is transmitted. 5. A radio station as claimed in claim 4, wherein the transmitter means (110) is adapted to transmit at least some of the parity check symbols (C) after transmitting all of the information symbols (I). 6. A radio station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmitter means (110) is further adapted to transmit an indication of what portion of the data block the resumption proceeds from. 7. A radio station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmitter means (110) is further adapted to, in response to completing transmission of the information (I) and parity check symbols (C) before the end of the predetermined time period (tF), retransmit at least a portion of the information or parity check symbols within the predetermined time period. 8. A radio station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmitter means (110) is further adapted to resume transmission of the data block if the unexpired portion of the predetermined time period ceases to exceed the time required to complete transmission of at least the information symbols (I). 9. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indication of a reduction in channel quality according to the first criterion is an indication to increase transmit power above a predetermined threshold (P2). 10. A radio station as claimed in claim 9, wherein the indication to increase transmit power is a received command. 11. A radio station as claimed in claim 9, wherein the indication to increase transmit power is a measurement of reduced channel quality on a received signal. 12. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means (110) is further adapted to, in the time period between the first criterion being met and the second criterion being met, transmit a control signal at a variable transmit power responsive to received power control commands, and wherein the second criterion is the transmit power of the control signal becoming equal to or less than the transmit power of the control signal when the first criterion was met. 13. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitter means (110) is further adapted to, in the time period between the first criterion being met and the second criterion being met, transmit a control signal at a constant power level, and wherein the second criterion is a received command to reduce transmit power. 14. A radio station as claimed in claim 13, wherein the second criterion is a predetermined number of commands to reduce power received within a further predetermined time period. 15. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the increase in channel quality according to the second criterion is an increase in channel quality above a predetermined level measured on a received signal. 16. A radio station as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transmitter means (110) is adapted to transmit an indication of whether transmission of the data block is in progress or suspended. 17. A radio station as claimed in claim 16, wherein the indication of whether transmission of the data block is in progress or suspended comprises a first control signal when transmission of the data block is in progress, and a second control signal when transmission of the data block is suspended. 18. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decrease in the data transmit power is a decrease to zero transmit power. 19. A radio station as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmission of the data block takes place on a plurality of data signals simultaneously, and the decrease and increase in data transmit power takes place on at least one of the data signals. 20. A radio station as claimed in claim 19, wherein the decrease in data transmit power takes place at least on the highest powered data signal. 21. A radio station as claimed in claim 19, wherein the plurality of data signals are transmitted on a plurality of carrier frequencies. 22. A radio station (200) for use in a radio communication system comprising at least one radio station as claimed in claim 1, comprising quality assessment means (220) for assessing the quality of received signals, means (220) for determining whether transmission of a data block is in progress or suspended, and transmitter means (210) for transmitting a first indication of received signal quality while transmission of the data block is in progress and for transmitting a second indication of received signal quality while transmission of the data block is suspended. 23. A radio communication system comprising at least one radio station (100) as claimed in claim 1. 24. A method of operating a radio communication system (100, 200), comprising, at a first radio station (100), transmitting (500) over a channel in a predetermined time period (510, 550) to a second radio station (200) a data block comprising information symbols (I) and parity check symbols (C), and, in response to an indication of a reduction in channel quality according to a first criterion (520), decreasing the data transmit power (530) and, in response to an indication within the predetermined time period (550) of an increase in channel quality according to a second criterion (560), increasing the data transmit power (570). 25. A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising suspending transmission of the data block in response to the indication of a reduction in channel quality according to the first criterion and resuming transmission of the data block in response to the indication within the predetermined time period of an increase in channel quality according to the second criterion. 26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the resumption proceeds from the portion of the data block corresponding to the unexpired portion of the predetermined period. 27. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the resumption proceeds from the point of suspension of the data block the data block is truncated if the predetermined time period expires before the whole of the data block is transmitted. 28. A method as claimed in claim 27, further prising transmitting at least some of the parity check symbols after transmitting all of the information symbols (I). 29. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising transmitting an indication of what portion of the data block the resumption proceeds from. 30. A method as claimed in claim 26, further comprising, in response to completing nsmission of the information and parity check symbols (I, C) ore the end of the predetermined time period, retransmitting at least a portion of the information or parity check symbols within the predetermined time period. 31. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising resuming transmission of the data block if the unexpired tion of the predetermined time period ceases to exceed the time required to complete transmission of at least the information symbols (I). 32. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the indication of a reduction in channel quality according to the first criterion is an indication to increase transmit power above a predetermined threshold (P2). 33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the indication to increase transmit power is a received command. 34. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the indication to increase transmit power is a measurement of reduced channel quality on a received signal. 35. A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising transmitting in the time period between the first criterion being met and the second criterion being met a control signal at a variable transmit power responsive to received power control commands, and wherein the second criterion is the transmit power of the control signal becoming equal to or less than the transmit power of the control signal when the first criterion was met. 36. A method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising transmitting in the time method between the first criterion being met and the second criterion being met a control signal at a constant transmit power level, and wherein the second criterion is a received command to reduce transmit power. 37. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the indication of an increase in channel lity according to the second criterion is an increase in channel quality measured on a received signal. 38. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising transmitting an indication of whether transmission of the data block is in progress or suspended. 39. A method as claimed in claim 38, wherein the indication of whether transmission of the data block is in progress suspended comprises a first control signal when transmission of data block is in progress, and a second control signal when transmission of the data block is suspended. 40. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the decreasing of the transmit power is a decrease to zero transmit power. 41. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the transmission of the data block takes place on a plurality of data signals simultaneously, and the decrease and increase in data transmit power takes place on at least one of the data signals. 42. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the decrease in data transmit power takes place at least on the highest powered data signal. 43. A method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the plurality of data signals are transmitted on a plurality of carrier frequencies. 44. A method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising, at the second radio station (200), assessing the quality of received signals, determining whether transmission of a data block is in progress or suspended, and transmitting a first indication of received signal quality while transmission of the data block is in progress and for transmitting a second indication of received signal quality while transmission of the data block is suspended.

The invention relates to a method of operating a communication system and to radio stations for use in such a system. Various mobile communications systems use transmitter power control (TPC) to adapt transmitted power level to the prevailing channel conditions. The objective of TPC schemes is to maintain an adequate received signal quality despite variations in the channel conditions due to propagation distance, obstructions, or fades caused by multipath reception. If the channel quality degrades, thereby causing the received signal quality to degrade, the transmitter power level is increased to compensate, and when the channel quality recovers, the transmitter power level is decreased. Transmitter power control can operate in either open-loop or closed-loop form. In open-loop power control schemes, a transceiver station measures received signal quality, estimates the attenuation occurring in the receive path, and adjusts its transmitter power on the assumption that the attenuation in the transmit path will be the same as on the receive path. An open-loop power control scheme generally requires the transmit and receive paths to use the same or similar frequency bands so that the attenuation is reciprocal. Such a power control scheme is well suited to time division duplex systems. In closed-loop power control schemes, a second transceiver station measures the quality of a signal received from a first transceiver station and then issues TPC commands to the first transceiver station to either raise or lower its transmit power as appropriate. In this case no assumption of reciprocity is required, so a closed-loop power control scheme is suitable for frequency division duplex systems as well as for time division duplex systems. Typically the measurement of signal quality is made on a pilot signal transmitted in multiplex with the desired information signal. The TPC commands may be binary ones and zeros corresponding respectively to “increase” and “decrease” transmit power. FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the variation in channel quality as a function of time without any transmit power control, and FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the corresponding inverse variation in transmit power that would be provided by a perfect TPC scheme to maintain a constant signal quality. Due to practical constraints, such as a finite delay between the signal quality measurement and the issue of a TPC command, and between receipt of a TPC command and adjustment of transmit power, the transmit power does not track perfectly the variations in channel conditions and so the signal quality is not maintained perfectly constant. The present invention is applicable whether the tracking is perfect or imperfect; in the present specification and accompanying drawings perfect tracking is assumed for clarity. One problem with the TPC schemes described above is that power consumption of the transmitter increases when channel conditions are poor, and therefore the schemes may not be power efficient. Another problem is that the increase in transmitted power increases the interference to other users, which can degrade system efficiency. An object of the invention is to contribute to improved efficiency. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a radio station comprising transmitter means for transmitting over a channel in a predetermined time period a data block comprising information symbols and parity check symbols and control means responsive to an indication of a reduction in channel quality according to a first criterion for decreasing the data transmit power and responsive to an indication within the predetermined time period of an increase in channel quality according to a second criterion for increasing the data transmit power. By decreasing the data transmit power while the channel quality is poor, power is saved and interference is reduced. The data block may be transmitted on one data signal or on a plurality of data signals simultaneously, and the decrease and increase in data transmit power may comprise decreasing and increasing the transmit power of one or more data signals. If a plurality of data signals is used, they may be transmitted on a plurality of carrier frequencies, or use Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA). Between the times of the first and second criteria being met, transmission of the data block may either be suspended or continue at a lower power level, possibly with a reduced data rate. Transmission of a control signal, such as a pilot signal, may continue between the time of the first and second criteria being met. If transmission of the data block is suspended when the first criterion is met, then when the second criterion is met, transmission of the data block may resume either from the point of suspension, or from the point in the data block that would have been reached had the transmission not been suspended, or from some point in between. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a radio station for use in a radio communication system comprising at least one radio station in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, comprising quality assessment means for assessing the quality of received signals, means for determining whether transmission of a data block is in progress or suspended, and transmitter means for transmitting a first indication of received signal quality while transmission of the data block is in progress and for transmitting a second indication of received signal quality while transmission of the data block is suspended. Thus, while the radio station in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is operating with decreased transmit power, the radio station according to the second aspect may continue to transmit some form of indication of received signal quality to assist the other station to determine when the second criterion is met. The first and second indications of received signal quality may comprise different metrics and/or different update rates. For example, the first indication may be a TPC command, and the second indication may be a signal quality measurement. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method m of operating a radio communication system, comprising, at a first radio station, transmitting over a channel in a predetermined time period to a second radio station a data block comprising information symbols and parity check symbols, and, in response to an indication of a reduction in channel quality according to X a first criterion, decreasing the data transmit power and, in response to an indication within the predetermined time period of an increase in channel quality according to a second criterion, increasing the data transmit power. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a radio communication system comprising at least one radio station in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: | FIG. 1 is block schematic of a radio communication system; FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating variation of channel quality as a function of time; FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating variation in transmit power as a function of time according to known schemes of transmit power control; FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating variation in transmit power as a function of time according to the invention; FIG. 5 illustrates various scenarios of transmission of a data block in accordance with the invention; FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation in accordance with the invention. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating variation in transmit power as a function of time according to the invention for three data signals transmitted simultaneously. Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a radio communication system 300 comprising a first radio station 100 and a second radio station 200. One of the first and second radio stations 100, 200 may be, for example, a portable telephone and the other a base station in a mobile phone network. The radio system 300 may comprise a plurality of the first radio stations 100 and/or the second radio stations 200. The first radio station 100 comprises a transmitter means 110 and a receiving means 120. An output of the transmitter means 110 and an input of the receiving means 120 are coupled to an antenna 130 by a coupling means 140, which may be for example a circulator or a changeover switch. Coupled to the transmitter means 110 and receiving means 120 is a control means 150, which may be for example a processor. The second radio station 200 comprises a transmitter means 210 and a receiving means 220. An output of the transmitter means 210 and an input of the receiving means 220 are coupled to an antenna 230 by a coupling means 240, which may be for example a circulator or a changeover switch. Coupled to the transmitter means 210 and receiving means 220 is a control means 250, which may be for example a processor. Transmission from the first radio station 100 to the second radio station 200 takes place on a first channel 160 and transmission from the second radio station 200 to the first radio station 100 takes place on a second channel 260. In the following description it is assumed that the transmissions use spread spectrum techniques such that signals are spread using a spreading code, and data and control signals may be transmitted simultaneously with different spreading codes. However, such an assumption is not essential to the invention. Referring to FIG. 5A there is illustrated a data block comprising information symbols I and parity check symbols C. The information symbols I and parity check symbols C are illustrated segregated into separate portions, but they may be to some extent interleaved. As a numerical example, the period of time tF available for transmitting the data block may be 10 ms and accommodate 200 bits of which 100 are information bits I and 100 are parity check bits C. The information and parity check bits may be segregated as illustrated in FIG. 5A, or for example 50 of the parity check bits may be interleaved with the information bits and the remaining 50 parity check bits transmitted after the information bits have all been transmitted. The data block is transmitted by the transmitting means 110 of the first radio station 100 in a predetermined time period of duration tF. This time period may be part of a frame structure comprising a plurality of such time periods. While the data block is being transmitted the receiving means 120 of the first radio station receives a signal from the second radio station 200 on the second channel 260. A form of either open-loop or closed-loop power control is used. If open-loop power control is used, receiving means 120 monitors the quality of a signal received on the second channel 260 and the control means 150 adjusts the transmit power of the transmitter means 110 in response to quality changes. If closed-loop power control is used, the receiving means 220 of the second radio station 200 monitors the quality of the received signal and the control means 250 generates TPC commands which are transmitted on the second channel 260 by the transmitter means 210 to the first radio station 100. The first radio station 100 may also transmit a control signal as a pilot signal on the first channel 160 to assist the receiving means 220 of the second radio station 200 in monitoring the quality of the received signal. While the data block is being transmitted the quality of the first channel 160 varies as illustrated in FIG. 2. The power control scheme causes the transmit power of the transmitting means 110 to vary but only to a limited extent. If the quality of the first channel 160 degrades to an extent determined by a first criterion, the control means 150, instead of, as in known schemes, increasing the transmit power of the transmitting means 110 above a level denoted P2 in FIG. 4 in an attempt to restore the received signal quality, according to the invention decreases the transmit power of the data to a level P1. When the control means 150 determines that the channel quality has subsequently increased to an extent determined by a second criterion, the control means 150 increases the transmit power of the data. In FIG. 4, the decrease to a transmit power level P1 takes place at times t1, t3, and t5 and the increase in transmit power takes place at times t2, t4, and t6. The first criterion, for determining when the data transmit power decrease to level P1 occurs, may take one of many forms. Some examples are: a) the quality of the first channel 160, as indicated by a transmitted message on the second channel 260 or by a measurement of the quality of a signal received on the second channel 260, falls to or below a predetermined level; b) the transmit power reaches, or would otherwise exceed, a predetermined transmit power level P2; c) the short term mean channel quality, as indicated by a transmitted message on the second chanbel 260 or by a measurement of the quality of a signal received on the second channel 260, falls to or below a predetermined level; d) the short term mean transmit power reaches, or would otherwise exceed, a predetermined level P2; e) receipt of a TPC command which, if obeyed, would increase transmit power or short term mean transmit power above a predetermined transmit power level P2. The power level P2 may be predetermined, or may be a function of the transmit power of a control signal, for example P2=P2′−Pctrl, where P2′is predetermined and Pctrl is the current transmit power of the control signal. The reduced level P1 may be zero power, in which case the transmitter means 110 may be switched off. Also, the reduced power level P1 need not be a single predetermined level, but may vary during the predetermined time period. There are several options for operation of the first radio station 100 between the time when the data transmit power is decreased and the time when the data transmit power is increased. During operation of the first radio station 100 after decreasing the data transmit power following the first criterion being met and before the second criterion is met, the transmission of data may be either a) switched off, or b) continued at a reduced and constant level, or c) continued at a reduced and varying level, to some extent tracking variations in channel quality. If the data is transmitted at a non-zero level, it may also be transmitted at a reduced data rate. The first radio station 100 may transmit a plurality of data signals simultaneously. The power levels P2 and P1 may relate to the transmit power w of one of the data signals or to the total combined transmit power of a plurality of the data signals. If the power levels P2 and P1 relate to the transmit power of one data signal, the reduction in transmit power is effected by reducing the transmit power of that data signal. if the power levels P2 anel P1 relate to the total combined transmit power of a plurality of data signals,the reduction in transmit power may be effected by reducing the transmit power, level of one or more of the data signals, for example the highest-powered data signal or signals, or by reducing the transmit power level of all of the data signals. The first criterion may also be applied a plurality of times during the predetermined time period. For example, the first radio station 100 may transmit three data signals simultaneously, with the power levels P2 and P1 relating to the total combined transmit power of the three data signals. Referring to FIG. 7, the first criterion is satisfied when theis total combined transmit power of the three data signals reaches P2, at time t1 in FIG. 7. At this point, the transmit power of the highest-powered of thie three data signals is reduced to zero, with the result that the total combined transmit power of the data signals falls to P1 . The quality of the first channel 160 continues to deteriorate, until the combined transmit power of the two transmitted data signals reaches P2′, at time t8 in FIG. 7. At this point, the transmit power of the highest-powered of the remaining two data signals is also reduced to zero, with the result that the total combined transmit power of the data signals falls to P1 ′. The quality of the first channel 160 then continues to deteriorate still further, until the transmit power of the remaining transmitted data signal reaches P2″, at time t9 in FIG. 7. At this point, the transmi power of the third data signal is also reduced to zero, with the result that the total combined transmit power of the data signals falls to P1 ″, where P1 ″=0. When the quality of the first channel 160 improves, the transmit power of all the data signals may be increased at the same time when the second criterion is considered to be met, or the second criterion may be applied a plurality of times with the power of a different data signal or plurality of data signals being increased each time the second criterion is met; in this latter case, the order in which the transmit powers of the multiple data signals are increased does not necessarily have to be the same as or the reverse of the order in which the transmit powers of the multiple data signals were reduced. In FIG. 7, the transmit power of one each of the three data signals is increased at respective times t10 , t11 and t12; the power levels at which the transmit power of the data signals are increased are shown to be the same as the power levels P2, P2′, and P2″ at which the transmit powers were decreased, but this is not essential. During operation of the first radio station 100 after decreasing the transmit power following the first criterion being met, and before the second criterion is met, any control signal transmitted by the first station 100 may be either a) switched off, or b) continued with varying power to continue to track the changes in channel quality to some extent, or c) continued at a constant level. The second criterion, for determining when to increase the transmit power and if appropriate resume the full tracking of the variations in channel quality by the transmit power level, may take one of several forms. Some examples are as follows: a) the quality of a signal received on the second channel 260 exceeds a predetermined level (this may be particularly relevant if open-loop power control is used); b) the quality of the first channel 160 exceeds a predetermined level as indicated by a message received on the second channel 260; c) if a control signal is transmitted with varying power to continue to track the changes in channel quality while the transmit power of the data is decreased, increase the transmit power of the data when the control signal power falls to or below its value when the first criterion was met; c) if a control signal is transmitted at a constant level while the transmit power of the data is decreased, increase the transmit power of the data on receipt of a TPC command to decrease transmit power or on receipt of a predetermined number of TPC commands to decrease transmit power within a further predetermined time period. In this latter case, while the prevailing channel quality is poor and the second criterion is not met, the second radio station 200 will, based on quality measurements on the control signal transmitted by the first radio station 100, transmit TPC commands reuesting the first radio station 100 to increase its transmit power level, which the first radio station will not obey. During this period the second radio station 200 may reduce the rate at which the TPC commands are transmitted. The choice of power level P2 is typically a compromise between increasing power efficiency plus system efficiency, and maintaining the ability for the second radio station 200 to decode the data block despite the periods t1 to t2, t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 of poor or zero reception of the data while the data transmit power of the first radio station 100 is decreased or zero. If the first radio station transmits a plurality of data signals simultaneously as described 20 above and the second criterion is applied a plurality of times during the predetermined time period, the order in which the second criterion is applied to the different data signals may depend on factors such as the number of bits remaining to be transmitted in each data signal, the relative priority of each data signal, the transmit power required by each data signal or the relative times at which the first criterion was applied to each of the data signals. Some options for transmission of the data block are described below with reference to FIG. 5. FIGS. 5A to 5F illustrate the time relationship of the data block with respect to the variations in channel quality in FIG. 5G, reproduced from FIG. 2. A first option for transmission of the data block is to continue transmission uninterrupted despite the decreases in data transmit power to level P1. Such a scheme is illustrated in FIG. 5B which shows the information symbol portions Ia, Ib, Ic of the data block and the parity check symbol portions Ca, Cb of the data block which are received by the second radio station 200. The symbols transmitted during the periods t1 to t2, t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 are not likely to be received successfully by the second radio station 200, but, depending on the error correction capability of the parity check symbols, the missing portions of information symbols may recoverable by error correction. Alternatively or in addition to error correction, a retransmission protocol may be used to receive missing portions of the information symbols. A second option for transmission of the data block is to suspend transmission of the data biock symbols during the periods t1 to t2, t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 while maintaining the timing of the symbols of the data block relative to the time period 0 to tF. After each period of suspension the transmission of the data block symbols resumes from the portion of the data block corresponding to the non-elapsed portion of the time period 0 to tF. This is equivalent to the first option but with P1=0, so the symbols received successfully by the second radio station 200 are the same ones as in the first option described above and illustrated in FIG. 5B. A third option for transmission of the data block is to suspend transmission of the data block symbols during the periods t1 to t2, t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 but, when the data transmit power is increased following the second criterion being met, to resume transmission of the data block from the point of suspension. Such a scheme is illustrated in FIG. 5C which shows that all of the information symbols are now transmitted, spaced out over three portions Ia, Ib, Ic. The start of transmission of the parity check symbols is delayed and the parity symbol portions Ca, Cb are too short to enable all of the parity check symbols C to be transmitted, so the excess parity check symbols that cannot be transmitted before the expiry of the time period tF are not transmitted. This truncation of the data block corresponds to puncturing the parity check symbols C and results in a reduction in the error correcting capability within the data block. However, because all of the information symbols have been transmitted while the channel quality is good, the reduced error correcting capability may be sufficient to recover all the information symbols. In a variation of the third option, the transmitting means 110 may, at a point during the predetermined time period, adopt uninterrupted transmission at an increased power level of the information symbols or of the information symbols and at least a portion of the parity check symbols, irrespective of the I second criterion being met. This scheme may be adopted if, for example, subsequent suspension of transmission of the data block would result in truncation of the information symbols or parity check symbols by the end of the predetermined time period. In a fourth option the data block comprises informatior symbols I and parity check symbols C and there is spare capacity wihin the predetermined time period available for transmitting the data block.Such a data block is illustrated in FIG. 5D in which the spare capacity is labelled S. Transmission of this data block is illustrated in FIG. 5E. As in the third option described above, transmission of the data block is suspended durinqthe periods t1 to t2, t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 while the data transmit power is decreased at times t1, t3 and t5, and when the data transmit power is increased following the second criterion being met transmission of the data block resumes from the point of suspension. As in the third option, all of the information symbols are transmitted, spaced out over three portions Ia, lb, Ic , and the start of transmission of the parity check symbols C is delayed, but in this option all of the parity check symbols C are transmitted in portions Ca, Cb using a portion of the spare capacity S. As illustrated in FIG. 5E, only a portion Sa of the spare capacity S remains after transmission of all of the information I end parity check symbols C. In this case the second radio station 200 may apply the full error correcting capability of the parity check symbols C to theeceived information symbols I. As a numerical example, there may be 100 infomation bits, 50 parity check bits, and spare capacity for up to a further 50 symbols. In a variation of the fourth option, the portion Sa of the spare capacity S is used for retransmitting information and/or parity check symbols that ave been transmitted earlier in the data block. This option can increase the reliability of successful decoding of the information symbols I. In a further variation of the fourth option, the portion Sa of the spare capacity S is not used for retransmission of data but instead the transmit power is reduced, or transmission is suspended, during the portion Sa, thereby further saving power and reducing interference. In a fifth option the data block, as in the fourth option, comprises information symbols I and parity check symbols C and there is spare capacity within the predetermined time period available for transmitting the data block, as illustrated in FIG. 5D in which the spare capacity is labelled S. Transmission of this data block is illustrated in FIG. 5F. As in the second option described above, transmission of the data block symbols is suspended during the periods t1 l to t2,t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 while maintaining the timing of the symbols of the data block relative to the time period 0 to tF, and after each period of suspension the transmission of the data block symbols resumes from the portion of the data block corresponding to the non-elapsed portion of the time period 0 to tF. The portions Sa and Sb of the spare capacity S during which transmission is not suspended are used for transmitting information and/or parity check symbols which were not transmitted due to suspension of transmission earlier in the predetermined time period. FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a radio communication system 300 in accordance with the invention. Transmission of the data block by the first radio station 100 commences at time t=0 at block 500. At block 510 the first radio station 100 tests whether the time tF at which 25 the predetermined time period expires has been reached. It time tF has been reached flow proceeds to block 580 where transmission of the data block ends. If the time tF has not been reached flow proceeds to block 520 where the first radio station 100 tests whether the channel quality has reduced according to the first criterion. If it has not the transmission of the data block continues at block 500 and the transmit power control may be adjusted to track any change in channel quality. If the channel quality has reduced according to the first criterion, flow proceeds to block 530 where the data transmit power is decreased, and flow continues to block 540 where the first radio station 100 is in a “bad channel” state and transmissions are at low or zero power. Flow then proceeds to block 550 where the first radio station 100 again tests whether the time tF at which the predetermined time period expires has been 5 reached. It time tF has been reached flow proceeds to block 580 where transmission of the data block ends. If the time tF has not been reached flow proceeds to block 560 where the first radio station 100 tests whether the channel quality has increased according to the second criterion. If it has not flow returns to block 540, and if it has flow proceeds to block 570 where the data block transmit power is increased and flow returns to block 500 where transmilssion of the data block continues and the tracking of the channel quality by the transmit power continues. Optionally, the first radio station 100 may transmit information which will assist the second radio station 200 in recovering the information symbols I. Such information may include, for example: an indication of which symbols of the data block have not been transmitted or were transmitted while the transmit power was decreased; an indication of the times t1, t2, t3, t4, t5 and t6; an indication of the points of suspension and resumption of transmission of the data block; an indication of to what extent the data block has been truncated; 20 and an indication of which symbols have been retransmitted. This information could be transmitted, for example, at regular intervals and may be included within each data block. Optionally, the first radio station 100 may transmit an indication of whether transmission of the data block is in progress or suspended. Such an indication may be, for example, different control signals which may be orthogonal pilot signals. The second radio station may transmit a first indication of received signal quality, such as TPC commands, while it receives the indication that transmission of the data block is in progress, and while it receives an indication that transmission of the data block is suspended it may transmit a different indication of received signal quality. In one embodiment of the invention in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system, the transmission and reception by a radio station alternates rather than taking place concurrently, and the data and any control signal could be transmitted at the same power level. In another embodiment of the invention in a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, there may be more than one data signal transmitted simultaneously from the first radio station 100 and the power control may be applied to the different data signals independently or to more than one data signal in unison. In a further embodiment of the invention in a multicarrier system, the data block is transmitted on a plurality of data signals on a plurality of frequency domain carriers simultaneously. In this case the channel quality may be measured independently for each carrier or a plurality of carriers and the transmit power level set accordingly for one or more of the carriers. The transmit power of the data on some carriers would be reduced to a low value or switched off if the channel quality on those carriers were poor, while transmission continued at a higher power level on other carriers. Such a multicarrier system may be combined with the time-domain implementation described above. In this case, the transmit power of the data on each carrier may be reduced or increased during the pre-determined time period according to variations in channel quality on each carrier. In a multicarrier system, the missing portions of information symbols arising from the data transmit power being low or zero on some carriers may be recoverable by error correction depending on the error correction capability of the parity check symbols. Alternatively or in addition to error correction, a retransmission protocol may be used to receive missing portions of the information symbols. In one embodiment of the invention in a multicarrier system, the data block comprises information symbols I and parity check symbols C and there are provided more carriers than are required for transmitting the data block within the predetermined time period. The additional carriers may for example be used to transmit the data bits which are transmitted with low or zero power on other carriers which have poor channel quality. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the first criterion is met when the channel quality falls below a predetermined level, and the second criterion is met when the channel quality increases above the same predetermined level. However these two levels need not be identical. It is not essential that the data transmit power level P1 is the same at times t1, t3, and t5 nor that the data block transmit power is held constant during the periods t1 to t2, t3 to t4, and t5 to t6 . The data block may comprise other symbols in addition to information and parity check symbols, for example symbols for synchronisation. In the present specification and claims the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exciude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Further, the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed. The inclusion of reference signs in parentheses in the claims is intended to aid understanding and is not intended to be limiting. From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the art of radio communication and the art of transmitter power control and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

20051031

20120313

20060921

97930.0

H04J116

BARON, HENRY

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04J

ACCEPTED

Method for operating an internal combustion engine

A method is described for operating an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle. In the method, a lean air/fuel mixture is burned in a combustion chamber; nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are stored in an accumulator-type catalytic converter; a storage efficiency, with which the accumulator-type catalytic converter stores the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas, is ascertained; and the storage efficiency is ascertained as a function of an instantaneous space velocity of the exhaust gases in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. Two efficiencies are ascertained at least as a function of the temperature of the accumulator-type catalytic converter and a space velocity. One of the two efficiencies is ascertained for a great space velocity, and the other efficiency is ascertained for a small space velocity. The storage efficiency is ascertained as a function of the instantaneous space velocity from the two efficiencies.

1-9. (canceled) 10. A method for operating an internal combustion engine, comprising: burning a lean air/fuel mixture in a combustion chamber; storing a nitrogen oxide contained in an exhaust gas in a first accumulator-type catalytic converter; ascertaining a first storage efficiency and a second storage efficiency with which the first accumulator-type catalytic converter stores the nitrogen oxide; ascertaining the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency at least as a function of a temperature of the first accumulator-type catalytic converter, a great space velocity of the exhaust gas, and a small space velocity of the exhaust gas, wherein: the first storage efficiency is ascertained for the great space velocity, and the second storage efficiency is ascertained for the small space velocity; and ascertaining an overall storage efficiency as a function of an instantaneous space velocity from the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency. 11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: ascertaining the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency as a function of an NOx mass already stored in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. 12. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: interpolating the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency. 13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising: measuring in advance the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency on a reference accumulator-type catalytic converter of the same type as the first accumulator-type catalytic converter. 14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising: storing the first storage efficiency as a first characteristics map and the second storage efficiency as a second characteristics map. 15. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the overall storage efficiency is influenced by at least one of a storage of a sulphur oxide in the accumulator-type catalytic converter and an ageing of the accumulator-type catalytic converter. 16. A computer program that when executed results in a performance of the following: burning a lean air/fuel mixture in a combustion chamber; storing a nitrogen oxide contained in an exhaust gas in a first accumulator-type catalytic converter; ascertaining a first storage efficiency and a second storage efficiency with which the first accumulator-type catalytic converter stores the nitrogen oxide; ascertaining the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency at least as a function of a temperature of the first accumulator-type catalytic converter, a great space velocity of the exhaust gas, and a small space velocity of the exhaust gas, wherein: the first storage efficiency is ascertained for the great space velocity, and the second storage efficiency is ascertained for the small space velocity; and ascertaining an overall storage efficiency as a function of an instantaneous space velocity from the first storage efficiency and the second storage efficiency. 17. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the method is performed in a control device. 18. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the method is performed in a control device contained in an internal combustion engine.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based on a method for operating an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, in which a lean air/fuel mixture is burned in a combustion chamber; in which nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas are stored in an accumulator-type catalytic converter; in which a storage efficiency, with which the accumulator-type catalytic converter stores the nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas, is ascertained; and in which the storage efficiency is ascertained as a function of an instantaneous space velocity of the exhaust gases in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. The present invention also relates to a computer program, a control device and an internal combustion engine of the corresponding type. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Such a method is known from German Patent No. 199 26 305. There, an internal combustion engine is operated with a lean fuel/air mixture, which means nitrogen oxides are stored temporarily in an accumulator-type catalytic converter. In a regeneration phase, the internal combustion engine is operated with a rich fuel/air mixture, which means the stored nitrogen oxides are catalytically converted. During the storage of nitrogen oxides, a storage efficiency is calculated, with which the accumulator-type catalytic converter stores nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. This storage efficiency is dependent, inter alia, on an air-mass flow which, however, only represents a substitute for the space velocity of the exhaust gas in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. In column 3, lines 47 through 49 of German Patent No. 199 26 305, it is assumed that this substitution can be made, since the catalytic converter volume is constant. However, ascertainment of the storage efficiency according to German Patent No. 199 26 305 has proven to be inaccurate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method which supplies the most optimal storage efficiency possible, without greater expenditure. This objective is achieved according to the present invention in a method of the type indicated at the outset, in that two efficiencies are ascertained at least as a function of the temperature of the accumulator-type catalytic converter and a space velocity; one of the two efficiencies is ascertained for a great space velocity and the other efficiency is ascertained for a small space velocity; and the storage efficiency is ascertained as a function of the instantaneous space velocity from the two efficiencies. Thus, according to the present invention, the instantaneous space velocity of the exhaust gas in the accumulator-type catalytic converter is taken into account. Therefore, there is no replacement by other variables. This measure alone substantially improves the precision of the method according to the present invention compared to the related art. At the same time, however, it is not necessary that corresponding efficiencies be available for all possible instantaneous space velocities. Instead, this is only necessary for two space velocities, based on which the storage efficiency is then ascertained. It is thereby ensured that the method of the present invention entails only a small expenditure, accompanied by nevertheless optimal results. In one advantageous further development of the invention, the two efficiencies are ascertained as a function of the NOx mass already stored in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. It is thereby possible, in addition to the temperature of the accumulator-type catalytic converter, to also take into account the aforementioned NOx mass already stored when determining the storage efficiency. In this manner, the accuracy of the ascertained storage efficiency is further optimized. It is particularly useful if the two efficiencies are interpolated. It is thereby possible, in simple manner, to achieve optimal linkage of the two efficiencies. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two efficiencies for the two space velocities are measured in advance on a reference accumulator-type catalytic converter of the same type. The efficiencies may then advantageously be stored in the form of two characteristics maps. In another advantageous development of the invention, the storage efficiency is influenced by further factors, e.g., by the storage of sulphur oxides in the accumulator-type catalytic converter and/or by the ageing of the accumulator-type catalytic converter over time. The accuracy of the storage efficiency may thereby be further increased. Further features, uses and advantages of the present invention come to light from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention which are shown in the figures of the drawing. In this context, all described or depicted features, alone or in any desired combination, form the subject matter of the present invention, and irrespective of their wording or illustration in the description and in the drawing, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention. FIGS. 2a and 2b show two schematic, three-dimensional characteristics maps of performance quantities of the internal combustion engine in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating the internal combustion engine of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a schematic flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a supplementation of the method of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows an internal combustion engine 10, which is provided in particular for use in a motor vehicle. Internal combustion engine 10 is a gasoline internal combustion engine having direct injection. However, the invention described in the following may also be used in corresponding manner for a diesel combustion engine or for an internal combustion engine having manifold injection. Internal combustion engine 10 has a cylinder 11 in which a piston 12 is movable back and forth. Cylinder 11 and piston 12 delimit a combustion chamber 13. Connected to combustion chamber 13 is an intake manifold 14, via which air may be conveyed to combustion chamber 13. Also connected to combustion chamber 13 is an exhaust pipe 15 via which exhaust gas is able to be discharged from combustion chamber 13. Valves 16 are provided to control the air supply and the exhaust flow. Furthermore, a fuel injector 17 and a spark plug 18 are assigned to combustion chamber 13. Fuel may be injected into combustion chamber 13 via fuel injector 17, and the injected fuel in combustion chamber 13 is able to be ignited with the aid of spark plug 18 and thus combusted. Connected to exhaust pipe 15 is a three-way catalytic converter 19 which is provided to convert the pollutant components HC, CO and NOx, into the components H2O, CO2 and N2. Three-way catalytic converter 19 is not absolutely necessary for a diesel engine. The three-way catalytic converter is connected to an accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 via a pipe 20. In pipe 20, a temperature sensor 22 may be provided which ascertains the temperature of the exhaust gas flowing into accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. Alternatively, temperature sensor 22 may also be assigned to accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 or to another location in the exhaust branch, in order to measure or ascertain the temperature of the exhaust gas directly and/or with the aid of a modeling. A further pipe 23 is connected to accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. If internal combustion engine 10 is operated with a stochiometric air/fuel mixture, thus where Lambda=1, then the pollutant components formed in this case are converted by three-way catalytic converter 19. However, to save on fuel, internal combustion engine 10 is also operated with a lean air/fuel mixture, thus where Lambda>1. The result is that, because of the excess air, the nitrogen oxides NOx contained in the exhaust gas can no longer be reduced in three-way catalytic converter 19. For this purpose, accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is provided, which is capable of storing the nitrogen oxides NOx temporarily. The storage capacity of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is limited. Thus, the storage capability decreases as the filling ratio of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 increases. Moreover, the storage-capability limit is a function of performance quantities of internal combustion engine 10. Accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 must always be discharged again and regenerated. To that end, internal combustion engine 10 is operated for a short period with a rich air/fuel mixture, thus where Lambda<1. The nitrogen oxides NOx stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 are thereby converted into the components N2 and CO2. After such a regeneration of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, it is again able to temporarily store nitrogen oxides NOx. The point of time for regenerating accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 may be determined, for example, with the aid of an NOx sensor downstream of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. Often, however, it is also necessary to control the regeneration of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 without the aforesaid NOx sensor. The method of the present invention described below may be used for that purpose. FIGS. 2a and 2b show two characteristics maps having state variables of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, which in each case are spanned over three axes. In both characteristics maps, they are a temperature T of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, an NOx mass M already stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 and an efficiency η1 and η2, respectively. The characteristics map of FIG. 2a relates to a first space velocity R1 of the exhaust gas in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, and the characteristics map of FIG. 2b relates to a second such space velocity R2. Because of the different space velocities R1, R2, different characteristics maps also result in FIGS. 2a and 2b, and therefore, in particular, different efficiencies η1 and η2, respectively. For example, from the characteristics map in FIG. 2a, it is apparent that efficiency η1 is essentially a function of temperature T of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 and the NOx mass M already stored. Thus, in general, the smaller the NOx mass M already stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, the greater efficiency η1 becomes. Moreover, efficiency η1 generally becomes smaller when temperature T of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 assumes values that are rather smaller or rather greater. Space velocity R1 of the exhaust gas in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is greater in the characteristics map of FIG. 2a than space velocity R2 in the characteristics map of FIG. 2b. In particular, space velocity R1 in the characteristics map of FIG. 2a represents a maximum value, and space velocity R2 in the characteristics map of FIG. 2b represents a minimum value. From a comparison of the two characteristics maps in FIGS. 2a and 2b, it is apparent that—given otherwise equal conditions—efficiency η1 of the characteristics map in FIG. 2a is generally greater than efficiency η2 of the characteristics map in FIG. 2b. The two characteristics maps of FIGS. 2a and 2b are measured in advance at a reference accumulator-type catalytic converter and the resulting values are stored in any manner. Accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 used in FIG. 1 is of the same type as the measured reference accumulator-type catalytic converter. FIG. 3 shows a method for operating internal combustion engine 10. This method is carried out by a control device, which receives input signals from sensors, for example, temperature sensor 22, and generates output signals for actuators, such as for fuel injector 17 or spark plug 18, by which internal combustion engine 10 is able to be controlled. The control device is adapted in such a way that it is able to execute the method described in the following. To this end, the control device may be designed using analog circuit technology and/or as a digital processor having a memory. In the latter case, a computer program is provided, which is programmed such that the described method is implemented with the aid of the computer program. In this case, the mentioned characteristics maps of FIGS. 2a and 2b may be stored in the aforesaid memory. According to FIG. 3, an untreated NOx mass N is fed to a block 31. The untreated NOx mass N is the mass of nitrogen oxides NOx emitted by internal combustion engine 10 and present in the exhaust-gas flow to accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. In FIG. 1, this untreated NOx mass N is indicated in conjunction with pipe 20. Untreated NOx mass N may be ascertained with the aid of sensors and/or model calculations from performance quantities of internal combustion engine 10. According to FIG. 3, untreated NOx mass N is linked with an efficiency η. This will be explained in greater detail. The NOx mass obtained in this way is fed to a block 32, which represents an integrator. With the aid of this integrator 32, the NOx mass M already stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is ascertained. In so doing, it is assumed that, after a complete regeneration of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, integrator 32 is reset to zero, to then carry out a new integration of untreated NOx mass N weighted by efficiency η. The NOx mass M stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is also indicated in FIG. 1. In a following block 33, the NOx mass M is compared to a predefined threshold value. If NOx mass M exceeds this threshold value, a signal S is generated which is supplied to a regeneration control (not shown), that uses this information within the framework of a decision process with respect to initiating a regeneration of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. Moreover, the NOx mass M already temporarily stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is supplied to the two characteristics maps in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The characteristics map of FIG. 2a is represented in FIG. 3 as block 34, and the characteristics map of FIG. 2b is represented as block 35. Temperature T of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is also supplied to both characteristics maps 34, 35. Temperature T may be ascertained with the aid of a model, if temperature sensor 22—as shown in FIG. 1—measures only the temperature of the exhaust-gas flow to accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. If temperature sensor 22 is allocated directly to accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, then temperature T may be further used immediately. In each case an efficiency η1 and η2 are now read out from the two characteristics maps 34, 35 as a function of NOx mass M and temperature T. The two efficiencies η1, η2 are supplied to an interpolation, represented in FIG. 3 as block 36. The actual space velocity R currently existing in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is also supplied to this interpolation. This space velocity R may be ascertained, for example, from the exhaust-gas volumetric flow, which, on its part, may be measured with the aid of sensors and/or calculated with the aid of models and/or characteristics maps of other performance quantities of internal combustion engine 10. The two efficiencies η1, η2 are thereupon linked as a function of space velocity R by interpolation 36 to form a storage efficiency η. Familiar interpolation methods may be used for this purpose. In the simplist case, from known space velocities R1, R2, which form the basis of both characteristics maps 34, 35, and from instantaneous space velocity R, a factor may be ascertained with which the two efficiencies η1, η2 enter into the calculation of storage efficiency η. Achieved by interpolation 36 is that neither space velocity R, which forms the basis of characteristics map 34, nor space velocity R2, which forms the basis for characteristics map 35, is solely decisive in each instance, but rather that actual space velocity R in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is taken into account. Overall, therefore, storage efficiency η is a function of actual space velocity R of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, as well as—via the two characteristics maps 34, 35—temperature T of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 and the NOx mass M already stored therein. As was already mentioned, storage efficiency η is linked with untreated NOx mass N in block 31. In the simplist case, this may be accomplished by multiplying untreated NOxmass N by storage efficiency η. In this case, block 31 is a multiplier. However, other linkages may also be provided and carried out with the aid of block 31. Due to the linkage of untreated NOx mass N with storage efficiency η, it is not the entire untreated NOx mass N flowing into accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 which is considered as though it would be completely stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, but rather only that portion of untreated NOx mass N is considered which accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is presently able to store at all based on the instantaneous operating conditions. FIG. 4 shows a supplementation of method which has been explained based on FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3. Corresponding features are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. During operation of internal combustion engine 10 with a lean air/fuel mixture, not only nitrogen oxides NOx but also sulphur oxides, in particular sulphur dioxide SO2, are formed. Accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 stores this sulphur dioxide SO2 as well, so that accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is also loaded to the extent that the loading is comparable to the loading of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 with nitrogen oxides NOx. As a result of the loading with sulphur dioxide SO2, the storage capability, and therefore the storage efficiency η for the loading of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 with nitrogen oxides NOx is reduced. One difference is that the loading with sulphur dioxide SO2 takes place substantially more slowly than the loading with nitrogen oxides NOx. Furthermore, regeneration of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is not possible under normal operating conditions, but rather requires an elevated temperature of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. FIG. 4 shows a block 37 which is provided for taking the loading of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 with sulphur dioxide SO2 into account. For that purpose, block 37 adds in how often accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is regenerated by the regeneration control on the basis of signal S. With the aid of measurements which are carried out in advance on a reference accumulator-type catalytic converter of the same type, block 37 knows how much sulphur dioxide SO2 is stored in the accumulator-type catalytic converter during a loading process of the accumulator-type catalytic converter with nitrogen oxides NOx. Thus, block 37 is able to ascertain how much sulphur dioxide SO2 is currently stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. From this, block 37—again optionally with the aid of measurements carried out in advance on a reference accumulator-type catalytic converter—is able to derive a factor with which storage efficiency η must be influenced so that the storage capability of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21, reduced because of stored sulphur dioxide SO2, is taken into account. This factor is then generated by block 37, to thereupon alter storage efficiency η accordingly. Likewise, it is possible to ascertain the loading of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 with sulphur dioxide SO2 as a function of the total amount of burned fuel on the basis of the known content of sulphur dioxide SO2 in the fuel. In this case, it may be assumed that approximately the total sulphur dioxide SO2 is stored in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. Plausibility analyses may be carried out in the event of changing fuel, and therefore changing content of sulphur dioxide SO2. In this context, the loading of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 must be carried out starting from the regeneration of the latter last implemented, with respect to sulphur dioxide SO2. On this basis, it is then possible to again derive the factor, already mentioned, which thereupon alters storage efficiency η. Quite generally, therefore, from the quantity of sulphur dioxide SO2 already stored, determined in any way desired and optionally checked for plausibility, it is possible to infer the indicated factor, which ultimately then represents a deterioration of the storage efficiency of accumulator-type catalytic converter 21. If the factor generated by block 37 reaches a predefined threshold value, then accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 may be regenerated with regard to sulphur dioxide SO2. To that end, given, for instance, a rich air/fuel mixture, thus where Lambda<1, accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 is heated to an elevated temperature. Thereupon, the indicated factor may be reset to an initial value determined in advance. In corresponding manner, as the storage of sulphur dioxide SO2 in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 can be taken into account by block 37, it is likewise possible to utilize block 37 for taking into account further changes in accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 dependent on the operating conditions. Thus, for example, a further factor may be provided, which takes into account the ageing over time and/or, e.g., damage to accumulator-type catalytic converter 21 caused by temperature, and which influences storage efficiency η in corresponding manner.

<SOH> BACKGROUND INFORMATION <EOH>Such a method is known from German Patent No. 199 26 305. There, an internal combustion engine is operated with a lean fuel/air mixture, which means nitrogen oxides are stored temporarily in an accumulator-type catalytic converter. In a regeneration phase, the internal combustion engine is operated with a rich fuel/air mixture, which means the stored nitrogen oxides are catalytically converted. During the storage of nitrogen oxides, a storage efficiency is calculated, with which the accumulator-type catalytic converter stores nitrogen oxides contained in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. This storage efficiency is dependent, inter alia, on an air-mass flow which, however, only represents a substitute for the space velocity of the exhaust gas in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. In column 3, lines 47 through 49 of German Patent No. 199 26 305, it is assumed that this substitution can be made, since the catalytic converter volume is constant. However, ascertainment of the storage efficiency according to German Patent No. 199 26 305 has proven to be inaccurate.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of the present invention is to provide a method which supplies the most optimal storage efficiency possible, without greater expenditure. This objective is achieved according to the present invention in a method of the type indicated at the outset, in that two efficiencies are ascertained at least as a function of the temperature of the accumulator-type catalytic converter and a space velocity; one of the two efficiencies is ascertained for a great space velocity and the other efficiency is ascertained for a small space velocity; and the storage efficiency is ascertained as a function of the instantaneous space velocity from the two efficiencies. Thus, according to the present invention, the instantaneous space velocity of the exhaust gas in the accumulator-type catalytic converter is taken into account. Therefore, there is no replacement by other variables. This measure alone substantially improves the precision of the method according to the present invention compared to the related art. At the same time, however, it is not necessary that corresponding efficiencies be available for all possible instantaneous space velocities. Instead, this is only necessary for two space velocities, based on which the storage efficiency is then ascertained. It is thereby ensured that the method of the present invention entails only a small expenditure, accompanied by nevertheless optimal results. In one advantageous further development of the invention, the two efficiencies are ascertained as a function of the NO x mass already stored in the accumulator-type catalytic converter. It is thereby possible, in addition to the temperature of the accumulator-type catalytic converter, to also take into account the aforementioned NO x mass already stored when determining the storage efficiency. In this manner, the accuracy of the ascertained storage efficiency is further optimized. It is particularly useful if the two efficiencies are interpolated. It is thereby possible, in simple manner, to achieve optimal linkage of the two efficiencies. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two efficiencies for the two space velocities are measured in advance on a reference accumulator-type catalytic converter of the same type. The efficiencies may then advantageously be stored in the form of two characteristics maps. In another advantageous development of the invention, the storage efficiency is influenced by further factors, e.g., by the storage of sulphur oxides in the accumulator-type catalytic converter and/or by the ageing of the accumulator-type catalytic converter over time. The accuracy of the storage efficiency may thereby be further increased. Further features, uses and advantages of the present invention come to light from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention which are shown in the figures of the drawing. In this context, all described or depicted features, alone or in any desired combination, form the subject matter of the present invention, and irrespective of their wording or illustration in the description and in the drawing, respectively.

20060907

20080304

20070719

63125.0

F01N300

MCCALL, ERIC SCOTT

METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

F01N

ACCEPTED

Multistage frequency conversion

A receiver for frequency down converting a radio frequency signal (10) using a multistage frequency (down) conversion. The radio frequency signal (10) having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, comprises oscillating means (20) for generating a first mixing signal (11) having a first frequency. And also a frequency divider (22) arranged to derive a second mixing signal (13) from the first mixing signal. The receiver further comprising a first mixer (12) arranged to down-convert the radio frequency signal (10) to a first lower frequency signal (15) using the first mixing signal (11) and a second mixer arranged to down-convert the first low frequency signal to a second lower frequency signal (18) using the second mixing signal (13). Wherein the division factor of the frequency divider and a ratio between the center frequency and the first frequency are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. Similarly a transminer can transmit a radio frequency signal (53) by using multistage frequency (up) conversion.

1. Receiver for receiving a radio frequency signal (10) having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, the receiver comprising: oscillating means (20) for generating a first mixing signal (11) having a first frequency; a frequency divider (22) arranged to derive a second mixing signal (13) from the first mixing signal; a first mixer (12) arranged to down-convert the radio frequency signal (10) to a first lower frequency signal (15) using the first mixing signal (11); and a second mixer arranged to down-convert the first low frequency signal to a second lower frequency signal (18) using the second mixing signal (13); in which a division factor of the frequency divider and a ratio between the center frequency and the first frequency are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. 2. Receiver according to claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a phase shifter (34) for shifting the phase of the second mixing signal (13). 3. Transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency signal (53) having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, the transmitter comprising: oscillating means (56) for generating a second mixing signal (55) having a second frequency; a frequency divider arranged (52) to derive a first mixing signal (54) from the second mixing signal (55); a first mixer (57) arranged to up-convert a lower frequency signal (50) to a higher frequency signal using the first mixing signal (54); and a second mixer (59) arranged to up-convert the higher frequency signal (51) to a radio frequency signal (53) using the first second signal (55); in which a division factor of the frequency divider and a ratio between the center frequency and the first frequency are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands 4. Transceiver comprising a receiver (62) that is capable of receiving a radio frequency signal (10) having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, the receiver (62) comprising: oscillating means (20) for generating a first mixing signal (11) having a first frequency; a frequency divider (22) arranged to derive a second mixing (13) signal from the first mixing signal (11); a first mixer (12) arranged to down-convert the radio frequency signal (10) to a first lower frequency signal (15) using the first mixing signal (11); and a second mixer (16) arranged to down-convert the first low frequency signal (15) to a second lower frequency signal (18) using the second mixing signal (13); in which a division factor of the frequency divider and a ratio between the center frequency and the first frequency are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. 5. Transceiver according to claim 4, comprising a transmitter (61) that is capable of transmitting a second radio frequency (53) signal having a second center frequency that is comprised in one of the at least two frequency bands, the transmitter comprising: a third mixer (57) arranged to up-convert a lower frequency signal to a higher frequency signal using a third mixing signal (54) having a third frequency; and a fourth mixer (59) arranged to up-convert the higher frequency signal (51) to the radio frequency signal (53) using a fourth mixing signal (55); 6. Transceiver according to claim 5, wherein the oscillating means (20,56) are further arranged to generate the fourth mixing signal (55) having a third frequency and the transceiver further comprises a second frequency divider (52) for deriving the third mixing signal (54) from the fourth mixing signal (55), in which a second division factor of the second frequency divider and a second ratio between the second center frequency and the third are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. 7. Transceiver according to claim 6, wherein the first mixing signal (11) equals the third mixing signal (54) and the second mixing signal (13) equals the fourth mixing signal (55). 8. Method for receiving a radio frequency signal (10) having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, the method comprising the steps of: generating a first mixing signal (11) that has a ratio to the center frequency, which ratio is determined by the one of at least two frequency bands; deriving a second mixing signal (13) from the first mixing signal by using a frequency divider (22) having a division factor which is determined by the one of at least two frequency bands comprising the center frequency; down-converting the radio frequency signal to a first lower frequency signal (15) using the first mixing signal (11); and down-converting the first lower frequency signal (15) to a second lower frequency signal (18) using the second mixing signal (13).

The present invention relates to a receiver using multistage frequency conversion. The invention further relates to a transmitter using multistage frequency conversion and to a transceiver comprising such a receiver and transmitter. The invention also relates to a method for multistage frequency conversion of a radio frequency signal. A receiver using multistage frequency conversion is known from the U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,413 B1. Shown is a receiver for down-converting a radio frequency signal using two separate frequency down conversion stages. Each of those stages is comprising a mixer. The corresponding mixing signals used by those mixers are generated by a tunable oscillator. However, since the tuning range of such a tunable local oscillator is limited per se, the corresponding receiving bandwidth i.e. the bandwidth from which the receiver can receive signals, is also limited To this end, the receiver for receiving a radio frequency signal having a center frequency that is comprised in one of at least two frequency bands, comprising: oscillating means for generating a first mixing signal having a first frequency; a frequency divider arranged to derive a second mixing signal from the first mixing signal; a first mixer arranged to down-convert the radio frequency signal to a first lower frequency signal using the first mixing signal; and a second mixer arranged to down-convert the first low frequency signal to a second lower frequency signal using the second mixing signal; in which a division factor of the frequency divider and a ratio between the center frequency and the first frequency are determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. In the invention as claimed, the ratio between the frequency of the first mixing signal and the center frequency such as a carrier frequency, is determined by the frequency band comprising the center frequency. According to the present invention the oscillating means are arranged to generate the first mixing signal. The second mixing signal is derived from the first signal by using a frequency divider which has a division factor that is also determined by the frequency band comprising the center frequency. Therefore, the frequencies of the mixing signals are no longer fixed but are made variably dependent on the center frequency. Herewith the receiving bandwidth can advantageously be increased without having to increase the corresponding tuning range of the oscillating means. In addition, given a certain receiving bandwidth the present invention can advantageously be used for reducing the tuning range of the oscillating means without reducing the receiving bandwidth as such. In a further embodiment according to the present invention the receiver is comprising a phase shifter to shift the phase of the second mixing signal which can be used for the down-conversion of quadrature signals such as I-Q signals. These and other aspects of the invention win be further elucidated by means of the following drawings. FIG. 1 shows some examples of frequency ranges that are used for wireless LAN applications. FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of a receiver according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a receiver according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a transmitter according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a transceiver according to the present invention FIG. 6 shows a flowchart showing the steps for multistage frequency conversion according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows by means of example some frequency bands used with wireless LAN applications. As can be observed, some frequency bands are adjacent to others. See for example, USA WLAN and the frequency band for Automotive Telematics in the USA. FIG. 2 shows a receiver according to the present invention. Shown are first and second mixers 12 and 16 which are coupled via low-pass filter 14 for removing unwanted spectral components from the first lower frequency signal 15. The receiver further comprises oscillating means 20 which may comprise a PLL or a free running oscillator for generating the first mixing signal. The embodiment further comprises frequency divider 22 for deriving the second mixing signal 13 from the first mixing signal 11. Both the division factor of the frequency divider and the ratio between the frequency of the first mixing signal 11 and the center frequency are dependent on the frequency band comprising the center frequency. It is to be noted that the wording center frequency also comprises a carrier frequency. The achievable reduction in tuning range is illustrated below. By means of example, the frequency of the first mixing signal 11 has a ratio of N/(N+1) to the carrier frequency. The frequency divider 22 has a division factor N. Therefore, the frequency of the second mixing signal equals 1(N+1) times the center frequency. N can assume any integer number For N=2, the first mixing signal would have a frequency of ⅔ times the center frequency whilst the second mixing signal would have a frequency of ⅓ times the center frequency. In table 1, the tuning range is calculated for different values of N. Nevertheless, N is fixed for the entire receiving bandwidth that ranges from 4900 to 5925 MHz. The tuning range of the osciliating means 20 is expressed in terms of a relative bandwidth (%) which can be calculated as: (Fmax−Fmin)/((Fmax+Fmin)/2)*100%. TABLE 1 Tuning range for fixed N. Center frequency 1st mixing signal Tuning range (MHz) N (MHz) (%) 4900-5925 2 3267-3950 18.9 4900-5925 3 3675-4444 18.9 4900-5925 4 3920-4740 18.9 In table 2, the value of N is made dependent on the frequency band comprising the center frequency. TABLE 2 Tuning range for variable N. Center frequency 1st mixing signal Tuning range (MHz) N (MHz) (%) 4900-5266 3 3675-3950 11.5 5267-5925 2 3511-3950 In this case the oscillator means 20, only need to cover the frequency range from 3511 to 3950 MHz. This represents a tuning range of 11.8% which is about 1.5 times lower compared to the first situation. Although in the above example the ratio between the first frequency and the center frequency equals N/(N+1), other ratio's and division factors are equally possible. For a zero-IF receiver for example, a ratio of N/(N−1) between the frequency of the first mixing signal 11 and the center frequency of the input signal 10 can be used as well. In this case, by using frequency divider 22 having a division factor N, the frequency of the second mixing signal 13 becomes 1/(N−1) times the center frequency. In general, for zero-IF, the sum of the frequencies of the mixing signals 11 and 13 must equal the center frequency. For non-zero IF however, the ratio and the division factor should be chosen such that the sum of the frequencies of mixing signals 11 and 13 does not equal the center frequency. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a receiver according to the present invention wherein mixers 30 and 32 are used for down-converting quadrature signals for use in for example I-Q demodulators. In order to down-convert the quadrature signals the receiver comprises a phase shifter 34 for shifting the phase of the second mixing signal. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a transmitter according to the present invention. Shown are mixers 57 and 59 for up-converting lower frequency signal 10 to a radio frequency signal 53. To this end, mixers 57 and 59 make use of mixing signals 54 and 55. Mixing signal 54 is derived from mixing signal 55 using frequency divider 61 which has a programmable division factor. Mixing signal 55 is generated using oscillating means 56 which can e.g. be PLL based or can make use of a free running oscillator. The division factor of the frequency divider 61 and the ratio between the frequency of the mixing signal 55 and the center frequency of signal 53 are equally determined by the frequency band comprising the center frequency. FIG. 5 shows a transceiver 64 comprising transmitter 61 and receiver 62. Receiver 62 receives input signal 10 from antenna 67 and frequency down-converts the input signal 10 to the lower frequency signal 18 which can be either a zero-IF or a near zero-EF signal. Signal 65 is obtained from the lower frequency signal 18 after being processed in processing means 63. Processing means 60, process signal 66 into the lower frequency signal 50. This signal is subsequently frequency up-converted by means of transmitter 61 and transmitted through antenna 67. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart comprising four steps S1,S2,S3 and S4 for frequency down converting a signal 10 using multistage frequency conversion. In step S1 a first mixing signal 11 is generated having a ratio to the center frequency, which ratio is determined by the one of at least two frequency bands that is comprising the center frequency. In step S2 a second mixing signal 13 is derived from the first mixing signal by using a frequency divider 22 having a division factor which is determined by the one of at least two frequency bands. In step S3, the radio frequency signal 10 is down-converted into a first lower frequency signal using the first mixing signal. Finally in step S4, the first lower frequency signal is frequency down-converted into a second lower frequency signal 18 using the second mixing signal 13. It is to be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The embodiments can be realized in either the analogue or digital domain using analogue and digital components. The word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

20051101

20111004

20070215

98005.0

H04B126

AKINYEMI, AJIBOLA A

MULTISTAGE FREQUENCY CONVERSION

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04B

ACCEPTED

Write-once optical record carrier for high-speed recording

The present invention relates to a write-once optical record carrier for high speed recording, in particular to a DVD+R disc. Such a record carrier comprises in general at least a substrate layer (3), a recording layer (2) of an organic dye material on top of the substrate layer (3) and a metal reflective layer (1) on top of the recording layer (2). In order to obtain a less steep temperature gradient at the interface between the recording layer (2) and the reflective layer (1) and thus to prevent mechanical stress leading to a delamination problem it is proposed to reduce the thickness of the metal reflective layer (1) to a range below 75 nm. A dielectric layer of a thickness below 50 nm between the recording layer (2) and the metal reflective layer (1) is also enclosed.

1. Write-once optical record carrier comprising: a substrate layer (3); a recording layer (2) of an organic dye material on top of the substrate layer (3); and a metal reflective layer (1) of a thickness below 75 nm on top of the recording layer (2). 2. Record carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a dielectric layer (5) between said recording layer (2) and said metal reflective layer (1). 3. Record carrier according to claim 2, wherein said dielectric layer (5) is of a thickness below 50 nm, in particular below 25 nm. 4. Record carrier according to claim 1, further comprising a dielectric layer between said recording layer (2) and said substrate layer (3). 5. Record carrier according to claim 1, wherein said metal reflective layer (1) is substantially made of a material of the group consisting Ag, Al, Au, in particular made of Ag. 6. Record carrier according to claim 1, wherein said metal reflective layer (1) is of a thickness below 50 nm, in particular below 30 nm.

The present invention relates to a write-once optical record carrier, such as a DVD+R, in particular to a single-layer DVD+R, which is adapted for high-speed recording of data thereon. At present, the development of a high-speed DVD+R standard has a high priority. Current dye-based high-speed DVD+R media exhibit reasonable performance up to 4× or even 6×. The power margins, however, are getting more and more narrow at higher speeds. It is believed that at the high powers required for high-speed recording delamination occurs at the dye-metal interface, i.e. at the interface between the recording layer made of an organic dye material and a metal reflective layer provided for cooling of the recording layer. These problems raise concerns about the possibility to achieve higher recording speeds with write-once optical record carriers, in particular DVD+R media, comprising a recording layer made of an organic dye material. However, the use of dyes is considered favourable because of the backwards compatibility of recorded disc on existing players due to the dye's intrinsic high transparency which allows (together with a reflector layer) a high reflectivity disc. The thickness of the metal reflective layer is usually around 100 nm. An important effect of the presence of the metal reflective layer is its large cooling power, i.e. its high heat capacity. It is thus believed that a reduction of the thickness of the metal reflective layer will result in a less efficient cooling of the dye recording layer. Since the dye has only a very poor heat conduction, the efficient cooling by the metal reflective layer induces a large temperature gradient near the interface between the recording layer and the metal reflective layer. It is possible that mechanical stress that may result from this steep gradient leads to the above-mentioned delamination problem. U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,961 discloses a phase-change type optical disc in which a first dielectric film, a second dielectric film, a recording film and a reflective film are sequentially stacked on a substrate. The thickness of the reflective layer can be in a broad range of 10 to 120 nm. By use of ZnO—BN as material for the first and second dielectric film a high recording sensitivity and thermal stability can be achieved, and heat produced during recording can be rapidly dissipated to the reflective layer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a write-once optical record carrier which allows higher recording speeds but has a reduced temperature gradient at the interface between the recording layer and the metal reflective layer to avoid mechanical problems such as delamination. This object is achieved according to the present invention by a write-once optical record carrier as claimed in claim 1 comprising: a substrate layer, a recording layer of an organic dye material on top of the substrate layer and a metal reflective layer of a thickness below 75 nm on top of the recording layer. The invention is based on the finding that, contrary to common believe, a reduction of the thickness of the metal reflective layer can be advantageous. It has been found that by a reduction of the thickness, the cooling becomes less efficient, which, however, leads in consequence to a temperature gradient at the interface between the recording layer and the metal reflective layer which is more gradual. This will reduce mechanical stress and thereby prevent delamination. It has thus been recognized that a deterioration of the cooling in the recording stack may actually improve the high-speed recording performance. This means that by this invention it is proposed to do the opposite from what experts in this field commonly believe both for record carriers having a recording layer made of an organic dye material or made of a phase-change material. Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. While an improvement of the high-speed recording performance can be achieved by a metal reflective layer thickness below 75 nm, a further improvement can be achieved by reducing the thickness even more below 50 nm, in particular below 30 nm. According to another preferred embodiment an additional dielectric layer is provided between the recording layer and the metal reflective layer. This dielectric layer acts as a thermal barrier and can mimic the reduced heat-sink capability of the reflective layer. The introduction of the additional dielectric layer, e.g. SiO2, ZnS, ZnS-SiO2 mixture (e.g. 8:2), TiO2 or an other dielectric material, slightly enhances the reflection of the recording stack at the cost of reduced absorption. However, it can be foreseen further, to use a thinner recording layer which usually has a thickness of 100 nm, or a dye having a higher k value, k being the imaginary part of the complex refractive index, in order to compensate this. Optionally, another dielectric layer can be provided between the recording layer and the substrate layer, in particular to improve stability of the whole recording stack. At least the first dielectric layer between the recording layer and the metal reflective layer has a thickness below 50 nm, in particular below 25 nm. A preferred material for the metal reflective layer substantially consists of silver (Ag). However, other materials such as Al, Au or other metals can be used as well. The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows power margins for a DVD+R disc with a 100 nm Ag layer; FIG. 2 shows power margins for a DVD+R disc with a 10 nm Ag layer; FIG. 3a shows the temperature distribution after applying a DC-power level to a conventional write-once record carrier; FIG. 3b shows the temperature distribution after applying a DC-power level to a write-once optical record carrier according to the present invention; FIG. 4 shows the thermal distribution for another embodiment of a record carrier according to the invention; FIG. 5 shows the thermal distribution for still another embodiment of a record carrier according to the invention; FIG. 6 shows a schematic layout of a first embodiment of a record carrier according to the invention; and FIG. 7 shows a schematic layout of a second embodiment of a record carrier according to the invention. FIG. 1 shows a typical power margin in case of a thick reflective layer, in particular a 100 nm Ag layer, in a DVD+R disc. Shown is the jitter in percentage over write power in mW for leading and trailing edges of bits to be recorded on the disc. This power margin needs to be compared to the power margin for a thin reflective layer shown in FIG. 2 where the reflective layer made of Ag in a DVD+R has a thickness of 10 nm. As can be seen the jitter is much lower in a broader range of write powers, in particular for higher write powers compared to the jitter achieved with the thick reflective layer shown in FIG. 1. The temperature distribution after applying a dc-power level to a conventional DVD+R recording stack having a thick reflective layer 1 made of Ag (100 nm), a dye recording layer 2 (100 nm) and a polycarbonate substrate layer 3 (100 nm) is shown in FIG. 3a Not shown in FIG. 3a is the dummy substrate that is glued by means of a UV-curable lacquer on top of the thick reflective layer. Since the dye material has very poor heat conduction, the efficient cooling by the reflective layer 1 induces a large temperature gradient near the interface between the reflective layer 1 and the recording layer 2. From this steep gradient mechanical stress may result which may lead to delamination at the interface between the reflective layer 1 and the recording layer 2. By reducing the thickness of the reflective layer 1, the cooling becomes less efficient, but advantageously as a consequence the temperature gradient becomes more gradual as can be seen from FIG. 3b where the temperature distribution after applying a DC-power level to a first embodiment of a record carrier according to the present invention is shown. Here the reflective layer has a thickness of approximately 10 nm and is made of Ag. The thermal distribution for a second embodiment of a record carrier according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 4. Therein, compared to the record carrier shown in FIG. 3a, an additional dielectric layer 5 made of SiO2 having a thickness of 20 nm is provided between the reflective layer 1 having a thickness of 40 nm here and the recording layer 2. Not shown in FIG. 4 is the dummy substrate that is glued by means of a UV-curable lacquer on top of the 40 nm thick reflective layer. Further, the recording layer 2 has a reduced thickness of 80 nm which leads to a more efficient absorption as is apparent from the somewhat higher maximum temperature that is reached. The introduction of the additional dielectric layer 5 further reduces the temperature gradient between the reflective layer 1 and the recording layer 2, and thus reduces mechanical stress and prevents delamination. The thermal distribution for a third embodiment of a record carrier according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. Therein the reflective layer made of Ag has a thickness of 30 nm which still yields rather high reflection, but the thermal capacity is reduced by a factor of 3.3. Nevertheless, also in this embodiment the thermal gradient becomes less steep. Not shown in FIG. 5 is the dummy substrate that is glued by means of a UV-curable lacquer on top of the thick reflective layer. FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically show two embodiments of record carriers according to the invention. FIG. 6 shows an embodiment for which the temperature profile is shown in FIG. 5. In addition to the three layers shown in FIG. 5, a second polycarbonate substrate layer 4 (about 0.6 mm) is shown, which is glued by means of a UV-curable lacquer on top of the reflective layer 1. FIG. 7 shows an embodiment for which the temperature profile is shown in FIG. 4. In addition to the 4 layers shown in FIG. 4, again a second polycarbonate substrate layer 4 (about 0.6 mm) is shown. The embodiments shown in the figures are to be understood as examples. A number of further embodiments and further variations of the thicknesses of the different layers as well as the sequence and the provision of further layers is possible. The invention provides the advantage to get broader power margins for write-once optical record carriers, in particular for DVD+R media. Further, the possibility to go to higher recording speeds is available. In addition, thinner reflective layers cost less time to sputter, i.e. a faster fabrication is possible and a reduction of fabrication costs can be obtained.

20051102

20120306

20061005

95955.0

B32B302

MULVANEY, ELIZABETH EVANS

WRITE-ONCE OPTICAL RECORD CARRIER FOR HIGH-SPEED RECORDING

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B32B

ACCEPTED

Image coding or decoding device and method involving multithreading of processing operations over a plurality of processors, and corresponding computer program and synchronisation signal

A method and apparatus are provided for coding or decoding an image comprising macro-blocks which are distributed in lines and columns. The processing of at least one given macro-block requires the pre-processing of at least one other macro-block on which said dependent macro-block depends. Moreover, the macro-blocks are processed sequentially line by line or column by column. Processing of the macro-blocks is multithreaded over N processors, N≧2. The image is separated into N vertical bands each comprising a plurality of lines and at least one column of macro-blocks if the macro-block is processed sequentially line by line, or into N horizontal bands each comprising a plurality of columns and at least one line of macro-blocks if the macro-block is processed sequentially column by column. One of the N bands is processed by each processor, and the processing operations performed by the N processors is synchronized.

1. Method for coding or decoding an image including macroblocks distributed in lines and columns, comprising: processing of the macroblocks sequentially line by line or column by column, wherein the processing of at least one given macroblock, referred to as a dependent macroblock, requires prior processing of at least one other macroblock on which said dependent macroblock depends; and multithreading the processing of the macroblocks over N processors, with N>2, including the following steps: separation of the image: into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line; into N horizontal bands each including a plurality of columns and at least one line of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column; processing by each processor of one of the N bands; and synchronisation of the processing operations carried out by the N processors. 2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the synchronisation of the processing operations carried out by the N processors comprises, for each processor of each pair of processors that process two adjacent bands: informing the other processor of said pair about each completed processing of a macroblock on which a dependent macroblock included in the band processed by said other processor depends; and verifying, before processing a dependent macroblock, that said at least one other macroblock on which the dependent macroblock depends has previously been processed by said processor or said other processor. 3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said image belongs to the group including: video sequence images formed by a series of images; and fixed images. 4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the processing of the macroblocks is carried out sequentially, line by line, from left to right over the same line and from top to bottom from one line to the next. 5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the processing of each dependent macroblock (MB) requires the prior processing, when it exists, of at least the macroblock located to the left of said dependent macroblock, and wherein, in each pair of processors that process two adjacent vertical bands, the processor that processes the left vertical band informs the other processor of each completed processing of the macroblock of the right end of one of the lines of macroblocks of said left vertical band. 6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the processing of each dependent macroblock requires the prior processing, when it exists, of at least the macroblock located above and to the right of said dependent macroblock, and wherein, in each pair of processors that process two adjacent vertical bands, the processor that processes the right vertical band informs the other processor of each completed processing of the macroblock of the left end of one of the lines of macroblocks of said right vertical band. 7. Method according to any claim 1, wherein the coding or decoding is consistent with a standard belonging to the group including: H.263, H.263+, H264 and MPEG-4 Video. 8. Computer program, comprising program code instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to claim 1, when said program is run on a computer. 9. Device for coding or decoding an image including macroblocks distributed in lines and columns, wherein said device comprises: N processors, with N>2, which process the macroblocks, wherein processing of at least one given macroblock, referred to as a dependent macroblock, requires prior processing of at least one other macroblock on which said dependent macroblock depends, wherein the processing of the macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line or column by column; and means for multithreading the processing of macroblocks over said N processors, which means for multithreading the processing include: means for separating the image: into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line; and into N horizontal bands each including a plurality of columns and at least one line of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column; in each processor, means for processing one of the N bands; and means for synchronising the processing operations performed by the N processors. 10. Synchronisation signal transmitted from a first to a second processor of a pair of processors that process two adjacent bands of an image, wherein said image includes macroblocks distributed in lines and columns and is separated: into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line; or into N horizontal bands each including a plurality of columns and at least one line of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column; the processing of at least one given macroblock, referred to as a dependent macroblock, requiring the prior processing of at least one other macroblock on which said dependent macroblock depends, said first and second processors belonging to a set of N processors each simultaneously processing one of the bands of the image, in order to code or decode the image, wherein said synchronisation signal includes information by way of which said first processor informs the second processor of the completed processing by the first processor of a macroblock on which a dependent macroblock included in the band processed by the second processor depends, so that the second processor can verify, before processing said dependent macroblock, that said at least one other macroblock on which the dependent macroblock depends has previously been processed by the first processor.

This invention relates to the coding/decoding of digital images. Typically, a digital image includes macroblocks distributed in lines and columns. Each line (or horizontal row) of the image includes, for example, macroblocks of 16×16 pixels. Conventionally, a macroblock is organised into four luma blocks and two, four or eight chroma blocks according to the type of sampling. Traditionally, the coding or decoding of an image involves processing all of its macroblocks, sequentially, line by line, from left to right over a single line, and from top to bottom from one line to the next. The invention applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the coding or decoding of a video sequence formed by a series of images. In this case, the coding or decoding technique is implemented in a video compression or decompression algorithm. It is thus consistent with a compression/decompression standard such as (this list is not exhaustive) the H.263 standard, defined in the standardisation document as “ITU-T H.263”; the H.263+ standard, defined in the standardisation document as “ITU-T H.263+”; the H.264 standard (also referred to as H.26L or MPEG-4 AVC): defined in the standardisation document as “ISO MPEG-4 Part 10”; the MPEG-4 Video standard: defined in the standardisation document as “ISO MPEG-4 Part 2”. It is, however, clear that the invention also applies to the coding or decoding of a fixed image. In general, this invention can apply wherever there is a spatial dependence context for the processing of macroblocks of an image. In other words, it is assumed that to process each macroblock of the image, it is necessary to know the result of the previous processing of other macroblocks of the same image. Such a spatial dependence context exists in particular, but not exclusively, in the methods for coding or decoding consistent with the aforementioned compression/decompression standards based on a motion estimation. FIG. 1 shows the spatial dependence context as defined in these standards. To process a given macroblock MB, it is necessary to know the result of the processing of the left macroblock (MBG), that of the upper macroblock (MBH) and that of the right macroblock (MBD). The processing of all of the macroblocks of an image by a single processor does not appear to be optimal in terms of computing time. In addition, a multithreading technique is known, which involves optimally distributing (i.e. multithreading) the computing loads for processing over a plurality of available processors. This known technique is used in the field of video compression, according to either a general approach or a narrow approach. The general approach consists of distributing macro-tasks over each of the processors. For example, it is assumed that the coding of an image requires three tasks A, B and C to be executed which must be ordered as follows: A, then B, then C. It can then be imagined that to best distribute the tasks A, B and C over two processors, two threads T1 and T2 are created, with T1 managing only tasks A ad B and T2 managing only task C. This multithreading can be carried out only if T1 can work on image N while T2 works on image N−1, with N being the number of the image of a video sequence. It can be seen that this distribution is optimal only if the load used by tasks A and B is substantially equivalent to that used by task C (isodistribution of loads between processors). A disadvantage of the multithreading technique according to the general approach is that the isodistribution of the loads between processors is almost never verified in practice. In other words, it is very difficult, and even impossible in some cases, to find a perfect balance by separating entire tasks from one another. Another disadvantage of the multithreading technique according to the general approach is that it requires a specific implementation of the calling program, with the use of a stacking mechanism. Yet another disadvantage of the multithreading technique according to the general approach is that it cannot be applied in the case of a spatial dependence context as described above. The narrow approach consists of separating each task into as many basic tasks as can be executed simultaneously by a plurality of processors, when possible. For example, in the field of video compression or image compression (with the aforementioned conventional sequential processing order: line by line, from left to right over the same line, and from top to bottom from one line to the next), the image can be separated into N horizontal bands and have each of them processed by one of N processors. In this case, it is not necessary for the different threads to be mutually synchronised. They must simply inform a main thread when they have completed their processing. This provides a very balanced distribution of loads between processors. However, a major disadvantage of the multithreading technique according to the narrow approach is that it cannot be applied in the case of a spatial dependence context as described above. Indeed, in this context, each first line of a given horizontal band (lower band) of the image cannot be processed as long as the last line of the horizontal band located above (upper band) has not been processed. The processors could therefore only act in series and not simultaneously, which counteracts any benefit of the use of this technique in this context. The aim of the invention is in particular to overcome these various disadvantages of the prior art. More specifically, one of the aims of this invention is to provide a method and a device for coding or decoding enabling the computing time to be optimised while being capable of being implemented in a spatial dependence context as described above. Another aim of the invention is to provide such a method and device that can be implemented independently of any hardware or software. These various objectives, as well as others which will be described below, are achieved by the invention with a method for coding or decoding an image including macroblocks distributed in lines and columns, the processing of at least one given macroblock, referred to as a dependent macroblock, requiring the prior processing of at least one other macroblock on which said dependent macroblock depends, in which the processing of the macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line or column by column. According to the invention, the method includes a step of multithreading the processing of the macroblocks over N processors, with N≧2, including the following steps: separation of the image: into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line; into N horizontal bands each including a plurality of columns and at least one line of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column; processing by each processor of one of the N bands; synchronisation of the processing operations carried out by the N processors. The general principle of the invention therefore consists of performing multithreading according to the narrow approach, but by separating the image into perpendicular (and not parallel) bands in the direction of sequential processing of the macroblocks. This makes it possible to obtain an optimal load distribution between processors. In other words, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line (classical case of a sequential processing direction that is horizontal, along a line), the image is separated into vertical bands. If, on the other hand, the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column (an unusual case today, but possible in the future for a sequential processing direction that is vertical, along a column), the image is separated into horizontal bands. The synchronisation of processing operations carried out by the N processors enables the implementation of the general principle mentioned above in a spatial dependence context. Indeed, this synchronisation makes it possible to prevent a processor from attempting to process a given macroblock when other macroblocks on which this given macroblock is dependent have not yet been processed. It should be noted that this invention can be implemented with any number of processors (for example, two, four, eight, . . . ). The synchronisation of the processing operations carried out by the n processors preferably consists, for each processor of each pair of processors processing two adjacent bands, of: informing the other processor of said pair about each completed processing of a macroblock on which a dependent macroblock included in the band processed by said other processor depends; verifying, before processing a dependent macroblock, that said at least one other macroblock on which the dependent macroblock depends has previously been processed by said processor or said other processor. Thus, the processors exchange synchronisation signals (system messages) by informing one another of the macroblocks that they have processed. Said image advantageously belongs to the group including: video sequence images formed by a series of images; fixed images. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line, from left to right over the same line and from top to bottom from one line to the next. The processing of each dependent macroblock advantageously requires the prior processing, when it exists, of at least the macroblock located to the left of said dependent macroblock. Moreover, in each pair of processors processing two adjacent vertical bands, the processor that processes the left vertical band informs the other processor of each completed processing of the macroblock of the right end of one of the lines of macroblocks of said left vertical band. According to an advantageous feature, the processing of each dependent macroblock requires the prior processing, when it exists, of at least the macroblock located above and to the right of said dependent macroblock. In addition, in each pair of processors that process two adjacent vertical bands, the processor that processes the right vertical band informs the other processor of each completed processing of the macroblock of the left end of one of the lines of macroblocks of said right vertical band. It should be noted that this feature (information on the completed processing of the left macroblock (MBG) of a line of the right vertical band) can be combined with the previous (information on the completed processing of the right macroblock (MBD) of a line of the left vertical band). The invention thus provides an optimal solution to the classical spatial dependence context (see discussion above, in relation to FIG. 1). It should be noted that the completed processing of the upper macroblock (MBH) requires no synchronisation information since it is included in the same vertical band as the macroblock (MB) dependent on it (and the left and right macroblocks (MBG, MBD). The coding or decoding is advantageously consistent with a standard belonging to the group including: H.263, H.263+, H264 and MPEG-4 Video. This list is not exhaustive. The invention also relates to a computer program including program code instructions for carrying out the steps of the aforementioned method, when said program is run on a computer. The invention also relates to a device for coding or decoding an image including macroblocks distributed in lines and columns, the processing of at least one given macroblock, referred to as a dependent macroblock, requiring the prior processing of at least one other macroblock on which said dependent macroblock depends, in which the processing of the macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line or column by column, with said device including N processors, with N≧2, and means for multithreading the processing of macroblocks over said N processors, which means for multithreading the processing include: means for separating the image: into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line; into N horizontal bands each including a plurality of columns and at least one line of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column; in each processor, means for processing one of the N bands; means for synchronising the processing operations performed by the N processors. The invention also relates to a synchronisation signal transmitted from a first to a second processor of a pair of processors that process two adjacent bands of an image, wherein said image includes macroblocks distributed in lines and columns and being separated: into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line; into N horizontal bands each including a plurality of columns and at least one line of macroblocks, if the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially column by column; the processing of at least one given macroblock, referred to as a dependent macroblock, requiring the prior processing of at least one other macroblock on which said dependent macroblock depends, said first and second processors belonging to a set of N processors each simultaneously processing one of the bands of the image, in order to code or decode the image, said synchronisation signal including information by way of which said first processor informs the second processor of the completed processing by the first processor of a macroblock on which a dependent macroblock included in the band processed by the second processor depends, so that the second processor can verify, before processing said dependent macroblock, that said at least one other macroblock on which the dependent macroblock depends has previously been processed by the first processor. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given as an indicative and non-limiting example, and appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows the classical spatial dependence context for the processing of a macroblock of an image; FIG. 2 shows an example of an image separated into two vertical bands, showing a specific embodiment of the method according to the invention. The invention therefore relates to a method for coding or decoding an image including a step of multithreading the processing of macroblocks over N processors. In the description below, it is assumed that, as usual, the processing of macroblocks is performed sequentially line by line, from left to right over the same line and from top to bottom from one line to the next. However, it is clear, as already indicated above, that this invention can also be applied to the case (which is uncommon today) in which the processing of macroblocks is carried out sequentially column by column. It is also assumed that the image to which the method according to the invention is applied is included in a video sequence and that the method according to the invention is consistent with one of the following compression/decompression standards: H.263, H.263+, H.264, MPEG-4 Video, etc. It is therefore assumed that the processing of the macroblocks of an image is carried out in the spatial dependence context shown in FIG. 1 and already discussed above. For the record, the processing of a given macroblock MB requires the knowledge of the result of the processing of the macroblock located to the left (MBG), that located above (MBH) and that located to the right (MBD). The method according to the invention, in view of the aforementioned hypotheses, consists of: separating the image into N vertical bands each including a plurality of lines and at least one column of macroblocks; assigning the processing of each of these N bands to a distinct processor; synchronising the processing operations carried out by the N processors, to prevent a processor from attempting to access (needing to process a macroblock of the vertical band that is processing) another macroblock (of another vertical band processed by another processor) which would not yet have been processed. A specific embodiment of the method according to the invention will now be described in detail, with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows, as an example, an image 20 including 6 lines and 16 columns. Each line therefore includes 16 macroblocks. For the only three first lines (for the sake of simplification), the number of the macroblock has been inserted into each box representing a macroblock. The first line includes macroblocks MB0 to MB15, the second includes macroblocks MB16 to MB31, and so on. In this example, the image is separated into four vertical bands (N=4) of equal width (four macroblocks) hereinafter referred to as bands B1 to B4 (with the bands being numbered from left to right). Therefore, four processors are used to process each of these four vertical bands. These four processors are hereinafter referred to as P1 to P4 (with the number of the processors corresponding to the number of the bands that they process). The operation of the method according to the invention can be summarised as follows: the processor P1 starts and processes (i.e. computes the data on) the macroblocks MB0, MB1, MB2 and MB3; when macroblock MB3 has been processed, processor P1 informs processor P2 of it with a synchronisation message, i.e. it indicates to processor P2 that the latter can start and process macroblock MB4. Indeed, macroblock MB3 is the macroblock to the left MBG of macroblock MB4; processors P1 and P2 simultaneously perform processing operations: processor P1 processes macroblocks MB16, MB17 and MB18, and processor P2 processes macroblocks MB4, MB5, MB6 and MB7; when macroblock MB4 has been processed, processor P2 informs processor P1 of it with a synchronisation message; when processor P1 is ready to process macroblock MB19, it verifies that macroblock MB4 has been processed by processor P2. Indeed, macroblock MB4 is the macroblock above and to the right MBD of macroblock MB19. In addition, processor P1 has already processed the left macroblock MBG (in this case MB18) and the macroblock MBH (in this case MB3) above macroblock MB4. If macroblock MB4 has been processed by processor P2, processor P1 processes macroblock MB19; when macroblock MBl9 has been processed, processor P1 informs processor P2 of it with a synchronisation message, i.e. it indicates to processor P2 that the latter can start the second line of the vertical band B2 and process macroblock MB20. Indeed, macroblock MB19 is the macroblock to the left MBG of macroblock MB20. In addition, processor P2 has already processed the above macroblock MBH (in this case MB4) and the macroblock above and to the right MBD (in this case MB5) of macroblock MB20; when macroblock MB7 has been processed, processor P2 informs processor P3 of it with a synchronisation message, i.e. it indicates to processor P3 that the latter can start and process macroblock MB8. Indeed, macroblock MB7 is the macroblock to the left MBG of macroblock MB8; processors P1, P2 and P3 simultaneously perform processing operations: processor P1 processes macroblocks MB31, MB32 and MB33, and processor P2 processes macroblocks MB20, MB21 and MB22, and processor P3 processes macroblocks MB8, MB9, MB10 and MB11; and so on until all of the macroblocks of all of the vertical bands B1 to B4 have been processed by processors P1 to P4. In general, the principle of synchronising the processing operations carried out by the processors is based on the use of synchronisation messages (system messages). In the example above, there are three synchronisation points (one between each pair of processors (Pk, Pk+1) processing two adjacent vertical bands): one between processors P1 and P2, one between processors P2 and P3 and one between processors P3 and P4. Two types of conditions correspond to each synchronisation point: at each end of line of row i+1 of the band Bk (which corresponds to a quarter of a line of an image), the processor Pk must ensure that the condition “first macroblock of the line of row i of the band Bk+1 (which also corresponds to a quarter of a line of an image) has been processed” has been satisfied by the processor Pk+1. For example, at the end of the second line of band B1 (for the processing of macroblock MB19), processor P1 must ensure that the condition “first macroblock MB4 of the first line of band B2 has been processed” has been satisfied by processor P2; at each start of line of row i of the band Bk+1, the processor Pk+1 must ensure that the condition “last macroblock of the line of row i of the band Bk+1 has been processed” has been satisfied by the processor Pk. For example, at the beginning of the first line of band B2 (for the processing of macroblock MB4), processor P2 must ensure that the condition “last macroblock MB3 of the first line of band B1 has been processed” has been satisfied by processor P1.

20051103

20110208

20070308

76970.0

H04N1104

SHERALI, ISHRAT I

IMAGE CODING OR DECODING DEVICE AND METHOD INVOLVING MULTITHREADING OF PROCESSING OPERATIONS OVER A PLURALITY OF PROCESSORS, AND CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM AND SYNCHRONISATION SIGNAL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04N

ACCEPTED

User interface for controlling light emitting diodes

A LED lighting system (100) employing a LED light source (115), a user interface (124, 128, 134, 138), and a controller (112). The LED light source (115) includes a plurality of colored LEDs emitting one of a plurality of spectral outputs as a function of one or more currents flowing through the colored LEDs, where each current has a variable time average flow. The user interface (124, 128, 134, 138) facilitate a user selection of one of the spectral outputs. The controller (112) controls the variable time average flow of each current flowing through the colored LEDs as a function of the spectral output selected by the user.

1. A LED lighting system (100), comprising: a LED light source (115) including a plurality of colored LEDs operable to emit one of a plurality of spectral outputs as a function of at least one current flowing through said plurality of colored LEDs, each current of the at least one current having a variable time average flow; a user interface (123, 124, 133, 134) operable to facilitate a first user selection of a first spectral output from the plurality of spectral outputs; and a controller (112) in electrical communication with said user interface (123, 124, 133, 134) and said LED light source (115) to control the variable time average flow of each current flowing through said plurality of colored LEDs as a function of the user selection of the first spectral output. 2. The LED lighting system of claim 1, wherein said user interface (123, 124, 133, 134) includes: a graphical user interface (123,133) operable to display a chromaticity diagram encompassing a plurality of color points, each color point corresponding to one of the plurality of spectral outputs; and a touch screen (124, 134) operable to facilitate the first user selection of a first color point corresponding to the first spectral output. 3. The LED lighting system of claim 2, wherein said graphical user interface (123,133) is further operable to display an intensity scale encompassing a plurality of intensity levels for the first color point; and wherein said touch screen (124, 134) is further operable to facilitate a second user selection of a first intensity level for the first color point. 4. The LED lighting system of claim 3, wherein said controller (112) is further operable to scale the variable time average flow of each current as a function of the second user selection of the first intensity level.

In general, the present invention relates to light-emitting diode (“LED”) light sources. More specifically, the present invention relates to user interfaces for facilitating user control of a spectral output of a LED light source. Most artificial light is produced by an electric discharge through a gas in a lamp. One such lamp is the fluorescent lamp. Another method of creating artificial light includes the use of a LED, which provides a spectral output in the form of a radiant flux that is proportional to a forward current flowing through the LED. Additionally, a LED light source can be used for generation of a multi-spectral light output. Conventional LED light sources utilize individual encapsulated light emitting diodes or groups of light emitting diodes of substantially similar spectral characteristics encapsulated as a unit. Typically, conventional LED light sources are implemented as color converted LED light sources. Color corrected LED light sources are manufactured by applying a phosphor compound layer to a LED, either directly or within an encapsulent. The phosphor layer absorbs the light emitted by the LED or a portion of the light emitted by the LED and emits light based on an interaction of the absorbed light and the phosphor compound. The color corrected LED light sources are grouped together to form the LED light source. Color corrected LEDs realize maximum accuracy in spectral output when a specified amount of direct current is applied to the color corrected LEDs. The specified amount of direct current, among other data, is included in a rating for each color corrected LED. It is a difficult problem to combine and maintain correct proportions of light from multi-colored LEDs to create light that is of desired color and intensity as well as reasonable spatial uniformity, because LED spectra and efficiencies change with current, temperature and time. In addition, LED properties vary from LED to LED, even from a single manufacturing batch. As LED manufacturing improves with time, LED-to-LED variations may become smaller, but LED variations with temperature, current, and time are fundamental to the semiconductor devices. Historically, conventional control systems adjust intensity levels of spectral output by increasing or decreasing the number of LEDs receiving the specified amount of direct current. There are several disadvantages associated with this type of direct current regulation, such as, for example inaccuracy of a desired spectral output. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks of the prior art with a new and unique touch screen-interface for facilitating user control of a spectral output and an intensity of a LED light source with a greater degree of accuracy than the prior art. One form of the present invention is a LED lighting system employing a LED light source, a user interface, and a controller. The LED light source includes a plurality of colored LEDs emitting one of a plurality of spectral outputs as a function of one or more currents flowing through the colored LEDs, where each current has a variable time average flow. The user interface facilitates a user selection of one of the spectral outputs. The controller controls the variable time average flow of each current flowing through the colored LEDs as a function of the spectral output selected by the user. The foregoing form and other features and advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention rather than limiting, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a LED lighting system for controlling a spectral output of a LED light source in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention of the LED lighting system illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention of the LED lighting system illustrated in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention of the LED lighting system illustrated in FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a graphical user interface for controlling a spectral output of a LED light source in accordance with the present invention. A lighting system 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a LED light source 110, a computer 120, and a portable computer 130. Lighting system 100 controls a spectral output of LED light source 110. Lighting system 100 may include additional components not relevant to the present discussion. LED light source 110 includes a LED light source controller 112, and a conventional color LED lamp 115. LED light source controller 1 12 is capable of receiving/recognizing a control signal of any type from devices 120 and 130. As will be explained in further detailed in connection with FIG. 5, LED light source controller 112 is designed to receive the control signal from either device 120 or 130, and to provide one or more direct currents via an interface (e.g., a RS-232 serial interface) to LED lamp 115 based on the received control signal. In one embodiment, LED light source controller 112 includes a power source. In this embodiment, LED light source controller 112 receives the control signal and provides direct current(s) to LED lamp 115 based on the received control signal. In another embodiment, LED light source controller 112 excludes a power source. In this embodiment, LED light source controller 112 receives a power control signal and provides direct currents to LED lamp 115 based on the received power control signal. In another embodiment, LED light source controller 112 includes hardware and software enabling LED light source controller 112 to receive a wireless control signal. In this embodiment, LED light source controller 112 includes a power source. LED light source controller 112 receives the wireless control signal and provides direct current to LED lamp 115 based on the received wireless control signal. LED lamp 115 represents one or more direct current driven light sources. Each LED lamp within LED lamp 115 includes a plurality of colored LEDs. In one embodiment, each LED lamp within LED lamp 115 includes a plurality of LEDs representing the colors red (R), green (G), and blue (B). In another embodiment, each LED lamp within LED lamp 115 includes a plurality of LEDs representing two of the colors red (R), green (G), or blue (B). The LEDs may be implemented in any suitable form, such as, for example color converted LEDs or direct emitting LEDs. In yet another embodiment, each LED lamp within LED lamp 115 includes a plurality of LEDs representing the colors red (R), green (G), blue (B), and amber (A). Computer 120 includes a processor 121, an input device 122, and a user interface in the form of a graphical user interface 123 and a touch-screen 124. Computer 120 can be implemented as any suitable computer, such as, for example a personal computer so long as it includes graphical user interface 123 and touch screen 128. Processor 121 includes a processor (not shown) designed to receive data, process the received data, and produce a control signal based on the processed data. Processor 121 additionally includes a data interface designed to modify the control signal into a suitable format for communication operations, such as a wired data transfer as represented by the solid arrow extending from device 120 to source 110 or a wireless data transfer as represented by the dashed arrow extending from device 120 to source 110. Processor 121 receives user inputs from graphical user interface 123 and touch screen 124. In one embodiment, a user of system 100 communicates a desired spectral output to processor 121 utilizing graphical user interface 123 and touch screen 124. Touch screen 124 can be implemented as any suitable touch screen, such as, for example a resistive touch screen or a capacitive touch screen. Portable computer 130 includes a processor 131, an input device 132, and a user interface in the form of a graphical user interface 133 and touch screen 134. Computer 130 can be implemented as any suitable computer, such as, for example a personal data assistant, tablet PC, notebook PC, so long as it includes a graphical user interface 133, a touch-screen 134, and a wireless capability compatible with LED light source controller 112 as well as computer 120. In one embodiment, processor 131 includes a processor designed to receive data, process the received data, and produce a data signal based on the processed data to be transmitted to computer 120. In another embodiment, processor 131 includes a processor designed to receive data, process the received data, and produce a control signal based on the processed data to be transmitted to LED light source controller 112. Processor 131 receives user input from graphical user interface 133 and touch screen 134. In one embodiment, a user of system 100 communicates spectral output and intensity information to processor 131 utilizing graphical user interface 133 and touch screen 134. Touch screen 134 can be implemented as any suitable touch screen, such as, for example a resistive touch screen or a capacitive touch screen. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a system 200 for controlling a spectral output emitted from a LED light source. System 200 includes a controller 210, a user interface 220, a wireless color LED light source 230, and a wired LED light source 235. System 200 may include additional components not relevant to the present discussion. Controller 210 includes a processor 215 and a data interface 217. User interface 220 is operably coupled to controller 210 and in communication with processor 215. In one embodiment, wireless color LED light source 230 is in wireless communication with controller 210 and in communication with data interface 217 as well. In another embodiment, wired LED light source 235 is operably coupled to controller 210 and in communication with data interface 217. In operation, controller 210 receives user selections of spectral outputs via user interface 220 via a wired transmission. Processor 215 receives the user selections, processes the received user selections, and produces a control signal based on the processed user selection. Processor 215 sends the control signal to data interface 217 for transmission to one or both color LED light sources 230 and 235. In one embodiment, data interface 217 modifies the control signal into a suitable format for communication via wired data transfer. In another embodiment, data interface 217 modifies the control signal into a suitable format for communication via wireless data transfer. In an example and referring to FIG. 1 above, system 200 represents interaction between computer 120 LED and light source 110 based on user selections via graphical user interface 123 and touch screen 124 of computer 120. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a system 300 for controlling a spectral output emitted from a LED light source. System 300 includes a controller 310, a user interface 320, a wireless color LED light source 330, and a wired LED light source 335. System 300 may include additional components not relevant to the present discussion. Controller 310 includes a processor 315 and a data interface 317. User interface 320 is operably coupled to controller 310 and in communication with processor 315. In one embodiment, wireless color LED light source 330 is in wireless communication with controller 310 and in communication with data interface 317 as well. In another embodiment, wired LED light source 335 is operably coupled to controller 310 and in communication with data interface 317. In operation, controller 310 receives user selections of spectral outputs via user interface 320 via a wireless transmission. Processor 315 receives the user selections, processes the received user selections, and produces a control signal based on the processed user selection. Processor 315 sends the control signal to data interface 317 for transmission to one or both color LED light sources 330 and 335. In one embodiment, data interface 317 modifies the control signal into a suitable format for communication via wired data transfer. In another embodiment, data interface 317 modifies the control signal into a suitable format for communication via wireless data transfer. In an example and referring to FIG. 1 above, system 300 represents interaction between computer 130 and light source 110 based on user selections via graphical user interface 133 and touch screen 134 of computer 130. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system for controlling spectral output emitted from a LED light source. System 400 includes controller 410 and LED light source 450. System 400 may include additional components not relevant to the present discussion Controller 410 is in wireless communication with LED light source 450. Controller 410 includes user interface 420 and mobile processor 415. LED light source 450 includes data interface 417 and color LEDs 430. User interface 420 is coupled to mobile processor 415. Mobile processor 415 is in communication with data interface 417. Data interface 417 is in communication with color LEDs 430. In operation, mobile processor 415 receives user selections of spectral outputs from user interface 420. Mobile processor 415 receives the user selections, processes the received user selections, and produces a data signal based on the processed user selections. Controller 410 provides the data signal to data interface 417, within 450, for transmission to colored LEDs 430. Data interface 417 produces a control signal based on the data signal received from controller 410. In an example and referring to FIG. 1 above, system 400 represents interaction between portable computer 130 and LED light source 110 based on user selections provided to graphical user interface 133 and touch screen 134 of portable computer 130. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a graphical user interface 500 for controlling a spectral output emitted from a LED light source. Graphical interface 500 is a software component that includes a chromaticity diagram 510, a color temperature scale 520, and an intensity scale 530. Graphical interface 500 additionally includes preset color temperature buttons 541-546. Chromaticity diagram 510 includes a Planckian locus 511, a white light area 512, and color areas 513-518. Color temperature scale 520 includes a slider bar 525. Intensity scale 530 additionally includes a slider bar 535. Graphical interface 500 is a graphical representation that allows a user to select a spectral output a LED lighting source. Chromaticity diagram 510 is a graphical representation of International Commission on Illumination (“CIE”) Standard Observer. In one embodiment, chromaticity diagram 510 is a graphical representation of a Maxwell's triangle uniform color scale (“UCS”). In other embodiments, chromaticity diagram 510 is a graphical representation of a 1960 CIE UCS or a 1976 CIE UCS. Planckian locus 511 defines locations of “white” within chromaticity diagram 510. White light area 512 is an area closely surrounding Planckian locus 511 having an appearance of “white” to the unaided eye. Color areas 513-515 are areas defining primary color areas having an appearance of blue (B) 513, red (R) 514, and green (G) 515 to the unaided eye. Color areas 516-518 are areas defining color change between a set of primary colors. Color area 516 is an area defining color change between blue (B) 513 and red (R) 514. Color area 517 is an area defining color change between blue (B) 513 and green (G) 515. Color area 518 is an area defining color change between red (R) 514 and green (G) 515. Color temperature scale 520 is a color temperature scale that allows adjusting of a color point of white light along locus 511 utilizing slider bar 525. In one embodiment, color temperature scale 520 includes a temperature scale with a range from 2000 degrees Kelvin to 10,000 degrees Kelvin. Intensity scale 530 is an intensity scale that allows adjusting of a dimming level utilizing slider bar 535. In one embodiment, intensity scale 530 includes an intensity scale with a range of percentages from 0 percent (no light output) to 100 percent (maximum light output). In an example, intensity scale 530 of graphical user interface 500 allows a user to adjust dimming level within a defined physical area or location, such as, for example a living room, a conference room, and the like. Preset color temperature buttons 541-546 are preprogrammed locations within graphical user interface 500 that allow a specific color temperature to be accessed. In one embodiment, preset color temperature buttons 541-543 are preprogrammed locations within graphical user interface 500 that are preprogrammed by a manufacturer or designer to a set of specific color temperatures. In one example, preset color temperature button 541 is preprogrammed by a manufacturer or designer to the center of Planckian locus 511 and has an appearance of “white” to the unaided eye. In this embodiment, preset color temperature buttons 544-546 are programmed locations within graphical user interface 500 that are programmed by a user to a set of specific color temperatures. Graphical user interface 500 is designed to receive user selection of spectral output(s). In one embodiment, graphical user interface 500 receives a user provided spectral output that identifies a location within chromaticity diagram 510, called a color point, and a location within intensity scale 530. Graphical user interface 500 provides color point data and intensity values to a processor for processing into a control signal that provides a user desired spectral output. The color point data is expressed as an x-coordinate and a y-coordinate within chromaticity diagram 510. The intensity value is expressed as a dimming level percentage within intensity scale 530. The processor may utilize any number of conventional methods for determining a predefined ratio of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) output necessary to match the user desired spectral output. In one embodiment, the ratio of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) output necessary to match the user desired spectral output is expressed in units of lumens. Once the ratio of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) output is determined, the output is scaled based on the intensity value. The resultant scaled output includes data necessary to produce the user desired spectral output and intensity. In one embodiment, the processor produces a control signal based on the scaled output data. In an example, the processor produces a control signal based on the scaled output data that scales direct current delivered to individual or groups of color light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as, for example direct emitting LEDs. In summary, the current regulation of the present invention is based on varying the time average flow of current(s) (e.g, a DC level current or pulse width modulated current) through the colored LEDs to achieve a desired spectral output as opposed to a conventional regulation of providing a specified flow level of current to some or all of the colored LEDs to obtain the desired spectral output. The above-described systems for controlling the spectral output of a LED light source are example implementations of the present invention. These exemplary implementations illustrate various possible approaches for controlling spectral output of a LED light source. The actual implementation may vary from the system discussed. For example, additional colored LEDs (e.g., amber) may be employed within a LED light source whereby diagram 510 would be having four or more sides. Moreover, various other improvements and modifications to the present invention may occur to those skilled in the art, and those improvements and modifications will fall within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

20051104

20080415

20061228

97104.0

G09G502

ALEMU, EPHREM

USER INTERFACE FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT EMITTING DIODES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G09G

ACCEPTED

Method and Apparatus for Led Panel Lamp Systems

A lighting apparatus (10) comprises a light engine (12) producing ultra violet radiation. An enclosure (14) surrounds a radiation generating area of the light engine (12) to encompass the radiation. At least one wall (28) of the enclosure (14) is substantially reflective of the ultraviolet radiation. The enclosure (14) includes a replaceable top portion (30) which includes a phosphor portion (32). The phosphor portion (32) is spaced from the radiation generating area of the light engine (12) by a height of the enclosure (14).

1. A lighting apparatus comprising: a light engine for producing an ultra violet radiation; and an enclosure surrounding a radiation generating area of the light engine to at least substantially encompass the radiation, the enclosure includes: a first portion which is substantially reflective of the ultra violet radiation, and at least one second portion which includes a phosphor portion, the second portion being spaced from the radiation generating area of the light engine, the phosphor portion includes: a radiation receiving surface and a light emitting surface to render visible light. 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light engine includes: LEDs disposed on a circuit board to emit the ultra violet radiation; and a heatsink disposed on a side of the circuit board opposed to the LEDs to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs. 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the LEDs have a wavelength equal to or less than 510 nm. 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein a mounting surface of the printed circuit board is reflective of the UV radiation. 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the heatsink includes a plurality of wings. 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the enclosure has a shape of an incandescent bulb. 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the phosphor portion is created by dispersing a phosphor powder within the at least one second portion of the enclosure. 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the phosphor portion is a generally planar body including: a substantially uniform internal layer of a phosphor material. 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the phosphor portion includes: a first reflective coating disposed about a radiation receiving surface, which is Missive to wavelengths of the ultraviolet radiation and reflective to wavelengths of light emitted by phosphor existing in the phosphor portion. 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the phosphor portion includes: a second reflective coating disposed about a light emitting surface, which second coating is reflective to the ultraviolet radiation and transmissive to wavelengths of light emitted by phosphor existing in the phosphor portion. 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes: sides; and a removable top panel, which includes the phosphor portion. 12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the phosphor portion includes: a tri-color red-green-blue phosphor with color temperatures from 2500 to 10000K and color rendering indicies from 50 to 99 for producing an uniform visible light. 13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein an interior surface of the sides is a reflective material which is substantially reflective to ultra violet radiation and wavelengths of light emitted by the phosphor. 14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 13, wherein an interior surface of the sides is coated with a reflective material, which is substantially reflective to ultra violet radiation and wavelengths of light emitted by the phosphor. 15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, further including: a plurality of replaceable removable top panels, wherein phosphor mix and concentration is predetermined for each phosphor portion of each top panel such that the lighting system produces multiple preselected visible light colors by interchanging the top panels. 16. A lighting system comprising: a light engine having a direction of primary radiation emission and including: a PC board, a plurality of UV LEDs disposed on the PC board, and a heat sink disposed on a side of the PC board opposed to the LEDs; and an enclosure surrounding the direction of radiation emission and including: at least one portion which substantially reflects UV radiation, and a phosphor containing portion generally opposite and spaced from the light engine, the phosphor containing portion including: a visible light reflecting layer on a first side of the phosphor facing the light engine and a UV light reflecting layer on a second side of the phosphor away from the light engine.

BACKGROUND The present application relates to the art of the LED lighting systems that produce visible light. It finds application in general purpose lighting and will be described with particular reference thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate applicability of the present application to a variety of applications such as ornamental, special effects lighting, and other. Typically, the LED lighting systems, which produce white or visible light, incorporate blue LEDs coated with phosphor that converts some of the blue light radiation to a complimentary color, e.g. yellow-green emission. Combined blue, yellow and green emissions produce a white light, which typically has a correlated temperature of about 5000K and a color rendition index (Ra) of about 70-75. In recent years, newly developed white LED lighting systems unitize a UV emitting chip coated with phosphors which are designed to convert the UV radiation to visible light. Often, two or more phosphor emission bands are employed to approximate white light. There are several problems associated with phosphor coated LEDs. Historically, phosphor coated LEDs have rather low package efficiencies. The package efficiency is defined as the ratio of the actual light output of the LED to the light that would be obtained if all the radiation generated escaped from the package without being absorbed. Because phosphor particles generate light that is radiated equally in all directions, some of the light is directed backwards, e.g. toward the LED chip, substrate, submount, and lead structure which absorb a substantial amount of light. In addition, because the phosphors typically are not perfect absorbers of UV or blue radiation, some of the radiation emitted by the LED chip itself is also reflected back onto the structural elements mentioned above. Additionally, in order to avoid the UV bleed through, the phosphor coating typically must be relatively thick, e.g. at least 5-7 particles thick, which increases the coating's visible reflectance. The light lost due to an absorption of radiation (both initial and converted) by the LED chip, submount, reflector and lead structure limits the package efficiency of phosphor coated LEDs to typically 50-70%. Furthermore, certain phosphors, such as some from the manganese family, have excessive decay times. When the phosphors with excessive decay times are exposed to high flux emission, i.e., in the close proximity to the LEDs, the effective efficiency is reduced. The present application contemplates a new and improved apparatus that overcomes the above-reverenced problems and others. BRIEF DESCRIPTION In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a light engine for producing an ultra violet radiation and an enclosure which surrounds a radiation generating area of the light engine to at least substantially encompass the radiation. The enclosure includes a first portion which is substantially reflective of the ultra violet radiation, and at least one second portion which includes a phosphor portion. The second portion is spaced from the radiation generating area of the light engine and includes a radiation receiving surface and a light emitting surface to render visible light. In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a lighting system is disclosed. The light system includes a light engine having a direction of primary radiation emission. The light engine includes a PC board, a plurality of UV LEDs disposed on the PC board, and a heat sink disposed on a side of the PC board opposed to the LEDs. The lighting system further includes an enclosure surrounding the direction of radiation emission. The enclosure includes at least one portion which substantially reflects UV radiation, and a phosphor containing portion generally opposite and spaced from the light engine. The phosphor containing portion includes a visible light reflecting layer on a first side of the phosphor facing the light engine and a UV light reflecting layer on a second side of the phosphor away from the light engine. One advantage of the present application resides in remotely placing the phosphor away from the LED sources. Another advantage resides in providing a structure in which phosphor mix and concentration are adjusted remotely. Another advantage resides in interchangeability of the phosphor containing panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The application may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the application. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an LED lighting assembly in accordance with the present application; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a phosphor containing element; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the LED lighting assembly with a removable top panel; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the LED lighting assembly having a bulb shape enclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3-4, an LED panel light assembly 10 generally comprises a light engine 12 and an enclosure 14 which surrounds the radiation emitted by the light engine 12. The light engine 12 includes an interconnect system 16 for mounting and connecting light emitting devices or LEDs 18 such as chip or packaged UV LEDs. Preferably, the LEDs 18 have wavelengths less than 510 nm. A heatsink 20, including a plurality of heat dissipating elements such as wings 12, is disposed in thermal connection with the LEDs 18 and the interconnect system 16 to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs 18. Preferably, the interconnect system 16 includes a printed circuit board or an interconnect board or interconnect boards 24 which includes circuitry for powering the LEDs 18 and the leads for electrical communication with a power source. The interconnect boards 24 are selected from commercially available circuit boards, such as the circuit boards available from BERGQUIST, to provide suitable means for removing heat generated by the LEDs 18 and dissipating it in the heatsink 20. Preferably, the interconnect board 24 is a thermally conductive type, an epoxy glass resin board with thermal vias, or the like. A mounting surface 26 of the interconnect system 16 is preferably manufactured from a highly reflective material. In one embodiment, the surface 26 is coated with a reflective material leaving the openings for the emitters. Preferably, the light assembly 10 utilizes internal or external electronics to achieve the desired voltage and current drive levels. In one embodiment, series and/or parallel circuits are created to provide the desired operating voltage and improve reliability of the overall system. The LEDs 18 are attached to the interconnect board(s) 24 in arrays or strips depending on the requirements of the lighting system. In one embodiment, in which the packaged LEDs are used, the LEDs 18 are soldered, adhered by a use of a conductive adhesive, or otherwise conductively fastened to the interconnect board 24. In another embodiment, in which the chip LEDs or LEDs on submounts are used, the LEDs 18 are directly attached to the interconnect board 24 by a use of a thermally conductive adhesive and are electrically wirebonded to the circuitry. Alternatively, chip LEDs are flip mounted and directly attached to the board 24 using conductive adhesive, solder, thermosonic, or thermo-compression methods. An index matching gel is preferably applied over the chip surface of the chip LEDs. The interconnect system 16 is attached to the heatsink 20 using a thermally conductive compound. With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the enclosure 14 includes four walls or sides 28 and a top panel 30. At least a portion of the enclosure 14 includes a phosphor layer 32 to convert the UV radiation, emitted by the LEDs 18, to visible light. In one embodiment, the phosphor layer 32 is a tri-color (red-green-blue) phosphor which is dispersed within or exists in an internal uniform layer of the panel 30. Preferably, the control optics are integrated into the panel structure. An air gap between the top panel 30 and the LEDs 18 is controlled by a height of the enclosure 14, e.g. height of the walls 28. The enclosure height is determined such that the light system 10 provides an uniform emission pattern. Typically, the enclosure height is selected depending on spacing and the angular emission pattern of the LEDs 18. Preferably, at least a portion of the enclosure walls 28 includes a UV reflective coating such that a substantial amount of the UV radiation striking the walls 28 is reflected back into the enclosure 14. Optionally, the walls 28 are constructed from the UV reflective material. In one embodiment, an interior of the walls 28 is coated with a material that is highly reflective to the wavelengths of light generated by the phosphor that exists within the system. Typically, the phosphors for the lighting system 10 are selected for high efficiency and proper color during the light system 10 operation, and to minimize the intensity of saturation effects. Preferably, the phosphors are selected from the phosphors with color temperatures (CCTs) ranging from 2500 to 10000 K and color rendering indicies (CRIs) ranging from 50 to 99. The phosphor blend or concentration are readily changed to create a wide variety of color temperatures, color points or CRIs for an individual user without changes to the light engine 12. Examples of inorganic phosphors that are used in the present application are given in Table 1. In one embodiment, the organic phosphors or combinations of inorganic and organic phosphors are used. Examples of the organic phosphors for a use with the present application are the BASF Lumogen F dyes such as Lumogen F Yellow 083, Lumogen F Orange 240, Lumogen F Red 300, and Lumogen F Violet 570. Of course, it is also contemplated that other phosphors such as the earth complexes with organic component described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,366,033; quantum dot phosphors described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,229; nanophosphors described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,048,616; or other suitable phosphors are used. Preferably, the saturation effects are minimized by choosing phosphors with the fast decay times (τ<1 ms). Optionally, the saturation effects are minimized by diffusing the incidental UV flux on phosphors which have slower decay times. In one embodiment, the diffusing the incidental UV flux on phosphors is achieved by moving the phosphor layers further away from the UV emitting LEDs. TABLE 1 Phos- phor Color Power Material Blue (Ba,Sr,Ca)5(PO4)3(Cl,F,Br,OH): Eu2+, Mn2+, Sb3+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)MgAl10O17: Eu2+, Mn2+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)BPO5: Eu2+, Mn2+ (Sr,Ca)10(PO4)6*nB2O3: Eu2+ 2SrO*0.84P2O5*0.16B2O3: Eu2+ Sr2Si3O8*2SrCl2: Eu2+ Ba3MgSi2O8: Eu2+ Sr4Al14O25: Eu2+ (SAE) BaAl8O13: Eu2+ Blue- Sr4Al14O25: Eu2+ Green BaAl8O13: Eu2+ 2SrO-0.84P2O5-0.16B203: Eu2+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)MgAl10O17: Eu2+, Mn2+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)5(PO4)3(Cl,F,OH): Eu2+, Mn2+, Sb3+ Green (Ba,Sr,Ca)MgAl10O17: Eu2+, Mn2+ (BAMn) (Ba,Sr,Ca)Al2O4: Eu2+ (Y,Gd,Lu,Sc,La)BO3: Ce3+, Tb3+ Ca8Mg(SiO4)4Cl2: Eu2+, Mn2+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)2SiO4: Eu2+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)2(Mg,Zn)Si2O7: Eu2+ (Sr,Ca,Ba)(Al,Ga,In)2S4: Eu2+ (Y,Gd,Tb,La,Sm,Pr,Lu)3(Al,Ga)5O12: Ce3+ (Ca,Sr)8(Mg,Zn)(SiO4)4Cl2: Eu2+, Mn2+ (CASI) Na2Gd2B2O7: Ce3+, Tb3+ (Ba,Sr)2(Ca,Mg,Zn)B2O6: K, Ce, Tb Or- (Sr,Ca,Ba,Mg,Zn)2P2O7: Eu2+, Mn2+ (SPP); ange- (Ca,Sr,Ba,Mg)10(PO4)6(F,Cl,Br,OH): Eu2+, Mn2+ (HALO); yel- ((Y,Lu,Gd,Tb)1-xScxCey)2(Ca,Mg)1-r(Mg,Zn)2+rSiz-qGeqO12+□, low Red (Gd,Y,Lu,La)2O3: Eu3+, Bi3+ (Gd,Y,Lu,La)2O2S: Eu3+, Bi3+ (Gd,Y,Lu,La)VO4: Eu3+, Bi3+ (Ca,Sr)S: Eu2+, Ce3+ SrY2S4: Eu2+, Ce3+ CaLa2S4: Ce3+ (Ca,Sr)S: Eu2+ 3.5MgO*0.5MgF2*GeO2: Mn4+ (MFG) (Ba,Sr,Ca)MgP2O7: Eu2+, Mn2+ (Y,Lu)2WO6: Eu3+, Mo6+ (Ba,Sr,Ca)xSiyNz: Eu2+, Ce3+ With reference to FIG. 2, a coating 40 is disposed on a radiation receiving or an interior surface 42 of the phosphor layer 32. The coating 40 is transmissive to the wavelengths of the LEDs 18 yet reflective to the wavelengths produced by the phosphors of the phosphor layer 32. Optionally, a second coating 44 is disposed on a light emitting or an exterior surface 46 of the phosphor layer 32 to reflect any non-converted LED bleed through back into the phosphor layer 32. With reference again to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the enclosure 14 includes the top panel 30 which is a replaceable or removable panel that fits into an opening 50 in a top part of the enclosure 14. Such construction of the enclosure 14, e. g. including the removable phosphorescent top panel, allows for an interchangeability of the panel 30 to meet custom color temperatures and color rendition indexes for an individual user while utilizing the same light engine 12 and enclosure walls 28. With reference again to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the lighting system 10 is constructed to resemble the standard incandescent bulb type. Of course, it is also contemplated that the lighting system 10 may be constructed to resemble other geometric shapes, such as spheres, ellipses, or is custom built to fit the needs of an individual user. The enclosure 14 includes a first portion 52 which is disposed on the interconnect board 16 and extends longitudinally in the direction opposite the heatsink 20. A second portion 54 of the enclosure 14 fits into the opening 50 (not shown) on the top of the first portion 52 to enclose the radiation emitted by the lighting engine 12. Preferably, the first portion 52 of the enclosure 14 includes a UV reflective coating of inherent material property while the second portion 54 includes a radiation converting phosphor 32. The application has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the application be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The present application relates to the art of the LED lighting systems that produce visible light. It finds application in general purpose lighting and will be described with particular reference thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate applicability of the present application to a variety of applications such as ornamental, special effects lighting, and other. Typically, the LED lighting systems, which produce white or visible light, incorporate blue LEDs coated with phosphor that converts some of the blue light radiation to a complimentary color, e.g. yellow-green emission. Combined blue, yellow and green emissions produce a white light, which typically has a correlated temperature of about 5000K and a color rendition index (Ra) of about 70-75. In recent years, newly developed white LED lighting systems unitize a UV emitting chip coated with phosphors which are designed to convert the UV radiation to visible light. Often, two or more phosphor emission bands are employed to approximate white light. There are several problems associated with phosphor coated LEDs. Historically, phosphor coated LEDs have rather low package efficiencies. The package efficiency is defined as the ratio of the actual light output of the LED to the light that would be obtained if all the radiation generated escaped from the package without being absorbed. Because phosphor particles generate light that is radiated equally in all directions, some of the light is directed backwards, e.g. toward the LED chip, substrate, submount, and lead structure which absorb a substantial amount of light. In addition, because the phosphors typically are not perfect absorbers of UV or blue radiation, some of the radiation emitted by the LED chip itself is also reflected back onto the structural elements mentioned above. Additionally, in order to avoid the UV bleed through, the phosphor coating typically must be relatively thick, e.g. at least 5-7 particles thick, which increases the coating's visible reflectance. The light lost due to an absorption of radiation (both initial and converted) by the LED chip, submount, reflector and lead structure limits the package efficiency of phosphor coated LEDs to typically 50-70%. Furthermore, certain phosphors, such as some from the manganese family, have excessive decay times. When the phosphors with excessive decay times are exposed to high flux emission, i.e., in the close proximity to the LEDs, the effective efficiency is reduced. The present application contemplates a new and improved apparatus that overcomes the above-reverenced problems and others.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION <EOH>In accordance with one aspect of the present application, a lighting apparatus is disclosed. The lighting apparatus comprises a light engine for producing an ultra violet radiation and an enclosure which surrounds a radiation generating area of the light engine to at least substantially encompass the radiation. The enclosure includes a first portion which is substantially reflective of the ultra violet radiation, and at least one second portion which includes a phosphor portion. The second portion is spaced from the radiation generating area of the light engine and includes a radiation receiving surface and a light emitting surface to render visible light. In accordance with another aspect of the present application, a lighting system is disclosed. The light system includes a light engine having a direction of primary radiation emission. The light engine includes a PC board, a plurality of UV LEDs disposed on the PC board, and a heat sink disposed on a side of the PC board opposed to the LEDs. The lighting system further includes an enclosure surrounding the direction of radiation emission. The enclosure includes at least one portion which substantially reflects UV radiation, and a phosphor containing portion generally opposite and spaced from the light engine. The phosphor containing portion includes a visible light reflecting layer on a first side of the phosphor facing the light engine and a UV light reflecting layer on a second side of the phosphor away from the light engine. One advantage of the present application resides in remotely placing the phosphor away from the LED sources. Another advantage resides in providing a structure in which phosphor mix and concentration are adjusted remotely. Another advantage resides in interchangeability of the phosphor containing panel.

20070319

20091222

20071108

66479.0

F21V916

HUSAR, STEPHEN F

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LED PANEL LAMP SYSTEMS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

F21V

ACCEPTED

Prodrugs Cleavable by Cd26

The present invention provides a new prodrug technology and new prodrugs in order to increase the solubility, to modulate plasma protein binding or to enhance the biovailability of a drug. In the present invention the prodrugs are conjugates of a therapeutic compound and a peptide (eg tetrapeptide or hexapeptide) wherein the conjugate is cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidases, more preferably by CD26, also known as DPPIV (dipeptidyl aminodipeptidase IV). The present invention furthermore provides a method of producing said prodrugs, to enhance brain and lymphatic delivery of drugs and/or to extend drug half-lives in plasma.

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D, wherein said therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occurs via an amide. 2. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 wherein n=2-5. 3. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. 4. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid. 5. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. 6. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Y-[X-Y]1-2. 7. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein Y is proline, dihydroxyproline, hydroxyproline or alanine. 8. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the oligopeptide is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, on a carbohydrate group of a therapeutic compound, or on a purine or pyrimidine nucleoside group of a therapeutic compound or on an alkyl group of a therapeutic compound or on an inorganic group of a therapeutic compound. 9. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the linker has a general structure of an oligopeptide Am, wherein A is any aminoacid, m is between 1 and 15, wherein Am is bound with its aminoterminus to the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y]n and wherein Am is bound with its carboxyterminus to the therapeutic compound D via an amide or ester binding. 10. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 9 wherein m=1. 11. The pharmaceutical composition according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the therapeutic compound D is a drug for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group a viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. 12. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 11, wherein the antiviral drug is TSAO or NAP-TSAO. 13. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 12, wherein the antiviral drug is Ara-C or Acyclovir. 14. A prodrug construct of a therapeutic compound D, wherein said therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, said prodrug consisting of said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide with a general structure H-[X-Y]n, characterized in that n=2-5 wherein X is an L-amino acid, wherein Y is an L-amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occurs via an amide. 15. The prodrug construct according to claim 14 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide and wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. 16. The prodrug construct according to claim 14 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide and wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid. 17. The prodrug construct according to claim 14 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide and wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. 18. The prodrug construct according to any of claims 14 to 17 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Y-[X-Y]1-2 19. The prodrug construct according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein Y is proline, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline or alanine. 20. The prodrug construct according to any of claims 14 to 19 wherein the oligopeptide is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, on a carbohydrate group of a therapeutic compound, or on a purine or pyrimidine nucleoside group of a therapeutic compound or on an alkyl group of a therapeutic compound or on an inorganic group of a therapeutic compound. 21. The prodrug construct according to any of claims 14 to 20, wherein the linker has a general structure of an oligopeptide Am, wherein A is any aminoacid, m is between 1 and 15, wherein Am is bound with its aminoterminus to the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y]n and wherein Am is bound with its carboxyterminus to the therapeutic compound D via an amide or ester binding. 22. The composition according to claim 21 wherein m=1. 23. The prodrug according to any of claims 14 to 22 wherein the therapeutic compound D is a drug for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group a viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. 24. The prodrug according to claim 23, wherein the antiviral drug is selected from TSAO, NAP-TSAO, AraC and Acyclovir. 25. A method for modulating the water solubility, modulating plasma protein binding and/or the bioavailability of a therapeutic compound D by coupling a peptide to said therapeutic compound whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase. 26. The method according to claim 25 wherein the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and wherein the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an L-amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an L amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occurs via an amide. 27. The method according to claim 26 wherein n=2-5 28. The method according to claims 26 or 27 wherein the [X-Y]n peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. 29. The method according to claims 26 or 27 wherein the [X-Y]n peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid. 30. The method according to claims 26 or 27 wherein the [X-Y]n peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. 31. A method of producing a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D, wherein the prodrug is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, the method comprising the step of linking a therapeutically active drug and a peptide whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by CD26. 32. The method according to claim 31 wherein the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and wherein the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an L-amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an L amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occurs via an amide. 33. The method according to claim 32 wherein n=2-5 34. The method according to claims 32 or 33 wherein the [X-Y]n peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. 35. The method according to claims 32 or 33 wherein the [X-Y]n peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid. 36. The method according to claims 32 or 33 wherein the [X-Y]n oligo peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. 37. A method of selecting potential prodrugs, said method comprising contacting amino acid prodrugs with dipeptidyl-peptidases or tissue or cells producing dipeptidyl-peptidases and with dipeptidyl-peptidases free medium in a parallel experiment. 38. The method according to claim 37 wherein the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and wherein the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an L-amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an L amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occurs via an amide. 39. The method according to claim 38 wherein n=2-5 40. The method according to claim 38 or 39 wherein the [X-Y]N oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. 41. The method according to claim 38 or 39 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid. 42. The method according to claim 38 or 39 wherein the [X-Y]n peptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. 43. Use of a peptide with general structure H-[X-Y]n for the preparation of a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D, wherein said therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an L-amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an L amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occurs via an amide. 44. The use according to claim 43 wherein said therapeutic compound D is not a cytotoxic cancer drug, other than an anti-neoplastic drug or other than a drug with inhibitory activity on CD26/DPPIV enzymatic activity. 45. The use according to claim 43 or 44 wherein n=2-5. 46. The use according to any of claims 43 to 45 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. 47. The use according to any of claims 43 to 45 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid. 48. The use according to any of claims 43 to 45 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, and wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. 49. The use according to any of claims 43 to 48 wherein the [X-Y]n oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Y-[X-Y]1-2 50. The use according to any of claims 43 to 49 wherein Y is proline, dihydroxyproline, hydroxyproline or alanine. 51. The use according to any of claims 43 to 50 wherein the oligopeptide is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a purine or pyrimidine nucleoside or residing on alkyl or inorganic group of a therapeutic compound. 52. The use according to any of claims 43 to 51 wherein the linker has a general structure of an oligopeptide Am, wherein A is any aminoacid, m is between 1 and 15, wherein Am is bound with its aminoterminus to the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y]n and wherein Am is bound with its carboxyterminus to the therapeutic compound D via an amide or ester binding. 53. The use according to claim 52 wherein m=1. 54. The use according to any of claims 43 to 53 wherein the therapeutic compound is prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes 55. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 54, wherein the antiviral drug is TSAO or NAP-TSAO.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to prodrugs of therapeutic compounds which are released or activated by proteolysis of a peptidic moiety. The invention also relates to methods for increasing oral uptake, modify serum protein binding, blood-brain barrier penetration or solubility and bioavailability of therapeutic compounds. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modern drug discovery techniques (e.g. combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput pharmacological screening, structure-based drug design) are providing very specific and potent drug molecules. However, it is rather common that these novel chemical structures have unfavorable physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Besides, during the development of new therapeutic agents, researchers typically focus on pharmacological and/or biological properties, with less concern for physicochemical properties. However, the physicochemical properties (dissociation constant, solubility, partition coefficient, stability) of a drug molecule have a significant effect on its pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical behavior. Thus, the physicochemical properties need to be determined and modified, if needed, during drug development. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of many existing drug molecules already on the market are not optimal. Today, drug candidates are often discontinued due to issues of poor water solubility or inadequate absorption, leaving countless medical advances unrealized. Still other products make it to the market, but never realize their full commercial potential due to safety or efficacy concerns. Prodrugs have the potential to overcome both challenges. The technology exploits endogenous enzymes for selective bioconversion of the prodrug to the active form of the drug. This technology has the ability to keep promising new drug candidates alive through development, and improving the safety and efficacy of existing drug products. Prodrugs are mostly inactive derivatives of a drug molecule that require a chemical or enzymatic biotransformation in order to release the active parent drug in the body. Prodrugs are designed to overcome an undesirable property of a drug. As such this technology can be applied to improve the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and/or pharmacokinetical properties of various drugs. Usually, the prodrug as such is biologically inactive. Therefore, prodrugs need to be efficiently converted to the parent drugs to reach pronounced efficacy as soon as the drug target has been reached. In general, prodrugs are designed to improve the penetration of a drug across biological membranes in order to obtain improved drug absorption, to prolong duration of action of a drug (slow release of the parent drug from a prodrug, decreased first-pass metabolism of the drug), to target the drug action (e.g. brain or tumor targeting), to improve aqueous solubility and stability of a drug (i.v. preparations, eyedrops, etc.), to improve topical drug delivery (e.g. dermal and ocular drug delivery), to improve the chemical/enzymatic stability of a drug (e.g. peptides) or to decrease drug side-effects. Many prodrug technologies have already been developed depending on the kind of drug that has to be converted. These prodrug technologies include cyclic prodrug chemistry for peptides and peptidomimetics, phosphonooxymethyl (POM) chemistry for the solubilization of tertiary amines, phenols and hindered alcohols and esterification in general. Also targeting strategies are pursued by coupling groups cleavable by specific enzymes such as the peptide deformylase of bacteria which cleaves N-terminal formyl groups of the peptides or PSA (prostate specific antigen) used to target prostate cancer. Coupling of peptides or amino acids to a therapeutic agent has already been pursued in the past for several reasons. In the antisense-antigene field, oligonucleotides or intercalators have been conjugated to peptides in order to increase the cellular uptake of the therapeutic agents. These oligonucleotides and intercalators have not to be released after cell penetration however, and can not be regarded as prodrugs. An example of amino acid coupling to a therapeutic compound is Valgancyclovir, the L-valyl ester prodrug of gancyclovir, which is used for the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus infections. After oral administration, the prodrug is rapidly converted to gancyclovir by intestinal and hepatic esterases. Recently, alanine and lysine prodrugs of novel antitumor benzothiazoles have been investigated [Hutchinson et al. (2002) J. Med. Chem. 45, 744-474]. Peptide carrier-mediated membrane transport of amino acid ester prodrugs of nucleoside analogues has already been demonstrated [Han et al. Pharm. Res. (1998) 15: 1154-1159; Han et al Pharm. Res. (1998) 15: 1382-1386]. It has indeed been shown that oral bioavailability of drugs can be mediated by amino acid prodrug derivatives containing an amino acid, preferably in the L-configuration. L-Valine seems to have the optimal combination of chain length and branching at the β-carbon of the amino acid for intestinal absorption. hPEPT-1 has been found to be implicated as the primary absorption pathway of increased systemic delivery of L-valine ester prodrugs. Recently, it was shown that the hPEPT-1 transporter need to optimally interact with a free NH2, a carbonyl group and a lipophylic entity, and may form a few additional H-bridges with its target molecule. L-Valine-linked nucleoside analogue esters may fulfill these requirements for efficient hPEPT-1 substrate activity [Friedrichsen et al. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. (2002) 16: 1-13]. The prior art for ameliorating solubility and bioavailability reveals however only amino acid prodrugs (only one amino acid coupled) of small organic-molecules whereby the amino acid is mostly coupled through ester bonds, since they are easily converted back to the free therapeutic agent by esterases. Prior art documents describe processing of prodrugs by a number of proteases, such as aminopeptidases (PCT application WO01/68145) and aminotripeptidase (PCT application WO02/00263). There is however still a need for new, alternative and better prodrug technologies and this need is projected to grow, as combinatorial chemistry and high throughput screening continue to produce vast numbers of new compounds with a high molecular weight, high log P [partition coefficient], or poor water solubility. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a novel prodrug technology that can be applied to ameliorate the solubility and/or the bioavailability of therapeutic agents. The invention comprises the derivatisation of (therapeutic or diagnostic) agents in order to ameliorate their solubility and bioavailability. The invention provides conjugates of therapeutic agents with a peptidic moiety wherein said conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. This technology can furthermore be used to modulate the protein binding of a therapeutic compound D and to target specific sites in a mammal. The present invention provides a new prodrug technology and new prodrugs in order to modulate the solubility, protein binding and/or the bioavailability of a drug. In the present invention the prodrugs are conjugates of a therapeutic compound D and a peptide wherein the conjugate is cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidases, more preferably by dipeptidyl-peptidase IV. The present invention furthermore provides a method of producing said prodrugs. The invention also provides a prodrug technology to more selectively target drugs, to modify, particularly enhance brain and lymphatic delivery of drugs and/or to extend drug half-lives in plasma. In one aspect the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D. The therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes an amino group, more particularly a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup, capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid. Or alternatively, the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising an amino group, more in particular a primary or secondary aminogroup, capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid. In a particular embodiment, the therapeutic compound D is also not an oligonucleotide or a nucleic acid intercalating agent. The prodrug is characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid (in one embodiment an L-amino acid), wherein n is between 1 and 5 (thereby selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), wherein Y is an amino acid (in one embodiment an L-amino acid) selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occur via an amide. The H-[X-Y]n peptide has a free aminoterminus, i.e an unmodified NH2 group. For clarity, each X and Y in each repeat unit [X-Y] are chosen independently from one another and independently for each repeat unit. In one embodiment the peptide has between two to five CD26 cleavable repeats. In another embodiment, the number m of amino acids in the linker Am between the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide and the D is between 1 and 15. More particularly the m is 1. More particularly m is 1 and A is valine. In another embodiment the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid or alternatively, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid, or alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Y-[X-Y]1-2, more in particular Val-Pro-[X-Y]1-2 in order to have a good intestinal absorption, followed by a slow or fast release of the therapeutic compound combined with modifications of solubility, depending on the choice of X and Y. In one embodiment the tetra or hexapeptide has a general structure Val-Y-[X-Y] or Val-Y-[X-Y]2 According to one embodiment Y is proline or hydroxyproline or dihydroxyproline or alanine. According to another embodiment, X is selected from Valine, Aspartic acid, Serine, Lysine, Arginine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine or Leucine. According to another embodiment, X is selected from the acidic amino acids Aspartic acid or Glutamic acid in order to have a slow cleavage, from the positively charged amino acids Arginine, Histidine or Lysine in order to have a fast release of the therapeutic compound D. The oligopeptide [X-Y]n may be coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on an organic molecule/atom such as an aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside or on a heterocyclic group or residing on an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or residing on an anorganic molecule/atom. In one embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on an aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside. Alternatively, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker comprising an amino group. Such a linker can have the general structure of an oligopeptide Am wherein m ranges between 1 to 15 and more particularly between 1 to 3, or m=1. A in the structure Am can any amino acid. According to one embodiment m=1 and A is valine. A prodrug which such a linker has a general structure H-[X-Y]n-Am-D. The oligopeptide Am or the amino acid A is linked at its aminoterminus via an amide binding to the oligopeptide H-[X-Y]n. The oligopeptide Am or the amino acid A is linked at its carboxyterminus via an amide or ester binding to the therapeutic compound D. Pharmaceutical compositions can comprise prodrugs of therapeutic compounds for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group of a bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, cancer, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases. In an embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises prodrugs of compounds for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group above, other than cancer and/or disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. A particular example of an antiviral drug is TSAO. Another particular example of an antiviral drug is a HIV protease inhibitor such as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. In a particular embodiment, the peptide of the prodrug comprises Bp-[X-Y]n-Am wherein B can be any amino acid or peptide which is cleaved by a peptidase/aminopeptidase and wherein p ranges from 1 to 10 amino acids. In another aspect, the invention relates to a prodrug construct of a therapeutic compound D, wherein said therapeutic compound D is not an amino acid, a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, said prodrug consisting of said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide with a general structure H-[X-Y]n, and is characterized in that n=2-5, wherein X is an amino acid (in one embodiment X is an L-amino acid), wherein Y is an amino acid (in one embodiment Y is an L-amino acid) selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. According to one embodiment this prodrug, upon activation, has no inhibitory effect on the CD26/DPPIV enzyme. In one embodiment n is selected from 2, 3, 4 or 5, yet more particularly the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is selected from the group of Val-Pro, Asp-Pro, Ser-Pro, Lys-Pro, Arg-Pro, His-Pro, Phe-Pro, Ile-Pro, Leu-Pro, Val-Ala, Asp-Ala, Ser-Ala, Lys-Ala, Arg-Ala, His-Ala, Phe-Ala, Ile-Ala and Leu-Ala. According to one embodiment, Y is proline or hydroxyproline or dihydroxyproline or alanine. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside. Alternatively, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker comprising an amino group. This linker comprises an organic molecule (i.e. alkylamino, a peptide, or a combination of both). In an embodiment, the number m of amino acids in the linker between the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide and the therapeutic compound D is between 1 and 15. In a particular embodiment, such a linker can have the general structure of an oligopeptide Am wherein m ranges between 1 to 15 and more particularly between 1 to 3, or m=1. A in the structure Am can be any amino acid. According to one embodiment m=1 and A is valine. A prodrug with such a linker has a general structure H-[X-Y]n-Am-D. According to one embodiment, the prodrug is a prodrug of a therapeutic compound for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group of a viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infection, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. According to one embodiment the prodrug is an antiviral drug such as TSAO or NAP-TSAO. According to another embodiment the prodrug is a HIV protease inhibitor prodrug with a general structure of formula (I). In another aspect the invention relates to a method for modulating (increasing or decreasing) the water solubility, and/or plasma protein binding and/or the bioavailability of a therapeutic compound D by coupling a peptide to said therapeutic compound whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase. According to one embodiment the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. According to one embodiment, the therapeutic compound of which the solubility, plasma protein binding or bioavailability is modified is a therapeutic compound for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group of a viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infection, inflammation, cancer, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases. In a particular embodiment, the disorder are other than cancer or disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a prodrug, wherein the prodrug is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, the method comprising the step of linking a therapeutically active drug D and a peptide with structure H-[X-Y]n whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by CD26. According to one embodiment the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary-aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of selecting potential prodrugs, said method comprising contacting amino acid prodrugs with dipeptidyl-peptidases or tissue or cells producing dipeptidyl-peptidases and with dipeptidyl-peptidases free medium in a parallel experiment. According to one embodiment the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disorder other than cancer or other than a non-infectious disorder associated with elevated levels of DPPIV or other than a disorder which is the consequence of prolonged elevated glucose concentrations in the blood. The therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y]n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment the disorder other than cancer, other than a disorder associated with elevated levels of DPPIV and other than a disorder which is the consequence of prolonged elevated glucose concentrations in the blood, is selected from the group of bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, reduction of pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than obesity and diabetes. The use of a CD26 cleavable prodrug for the manufacture of a medicament disclaims those disorders which are due to elevated or undesirable levels of DPPIV which can be treated by prodrugs of CD26 inhibitors. It equally disclaims the use for those disorders, such as some type of tumors which have elevated levels of CD26 and which can be treated by CD26 cleavable cytotoxic cancer prodrugs or neoplastic prodrugs. According to another embodiment n ranges from 2 to 5 and more particular n is 2 or 3. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Pro-[X-Y]1-2, more in particular Val-Pro-[X-Y]1-2, in order to have a good intestinal absorption, followed by a slow or fast release of the therapeutic compound, depending on the choice of X. According to another embodiment the Y is proline or hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline or alanine, in a more particular embodiment Y is proline. According to another embodiment, the oligopeptide is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside or on a heterocyclic group or residing on an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or residing on an anorganic molecule. According to another embodiment, the oligopeptide is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker, said linker comprising an NH2 or substituted NH amino group. According to another embodiment, the therapeutic compound D is a drug for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group a bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. In a particular embodiment the therapeutic compound is the antiviral drug TSAO or a derivative thereof such as NAP-TSAO. In another embodiment the antiviral drug is an inhibitor of HIV protease. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a manufacturing process for the production of prodrugs using a peptide with general structure H-[X-Y]n for the preparation of a CD26 cleavable prodrug of a therapeutic compound D. The therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or alternatively the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid The prodrug is characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y]n, wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY]n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occur via an amide. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. In one embodiment the peptide has between two to five CD26 cleavable repeats. In another embodiment, the number m of amino acids in the linker Am between the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide and the therapeutic compound is 1 and A is valine. In another embodiment to CD26 cleavable oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid or alternatively, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid, or alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Pro-[X-Y]1-2 in order to have a good intestinal absorption, followed by a slow or fast release of the therapeutic compound, depending on the choice of X. Within a prodrug construct H-[X-Y]n-D, the therapeutic compound D has a primary (NH2) or secondary (NH) amino group which is bound to the COOH group of the carboxyterminal amino acid of the [X-Y]n peptide. When the therapeutic compound D has no NH2 or NH group, or the NH or NH2 group can not react (due e.g. steric hindrance), the therapeutic compound D can be reacted with a linker which, after reaction has a NH2 or NH group, which can react with the COOH group of the carboxyterminal amino acid of the [X-Y]n peptide. According to one embodiment Y is proline or hydroxyproline or dihydroxyproline or alanine. In one embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside or on a heterocyclic group or residing on an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or residing on an anorganic molecule. Alternatively, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker comprising an amino group. Such a linker can have any structure, including but not limited to the structure of an oligopeptide Am wherein m ranges between 1 to 15 and more particularly between 1 to 3, or m=1. A in the structure Am can be any amino acid. According to one embodiment m=1 and A is valine. A prodrug which such a linker has a general structure H-[X-Y]n-Am-D. The oligopeptide Am or the amino acid A is linked at its aminoterminus via an amide binding to the oligopeptide H-[X-Y]n. The oligopeptide Am or the amino acid A is linked at its carboxyterminus via an amide or ester binding to the therapeutic compound D. Pharmaceutical compositions can comprise prodrugs of drugs for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group a bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. A particular example of an antiviral drug is TSAO. Another particular example of an antiviral drug is an HIV protease inhibitor, reverse transcriptase inhibitor or integrase inhibitor. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a therapeutic compound D coupled to two or more oligopeptides at different sites of the therapeutic compound. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 presents the structural formulae of a number of representative test compounds. FIG. 2 shows, according to one embodiment of the invention, the conversion of 50 μM Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO (CAM-405) to NAP-TSAO (CAM-212) by purified CD26 (5.7 mUnits) in function of incubation time (37° C.). FIG. 3 shows the inhibitory effect of different concentrations of the dipeptide Val-Pro against CD26-catalysed conversion of the chromophoric substrate GP-pNA (25 μM) to GP+pNA at 5 (left bar), 10 (middle bar) or 15 min (right bar) of reaction. The CD26 catalytic reaction was measured by recording the increase of absorption caused by pNA release at 400 nm. FIG. 4 shows, according to one embodiment of the invention, the conversion of 50 μM Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO (CAM-405) to NAP-TSAO (CAM-212) in several dilutions of human serum (HS) (upper panel) and bovine serum (BS) (lower panel) in PBS. Conversion was recorded after 3, 6 or 24 hrs of incubation. FIG. 5 shows the inhibitory effect of Diprotin A (panel A) on the conversion of 50 μM Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO (CAM-405) to NAP-TSAO (CAM-212) by purified CD26 (1.5 mUnits), 2.5% bovine serum (BS) in PBS or 2.5% human serum (HS) in PBS. (Left bar: 0 μM; middle bar 100 μM; right bar: 1000 μM) FIG. 6 shows the conversion of a variety of dipeptide derivatives of NAP-TSAO (50 μM) by 20% human serum in PBS in function of incubation time. Black bars (bottom part) represent the parent dipeptide derivatives of NAP-TSAO. Grey bars (middle part) represent NAP-TSAO-amino acyl derivatives from which the last amino acid (valine) has been removed. White bars (top part) represent NAP-TSAO (CAM-212) that had been released from the dipeptidyl-NAP-TSAO derivatives. FIG. 7 shows the conversion of the tetrapeptide Lys-Pro-Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO to NAP-TSAO. Formation of the dipeptide (Asp-Pro)-NAP-TSAO intermediate is clearly formed and later on further converted to the parent drug. This shows a 2-step reaction. FIG. 8 presents an overview of the synthesis scheme used for the synthesis of TSAO derivatives. FIG. 9 shows precursor structures to prepare the tetrapeptide prodrug and structures of blocked and free dipeptide and tetrapeptide derivatives of different drugs. FIG. 10 shows the conversion of Val-Pro-PI 1 prodrug to PI 1 (protease inhibitor) in function of time. A: CD26; B: bovine serum; C: human serum (both 10% in PBS). FIG. 11 shows the conversion of Val Pro-PI 1 prodrug to PI 1 (protease inhibitor) in function of time. Upper panel: Bovine serum (2% in PBS), Lower panel: Human serum (2% in PBS) FIG. 12 shows the inhibitory (competitive) effect of Val-Pro-PI 1 on CD26-catalysed conversion of GP−pNa to GP+pNA (yellow). FIG. 13. Inhibitory (competitive) effect of Val-Pro-PI 1 on CD26-catalysed conversion of GPpNA to GP+pNA (yellow) in 2% human serum (in PBS). FIG. 14. Inhibitory (competitive) effect of Val-Pro-PI 1 on CD26-catalysed conversion of GPpNA to GP+pNA (yellow) in 2% bovine serum (in PBS). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions The term “prodrug or prodrugs” as used herein refers to mostly inactive derivatives (or derivatives with strongly reduced activity, i.e. less than 20%, less that 10%, less than 5% or even less than 1% residual activity of the underived drug molecule) of a therapeutic compound that require a chemical or enzymatic transformation in order to release the active parent drug. The prodrug of the present invention has a general structure H-[X-Y]n-D. The chemical nature of this prodrug is explained in detail below. Prodrugs are designed to overcome an undesirable property of a drug. As such this technology can be applied to improve the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and/or pharmacokinetical properties of various drugs. Usually, the prodrug as such is biologically inactive. Therefore, prodrugs need to be efficiently converted to the parent drugs to reach pronounced efficacy as soon as the drug target has been reached. This activation can be done by enzymes, which are present in the body, alternatively the enzymes are co-administrated with the prodrug. In general, prodrugs are designed to improve the penetration of a drug across biological membranes in order to obtain improved drug absorption, to prolong duration of action of a drug (slow release of the parent drug from a prodrug, decreased first-pass metabolism of the drug), to target the drug action (e.g. brain or tumor targeting, lymphocyte targeting), to modify, mostly improve aqueous solubility and stability of a drug (i.v. preparations, eyedrops, etc.), to improve topical drug delivery (e.g. dermal and ocular drug delivery), to improve the chemical/enzymatic stability of a drug (e.g. peptides) or to decrease drug side-effects, more in general in order to improve efficacy of a therapeutic compound D. The term “therapeutic compound D” as used herein refers to any agent having a beneficial effect on a disease, any agent that is or will be used in the future as a therapy for a certain disease or disorder. This refers also to all molecules which are still in the discovery or development phase and which have not proven their efficacy and safety yet. This includes small organic molecules, proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, carbohydrates, aliphatic carbon chains, aromatic compounds and analogs and derivatives. The therapeutic compound D with a (terminal) amino group, more in particular a primary or secondary amino group, refers to therapeutic compounds with a free amino group (primary or secondary), namely a NHR group, wherein R can be hydrogen or any other chemical group known in the art. The amino group can be coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a saturated or unsaturated carbon, to carbonyl, or can be part of other broader functionalities (amide, carbamate, etc.) wherein the amino group is comprised, but the amino group in each circumstance has to be able to react with an amino acid in order of the therapeutic compound belongs to the functional group of amine functions and does not belong to a broader general functionality such as amides or carbamates. The therapeutic drug can also be linker to an oligopeptide through a linker. This linker can have any organic structure, thereby including amino acids, and contains a NHR group as described above. “CD26” as used herein refers to the dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (EC 3.4.14.5) in its membrane bound and free form. Synonyms for CD26 are DPPIV, DPP4, CD26/DPPIV or ADCP2 (adenosine deaminase complexing protein 2) As used herein, “dipeptidyl-peptidase(s)” refers to enzymes with a dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activity, i.e removing a dipeptide from the aminoterminal side of a substrate side by cleavage of the second CO—NH amide bond in the substrate. Other enzymes than CD26 with a comparable activity and proteolytic specificity as CD26 (i.e. prolyloligopeptidases) are referred to by “dipeptidyl-peptidase(s)”. “Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV refers to CD26. As written herein, amino acid sequences are presented according to the standard convention, namely that the amino terminus of the peptide is on the left and the carboxy terminus is on the right. As used herein, the term “peptide” or “oligopeptide” relates to two or more amino acids which are connected by amide bindings. When mentioned in conjunction with a therapeutic compound D, the peptide or oligopeptide refers to two or more amino acids which are connected by an amide binding, originating from a COOH group of the peptide and a NH2 or NH group on the therapeutic compound D or a linker connected to the terapeutic drug. The length of a peptide is indicated by greek numbers preceding the word -peptide (dipeptide, tripeptide, tetrapeptide, pentapeptide, hexapeptide, heptapeptide, octapeptide, nonapeptide, decapeptide, etc.). When referred to as [X-Y]n, each X and Y in each repeat unit [X-Y] are chosen independently from one another and independently for each repeat unit. In the present invention, a new prodrug technology is provided based on the coupling of a peptide to a therapeutic agent, whereby the amide bond of the conjugates is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. As such, the solubility, bioavailability and the efficacy of the therapeutic compound D in general can be modulated more extensively. The lymphocyte surface glycoprotein CD26 belongs to a unique class of membrane-associated peptidases. It is characterized by an array of diverse functional properties and it is identical to dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPP IV, EC 3.4.14.5). DPP IV is a member of the prolyl oligopeptidase (POP; EC3.4.21.26) family, a group of atypical serine proteinases able to hydrolyze the prolyl bond. The 766-amino acid long CD26 is anchored to the cellular lipid bilayer membrane by a single hydrophobic segment, and has a short cytoplasmic tail of six amino acids [Abbott et al. Immunogenetics (1994) 40: 331-338]. The membrane anchor is linked to a large extracellular glycosylated region, a cysteine-rich region and a C-terminal catalytic domain (Abott et al. cited supra). CD26 is strongly expressed on epithelial cells (i.e. kidney proximal tubules, intestine) and on several types of endothelial cells and fibroblasts, as well as leukocyte subsets [Hegen, M. In: Leukocyte Typing VI. Kishimoto, T., ed. Garland Publishing, (1997), pp. 478-481]. CD26 also occurs as a soluble form present in seminal fluids, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. It lacks the intracellular tail and the transmembrane region [De Meester et al. Rev. Immunol. Today (1999) 20: 367-375]. In addition to its exopeptidase activity, CD26 specifically binds to several proteins outside its substrate-binding site [i.e. adenosine deaminase [Trugnan et al. In: Cell-Surface Peptidases in Health and Disease. Kenny, & Boustead, eds. BIOS, (1997), pp. 203-217], fibronectin [Gonzalez-Gronow, et al. Fibrinolysis (1996), 10 (Suppl. 3):32], collagen [Löster et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. (1995), 217: 341-348]. CD26 is endowed with an interesting (dipeptidyl) peptidase catalytic activity and it has a high selectivity for peptides with a proline or alanine at the penultimate position of the N-terminus of a variety of natural peptides. Several cytokines, hematopoietic growth factors, neuropeptides and hormones share the X-Pro or X-Ala motif at their N-terminus and have been shown to act as efficient substrates for the enzyme [reviewed in De Meester et al. Rev. Immunol. Today (1999) 20: 367-375 and Mentlein Regul. Pept. (1999) 85: 9-24]. Substance P is even an example of a natural peptide of 11 amino acids containing an Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro [SEQ ID NO:1] sequence at its H-terminus, and which is cleaved by CD26 to an active heptapeptide by stepwise release of Arg-Pro and Lys-Pro [Ahmad et al. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. (1992), 260: 1257-1261]. CD26 can cut dipeptides from very small natural peptides [i.e. the pentapeptide enterostatin (Val-Pro-Asp-Pro-Arg) [SEQ ID NO:2] [Bouras et al. Peptides (1995), 16: 399-405] to larger peptides [including the chemokines RANTES and SDF-1α and IP-10 (68 to 77 amino acids)] containing respectively the Ser-Pro, Lys-Pro and Val-Pro sequences at their amino terminus [Oravecz et al. J. Exp. Med. (1997), 186: 1865-1872; Proost et al. J. Biol. Chem. (1998), 273:7222-7227; Ohtsuki et al. FEBS Lett. (1998), 431: 236-240; Proost et al. FEBS Lett. (1998), 432: 73-76]. Although a relatively restricted substrate specificity (penultimate Pro or Ala) has been observed for CD26, lower cleavage rates have also sometimes been observed when the penultimate amino acids were Gly, Ser, Val or Leu instead of Pro or Ala (De Meester et al. cited supra). Also, the nature of the terminal amino acid plays a role in the eventual catalytic efficiency of CD26. There is a decreasing preference from hydrophobic (i.e. aliphatic: Val, Ile, Leu, Met and aromatic Phe, Tyr, Trp) to basic (i.e. Lys, Arg, His) to neutral (i.e. Gly, Ala, Thr, Cys Pro, Ser, Gln, 7Asn) to acidic (i.e. Asp, Glu) amino acids as the preferred first amino acid at the amino terminus for efficient cutting of the peptide by CD26 (De Meester et al. cited supra). Also unnatural amino acids are recognised. The observation that a double truncation of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) by CD26 can occur thereby sequentially loosing Gly1-Pro2 followed by Tyr3-Gly4, suggests that the substrate activity of CD26 may be less restricted to the penultimate Pro or Ala than generally accepted [Proost, P. et al. J. Biol. Chem. (1999), 274: 3988-3993]. Many other hydrolases (EC 3), more specifically peptidases (EC 3.4) and yet more specifically aminopeptidases (EC 3.4.11) such as prolyl aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.5) and X-Pro aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.9) have already been identified. Also other dipeptidases (EC 3.4.13), peptidyl-dipeptidases (EC 3.4.15) and dipeptidyl-peptidases (EC 3.4.14, this EC-group also includes tripeptidyl-peptidases) exist next to CD26. Dipeptidyl-peptidase I (EC 3.4.14.1) occurs in the lysosome and cleaves a dipeptide from a peptide with consensus sequence X1-X2-X3 except when X1 is Arg or Lys or X2 or X3 is Pro. Dipeptidyl-peptidase II (EC 3.4.14.2) is a lysosomal peptidase that is maximally active at acidic pH and releases dipeptides from oligopeptides (preferentially tripeptides) with a sequence X1-X2-X3 wherein X2 preferably is Ala or Pro. DPP III (EC 3.4.14.4) is a cytosolic peptidase and cleaves dipeptides from a peptide comprising four or more residues dipeptidyl-dipeptidase (EC 3.4.14.6). X-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase (EC 3.4.14.11) is a microbial peptidase with similar activity to CD26. Some of them are found in humans and other mammals, while others are produced by micro-organisms such as yeast and fungi. They differ in first instance in amino acid sequence, but also in their specificity for recognizing amino acid sequences. In addition, database screening with DPPIV revealed novel proline specific dipeptideases (DPP8, DPP9, DPP10) [Qi et al. Biochem J. (2003) 373, 179-189]. Most of these proline specific dipeptidases occur intracellularly in the lysosome and act at acidic pH. Only DPPIV occurs as a membrane bound protein at the outside of a cell or as a secreted protein. Thus according to one embodiment, the compounds of the present invention are cleavable by an extracellular or membrane bound dipeptidyl peptidase at neutral pH. The present invention demonstrates that peptidyl prodrug derivatives are efficiently converted to the parent compound by the exodipeptidyl-peptidase activity of CD26. The present invention further demonstrates that the peptidyl prodrug derivatives are extracellularly processed to the parent therapeutic compound. Since an L-valine moiety can be involved in the dipeptidyl prodrug approach, this technology may represent a powerful tool to make lipohilic compounds not only markedly more water-soluble and less protein binding, but also to enhance oral bioavailability and plasma delivery of the parent molecule. The technology may also represent a powerful tool to ensure a more selective delivery of the parent drug to CD26-expressing cells. The present invention is derived from the knowledge that dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (CD26) has a postproline or postalanine dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activity, preferentially cleaving X-proline or X-alanine dipeptides from the N-terminus of polypeptides or proteins. In view of this observation, the present invention provides a new prodrug technology in order to modulate the solubility, plasma protein binding and/or to enhance the bioavailability of a drug. In other embodiments of the invention, prodrugs are delivered in order to more selectively target drugs, to enhance brain and lymphatic delivery of drugs and/or to extend drug half-lives in plasma. The present invention provides new prodrugs, characterized in that the prodrugs are cleavable by the dipeptidyl-peptidase CD26 or other enzymes with the same activity and proteolytic specificity as CD26. In a preferred embodiment, the prodrugs of the present invention are peptide-therapeutic compound conjugates and derivatives thereof, that include amino acid sequences containing cleavage sites for dipeptidyl-peptidases, such as CD26. As such, the invention also provides a therapeutic prodrug composition comprising a therapeutic compound D linked to a peptide via a amide bond, which is specifically cleaved by dipeptidyl-peptidases, such as CD26. The therapeutic compound D can be linked to the carboxy group of an amino acid either directly or through a linker group. In a preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compound D and the peptide are directly coupled via an amide bond. The therapeutic compound D can have a free amino group (primary or secondary that can be coupled with the carboxyl group of amino acids, more preferably with the α-carboxyl group. In another preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compound D and the peptide are coupled via a linker, wherein the linker can be of non-peptidic or peptidic nature. If the connection between the therapeutic compound D and the peptide is made through a linker, the connection between the linker and the first amino acid is preferably an amide bond. The linker may be connected to the therapeutic compound D through any bond types and chemical groups known to those skilled in the art, more preferably by covalent bonding. The linker may remain on the therapeutic compound D indefinitely after cleavage, or may be removed thereafter, either by further reactions with agents present in the mammal or in a self-cleaving step. External agents which may affect cleavage of the linker include enzymes, proteins, organic or inorganic reagents, protons and other agents. In embodiments in which the linker remains attached to the drug, the linker can be any group which does not substantially inhibit the activity of the drug after cleavage of the peptide. In other embodiments, the linker is self-cleaving. Self-cleaving linkers are those which are disposed to cleave from the drug after the cleavage of the peptide by dipeptidyl-peptidases, such as CD26. Mechanisms involved in the self-cleavage of the linkers are for example intra molecular cyclisation or spontaneous SN1 solvolysis and release the drug upon peptide cleavage. Some examples of linkers are provided in Atwell et al. (Atwell et al. J. Med. Chem. 1994, 37: 371-380). The linkers generally contain primary amines which form amide bonds to the carboxy terminus of the peptide. The linkers can also contain a carboxylic acid which forms an amide bond to a primary amine found on the drug. The linker can be coupled to the drug by one or more reactions chosen from the reactions available to the person skilled in the art. In an embodiment the linker between the CD26 cleavable peptides (consisting of one or more repetitive X-Y dipeptides with structure [X-Y]n which is cleavable by CD26) and the therapeutic compound of the present invention comprise one or more aminoacids and have in a more particular embodiment a general structure [X-Y]n-Am. Herein A is any amino acid. The binding between the [X-Y]n oligopeptide and the consecutive A amino acid is an amide binding to allow CD26 proteolysis. The binding between two A amino acids can be either an amide binding or an ester binding and between an A amino acid and the prodrug can be either an amide binding or an ester binding or any other binding known in the art. m can vary in length between 1 to 15. In one embodiment m is 1 and A can be hydrolysed from the prodrug by an esterase or an aminopeptidase. In one embodiment the protease which can be used for proteolysis of the prodrug is CD26. The obtained experimental data reveal that CD26 relies for its cleavage only on the dipeptide structure. Its activity is not hampered by the presence of the therapeutic compound D immediately after the amide bond between proline and the drug moiety. In the same context, there is thus no need to have additional peptide or other linker molecules between the dipeptide or polypeptide and the drug. Furthermore, due to its tissue expression (on both cancer and normal tissue) on different organs (from high level to lower levels: kidney, lung, adrenal gland, jejunum, liver, glandula parotis, spleen, testis and also on skin, heart, pancreas, brain, spinal cord, serum), and different cell types (such as thymocytes, endothelial cells, lympfocytes, microglial cells), several applications and several therapeutic applications can be envisaged. The rate of proteolysis of a peptide can be modulated by modifying the aminoterminal aminoacid and/or the second aminoacid. Together or independently of the modulation of hydrolysis, the physicochemical character of the peptide prodrug can be modified. Particularly, the aminoterminal end of the peptide in the prodrug comprises X-Pro, X-Ala, X-Gly, X-Ser, X-Val, or X-Leu, wherein X represents any amino acid or isomers (i.e. L- or D-configuration) thereof. Other dipeptides, with on the second position hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-Homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, and aziridinecarboxylic acid are also cleavable by CD26. In a preferred embodiment, the peptide comprises aminoterminally X-proline or X-alanine. As such the amino acids can be selected from alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine and derivatives thereof. Also modified (i.e. hydroxylproline) or unnatural amino acids can be included. In another preferred embodiment, the length of the peptide is between 2 and 10 amino acids and can therefore have a length of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 amino acids. In another preferred embodiment, the peptide comprises [X-Y]n repeated units wherein X represents any amino acid, Y is selected from Pro, Ala, Gly, Ser, Val or Leu and n is selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. In another more preferred embodiment, said peptide is a dipeptide. In still a more preferred embodiment, the dipeptide is Lys-Pro. In another still more preferred embodiment, the amino acids have the L-configuration. The present experiments seem to show that the aminoterminus of the peptide of the prodrug containing conventional capping groups or protection groups is not or very weakly cleaved and thereby does not seem to be a substrate for CD26. Such capping groups include acetyl, succinyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, glutaryl, fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc), tert-Butyloxycarbonyl (Boc), morpholinocarbonyl, methyl and many others known in the art. In one embodiment, the terminal amino group of the terminal amino acid of the peptide of the prodrugs, contains no capping or protection groups. A particular embodiment of the present invention excludes the use of prodrugs without a free terminal amino group. Those skilled in the art can make substitutions to achieve peptides with better profile related to solubility, bioavailability and targeting of the conjugate. Therefore, the invention includes the peptide sequences as described above, as well as analogs or derivatives thereof, as long as the conjugates remain cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. In another embodiment the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a peptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid or alternatively, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid, or alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. To modulate hydrophobicity and/or proteolysis rate of longer peptides (n is 3, 4, 5) more than one X will have the specific type of side chains to achieve the desired effect. Also the choice of Y will influence the proteolysis rate, the hydrophobicity, solubility, bioavailability and the efficacy of the prodrug. In yet another embodiment, the peptides with a general structure [X-Y]n are tetrapeptides or hexapeptides with a structure selected from the group of XF-Y-XF-Y, XF-Y-XS-Y, XS-Y-XF-Y, XS-Y-XS-Y, XB-Y-X-Y, X-Y-XB-Y and XB-Y-XB-Y or a hexapeptide with a structure selected from the group of XF-Y-XF-Y-XF-Y, XS-Y-XF-Y-XF-Y, XF-Y-XS-Y-XF-Y, XF-Y-XF-Y-XS-Y, XF-Y-XS-Y-XS-Y, XS-Y-XF-Y-XS-Y, XS-Y-XS-Y-XF-Y and XS-Y-XS-Y-XS-Y, XB-Y-X-Y-X-Y, XB-Y-XB-Y-X-Y, X-Y-XB-Y-XB-Y, XB-Y-X-Y-XB-Y and XB-Y-XB-Y-XB. Herein F stands for fast and XF is an amino acid that results in a rapid release of a dipeptide by CD26 (for example aromatic and hydrophobic amino acids). Herein S stands for slow and XS is an amino acid that causes a slow release of a dipeptide by CD26 (for example acidic and neutral amino acids such as Aspartic acid and Glutamic acid). Herein B stands for basic and XB is a basic amino acid (Lys, Arg and His) leading to a moderate release of a charged and hydrophilic dipeptide. Such combinations allow tailor-made combinations of peptides that give a prodrug a well defined rate of degradation together with a defined hydrophobicity. For example the degradation of a hydrophobic prodrug with Tyr/Phe-Pro dipeptide can be delayed by the presence of an additional aminoterminal Gly-Pro dipeptide, resulting in a Gly-Pro-Tyr-Pro [SEQ ID NO:3] Gly-Pro-Phe-Pro [SEQ ID NO:12] tetrapetide prodrug. Hydrophobicity can even be increased by adding an additional Tyr/Phe-Pro dipeptide leading to the exapeptides such as e.g. Gly-Pro-Tyr-Pro-Tyr-Pro [SEQ ID NO:4]. If a charged peptide prodrug with slow release is desired, Asp-Pro-Lys-Pro [SEQ ID NO:5] might be preferred over Gly-Pro. Other combinations can be developed by the skilled person wherein a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide allows the modulation of solubility and degradation rate of a peptide prodrug by CD26. For other purposes, proline can be replaced by alanine. The physicochemical properties and degradation rate of an undigested, partially digested and completely digested prodrug can be evaluated by determination of its retention time on reversed phase chromatography. The therapeutic compounds that may be used in the prodrugs of the invention include any drugs (except from protein or peptide drugs such as peptide hormones) that can be directly or indirectly linked to a peptide and whereby the conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. In addition to known therapeutic compounds, this invention can also be applied to the novel drug molecules that are currently under drug development or to drug molecules which are already in clinical use. In another preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compound D is a small organic molecule and not a peptide, protein, an intercalator or an oligonucleotide or analogs thereof (such as HNA, PNA, etc.). The therapeutic molecule can have an activity in the cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, oncology, metabolic diseases, immunology, urology, anti-infectives, inflammation and all other therapeutic fields. In yet another more preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compound D has an antiviral activity. In still a more preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compound D has an anti-HIV activity. Preferred drugs/therapeutic compounds are those containing primary amines, more in particular belonging to an amine function. The presence of a primary amine allows the formation of an amide bond between the drug and the peptide. The primary amines may be found in the drugs as commonly provided, or they may be added to the drugs by chemical synthesis. Certain therapeutic compounds contain primary amines, for example, anthracycline antibiotics containing an amino sugar such as doxorubicin, daunorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin and the like. Antiviral drugs that contain an amine or amide are for example the guanine derivatives with anti-herpes activity like acyclovir, gancyclovir, penciclovir and lobucavir, the cytosine derivatives gemcitabine, ddC, araC, HPMPC (Cidofovir) and lamivudine (3TC), the protease inhibitors amprenavir and DMP850 and 851. Others are ribavirin, the NNRTIs TMC125 (from Tibotec-Virco) and AG1549 (from Agouron), PMPA (tenofovir), PMEA (adefovir) and oseltamivir. Other therapeutic compounds that can be transformed to prodrugs of the invention are for example: DNA intercalators such as actinomycin D, adriamycin, amino acridines (proflavine); DNA binders such as cisplatin (cis-diamino platinum dichloride); DNA chain cutting agents such as bleomycin; Hormones such as noradrenaline; Alkaloids such as procaine (novocaine); Antidepressants such as phenylzine; Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and GABA (γ-aminobutanoic acid); Anticancer agents such as phosphoramide mustard and methotrexate; Antibiotics such as sulfonamides (benzenesulfonamides, prontosil, sulfonilamide, sulfadiazine, sulfamethoxine, etc.) and aminoglycosides such as streptomycin; Vitamins such as folic acid, tetrahydrofolic acid, etc; Antimalarial agents such as trimethoprim; Anti-lepra agents such as sulfones; According to the FDA's Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS), drug substances are classified as follows: Class I—High Permeability, High Solubility; Class II—High Permeability, Low Solubility; Class III—Low Permeability, High Solubility and Class IV—Low Permeability, Low Solubility. How drugs are classified in this classification system is described in the guidlines of the BCS. In a preferred embodiment, the therapeutic compounds D that can be used in the invention are selected from class II, III and IV. The invention provides for prodrugs that are cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidases. The dipeptidyl-peptidases can be selected from the group of peptidases (EC 3.4) and yet more specifically aminopeptidases (EC 3.4.11) such as prolyl aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.5) and X-Pro aminopeptidase (EC 3.4.11.9), from the group of dipeptidases (EC 3.4.13), peptidyl-dipeptidases (EC 3.4.15) and dipeptidyl-peptidases (EC 3.4.14, this EC-group also includes tripeptidyl-peptidases) such as dipeptidyl-peptidase I (EC 3.4.14.1), II (EC 3.4.14.2), III (EC 3.4.14.4), IV (EC 3.4.14.5), dipeptidyl-dipeptidase (EC 3.4.14.6) and X-Pro dipeptidyl-peptidase (EC 3.4.14.11). In a preferred embodiment, the prodrug is cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidases present in mammals or more preferably in humans. In a more preferred embodiment, the prodrug is cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (CD26), as well by the cell-surface bound as by the soluble form present in seminal fluids, plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. The occurrence of two different types of CD26 allows the application of prodrugs for activation at the cell membrane and for activation in body fluids. The invention also provides a method for modulating (i.e. increasing, decreasing) the (water) solubility, the protein binding and/or the bioavailability of a therapeutic compound D by coupling a peptide to said therapeutic compound D whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. Any change of the therapeutic compound D, also including conjugation of amino acids, has a proven influence on the solubility and bioavailability profile of said drug. The present invention provides however a method of ameliorating the solubility and/or bioavailability of the drug without changing the activity profile of the therapeutic compound D. Other chemical groups may be coupled to the prodrugs of the invention, including those which render the prodrug more soluble in water. These groups include polysaccharides or other polyhydroxylated moieties. For example, dextran, cyclodextrin and starch may be included in the prodrug of the invention. The present invention also provides a method for targeting molecules to dipeptidyl-peptidase expressing cells, tissues or organs, provided that the dipeptidyl-peptidases are expressed on the cell surface or secreted in the extracellular medium. CD26 is expressed in a variety of organs, primarily on apical surfaces of epithelial and acinar cells and at lower levels on lymphocytes and capillary endothelial cells. CD26 has been demonstrated in the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, exocrine pancreas, kidney, uterus, placenta, prostate epidermis, muscle, adrenal gland, parotid gland, sweat gland, salivary gland, mammary gland, and on epithelia of all organs examined including liver, spleen, lungs and brain. In one embodiment, CD26 cleavable prodrugs can be used for the treatment of non-cancer disorders or dysfunctions, wherein DPPIV levels are increased, such as liver regeneration, hepatic dysfunction, kidney transplant rejections, encephalitis or osteoporosis. In another embodiment, CD26 cleavable prodrugs can be used for the treatment or prevention of metabolic anomalies such as excess weight, glucosuria, hyperlipidaemia and also possible serious metabolic acidoses and diabetes mellitus, which are a consequence of prolonged elevated glucose concentrations in the blood. In another embodiment, CD26 cleavable prodrugs can be used for the treatment or prevention of any disorder of dysfunction of one of the above mentioned tissues wherein CD26 occurs at normal levels. In another embodiment, CD26 cleavable prodrugs can be used for the treatment or prevention of any disorder of dysfunction in one of the above mentioned organs or tissues, even under conditions wherein CD26 levels are lowered but still present such as major depression, norexai and buimia nervosa, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, pregnancy, immunosuppression, viral infections such as HIV, or certain cancers such as nonhepatic gastrointestinal cancer and oral squamous cell carcinoma. The present invention furthermore provides a method of producing a prodrug, wherein the prodrug is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. This method of producing a prodrug comprises the step of linking a therapeutically active drug and a peptide. In a more preferred embodiment, the therapeutically active drug or the peptide are in a first step derivatised in order to be able to link the therapeutic compound D and the peptide in a later step via an amide binding. In certain embodiments, the peptide is linked directly to the drug. In other embodiments, the peptide is indirectly linked to the drug, the linkage occurring through a linker. In each case the carboxyterminus of the peptide is used for linking. Many acceptable methods of coupling carboxyl and amino groups to form amide bindings are known to those skilled in the art. The present invention furthermore provides for prodrugs of TSAO. Peptide prodrugs of [1-[2′,5′-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-D-ribofuranosyl]-3-(3-amino-propyl)-thymine]-(R)(ribo)-3′-spiro-5-(4-amino-1,2-oxathiole-2,2-dioxide) (=NAP-TSAO) are provided by this invention. The valine-, valine-proline- and valine-proline-valine-NAP-TSAO derivatives are provided by this invention. The present invention furthermore provides for prodrugs of AraC, doxorubicin and acyclovir. In one particular embodiment, the present invention relates to prodrug compounds of formula (I) the stereoisomeric forms and salts thereof, wherein n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; Y is proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine; X is selected from any amino acid in the D- or L-configuration; X and Y in each repeat of [Y-X] are chosen independently from one another and independently from other repeats; Z is a direct bond or a bivalent straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R1 is an aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, aryloxyC1-4alkyl, heterocycloalkyloxy, heterocycloalkylC1-4alkyloxy, heteroaryloxyC1-4alkyl, heteroarylC1-4alkyloxy; R2 is arylC1-4alkyl; R3 is C1-10alkyl, C2-6alkenyl or C3-7cycloalkylC1-4alkyl; R4 is hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; aryl, when used alone or in combination with another group, means phenyl optionally substituted with one or more substituents each individually selected from the group consisting of C1-4alkyl, hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy, nitro, cyano, halo, amino, mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)amino and amido; heteroaryl, when used alone or in combination with another group, means a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic heterocycle having one or more oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen heteroatoms, which aromatic heterocycle may optionally be substituted on one or more carbon atoms with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy, amino, hydroxy, aryl, amido, mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)amino, halo, nitro, heterocycloalkyl and C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl, and which aromatic heterocycle may also be optionally substituted on a secondary nitrogen atom by C1-4alkyl or arylC1-4alkyl; heterocycloalkyl, when used alone or in combination with another group, means a saturated or partially unsaturated monocyclic or bicyclic heterocycle having one or more oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen heteroatoms, which heterocycle may optionally be substituted on one or more carbon atoms with a substituent selected from the group consisting of C1-4alkyl, C1-4alkyloxy, hydroxy, halo and oxo, and which heterocycle may also be optionally substituted on a secondary nitrogen atom by C1-4alkyl or arylC1-4alkyl. The term C1-4alkyl as a group or part of a group means straight and branched chained saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of such C1-4alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl and the like. The term C1-6alkyl as a group or part of a group means straight and branched chained saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of such C1-6alkyl radicals include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-methylbutyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, 3-methylpentyl and the like. The term C1-10alkyl as a group or part of a group means straight and branched chained saturated monovalent hydrocarbon radicals containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of such C1-10alkyl radicals include the examples of C1-6alkyl radicals and heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, 3-ethyl-heptyl and the like. C2-6alkenyl as a group or part of a group means straight and branched chained monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having at least one double bond and containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of such C2-6alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutenyl, 2-methyl-1-butenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 3-methyl-2-pentenyl and the like. The term “halo” or “halogen”, when used alone or in combination with another group, is generic to fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo. The term C3-7cycloalkyl, when used alone or in combination with another group, is generic to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl. For therapeutic use, the salts of the prodrug compounds of the present invention are those wherein the counter-ion is pharmaceutically or physiologically acceptable. However, salts having a pharmaceutically unacceptable counter-ion may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptable compound of the present invention. All salts, whether pharmaceutically acceptable or not are included within the ambit of the present invention. The pharmaceutically acceptable or physiologically tolerable acid addition salt forms which the prodrug compounds of the present invention are able to form can conveniently be prepared using the appropriate acids, such as, for example, inorganic acids such as hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid, sulfuric, nitric, phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, for example, acetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic, malonic, succinic, maleic, fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p-amino-salicylic, pamoic and the like acids. Conversely said acid addition salt forms can be converted by treatment with an appropriate base into the free base form. The prodrug compounds of the present invention containing an acidic proton may also be converted into their non-toxic metal or amine addition salt form by treatment with appropriate organic and inorganic bases. Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts, quaternary ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e.g. the benzathine, N-methyl, -D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and the like. Conversely said base addition salt forms can be converted by treatment with an appropriate acid into the free acid form. The term “salts” also comprises the hydrates and the solvent addition forms that the prodrug compounds of the present invention are able to form. Examples of such forms are e.g. hydrates, alcoholates and the like. The term “salts” also comprises the quaternization of the nitrogen atoms of the present compounds. A basic nitrogen can be quaternized with any agent known to those of ordinary skill in the art including, for instance, lower alkyl halides, dialkyl sulfates, long chain halides and arylalkyl halides. The present prodrug compounds may also exist in their tautomeric forms. Such forms, although not explicitly indicated in the above formula, are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the terminal amino group of the terminal amino acid of the peptide bond formed by -(Y-X)n may optionally contain one or two capping groups selected from acetyl, succinyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, glutaryl, morpholinocarbonyl and C1-4alkyl. In one embodiment, each X independently is selected from a naturally occurring amino acid. In one embodiment, each X independently is an L-amino acid selected from the group consisting of alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine or valine. In one embodiment, each Y independently is proline, alanine, glycine, serine, valine or leucine; preferably each Y independently is proline or alanine. In one embodiment, n is 1, 2 or 3. In one embodiment, R1 is heterocycloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylC1-4alkyloxy, aryl or aryloxyC1-4alkyl. In one embodiment, R1 is hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furanyl-oxy, tetrahydrofuranyl-oxy, quinolinyl, thiazolylmethyloxy, aryl, aryloxymethyl. In one embodiment, R1 is hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-yloxy, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl-oxy, quinolin-2-yl, thiazol-5-ylmethyloxy, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenoxymethyl. In one embodiment, R1 is (3R,3aS,6aR)-hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furan-3-yl-oxy, (3S)-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl-oxy, quinolin-2-yl, thiazol-5-ylmethyloxy, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenoxymethyl. Interesting groups of compounds are those groups of compounds of formula (I) thereof where one or more of the following restrictions apply: n is 1, 2 or 3; Y is proline; each X independently is selected from valine, aspartic acid, lysine or proline; Z is methylene; R1 is heterocycloalkyloxy; R2 is phenylmethyl; R3 is C1-10alkyl; R4 is hydrogen. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein R2 is phenylmethyl. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein R3 is C1-4alkyl, in particular R3 is isobutyl. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein R4 is hydrogen. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein R2 is phenylmethyl; R3 is isobutyl and R4 is hydrogen. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein Z4 is methylene. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein R1 is hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furanyl-oxy, tetrahydrofuranyl-oxy, quinolinyl, thiazolylmethyloxy, aryl, aryloxymethyl; R2 is phenylmethyl; R3 is isobutyl and R4 is hydrogen. A particular group of compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; Y is proline or alanine; each X independently is selected from a naturally occurring amino acid; Z is a direct bond or methylene; R1 is heterocycloalkyloxy, heteroaryl, heteroarylC1-4alkyloxy, aryl or aryloxyC1-4alkyl; R2 is phenylmethyl; R3 is isobutyl; R4 is hydrogen. Also a particular group of compounds are those compounds of formula (I) or any defined subgroup thereof wherein n is 1, 2 or 3; Y is proline; each X independently is selected from a naturally occurring amino acid; Z is methylene; R1 is hexahydrofuro[2,3-b]furanyl-oxy, tetrahydrofuranyl-oxy, quinolinyl, thiazolylmethyloxy, aryl, aryloxymethyl; R2 is phenylmethyl; R3 is isobutyl; R4 is hydrogen. The compounds of formula (I) are prodrugs for the therapeutic compounds of formula (Ia) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z are as defined in the compounds of formula (I) and the different embodiments. These therapeutic compounds of formula (Ia) are known to have HIV protease inhibiting activity and are described in EP656887, EP715618, EP810209, U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,481, U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,483, U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,897, U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,946, U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,942, U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,190, U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,476, U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,775, WO99/67417 all incorporated herein by reference. Due to the fact that some therapeutic compounds are inhibitors of the replication of HIV, the prodrug compounds of said therapeutic compounds are useful in the treatment of warm-blooded animals, in particular humans, infected with HIV. Conditions associated with HIV which may be prevented or treated with the compounds of the present invention include AIDS, AIDS-related complex (ARC), progressive generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL), as well as chronic CNS diseases caused by retroviruses, such as, for example HIV mediated dementia and multiple sclerosis. The prodrug compounds of anti-HIV therapeutic compounds of the present invention may therefore be used as medicines against or in a method of treating above-mentioned conditions. Said use as a medicine or method of treatment comprises the systemic administration of an effective therapeutic amount of a anti-HIV therapeutic compound to HIV-infected warm-blooded animals, in particular HIV-infected humans. Consequently, the prodrug compounds of the present invention can be used in the manufacture of a medicament useful for treating conditions associated with HIV infection. The term stereochemically isomeric forms of compounds of the present invention, as used hereinbefore, defines all possible compounds made up of the same atoms bonded by the same sequence of bonds but having different three-dimensional structures which are not interchangeable, which the compounds of the present invention may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of a compound encompasses the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms which said compound may possess. Said mixture may contain all diastereomers and/or enantiomers of the basic molecular structure of said compound. All stereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of the present invention both in pure form or in admixture with each other are intended to be embraced within the scope of the present invention. Pure stereoisomeric forms of the compounds and intermediates as mentioned herein are defined as isomers substantially free of other enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms of the same basic molecular structure of said compounds or intermediates. In particular, the term ‘stereoisomerically pure’ concerns compounds or intermediates having a stereoisomeric excess of at least 80% (i.e. minimum 80% of one isomer and maximum 20% of the other possible isomers) up to a stereoisomeric excess of 100% (i.e. 100% of one isomer and none of the other), more in particular, compounds or intermediates having a stereoisomeric excess of 90% up to 100%, even more in particular having a stereoisomeric excess of 94% up to 100% and most in particular having a stereoisomeric excess of 97% up to 100%. The terms ‘enantiomerically pure’ and ‘diastereomerically pure’ should be understood in a similar way, but then having regard to the enantiomeric excess and the diastereomeric excess respectively, of the mixture in question. Pure stereoisomeric forms of the compounds and intermediates of this invention may be obtained by the application of art-known procedures. For instance, enantiomers may be separated from each other by the selective crystallization of their diastereomeric salts with optically active acids. Alternatively, enantiomers may be separated by chromatographic techniques using chiral stationary phases. Said pure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be derived from the corresponding pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriate starting materials, provided that the reaction occurs stereospecifically. Preferably, if a specific stereoisomer is desired, said compound will be synthesized by stereospecific methods of preparation. These methods will advantageously employ enantiomerically pure starting materials. The diastereomeric racemates of the compounds of the present invention can be obtained separately by conventional methods. Appropriate physical separation methods which may advantageously be employed are, for example, selective crystallization and chromatography, e.g. column chromatography. The compounds may contain one or more asymmetric centers and thus may exist as different stereoisomeric forms. The absolute configuration of each asymmetric center that may be present in the compounds may be indicated by the stereochemical descriptors R and S, this R and S notation corresponding to the rules described in Pure Appl. Chem. 1976, 45, 11-30. The present invention is also intended to include all isotopes of atoms occurring on the present compounds of the invention. Isotopes include those atoms having the same atomic number but different mass numbers. By way of general example and without limitation, isotopes of hydrogen include tritium and deuterium. Isotopes of carbon include C-13 and C-14. In general, the therapeutic compounds of formula (Ia) can be prepared as described in EP656887, EP715618, EP810209, U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,481, U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,483, U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,897, U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,946, U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,942, U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,190, U.S. Pat. No. 6,060,476, U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,775, WO99/67417. The prodrug compounds of formula (I) can be prepared starting from the therapeutic compounds of formula (Ia) using art-known peptide chemistry. For instance, amino acids may be coupled to the therapeutic compound D to form peptide bonds as depicted in scheme 1. This coupling reaction may be performed in an appropriate reaction-inert solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran or any other solvent that solubilizes the reagents, with an amino protected amino acid of formula PG-Y-OH wherein PG (protecting group) may be for instance a Boc (tert-butyl oxycarbonyl), Cbz (benzyloxycarbonyl) or Fmoc, in the presence of a coupling agent such as DCC (dicyclohexylcarbodiimide) or EDCl (1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride) and HOAt (1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazol) or a functional equivalent thereof. The thus formed peptide may then be deprotected using conventional deprotection techniques such as for instance deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane. This coupling and subsequent deprotection reaction step can be repeated using PG-X-OH as reagent to form the desired peptide bond. Some of the amino acids, such as for example lysine and aspartic acid may require a second protecting group and can be represented in formula PG-(XPG)-OH or PG-(YPG)-OH. Alternatively, a reagent of formula PG-X-Y-OH, or PG-(X)n-OH, or PG-(X)n-Y-OH, or PG-(X-Y)t can be used in the above reaction procedures. In preparations presented above, the reaction products may be isolated from the reaction medium and, if necessary, further purified according to methodologies generally known in the art such as, for example, extraction, crystallization, distillation, trituration and chromatography. The compounds of the invention as prepared in the hereinabove described processes may be synthesized as a mixture of stereoisomeric forms, in particular in the form of racemic mixtures of enantiomers which can be separated from one another following art-known resolution procedures. The racemic compounds of the invention may be converted into the corresponding diastereomeric salt forms by reaction with a suitable chiral acid. Said diastereomeric salt forms are subsequently separated, for example, by selective or fractional crystallization and the enantiomers are liberated therefrom by alkali. An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeric forms of the compounds of the invention involves liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase. Said pure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be derived from the corresponding pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriate starting materials, provided that the reaction occurs stereospecifically. Preferably if a specific stereoisomer is desired, said compound will be synthesized by stereospecific methods of preparation. These methods will advantageously employ enantiomerically pure starting materials. The compounds of the present invention can thus be used in animals, preferably in mammals, and in particular in humans as pharmaceuticals per se, in mixtures with one another or in the form of pharmaceutical preparations. In another aspect the invention provides a method of detecting dipeptidyl-peptidase producing tissue or cells by using the prodrug technology of the invention, as described above. The method is carried out by contacting a detectably labeled peptide of the invention with target tissue for a period of time sufficient to allow a dipeptidyl-peptidase such as CD26 to cleave the peptide and release the detectable label. The detectable label is then detected. The level of detection is then compared to that of a control sample not contacted with the target tissue. Many varieties of detectable label are available, including optically based labels, such as chromophoric, chemiluminescent, fluorescent or phosphorescent labels, and radioactive labels, such as alpha, beta or gamma emitting labels. Examples of fluorescent labels include amine-containing coumarins such as 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin, 7-amino-4-trifluoromethyl, and other amine-containing fluorophores such as 6-aminoquinoline, 2-aminopurines, and rhodamines, including rhodamine 110. Examples of radioactive labels include beta emitters such as 3H, 14C and 125I. Examples of chromophoric labels (those that have characteristic absorption spectra) include nitroaromatic compounds such as p-nitroaniline. Examples of chemiluminescent labels include luciferins such as 6-amino-6-deoxyluciferin. Preferably, the choice of detectable label allows for rapid detection and easily interpretable determinations. Detectable labels for use in the invention preferably show clearly detectable differences between detection from the cleaved and uncleaved state. The invention provides a method for detecting a disorder accompanied with overexpression or lowered expression of dipeptidyl-peptidases, more preferably CD26, which comprises contacting a prodrug with a cell suspected of having a dipeptidyl-peptidase-production associated disorder and detecting cleavage of the peptide. The peptide reactive with dipeptidyl-peptidase is labeled with a compound which allows detection of cleavage by dipeptidyl-peptidase. For purposes of the invention, a prodrug may be used to detect the level of enzymatically active dipeptidyl-peptidase in biological fluids and tissues such as saliva, blood, or urine. The level of dipeptidyl-peptidase in the suspected cell can be compared with the level in a normal cell to determine whether the subject has a dipeptidyl-peptidase-production associated cell disorder. The invention also provides a method of selecting potential prodrugs for use in the invention. The method generally consists of contacting prodrugs of the invention with dipeptidyl-peptidases, such as CD26 or tissue or cells producing these dipeptidyl-peptidases and with dipeptidyl-peptidases free medium in a parallel experiment. In a certain embodiment of the invention, the above described prodrugs can be used as a medicine. In another embodiment, the above described prodrugs can be used to manufacture a medicament to prevent or to treat a certain disease. The disease that will be treated depends on the therapeutical drug that will be used in the prodrug technology. The invention furthermore provides methods of treating a certain disease by administering a prodrug as described by the invention. The prodrugs of the invention and/or analogs or derivatives thereof can be administered to any host, including a human, a non-human animal and mammals, in an amount effective to treat a disorder. To further optimise the pharmacokinetic profile of the prodrugs of present invention they can be administered in conjunction with a suitable delivery vehicle (e.g., microcapsules, microspheres, biodegradable polymer films, lipid-based delivery systems such as liposomes and lipid foams, viscous instillates and absorbable mechanical barriers) useful for maintaining the necessary concentrations of the prodrugs or the therapeutic compound D at the site of the disease. The prodrug or “medicament” may be administered by any suitable method within the knowledge of the skilled man. Modes of administration known in the art for therapeutic agents include parenteral, for example, intravenous (e.g. for antibody inhibitors), intraperitoneal, intramuscular, intradermal, and epidermal including subcutaneous and intradermal, oral, or application to mucosal surfaces, e.g. by intranasal administration using inhalation of aerosol suspensions, and by implanting to muscle or other tissue in the subject. Suppositories and topical, locally applied preparations are also contemplated. Depending on the route and place of administration, more hydrophobic or hydrophilic peptide moieties of the prodrug can be considered. In the present invention, the prodrugs are introduced in amounts sufficient to prevent, reduce or treat a certain disease, depending on the administration route. The most effective mode of administration and dosage regimen for the prodrugs or the “medicament” in the methods of the present invention depend on the severity of the disease to be treated, the subject's health, previous medical history, age, weight, height, sex and response to treatment and the judgment of the treating physician. Therefore, the amount of prodrug to be administered, as well as the number and timing of subsequent administrations are determined by a medical professional conducting therapy based on the response of the individual subject. Initially, such parameters are readily determined by skilled practitioners using appropriate testing in animal models for safety and efficacy, and in human subjects during clinical trials of prodrug formulations. After administration, the efficacy of the therapy using the prodrugs is assessed by various methods including assessment of the clinical picture. Suitable pharmaceutical carriers for use in said pharmaceutical compositions and their formulation are well known to those skilled in the art, and there is no particular restriction to their selection within the present invention. Suitable carriers or excipients known to the skilled man are saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, Hank's solution, fixed oils, ethyl oleate, 5% dextrose in saline, substances that enhance isotonicity (such as sugars or sodium chloride) and chemical stability, buffers and preservatives. Other suitable carriers include any carrier that does not itself induce the production of antibodies harmful to the individual receiving the composition such as proteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polymeric amino acids and amino acid copolymers. They may also include additives such as wetting agents, dispersing agents, stickers, adhesives, emulsifying agents, solvents, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents (for example phenol, sorbic acid, chlorobutanol) and the like, provided the same are consistent with pharmaceutical practice, i.e. carriers and additives which do not create permanent damage to mammals. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be prepared in any known manner, for instance by homogeneously mixing, coating and/or grinding the active ingredients, in a one-step or multi-steps procedure, with the selected carrier material and, where appropriate, the other additives such as surface-active agents may also be prepared by inicronisation, for instance in view to obtain them in the form of microspheres usually having a diameter of about 1 to 10 μm, namely for the manufacture of microcapsules for controlled or sustained release of the active ingredients. Suitable surface-active agents to be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are non-ionic, cationic and/or anionic materials having good emulsifying, dispersing and/or wetting properties. Suitable anionic surfactants include both water-soluble soaps and water-soluble synthetic surface-active agents. Suitable soaps are alkaline or alkaline-earth metal salts, unsubstituted or substituted ammonium salts of higher fatty acids (C10-C22), e.g. the sodium or potassium salts of oleic or stearic acid, or of natural fatty acid mixtures obtainable form coconut oil or tallow oil. Synthetic surfactants include sodium or calcium salts of polyacrylic acids; fatty sulphonates and sulphates; sulphonated benzimidazole derivatives and alkylarylsulphonates. Fatty sulphonates or sulphates are usually in the form of alkaline or alkaline-earth metal salts, unsubstituted ammonium salts or ammonium salts substituted with an alkyl or acyl radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, e.g. the sodium or calcium salt of lignosulphonic acid or dodecylsulphonic acid or a mixture of fatty alcohol sulphates obtained from natural fatty acids, alkaline or alkaline-earth metal salts of sulphuric or sulphonic acid esters (such as sodium lauryl sulphate) and sulphonic acids of fatty alcohol/ethylene oxide adducts. Suitable sulphonated benzimidazole derivatives preferably contain 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of alkylarylsulphonates are the sodium, calcium or alcanolamine salts of dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid or dibutyl-naphtalenesulphonic acid or a naphtalene-sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product. Also suitable are the corresponding phosphates, e.g. salts of phosphoric acid ester and an adduct of p-nonylphenol with ethylene and/or propylene oxide, or phospholipids. Suitable phospholipids for this purpose are the natural (originating from animal or plant cells) or synthetic phospholipids of the cephalin or lecithin type such as e.g. phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerine, lysolecithin, cardiolipin, dioctanylphosphatidyl-choline, dipalmitoylphoshatidyl-choline and their mixtures. Suitable non-ionic surfactants include polyethoxylated and polypropoxylated derivatives of alkylphenols, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, aliphatic amines or amides containing at least 12 carbon atoms in the molecule, alkylarenesulphonates and dialkylsulphosuccinates, such as polyglycol ether derivatives of aliphatic and cycloaliphatic alcohols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and alkylphenols, said derivatives preferably containing 3 to 10 glycol ether groups and 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the (aliphatic) hydrocarbon moiety and 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety of the alkylphenol. Further suitable non-ionic surfactants are water-soluble adducts of polyethylene oxide with poylypropylene glycol, ethylenediaminopolypropylene glycol containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, which adducts contain 20 to 250 ethyleneglycol ether groups and/or 10 to 100 propyleneglycol ether groups. Such compounds usually contain from 1 to 5 ethyleneglycol units per propyleneglycol unit. Representative examples of non-ionic surfactants are nonylphenol-polyethoxyethanol, castor oil polyglycolic ethers, polypropylene/polyethylene oxide adducts, tributylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol, polyethyleneglycol and octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol. Fatty acid esters of polyethylene sorbitan (such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate), glycerol, sorbitan, sucrose and pentaerythritol are also suitable non-ionic surfactants. Suitable cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts, preferably halides, having 4 hydrocarbon radicals optionally substituted with halo, phenyl, substituted phenyl or hydroxy; for instance quaternary ammonium salts containing as N-substituent at least one C8C22 alkyl radical (e.g. cetyl, lauryl, palmityl, myristyl, oleyl and the like) and, as further substituents, unsubstituted or halogenated lower alkyl, benzyl and/or hydroxy-lower alkyl radicals. A more detailed description of surface-active agents suitable for this purpose may be found for instance in “McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual” (MC Publishing Crop., Ridgewood, N.J., 1981), “Tensid-Taschenbuc’, 2d ed. (Hanser Verlag, Vienna, 1981) and “Encyclopaedia of Surfactants, (Chemical Publishing Co., New York, 1981). Additional ingredients may be included in order to control the duration of action of the active ingredient in the composition. Control release compositions may thus be achieved by selecting appropriate polymer carriers such as for example polyesters, polyamino acids, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, protamine sulfate and the like. The rate of drug release and duration of action may also be controlled by incorporating the active ingredient into particles, e.g. microcapsules, of a polymeric substance such as hydrogels, polylactic acid, hydroxymethylcellulose, polymethyl methacrylate and the other above-described polymers. Such methods include colloid drug delivery systems like liposomes, microspheres, microemulsions, nanoparticles, nanocapsules and so on. Depending on the route of administration, the pharmaceutical composition may require protective coatings Pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectionable use include sterile aqueous solutions or non-aqueous solutions or dispersions (suspensions, emulsions) and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation thereof. Typical carriers for this purpose therefore include biocompatible aqueous buffers, ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate and the like and mixtures thereof. Parenteral vehicles include sodium chloride solution, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose and sodium chloride, lactated Ringer's, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles include fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as those based on Ringer, s dextrose), and the like. Preservatives and other additives can also be present such as, for example, antimicrobials, anti-oxidants, chelating agents, and inert gases, and the like. The present invention thus provides in a preferred embodiment di- and oligopeptidyl derivatives of drugs that act as efficient substrates for dipeptidyl-peptidases present on the surface of cells or in plasma. By linking for example water-insoluble, lipophilic drugs to (polar) di- or oligopeptides, these drugs become more water-soluble in biological fluids and physiological media, but may also gain (oral) bioavailability due to specific recognition by the intestinal hPEPT-1 and related peptide transporters. Valine derivatives of nucleoside analogues such as valacyclovir and valganciclovir are examples of nucleoside prodrugs that are substrate for hPEPT-1, and whose solubility, absorption and systemic availability has been markedly improved compared with the parent compounds due to intestinal epithelial brush-border membrane peptide-carrier-mediated transport. Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention the prodrugs of the present invention are CD26 cleavable prodrugs having a dipeptide or tetrapeptide with valine at the aminoterminal position or are CD26 cleavable prodrugs having a tetrapeptide wherein the first and/or the third amino acid is a valine. Modifying the number and nature of the amino acids in the (oligo)peptide part influences the dipeptidyl-peptidase (such as CD26) susceptibility of the prodrug molecule, but also the degree of aqueous solubility, plasma protein binding and bioavailability, as well as plasma half-life. The amino acid composition can be optimized in function of the nature and biological application of the particular drug. Dipeptidyl peptidase requires a free amino group on the aminoterminus of the peptide and requires an L configuration of the amino acids in the peptide to be cleaved of. Unmodified dideptides with L amino acids have a low toxicity compared with other groups being used in the art for the generation of prodrugs. Thus according to an embodiment, the prodrugs of the present invention allow the generation of prodrugs with lowered side effects upon release of the protecting dipeptidyl group. The invention will be further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. EXAMPLES TSAO Prodrugs Example 1 Conversion of Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO and Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO to the Parent Compounds NAP-TSAO and Val-NAP-TSAO by Purified CD26 The lipophylic N3-aminopropyl-substituted TSAO-m3T nucleoside derivative NAP-TSAO (CAM-212) has been chemically linked to the dipeptide Val-Pro and the tripeptide Val-Pro-Val through the free carboxylic acid end of the di/tripeptide resulting in CAM-405 (Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO) and CAM-431 (Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO) (FIG. 1). To reveal whether CD26 recognizes such synthetic di/tripeptide derivatives of lipophylic nucleoside analogues as a substrate, 50 μM CAM-405 or CAM-431 was exposed to 5.7 mUnits of purified CD26, and the conversion of CAM-405 or CAM-431 to respectively CAM-212 or CAM-403 (Val-NAP-TSAO) was recorded in function of incubation time by HPLC analysis. The identity of the formed CAM-212 product was revealed by HPLC analysis using the reference parent compound as control, and by mass spectrometry. We found that CD26 efficiently removed the dipeptide Val-Pro from CAM-405 resulting in the time-dependent appearance of the parent compound CAM-212 (FIG. 2). Within the first 10 min of the reaction, at least 20% of CAM-405 had been converted to CAM-212, fifty percent of the TSAO dipeptide derivative was converted to CAM-212 within 30 min of the reaction and ˜67% of CAM-405 was hydrolysed after 60 min. Thus, the reaction rate started already to slow down after the first 10 min of drug exposure (FIG. 2). Most likely, the release of the reaction product Val-Pro dose-dependently feed-back inhibited the CD26-catalysed dipeptidyl-peptidase reaction. Similar data were obtained for the conversion of the tripeptide derivative Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO (CAM-431) to the Val-NAP-TSAO product (CAM-403) (data not shown). When the dipeptide Val-Pro was evaluated for its inhibitory effect against CD26, 4 mM completely inhibited the reaction; 400 μM Val-Pro inhibited the reaction by >90%, whereas 40 μM and 4 μM prevented CD26-catalysed p-nitroaniline release from GP-pNA by 70 and 15%, respectively (FIG. 3). Thus, in the presence of 50 μM CAM-405, hydrolysis of 50% of CAM-405 to CAM-212 results in the appearance of 25 μM Val-Pro, that is a concentration that (feed-back) inhibits the CD26 reaction by ˜50%. These findings explain why the CD26-catalysed reaction levels-off shortly after the start of the exposure of the drug to CD26. In contrast, the dipeptide Lys-Pro could be completely removed from Lys-Pro-NAP-TSAO by CD26, pointing to a lack of feed-back inhibition of CD26 by free Lys-Pro. Thus, a further level of modulation of the rate of prodrug release can be introduced by choosing a dipeptide moiety that competes for the active site of CD26, until the dipeptide has diffused from the tissue wherein CD26 is present. The inhibitory activity of any dipeptide can be evaluated by the above mentioned assay. The conversion rate in function of time is given in Table 1 for NAP-TSAO-dipeptides where the dipeptide consists of: Val-Pro, Val-D-Pro, Asp-Pro, Lys-Pro, Tyr-Pro, Gly-Pro, Val-4-hydroxyPro, Gly-3,4-dihydroxyPro, but also Val-Gly, Val-Ala, Val-Leu and Val-Phe. It is clear that the conversion rate to the parent NAP-TSAO differs depending the nature of the dipeptide. Also, when the terminal amine of the dipeptide has been blocked by a lipophylic group (i.e., methyl, Z or Fmoc), the prodrug looses measurable substrate activity for CD26. TABLE 1 Dipeptide prodrugs: conversion rate to parent compound by purified CD26 (1.5 mUnits) Conversion % CAM-nr Product RT(min) 1 h 4 h 24 h 405 H-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO 29.4 37 62 61 404 Z-Val-NAP-TSAO 38.9(*) 0 0 0 463 H-Val-4HyPro-NAP- 27.59 4.1 18 53 TSAO 462 NH2-Val-HyPro(Bzl)- 41.7(*) — 0 0 NAP-TSAO 465 H-Gly-3.4Hypro-NAP- 26.34 0 0 TSAO 430 H-Val-D-Pro-NAP-TSAO 31.56 0 ˜1 ˜2 437 H-Lys-Pro-NAP-TSAO 23.33 — 85 99 458 H-Gly-Pro-NAP-TSAO 27.7 5 20 58 456 H-Tyr-Pro-NAP-TSAO 30.6 43 56 79 435 H-Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO 25.49 — 7.9 30 424 H-Val-Ala-NAP-TSAO 28.86 0 6.5 35 422 H-Val-Gly-NAP-TSAO 28.56 0 0 0 426 H-Val-Leu-NAP-TSAO 33.55 0 0 0 428 H-Val-Phe-NAP-TSAO 34.6 0 0 0 431 H-Val-Pro-Val-NAP- 31.07 — 51 ˜70 TSAO 411 H-Val-Pro-Val-NHP- 35.3 33 60 — TSAO 407 Me-NH-Val-Pro-Val- 0 0 0 NHP-TSAO Rt(min): retention time (*)refers to retention time obtained with an extended gradient comprising after 30 min.: increase form 50% to 90% acetonitrille during 10 min, and remaining 90% acetonitrille for another 10 min. Example 2 Conversion of Tetrapeptide-NAP-TSAO Compounds to the Parent Compound NAP-TSAO by Purified Human CD26 The conversion rate in function of time is given in Table 2 for tetrapeptide NAP-TSAO compounds where the tetrapeptide consists of: Val-Pro-Val-Pro [SEQ ID no:6] (CAM 467), Val-Ala-Val-Pro [SEQ ID no:7] (CAM 473) or Lys-Pro-Asp-Pro [SEQ ID no:8] (CAM 477). It is clear that the conversion rate to the parent NAP-TSAO of CAM 473 occurs faster than with the Val-Ala-NAP-TSAO (CAM 424). Only traces of dipeptide prodrug (CAM 405) is seen as intermediate in the conversion of the tetrapeptide CAM 473 to NAP-TSAO. Also Val-Pro-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO [SEQ ID NO:6] is quickly converted to NAP-TSAO. In contrast, CAM 477 conversion to NAP-TSAO clearly occurs in two steps, the fast initial step forming CAM 435 (Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO) followed by the slow second step forming eventually NAP-TSAO (CAM 212) from Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO. TABLE 2 Tetrapeptide prodrugs: conversion rate to parent compound by purified CD26 (1.5 mUnits) % conversion CAM-nr Product RT(min) 1 h 4 h 24 h 405 H-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO 29.4 37 62 61 424 H-Val-Ala-NAP-TSAO 28.86 0 6.5 35 435 H-Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO 25.49 — 7.9 30 437 H-Lys-Pro-NAP-TSAO 23.33 — 85 99 466 Z-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO 39.3(*) 0 0 0 [SEQ ID no: 9] 467 H-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO 30.5 43 86 88 [SEQ ID no: 6] 473 H-Val-Ala-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO 30.19 12 54 70 [SEQ ID no: 7] 477 H-Lys-Pro-Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO 22.63 88a/2.1b 86a/6.0b 74a/26b [SEQ ID no: 8] adipeptide intermediate bparent compound (*)refers to retention time obtained with an extended gradient comprising after 30 min.: increase from 50% to 90% acetonitrille during 10 min, and keep 90% acetonitrille for another 10 min. Example 3 Conversion of Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO and Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO to the Parent Compounds NAP-TSAO and Val-NAP-TSAO by Human and Bovine Serum Human and bovine serum were incubated for 3 hr, 6 hr and/or 24 hr at 37° C. in the presence of 50 μM CAM-405. The sera were diluted in PBS at a final concentration of 0.5, 1, 2.5 or 5%. Both human (HS) and bovine (BS) serum efficiently converted CAM-405 to CAM-212. The longer the incubation time, and the higher the serum concentration used, the faster the conversion of CAM-405 to CAM-212 occurred (FIG. 4). As also noted for CD26, HS- and BS-catalysed reaction slowed down in function of time, and was not linearly proportional with serum concentration (FIG. 4). These findings provide again evidence for a pronounced feed-back inhibition of dipeptidyl-peptidase activity in human and bovine serum by the released Val-Pro dipeptide. HS was more efficient in converting CAM-405 to CAM-212 than BS (FIG. 4). Since 1% HS is able to hydrolyse ˜20% of 50 μM CAM-405 within 3 hrs of incubation, it could be calculated that undiluted serum would have been able to convert this prodrug amount to its parent compound at a hundred fold higher speed, that is, within 1.8 min, provided that no feed-back inhibition would have occurred (as expected in the intact organism where release of Pro-Val would immediately result in disappearance from the plasma due to several mechanisms including organ uptake, renal excretion, etc.). This means that 10 μM CAM-405 should have a half-life of less than 1.8 min in plasma, and thus, will virtually immediately be converted to its parental drug as soon as it appears in the plasma. Example 4 Conversion of Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO to the Parent Compound NAP-TSAO by CEM Cell Suspensions The conversion of Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO (CAM-405) to NAP-TSAO (CAM-212) also efficiently occurred by carefully washed T-lymphocytic CEM cell suspensions in PBS. Ten million CEM cells suspended in 200 μl PBS hydrolysed the Val-Pro moiety from CAM-405 by 65% within 3 hrs of incubation at 37° C. This amount of hydrolysis was found both in the PBS supernatant and in the CEM cell extracts. Presumably, CD26 present in the cell membrane of CEM cells had cleaved-off the Val-Pro from CAM-405 after which both truncated and intact prodrug had been taken up by the lymphocytic cells to an equal extent. Example 5 Effect of Specific CD26 Inhibitors on the Conversion of Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO to NAP-TSAO CD26-catalysed CAM-405 conversion to CAM-212 was recorded in the absence or presence of the CD26 inhibitor diprotin A (FIG. 5). Interestingly, at the highest concentration of the inhibitors (1000 μM), a nearly complete prevention of the conversion of CAM-405 to CAM-212 occurred in both HS and BS or by purified CD26. At 10-fold lower inhibitory concentrations (i.e. 100 μM) diprotin A still efficiently suppressed (>>50%) the CD26-catalysed conversion of CAM-405 to CAM-212 by purified CD26 preparations and by HS and BS (FIG. 5). These observations point to CD26 as the main and predominant enzyme responsible in HS and BS to remove the dipeptide part from the lipophylic NAP-TSAO dipeptide nucleoside analogue. Example 6 Hydrolysis of Dipeptide Prodrugs in the Presence of Purified CD26 and Human Serum A variety of different NAP-TSAO dipeptide and tripeptide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to act as an efficient substrate for CD26. CAM-431 (Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO), containing a tripeptide (Val-Pro-Val) moiety linked to NAP-TSAO was also hydrolysed by CD26, releasing the dipeptide Val-Pro and the remaining valine-substituted Val-NAP-TSAO. Interestingly, CAM-407 (CH3-Val-Pro-Val-TSAO) containing a methyl group at the free amino group of Val in CAM-412 completely lacked substrate activity for CD26. Even after 24 hrs of incubation, no traces of a formed truncated CH3-Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO derivative could be observed. Similar observations were made for Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO or Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO derivatives at which a lipophylic entity was linked on the free amino group of valine. Thus, a free amino group on the ultimate amino acid is a prerequisite for substrate activity by CD26. In addition to Val-Pro, we also found Lys-Pro a very efficient dipeptide to be cleaved by CD26. Asp-Pro was much less efficiently cleaved. When the dipeptide Val-Pro on NAP-TSAO was replaced by other dipeptides such as Val-Gly, Val-Leu or Val-Phe, no CD26-catalysed conversion to the parent compound was observed, even after 24 hrs of incubation. Also, when L-Pro in Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO was replaced by D-Pro, the compound did not act anymore as a good substrate for purified CD26, and Val-(D)Pro was practically not split-off. However, Val-Ala linked to NAP-TSAO, was the only alternative dipeptide found, together with Val-Pro, that was efficiently released from the parent NAP-TSAO molecule by CD26. Thus, as with natural peptides that contain a penultimate Pro or Ala at their NH2 terminal, CD26 is also able to recognize this dipeptide sequence when linked through an amide binding to a molecule (i.e. TSAO) different from a peptide. Interestingly, when the dipeptide-NAP-TSAO compounds were exposed to 20% human serum (diluted in PBS), the compounds were converted to one or two derivatives depending on the nature of the dipeptide (FIG. 6). For example, Val-Gly-NAP-TSAO was efficiently (but solely) converted to Gly-NAP-TSAO. Val-Leu-NAP-TSAO and Val-Phe-NAP-TSAO did convert to a limited extent to Leu-NAP-TSAO and Phe-NAP-TSAO, respectively, but also to NAP-TSAO. Interestingly, the Val-D-Pro-TSAO-NAP derivative that contains a penultimate proline residue in D-configuration, is very stable in the human serum. Only a very limited amount of NAP-TSAO (but not D-Pro-NAP-TSAO) had been detected (FIG. 6). The tripeptide derivative Val-Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO was very efficiently converted predominantly to Val-TSAO by human serum as also occurred in the presence of purified CD26 (data not shown). Example 7 Solubility Lipophilicity of a drug may strongly determine its solubility, plasma protein binding but also its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Different dipeptides or tetrapeptides linked to NAP-TSAO markedly influence the calculated log P values of the molecules (Table 3). It is also clear that the nature of the dipeptide moiety present on NAP-TSAO markedly affect prodrug solubility in water. For example, only little amounts of prodrug appears in the water phase when Val-Ala had been linked to NAP-TSAO, whereas Val-Gly and particularly Val-Pro-linked to NAP-TSAO, had markedly increased water solubility (Table 4) TABLE 3 calculated log p values of test compounds Compound Log Pa 1. m-3T-TSAO 3.21 2. NAP-TSAO 2.38 3. Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO 3.08 4. Val-OH-Pro-NAP-TSAO 2.19 5. Val-Ala-NAP-TSAOI 2.41 6. Ser-Pro-NAP-TSAO 1.25 7. Lys-Pro-NAP-TSAO 1.85 8. Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO 0.59 9. Asn-Pro-NAP-TSAO 1.00 Val-Pro-Lys-Pro-NAP-TSAO [SEQ ID no: 10] 2.93 Val-Pro-Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO [SEQ ID no: 11] 0.64 Val-Pro-Val-Pro-NAP-TSAO [SEQ ID no: 6] 4.15 TABLE 4 solubility of test compounds after 2 × 10 sec sonication and 4 days shaking of 1 mg/ml compound in Milli-Q water at room temperaturea Solubility Spectrum Rt Compound (HPLC) (˜265 nm) (min) CAM-422 1,120,567 1.886 28.5 (Val-Gly-NAP-TSAO) CAM-424 229,432 0.650 28.8 (Val-Ala-NAP-TSAO) CAM-430 6,174,671 3.220 31.4 (Val-D-Pro-NAP-TSAO) 3-methyl-TSAO-T 0 0.100 22.6 aAfter shaking: centrifugation 50 min 15,000 rpm → U.V. spectrum or filter (0.45μ) → quantification by HPLC analysis (acetonitrile/Na phosphate buffer + heptanesulfonic acid). As a conclusion, dipeptidyl or tripeptidyl derivatives of the lipophylic TSAO nucleoside analogue were shown to be efficient substrates for purified CD26, as well as for soluble CD26 activity present in human and bovine serum. Oligopeptide derivatives of highly lipophylic water-insoluble drugs can make these drugs markedly more water-soluble, less plasma protein binding and can also increase their oral bioavailability and blood-brain barrier penetration. In addition, this technology allows a more specific targeting of drugs to CD26-expressing cells. Prodrugs of the Anticancer Drug Doxorubicin and of 6-Aminoquinoline Example 8 Conversion of Val-Pro-doxorubicin to Doxorubicin and Val-Pro-6-aminoquinoline to 6-aminoquinoline by Purified CD26 in Function of Time Val-Pro-Doxorubicin (CAM 469) containing the dipeptide Val-Pro, linked to the amino sugar of doxorubicin was very efficiently converted to doxorubicin by CD26. When blocked at the amino terminal by Fmoc (CAM 468), no conversion to the parent drug was found (Table 5). Conversion of the fluorescent 6-aminoquinoline dipeptide (CAM 475) in which Val-Pro was linked to the 6-aminogroup on the aromatic ring of the parent compound occurred very efficiently and resulted virtually in a complete conversion within 1 hr to the parent 6-aminoquinoline derivative. TABLE 5 Dipeptide prodrugs of doxorubicin and 6-aminoquinoline: conversion to their parent compounds by purified CD26 (1.5 mUnits) % conversion CAM-nr Product RT(min) 1 h 4 h 24 h 468 Fmoc-Val-Pro-Doxorubicin 31.49 0 0 0 469 H-Val-Pro-Doxorubicin 16.49 78 95 97 475 H-Val-Pro-6-Aminoquinoline 14.32 99 100 100 Example 9 Separation of Dipeptide Prodrugs of NAP-TSAO, Doxorubicin and 6-aminoquinoline Doxorubicin (Doxo), CAM 469 (Val-Pro-Doxo) and CAM 468 (Fmoc-Val-Pro-Doxo): 16.2, 16.4 and 31.58 min, respectively; 6-aminoquinoline (CAM 483) and Val-Pro-6-aminoquinoline (CAM 475): 12.2 and 14.26 min, respectively. Lys-Pro-Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO [SEQ ID NO:8] (CAM 477), Asp-Pro-NAP-TSAO (CAM 435), NAP-TSAO (CAM 212): 22.8, 25.4 and 29.7 min, respectively. Example 10 Conversion of PI-1 Dipeptide (PI-2) to PI-1 by Purified CD26, Human and Bovine Serum The dipeptide (Val-Pro) derivative of PI-1 (PI-2) was exposed to purified CD26 (FIG. 10), and 10% or 2% human or bovine serum, diluted in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) (FIGS. 10 and 11). PI-2 was efficiently converted to PI-1 in all conditions tested. Within 60 min, PI-2 was completely converted to PI-1 by purified CD26. Ten percent BS or HS converted 40 to 70% of PI-2 to PI-1 in one hour (FIG. 10). Two percent BS and HS converted PI-2 to PI-1 by 8% and 25%, respectively. After 4 hrs, 35% and 95% of compound was hydrolyzed by BS and HS, respectively (FIG. 11). In the presence of 50 μM GP-pNA (glycylprolyl-para-nitroanilide), 100 μM PI-2 efficiently competed with the substrate for CD26 (FIG. 12). Also 20 μM PI-2 could inhibit the release of pNA from GP-pNA, presumably by competitive inhibition of the CD26-catalysed reaction. Conversion of GP-pNA to pNA by two percent BS in PBS was even more efficiently inhibited by PI-2 than purified CD26 (FIG. 13). Also HS (2% in PBS)-catalysed GP-pNA conversion to pNA was competitively inhibited by PI-2 (FIG. 14). Example 11 Separation PI-2 and PI-1 Compounds Compounds were separated on a Reverse Phase RP-8 (Merck) using a gradient with buffer A (50 mM NaH2PO4+5 mM heptane sulfonic acid pH 3.2) and buffer B (acetonitrile). 0→2 min: 2% buffer B; 2→8 min: 20% buffer B; 8→10 min: 25% buffer B; 10→12 min: 35% buffer B; 12→30 min: 50% buffer B; 30→35 min: 50% buffer B; 35→40 min: 2% buffer B; 40→45 min: 2% buffer B. Flow rate: 1 ml/min. Rt values of PI-2 and PI-1 were 18.7 and 17.7 min, respectively. General Methodology Example 12 Compounds, Enzymes and Cells The TSAO derivatives depicted in FIG. 1 can be synthesised as described below. GlyPro-pNA (GP-pNA), Diprotin A and Val-Pro were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Bornem, Belgium). CD26 was purified as described before [De Meester et al. J. Immunol. Methods (1996), 189: 99-105]. Foetal bovine serum (FBS) was obtained from Integro (Dieren, The Netherlands). Human serum represented a pooled serum that was derived from 10 healthy volunteers (blood donors). Human lymphocyte CEM cells were derived from the ATCC (Rockville, Md.). Example 13 Preparation of Prodrugs General Procedure for the Synthesis of TSAO-Peptides-Z Protected (4) A solution of the corresponding peptide (1.5 equiv.) (prepared following usual coupling method in peptide synthesis) in dichloromethane (2 mL), was successively treated, at room temperature, with (benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy)-tris-(dimethylamino)-phosphoniun hexafluorophosphate (BOP) (1.5 equiv.), amino-propyl TSAO derivative (NAP-TSAO) 3 (1 equiv.) and triethylamine (1.5 equiv.). The reaction mixture was stirred until complete disappearance of the starting compound (3) (10-12 hours). Then, the solvent was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in dry dichloromethane (2 mL), washed with 10% aqueous citric acid (10 mL), 10% aqueous NaHCO3 (10 mL) and brine (2×10 mL). The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by CCTLC on the Chromatotron using dichloromethane:methanol (70:1) as the eluent to give dipeptide-NAP-TSAO compounds (4) (50-55% yield). General Procedure for the Synthesis of Deprotected Peptide-TSAO Compounds (5) A solution of the corresponding TSAO-NAP-peptides-Z-protected (4) (1 equiv.) in methanol containing Pd/C (10%) (40% wt/wt) was hydrogenated at 25 psi at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness, under reduced pressure to give 5 (90% yield) as a foam. General Peptide Chemistry Coupling of natural amino acids in order to form a peptide is straightforward for a person skilled in the art. Several chemical strategies are available of which the Fmoc and Boc chemistry are the most widely used. Fields G. B. gives an extensive description of the peptide chemistry that can be applied to couple amino acids to each other or to a therapeutic compound D [Fields in Methods in Molecular Biology, Vol. 35: Peptide Synthesis Protocols Humana Press Inc.: Totawa, (1994), pp. 17-27]. Solid phase as well as solution phase chemistry can be applied [Atherton & Sheppard Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis IRL Press: Oxford-New York-Tokyo, (1989)]. Protection strategies whereby functionalities of a therapeutic compound that can not react during the prodrug preparation procedures are blocked through coupling of a protecting group, will have to be used. N-benzoyloxycarbonyl-3-bromo-propylamine (1) To an ice cooled suspension of 3-bromopropylamine bromhydrate (0.9 g, 4.11 mmol) and triethylamine (1.3 mL, 9.05 mmol) in dry dichloromethane was slowly added a solution of benzyl chloroformiate (0.6 mL, 4.11 mmol) in dry dichloromethane (1 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Then it was washed with saturated aqueous NaCl (2×15 mL), dryed (anhidrous Na2SO4), filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was purified by CCTLC on the chromatotron using hexane, ethyl acetate (4:1), to give 0.8 g (72%) of (1) as a white foam. [1-[2′,5′-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]-3-N-(3-(benzyloxicarbonylmethyl)aminopropyl)thymine]-3′-spiro-5″-(4″-amino-1″,2″-oxathiole 2″,2″-dioxide) (2) To a solution of TSAO-T (1 equiv.) in dry acetone (20 mL) was added dry K2CO3 (1.1 equiv.) and compound 1 (2 equiv.). The reaction mixture was refluxed for 6 h, and then, concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (20 mL), washed with brine (2×20 mL), dried (Na2SO4), filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue thus obtained was purified by flash column chromatography, using dichloromethane:metanol (70:1) as the eluent to give 2 (85%) as a white foam. [1-[2′,5′-Bis-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-β-D-ribofuranosyl]-3-N-(3-aminopropyl)thymine]-3′-spiro-5″-(4″-amino-1″,2″oxathiole-2″,2″-dioxide) (3) A solution of compound 2 (1 equiv.) in methanol containing Pd/C (10%) (30 wt %) was hydrogenated at 25 psi at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness, under reduced pressure to give compound 3 (90%). Boc-Val-Pro-Ara-C (A) A solution of Boc-Val-Pro-OH (94.5 mg, 0.30 mmol) in dimethylformamide (1.5 mL), was successively treated, at room temperature, with 1-hydroxibenzotriazol (40.5 mg, 0.30 mmol), N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide (46.7 μL, 0.30 mmol) and Ara-C (60.9 mg, 0.25 mmol). The stirring was continued until complete disappearance of the starting material (overnight stirring). Then, the solvent was evaporated, the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with citric acid (10%), NaHCO3 (10%) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to give a residue that was purified by CCTLC on the chromatotron with dichloromethane:metanol (20:1) to yield Ara-C-dipeptide (A) (21% yield) HCl•H-Val-Pro-Ara-C (B) Boc-Val-Pro-AraC (24.8 mg, 0.04 mmol) was treated with a 3.2 M solution of HCl in ethyl acetate (530 μL), the reaction was stirred at room temperature until complete disappearance of the starting material (30 minutes). Then, the solvent was evaporated to dryness, under reduced pressure to give B (80% yield). Z-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-Ara-C (D) A solution of Z-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-OH (134.4 mg, 0.24 mmol) in dimethylformamide (1.5 mL), was successively treated at room temperature with 1-hydroxibenzotriazol (33.3 mg, 0.24 mmol), N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide (38.4 μL, 0.24 mmol) and Ara-C (50 mg, 0.20 mmol). The stirring was continued until complete disappearance of the starting material (overnight). Then, the solvent was evaporated, and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with citric acid (10%), NaHCO3 (10%) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to dryness leaving a residue that was purified by CCTLC on the chromatotron with dichloromethane:metanol (20:1) to give D (22% yield) H-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-Ara-C (E) A solution of the corresponding Ara-C-tetrapeptide-Z-protected (D) (24.7 mg, 0.03 mmol) in methanol containing Pd/C (10% wt/wt) (11.5 mg) was hydrogenated at 25 psi at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness, under reduced pressure, to give D (90% yield). Fmoc-Val-Pro-doxorubicin (F) A solution of Fmoc-Val-Pro-OH and doxorubicin.HCl (50 mg, 0.08 mmol) in DMSO (4 mL), was successively treated at room temperature with N-[(dimethylamino)1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridino-1-ylmethylene]-N-methylmethanaminium hexafluorophosphate N-oxide (HATU) (36.0 mg, 0.09 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (DIEA) (29.5 μL, 0.17 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Then, the solvent was lyophilized and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with citric acid (10%), NaHCO3 (10%) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to dryness to give F (45% yield). H-Val-Pro-doxorubicin (G) A solution of piperidine in dimethylformamide 50% (1.92 mL) was added to Fmoc-Val-Pro-doxorubicin (F) (29.7 mg, 0.03 mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 minute (the reaction colour changes form red to purple). Then, the reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue thus obtained was purified by reverse phase chromatography with water/acetonitrile (70:1) to give the deprotected compound G (50% yield) Z-Val-Pro-6-aminoquinoline (H) A solution of Z-Val-Pro-OH (217.4 mg, 0.62 mmol) in dichloromethane (1.5 mL), was successively treated at room temperature. with 1-hydroxibenzotriazol (84.3 mg, 0.62 mmol), N,N′-diisopropylcarbodiimide (97.2 mL, 0.62 mmol) and 6-aminoquinoline (75 mg, 0.52 mmol). The stirring was continued until the complete disapperance of the starting material (overnight). Then, the solvent was evaporated, the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with citric acid (10%), NaHCO3 (10%) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated leaving a residue that was purified by CCTLC on the chromatotron with hexane/ethyl acetate (1:4) to yield H (20% yield) H-Val-Pro-6-aminoquinoline (I) A solution of the corresponding Z-protected-dipeptide-6-Aminoquinoleine (H) (25.8 mg, 0.05 mmol) in methanol (4 mL) containing Pd/C (10% wt/wt) (10.5 mg) was hydrogenated at 25 psi at room temperature for 2 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness, under reduced pressure to give I (90% yield). Z-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-OtBu (X) [SEQ ID no:9] A solution of Z-Val-Pro-OH (681.3 mg, 1.95 mmol) in dichloromethane (6 mL), was successively treated at room temperature. with (benzotriazol-1-yloxy)tris(dimethylamino)phosphoniun hexafluorophale (BOP) (865.1 mg, 1.95 mmol), H-Val-Pro-OtBu.HCl (500 mg, 1.63 mmol) and triethylamine (TEA) (500 μL, 3.58 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Then, the solvent was evaporated, the residue was dissolved in dichloromethane and washed with citric acid (10%), NaHCO3 (10%) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to dryness leaving a residue that was purified on a column chromatography with hexane-ethyl acetate, 2:1 to give X (68% yield). Z-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-OH (Y) [SEQ ID no:9] A solution of Z-Val-Pro-Val-Pro-OtBu [SEQ ID No:9] (1.1 mmol) was treated with trifluoroacetic acid (2.76 mL, 3.58 mmol) in dichloromethane (4.85 mL), the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. Then, the solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue was lyophilized to give Y (84% yield). Example 14 Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effect of CD26 Inhibitors on the Conversion of Pro-Val-NAP-TSAO to NAP-TSAO by Purified CD26, Human Serum and Bovine Serum All enzyme activity assays were performed in Eppendorf tubes on a heating block at 37° C. To each tube were added 32 μl CD26 (at a final concentration of 1.5 milliUnits) or 10 μl foetal bovine serum (BS) (final concentration: 2.5% BS in PBS; preheated at 56° C. for 30 min) or 10 μl human serum (HS) (final concentration: 2.5% HS in PBS), 40 μl of appropriate concentrations of inhibitor (Diprotin A) solution in PBS (for the exact concentrations, see the legend to FIG. 5), CAM-405 (the substrate of the reaction) at 50 μM (final concentration) and PBS to reach a total volume of 400 μl. The pH of the reaction mixture was 7.5, which is virtually identical to the physiological pH of plasma. The reaction was started by the addition of the enzyme or serum and carried out at 37° C. After 5 hr, 100 μl reaction mixture was taken from the Eppendorf tube and added to 200 μl cold methanol to precipitate the proteins. After 10 min standing on ice, the contents of the tubes were centrifuged and the supernatants analysed by HPLC on a reverse phase column (RP-8, Merck Laboratories). CAM-405 was separated from CAM-212 (the product of the reaction) by a gradient of 50 mM sodium phosphate+5 mM heptane sulfonic acid pH 3.2 (Buffer A) and acetonitrile (Buffer B) as follows: Buffer A: 98%+2% Buffer B, 2 min; linear gradient to 20% Buffer B, from 2 to 8 min; linear gradient to 25% Buffer B from 8 to 10 min; linear gradient to 35% Buffer B from 10 to 12 min; linear gradient to 50% Buffer B from 12 to 30 min; 50% Buffer B from 30 to 35 min; linear gradient to 98% Buffer A+2% Buffer B from 35 to 40 min; 98% Buffer A from 40 to 45 min. The retention times of CAM-405 and CAM-212 were 29.3 and 30.0 min, respectively. Example 15 Measuring the Solubility and Bioavailability of the Prodrugs In first instance methods exist to predict the solubility of a compound. For example in J Chem Inf Comput Sci 1998 May-June; 38(3):450-6 the aqueous solubility prediction of drugs based on molecular topology and neural network modeling has been described. In fact, all parameters relevant for solubility and bioavalability (pKa, partition coefficient, etc.) can be determined. “Drug Bioavailability: Estimation of Solubility, Permeability, Absorption and Bioavailability” gives a comprehensive overview of these parameters and their determination or prediction (ISBN 352730438X). Partition coefficients are a measurement of lipophilicity. Expressed numerically as ‘log P’ values, they are the ratios between the concentrations of substances in two immiscible phases, such as water/octanol or water/liposomes and they can be easily calculated. Substances with high log P values dissolve better in fats and oils than in water. This enhances their ability to enter lipid (fat-based) membranes in the body by passive diffusion, thereby enhancing their potential for absorption. Many drugs have a log P value of between one and four, making them suitable for oral methods of delivery. Drugs with high log P are usually poorly soluble in water. They may be lipid-soluble, but they cannot dissolve in the GI tract, so can't diffuse into the gut wall. If they do enter membranes, they may become trapped, with resultant toxic effects. The partition coefficient can also be calculated. A method for logP prediction developed at Molinspiration (miLogP1.2) is based on the group contributions. Group contributions have been obtained by fitting calculated logP with experimental logP for a training set of several thousands drug-like molecules. The method can be used by used at www.molinspiration.com/services/logp.html (QSAR 15, 403 (1996)). Many other LogP determination programs are available. Examples 16-20 Experimental Part for the Preparation of Compounds of Formula (I) The examples describing the preparation of prodrug compounds of formula (I) will be based on the HIV protease inhibitor having the formula hereinafter referred to as PI 1 Example 16 Val-Pro-PI 1 Step 1 Compound 1.1 (0.95 g; 1.69 mmol) and Boc-Val-Pro-OH (0.53 g; 1.7 mmol) were dissolved in 10 ml N,N-dimethylformamide. EDCl (0.36 g; 1.9 mmol) and HOAt (0.023 g; 0.17 mmol) were added and stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was poured in H2O and extracted twice with ethylacetate. The combined organic layer was washed with brine and then dried over Na2SO4. Solvent was removed and the obtained crude product purified by column chromatography (eluent: ethylacetate). Compound 1.2 was obtained as a white solid (yield 55%, purity 0.95% LC-MS). Step 2 To a solution of compound 1.2 (0.77 g; 09 mmol) in 10 ml CH2Cl2 was added 10 ml trifluoroacetic acid. After stirring the reaction mixture at room temperature for 3 hours, the solvent was removed. The crude mixture was purified by column chromatography yielding 0.42 g of compound 1.3 (yield 61%, purity 95% LC-MS) Example 17 Asp-Pro-PI 1 Step 1 Compound 2.1 (3.16 g; 5.63 mmol) and Boc-Pro-OH (1.33 g; 6.18 mmol) were dissolved in 30 ml N,N-dimethylformamide. EDCl (1.18 g; 6.18 mmol) and HOAt (0.077 g; 0.5 mmol) were added and stirred for 36 hours. Ethylacetate and 0.1 N HCl were added and the resulting reaction mixture was extracted 3 times with ethylacetate. The combined organic layer was washed with 0.1 N HCl, H2O, saturated NaHCO3, water and brine. After drying over Na2SO4 and evaporation of the solvent a white foam (4.39 g, 103%) was obtained. After trituration in diisopropylether, 3.9 g of compound 2.2 was obtained (yield 93%, purity 97% LC-MS) Step 2 A mixture of compound 2.3 (3.7 g; 4.8 mmol) and 15 ml trifluoroacetic acid in 40 ml CH2Cl2 was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. After evaporation of solvent the crude mixture was partitioned between ethylacetate and saturated NaHCO3. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine and dried over Na2SO4. Re-slurry of the crude solid in diisopropylether and filtration yielded 2.73 g of compound 2.3 (yield 85%, purity >90% NMR). Step 3 To a solution of compound 2.3 (1.0 g; 1.5 mmol) and Boc-Asp(OtBu)-OH (0.48 g; 1.7 mmol) in 30 ml N,N-dimethylformamide was added EDCl (0.32 g; 1.7 mmol) and HOAt (0.02 g; 0.15 mmol). After overnight stirring at room temperature the reaction mixture was partitioned between ethylacetate and 0.1N HCl. The H2O-layer was extracted 3 times and the combined organic layer was washed with 0.1N HCl, H2O, saturated NaHCO3 and H2O. After drying over Na2SO4, the solvent was removed and the residue was triturated in diisopropylether. 1.12 g of compound 2.4 was obtained (yield 79%, purity 94% LC-MS) Step 4 Deprotection of compound 2.4 to 2.5 was performed in an analoguesly to the procedure for deprotecting compound 2.2 to compound 2.3. Example 18 Asp-Pro-Lys-Pro-PI 1 [SEQ ID NO:5] Using analogous reaction procedures as described in examples 1 and 2, Boc-Lys(Fmoc)-OH was coupled to compound 3.1 (as prepared in example 2), yielding compound 3.2. After Boc-deprotection, compound 3.3 was obtained. Boc-Pro-OH was then coupled to compound 3.3, yielding compound 3.4 which was subsequently Boc-deprotected thus yielding compound 3.5. Compound 3.5 was coupled with Boc-Asp(OtBu)-OH yielding compound 3.6 which was first Boc-deprotected and then Fmoc-deprotected using dimethylamine in tetrahydrofuran, thus yielding compound 3.8 corresponding to Asp-Pro-Lys-Pro-PI 1. [SEQ ID NO:5] Example 19 Conversion of Val-Pro-PI 1 to PI 1 by Purified CD26, Human and Bovine Serum The dipeptide (Val-Pro) derivative of PI 1 (Val-Pro-PI 1) was exposed to purified CD26 (FIG. 10), and 10% or 2% human or bovine serum, diluted in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) (FIGS. 10 and 11). Val-Pro-PI 1 was efficiently converted to PI 1 in all conditions tested. Within 60 minutes, Val-Pro-PI 1 was completely converted to PI 1 by purified CD26. Ten percent BS or HS converted 40 to 70% of Val-Pro-PI 1 to PI 1 in one hour (FIG. 10). Two percent BS and HS converted Val-Pro-PI 1 to PI 1 by 8% and 25%, respectively. After 4 hrs, 35% and 95% of compound was hydrolyzed by BS and HS, respectively (FIG. 11). In the presence of 50 μM GP-pNA (glycylprolyl-para-nitroanilide), 100 μM Val-Pro-PI 1 efficiently competed with the substrate for CD26 (FIG. 12). Also 20 μM Val-Pro-PI 1 could inhibit the release of pNA from GP-pNA, presumably by competitive inhibition of the CD26-catalysed reaction. Conversion of GP-pNA to pNA by two percent BS in PBS was even more efficiently inhibited by Val-Pro-PI 1 than purified CD26 (FIG. 13). Also HS (2% in PBS)-catalysed GP-pNA conversion to pNA was competitively inhibited by Val-Pro-PI 1 (FIG. 14). Example 20 Separation of Val-Pro-PI 1 and PI 1 Compounds Compounds were separated on a Reverse Phase RP-8 (Merck) using a gradient with buffer A (50 mM NaH2PO4+5 mM heptane sulfonic acid pH 3.2) and buffer B (acetonitrile). 0→2 min: 2% buffer B; 2→8 min: 20% buffer B; 8→10 min: 25% buffer B; 10→12 min: 35% buffer B; 12→30 min: 50% buffer B; 30→35 min: 50% buffer B; 35→40 min: 2% buffer B; 40→45 min: 2% buffer B. Rt values of Val-Pro-PI 1 and PI 1 were 18.7 and 17.7 min, respectively. Example 21 Acetyl-ACV[9-(2-acetoxyethoxymethyl)guanine] (1): A solution of acyclovir (96.8 mg, 0.43 mmol) in dimethylformamide (1.5 mL), was treated with acetic anhidride (122.7 μL, 1.29 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopirydine (DMAP) (5.3 mg, 0.04 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. The solvent was evaporated to dryness to give 1 (91% yield) Z-Val-Pro-Cl (2): A solution of Z-Val-Pro-OH (228 mg, 0.65 mmol) in dichloromethane (4.5 mL), was treated with thionyl chloride (95 mL, 1.30 mmol) and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated to dryness to give pure compound 2 (quantitative yield) Z-Val-Pro-ACV-OAc (3): A solution of 1 (50 mg, 0.87 mmol) in pyridine (1.0 mL), was treated with a solution of Z-Val-Pro-Cl (2) in dimethylformamide. The reaction was stirred until the complete disapperance of the starting material (2-3 days). The solvent was evaporated to dryness and the residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (5 ml) and washed with citric acid (10%), NaHCO3 (10%) and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4) and evaporated to give a residue that was purified by CCTLC on the chromatotron with dichloromethane:metanol (20:1) to give 3 (39% yield) H-Val-Pro-ACV-OAc (4): A solution of the Z-protected compound (3) (15.8 mg, 0.03 mmol) in methanol (5 mL) containing Pd/C (10% wt/wt) (10.2 mg) was hydrogenated at 35 psi at room temperature for 4 h. The reaction mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was evaporated to dryness, under reduced pressure, to give 4 (90% yield). H-Val-Pro-ACV (5): A mixture of H-Val-Pro-ACV-OAc (4) (1 equiv) and 40% methyl amine aqueous solution (5 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was purified by CCTLC on the chromatotron with dichloromethane:metanol (20:1 to give 5 (22% yield) Reaction Scheme Representing the Synthesis of Acyclovir Prodrugs:

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Modern drug discovery techniques (e.g. combinatorial chemistry, high-throughput pharmacological screening, structure-based drug design) are providing very specific and potent drug molecules. However, it is rather common that these novel chemical structures have unfavorable physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties. Besides, during the development of new therapeutic agents, researchers typically focus on pharmacological and/or biological properties, with less concern for physicochemical properties. However, the physicochemical properties (dissociation constant, solubility, partition coefficient, stability) of a drug molecule have a significant effect on its pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical behavior. Thus, the physicochemical properties need to be determined and modified, if needed, during drug development. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of many existing drug molecules already on the market are not optimal. Today, drug candidates are often discontinued due to issues of poor water solubility or inadequate absorption, leaving countless medical advances unrealized. Still other products make it to the market, but never realize their full commercial potential due to safety or efficacy concerns. Prodrugs have the potential to overcome both challenges. The technology exploits endogenous enzymes for selective bioconversion of the prodrug to the active form of the drug. This technology has the ability to keep promising new drug candidates alive through development, and improving the safety and efficacy of existing drug products. Prodrugs are mostly inactive derivatives of a drug molecule that require a chemical or enzymatic biotransformation in order to release the active parent drug in the body. Prodrugs are designed to overcome an undesirable property of a drug. As such this technology can be applied to improve the physicochemical, biopharmaceutical and/or pharmacokinetical properties of various drugs. Usually, the prodrug as such is biologically inactive. Therefore, prodrugs need to be efficiently converted to the parent drugs to reach pronounced efficacy as soon as the drug target has been reached. In general, prodrugs are designed to improve the penetration of a drug across biological membranes in order to obtain improved drug absorption, to prolong duration of action of a drug (slow release of the parent drug from a prodrug, decreased first-pass metabolism of the drug), to target the drug action (e.g. brain or tumor targeting), to improve aqueous solubility and stability of a drug (i.v. preparations, eyedrops, etc.), to improve topical drug delivery (e.g. dermal and ocular drug delivery), to improve the chemical/enzymatic stability of a drug (e.g. peptides) or to decrease drug side-effects. Many prodrug technologies have already been developed depending on the kind of drug that has to be converted. These prodrug technologies include cyclic prodrug chemistry for peptides and peptidomimetics, phosphonooxymethyl (POM) chemistry for the solubilization of tertiary amines, phenols and hindered alcohols and esterification in general. Also targeting strategies are pursued by coupling groups cleavable by specific enzymes such as the peptide deformylase of bacteria which cleaves N-terminal formyl groups of the peptides or PSA (prostate specific antigen) used to target prostate cancer. Coupling of peptides or amino acids to a therapeutic agent has already been pursued in the past for several reasons. In the antisense-antigene field, oligonucleotides or intercalators have been conjugated to peptides in order to increase the cellular uptake of the therapeutic agents. These oligonucleotides and intercalators have not to be released after cell penetration however, and can not be regarded as prodrugs. An example of amino acid coupling to a therapeutic compound is Valgancyclovir, the L-valyl ester prodrug of gancyclovir, which is used for the prevention and treatment of cytomegalovirus infections. After oral administration, the prodrug is rapidly converted to gancyclovir by intestinal and hepatic esterases. Recently, alanine and lysine prodrugs of novel antitumor benzothiazoles have been investigated [Hutchinson et al. (2002) J. Med. Chem. 45, 744-474]. Peptide carrier-mediated membrane transport of amino acid ester prodrugs of nucleoside analogues has already been demonstrated [Han et al. Pharm. Res . (1998) 15: 1154-1159; Han et al Pharm. Res . (1998) 15: 1382-1386]. It has indeed been shown that oral bioavailability of drugs can be mediated by amino acid prodrug derivatives containing an amino acid, preferably in the L-configuration. L-Valine seems to have the optimal combination of chain length and branching at the β-carbon of the amino acid for intestinal absorption. hPEPT-1 has been found to be implicated as the primary absorption pathway of increased systemic delivery of L-valine ester prodrugs. Recently, it was shown that the hPEPT-1 transporter need to optimally interact with a free NH 2 , a carbonyl group and a lipophylic entity, and may form a few additional H-bridges with its target molecule. L-Valine-linked nucleoside analogue esters may fulfill these requirements for efficient hPEPT-1 substrate activity [Friedrichsen et al. Eur. J. Pharm. Sci . (2002) 16: 1-13]. The prior art for ameliorating solubility and bioavailability reveals however only amino acid prodrugs (only one amino acid coupled) of small organic-molecules whereby the amino acid is mostly coupled through ester bonds, since they are easily converted back to the free therapeutic agent by esterases. Prior art documents describe processing of prodrugs by a number of proteases, such as aminopeptidases (PCT application WO01/68145) and aminotripeptidase (PCT application WO02/00263). There is however still a need for new, alternative and better prodrug technologies and this need is projected to grow, as combinatorial chemistry and high throughput screening continue to produce vast numbers of new compounds with a high molecular weight, high log P [partition coefficient], or poor water solubility.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention provides a novel prodrug technology that can be applied to ameliorate the solubility and/or the bioavailability of therapeutic agents. The invention comprises the derivatisation of (therapeutic or diagnostic) agents in order to ameliorate their solubility and bioavailability. The invention provides conjugates of therapeutic agents with a peptidic moiety wherein said conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, such as CD26. This technology can furthermore be used to modulate the protein binding of a therapeutic compound D and to target specific sites in a mammal. The present invention provides a new prodrug technology and new prodrugs in order to modulate the solubility, protein binding and/or the bioavailability of a drug. In the present invention the prodrugs are conjugates of a therapeutic compound D and a peptide wherein the conjugate is cleavable by dipeptidyl-peptidases, more preferably by dipeptidyl-peptidase IV. The present invention furthermore provides a method of producing said prodrugs. The invention also provides a prodrug technology to more selectively target drugs, to modify, particularly enhance brain and lymphatic delivery of drugs and/or to extend drug half-lives in plasma. In one aspect the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D. The therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes an amino group, more particularly a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup, capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid. Or alternatively, the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising an amino group, more in particular a primary or secondary aminogroup, capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid. In a particular embodiment, the therapeutic compound D is also not an oligonucleotide or a nucleic acid intercalating agent. The prodrug is characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y] n , wherein X is an amino acid (in one embodiment an L-amino acid), wherein n is between 1 and 5 (thereby selected from 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5), wherein Y is an amino acid (in one embodiment an L-amino acid) selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y] n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occur via an amide. The H-[X-Y] n peptide has a free aminoterminus, i.e an unmodified NH 2 group. For clarity, each X and Y in each repeat unit [X-Y] are chosen independently from one another and independently for each repeat unit. In one embodiment the peptide has between two to five CD26 cleavable repeats. In another embodiment, the number m of amino acids in the linker A m between the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide and the D is between 1 and 15. More particularly the m is 1. More particularly m is 1 and A is valine. In another embodiment the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide [X-Y] n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid or alternatively, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid, or alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Y-[X-Y] 1-2 , more in particular Val-Pro-[X-Y] 1-2 in order to have a good intestinal absorption, followed by a slow or fast release of the therapeutic compound combined with modifications of solubility, depending on the choice of X and Y. In one embodiment the tetra or hexapeptide has a general structure Val-Y-[X-Y] or Val-Y-[X-Y] 2 According to one embodiment Y is proline or hydroxyproline or dihydroxyproline or alanine. According to another embodiment, X is selected from Valine, Aspartic acid, Serine, Lysine, Arginine, Histidine, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine or Leucine. According to another embodiment, X is selected from the acidic amino acids Aspartic acid or Glutamic acid in order to have a slow cleavage, from the positively charged amino acids Arginine, Histidine or Lysine in order to have a fast release of the therapeutic compound D. The oligopeptide [X-Y] n may be coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on an organic molecule/atom such as an aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside or on a heterocyclic group or residing on an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or residing on an anorganic molecule/atom. In one embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on an aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside. Alternatively, the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker comprising an amino group. Such a linker can have the general structure of an oligopeptide A m wherein m ranges between 1 to 15 and more particularly between 1 to 3, or m=1. A in the structure A m can any amino acid. According to one embodiment m=1 and A is valine. A prodrug which such a linker has a general structure H-[X-Y] n -A m -D. The oligopeptide A m or the amino acid A is linked at its aminoterminus via an amide binding to the oligopeptide H-[X-Y] n . The oligopeptide A m or the amino acid A is linked at its carboxyterminus via an amide or ester binding to the therapeutic compound D. Pharmaceutical compositions can comprise prodrugs of therapeutic compounds for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group of a bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, cancer, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases. In an embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises prodrugs of compounds for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group above, other than cancer and/or disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. A particular example of an antiviral drug is TSAO. Another particular example of an antiviral drug is a HIV protease inhibitor such as described herein. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. In a particular embodiment, the peptide of the prodrug comprises B p -[X-Y] n -A m wherein B can be any amino acid or peptide which is cleaved by a peptidase/aminopeptidase and wherein p ranges from 1 to 10 amino acids. In another aspect, the invention relates to a prodrug construct of a therapeutic compound D, wherein said therapeutic compound D is not an amino acid, a peptide or a protein, and wherein the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or wherein the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, said prodrug consisting of said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide with a general structure H-[X-Y] n , and is characterized in that n=2-5, wherein X is an amino acid (in one embodiment X is an L-amino acid), wherein Y is an amino acid (in one embodiment Y is an L-amino acid) selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY] n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. According to one embodiment this prodrug, upon activation, has no inhibitory effect on the CD26/DPPIV enzyme. In one embodiment n is selected from 2, 3, 4 or 5, yet more particularly the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is selected from the group of Val-Pro, Asp-Pro, Ser-Pro, Lys-Pro, Arg-Pro, His-Pro, Phe-Pro, Ile-Pro, Leu-Pro, Val-Ala, Asp-Ala, Ser-Ala, Lys-Ala, Arg-Ala, His-Ala, Phe-Ala, Ile-Ala and Leu-Ala. According to one embodiment, Y is proline or hydroxyproline or dihydroxyproline or alanine. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside. Alternatively, the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker comprising an amino group. This linker comprises an organic molecule (i.e. alkylamino, a peptide, or a combination of both). In an embodiment, the number m of amino acids in the linker between the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide and the therapeutic compound D is between 1 and 15. In a particular embodiment, such a linker can have the general structure of an oligopeptide A m wherein m ranges between 1 to 15 and more particularly between 1 to 3, or m=1. A in the structure A m can be any amino acid. According to one embodiment m=1 and A is valine. A prodrug with such a linker has a general structure H-[X-Y] n -A m -D. According to one embodiment, the prodrug is a prodrug of a therapeutic compound for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group of a viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infection, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. According to one embodiment the prodrug is an antiviral drug such as TSAO or NAP-TSAO. According to another embodiment the prodrug is a HIV protease inhibitor prodrug with a general structure of formula (I). In another aspect the invention relates to a method for modulating (increasing or decreasing) the water solubility, and/or plasma protein binding and/or the bioavailability of a therapeutic compound D by coupling a peptide to said therapeutic compound whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase. According to one embodiment the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y] n , wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY] n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. According to one embodiment, the therapeutic compound of which the solubility, plasma protein binding or bioavailability is modified is a therapeutic compound for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group of a viral, bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infection, inflammation, cancer, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases. In a particular embodiment, the disorder are other than cancer or disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing a prodrug, wherein the prodrug is cleavable by a dipeptidyl-peptidase, the method comprising the step of linking a therapeutically active drug D and a peptide with structure H-[X-Y]n whereby the resulting conjugate is cleavable by CD26. According to one embodiment the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary-aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y] n , wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY] n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of selecting potential prodrugs, said method comprising contacting amino acid prodrugs with dipeptidyl-peptidases or tissue or cells producing dipeptidyl-peptidases and with dipeptidyl-peptidases free medium in a parallel experiment. According to one embodiment the dipeptidyl peptidase is CD26 and the therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and wherein the oligopeptide consists of a general structure H-[X-Y] n , wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY] n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment, the oligopeptide [X-Y]n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is a hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid, alternatively wherein at least one X is a neutral or acidic amino acid or, alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease. In a particular embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a prodrug of a therapeutic compound D for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disorder other than cancer or other than a non-infectious disorder associated with elevated levels of DPPIV or other than a disorder which is the consequence of prolonged elevated glucose concentrations in the blood. The therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid, and characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y] n , wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[X-Y] n and the aminogroup of D occurs via an amide. According to one embodiment the disorder other than cancer, other than a disorder associated with elevated levels of DPPIV and other than a disorder which is the consequence of prolonged elevated glucose concentrations in the blood, is selected from the group of bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, reduction of pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than obesity and diabetes. The use of a CD26 cleavable prodrug for the manufacture of a medicament disclaims those disorders which are due to elevated or undesirable levels of DPPIV which can be treated by prodrugs of CD26 inhibitors. It equally disclaims the use for those disorders, such as some type of tumors which have elevated levels of CD26 and which can be treated by CD26 cleavable cytotoxic cancer prodrugs or neoplastic prodrugs. According to another embodiment n ranges from 2 to 5 and more particular n is 2 or 3. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. According to another embodiment the oligopeptide is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Pro-[X-Y] 1-2 , more in particular Val-Pro-[X-Y] 1-2 , in order to have a good intestinal absorption, followed by a slow or fast release of the therapeutic compound, depending on the choice of X. According to another embodiment the Y is proline or hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline or alanine, in a more particular embodiment Y is proline. According to another embodiment, the oligopeptide is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside or on a heterocyclic group or residing on an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or residing on an anorganic molecule. According to another embodiment, the oligopeptide is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker, said linker comprising an NH 2 or substituted NH amino group. According to another embodiment, the therapeutic compound D is a drug for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group a bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. In a particular embodiment the therapeutic compound is the antiviral drug TSAO or a derivative thereof such as NAP-TSAO. In another embodiment the antiviral drug is an inhibitor of HIV protease. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a manufacturing process for the production of prodrugs using a peptide with general structure H-[X-Y] n for the preparation of a CD26 cleavable prodrug of a therapeutic compound D. The therapeutic compound D is not a peptide or a protein, and the therapeutic compound D includes a terminal primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid or alternatively the therapeutic compound D is bound to a linker comprising a primary or secondary aminogroup capable of binding with the carboxylgroup of an amino acid The prodrug is characterised in that said prodrug comprises said therapeutic compound D linked to an oligopeptide, said oligopeptide consisting of a general structure H-[X-Y] n , wherein X is an amino acid, wherein n is between 1 and 5, wherein Y is an amino acid selected from the group consisting of proline, alanine, hydroxyproline, dihydroxyproline, thiazolidinecarboxylic acid (thioproline), dehydroproline, pipecolic acid (L-homoproline), azetidinecarboxylic acid, aziridinecarboxylic acid, glycine, serine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and threonine, and wherein the binding between the carboxyterminus of H-[XY] n and the aminogroup of D or its linker occur via an amide. In a particular embodiment, the amino acids selected for X are L-amino acids. In another embodiment the amino acids selected for Y are L-amino acids or for X and Y are L-amino acids. Another embodiment specifically excludes the use of D-amino acids for X and Y. In one embodiment the peptide has between two to five CD26 cleavable repeats. In another embodiment, the number m of amino acids in the linker A m between the CD26 cleavable oligopeptide and the therapeutic compound is 1 and A is valine. In another embodiment to CD26 cleavable oligopeptide [X-Y] n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide wherein at least one X is an hydrophobic or aromatic amino acid or alternatively, wherein at least one X is an neutral or acidic amino acid, or alternatively, wherein at least one X is a basic amino acid. In a particular embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is a tetrapeptide or hexapeptide selected from the group of Val-Pro-[X-Y] 1-2 in order to have a good intestinal absorption, followed by a slow or fast release of the therapeutic compound, depending on the choice of X. Within a prodrug construct H-[X-Y]n-D, the therapeutic compound D has a primary (NH 2 ) or secondary (NH) amino group which is bound to the COOH group of the carboxyterminal amino acid of the [X-Y] n peptide. When the therapeutic compound D has no NH 2 or NH group, or the NH or NH2 group can not react (due e.g. steric hindrance), the therapeutic compound D can be reacted with a linker which, after reaction has a NH 2 or NH group, which can react with the COOH group of the carboxyterminal amino acid of the [X-Y] n peptide. According to one embodiment Y is proline or hydroxyproline or dihydroxyproline or alanine. In one embodiment the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is coupled via an amide binding to an amino group residing on a aromatic group of a therapeutic compound, residing on a carbohydrate or residing on a nucleoside or on a heterocyclic group or residing on an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or residing on an anorganic molecule. Alternatively, the oligopeptide [X-Y] n is indirectly coupled to the therapeutic compound D via a linker comprising an amino group. Such a linker can have any structure, including but not limited to the structure of an oligopeptide A m wherein m ranges between 1 to 15 and more particularly between 1 to 3, or m=1. A in the structure A m can be any amino acid. According to one embodiment m=1 and A is valine. A prodrug which such a linker has a general structure H-[X-Y] n -A m -D. The oligopeptide A m or the amino acid A is linked at its aminoterminus via an amide binding to the oligopeptide H-[X-Y]n. The oligopeptide A m or the amino acid A is linked at its carboxyterminus via an amide or ester binding to the therapeutic compound D. Pharmaceutical compositions can comprise prodrugs of drugs for the prevention or treatment of a disorder selected from the group a bacterial, protozoan, fungal, yeast and viral infections, inflammation, allergy, depression, pain, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, respiratory disorders, urologic disorders, cardiovascular disorders, a disorder of the CNS, immunologic disorders and metabolic diseases other than disorders due to elevated levels of glucose such as obesity and diabetes. A particular example of an antiviral drug is TSAO. Another particular example of an antiviral drug is an HIV protease inhibitor, reverse transcriptase inhibitor or integrase inhibitor. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to a therapeutic compound D coupled to two or more oligopeptides at different sites of the therapeutic compound.

20070731

20120807

20071129

73069.0

A61K3804

RUSSEL, JEFFREY E

PRODRUGS CLEAVABLE BY CD26

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Call Management Protocol for Insufficient Credit

A method and system for operating a telephone service are disclosed, in which callers with insufficient credit or network airtime are able to contact a call recipient. The network monitors call attempts from callers to identify call attempts from callers with insufficient credit or airtime to make a call. When such a call attempt is detected, a call request is transmitted to the intended recipient of the call, to notify the recipient of the call attempt. The notification may take the form of an in-call notification if the call recipient is on-line, or an SMS or voicemail message if the recipient is off-line. The method and system permit individuals who otherwise would not be able to access the network to indicate to a call recipient that they have attempted to contact the call recipient. The call recipient can then contact the would be caller at his/her discretion.

1. A method of operating a telephony service, the method comprising: monitoring call attempts from callers on the network to identify call attempts originating from callers who have insufficient credit or airtime to make a call to an intended recipient; and transmitting a call request to the intended recipient of the call such that the recipient's handset notifies the recipient of such a call attempt, without necessarily establishing a conventional call. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the caller is identified as a prepaid subscriber to the network who has insufficient credit or airtime remaining on the prepayment mechanism that is being used to make the call. 3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the prepayment mechanism is a prepaid telephone card or prepaid network airtime. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the caller is identified as a subscriber to the network who has insufficient credit with the network operator to make the call. 5. A method according to claim 1 including generating a notification to at least the call recipient that the call request is originating from a subscriber who has insufficient credit or airtime to make the call. 6. A method according to claim 1 including generating a notification to the caller that they have insufficient credit or airtime to place the call and that a call request has been submitted to the call recipient. 7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the call request is presented to the call recipient as an in-call notification. 8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the call request is presented to the call recipient as a message such as an SMS message and/or a voicemail message. 9. A system for operating a telephony service, the system comprising: a telephony network with a plurality of users; and a network node having call screening logic arranged to: i) monitor call attempts from users who have insufficient credit or airtime to make a call to an intended recipient; and ii) transmit a call request to the intended recipient of the call such that the recipient's handset notifies the recipient of such a call attempt, without necessarily establishing a conventional call. 10. A system according to claim 9 including a database containing details of the credit/airtime status of network subscribers, the network being arranged to establish the credit/airtime status of a caller automatically and to generate the call request if the credit/airtime available to the caller is insufficient to make a call. 11. A method according to claim 7 wherein the call request is presented to the call recipient as an in-call notification comprising at least the caller's telephone number or name, a request that the call recipient contact the caller, and a word or phrase indicating that the caller has no or insufficient credit or airtime. 12. A method according to claim 8 wherein the call request is presented to the call recipient as a message comprising at least the caller's telephone number or name, a request that the call recipient contact the caller, and a word or phrase indicating that the caller has no or insufficient credit or airtime. 13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the call request is presented to the call recipient as a predetermined number of rings without establishing a call, when the call recipient is online and available to the network, thereby generating a “missed call” notification to the call recipient. 14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the call request is presented to the call recipient as a single ring.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION THIS invention relates to a method and system for operating a telephony service, and in particular to a call management protocol on a telephony network. A substantial number of users of modem telephone networks make use of prepayment mechanisms to pay for their calls on a network. For example, users of a conventional fixed-line telephone network who use public telephones will typically use prepayment cards which store a credit value which is reduced according to the cost of calls made. Users of mobile networks who make use of prepaid airtime typically purchase an airtime recharge voucher which has a unique code. The user contacts the network and enters the code, and the balance of the user's prepaid airtime is increased accordingly. As the user makes calls, the balance is reduced accordingly. In either case, once the credit value or prepaid airtime is exhausted, the user is prevented from making further use of the network and in particular making telephone calls until a new prepayment card is obtained (or the existing card is replenished with a further credit value) or further prepaid airtime is “loaded” on the network. With the advent of modem telephone networks and, more recently, cellular networks with enhanced functionality, it is now possible to modify existing network call management protocols to deal with calls from callers having no airtime or insufficient airtime to make a call. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a method of operating a telephony service, the method comprising: monitoring call attempts from callers on the network to identify call attempts originating from callers who have insufficient credit or airtime to make a call to an intended recipient; and transmitting a call request to the intended recipient of the call such that the recipient's handset notifies the recipient of such a call attempt, without necessarily establishing a conventional call. Typically, the caller is a prepaid caller on the network who has insufficient credit or airtime remaining on the prepayment mechanism that is being used to make the call. The prepayment mechanism may be a prepaid telephone card or prepaid network airtime, for example. Alternatively, the caller may be a subscriber to the network who has insufficient credit with the network operator to make the call. Preferably, the method includes generating a notification to at least the call recipient that the call request is originating from a subscriber who has insufficient credit to make the call. Preferably the method includes generating a notification to the caller that they have insufficient credit or airtime to place the call and that a call request has been submitted to the call recipient. The call request may be presented to the call recipient as an in-call notification, typically if the call recipient is on-line. Alternatively, the call request may be presented to the call recipient as a message such as an SMS message and/or a voicemail message, typically if the call recipient is off-line. Further according to the invention there is provided a system for operating a telephony service, the system comprising: a telephony network with a plurality of users; and a network node having call screening logic arranged to: i) monitor call attempts from users who have insufficient credit to make a call to the intended recipient; and ii) transmit a call request to the intended recipient of the call such that the recipients handset notifies the recipient of such a call attempt, without necessarily establishing a conventional call. The system may include a database containing details of the credit/airtime status of network subscribers, the network being arranged to establish the credit/airtime status of a caller automatically and to generate the call request if the credit/airtime available to the caller is insufficient to make a call. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The single drawing is a simplified diagrammatic illustration of a call management system according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT The drawing shows, in a highly simplified schematic form, the architecture of a part of a modem GSM mobile telephone network. The diagram does not purport to be comprehensive but merely illustrative. The network will typically embody intelligent network (IN) functionality, but this is not essential for implementation of the invention. In the illustrated network, a mobile telephone 10 of a caller communicates with a first base station 12 which in turn communicates with a mobile switching center (MSC) 14. The base station 12 comprises a base station controller (BSC) and a base transceiver station (BTS) with associated antenna (not shown). Associated with the mobile switching center 14 is a visited location register (VLR) 16. A call recipient has a mobile telephone 18 which communicates with a second base station 20. The base station 20 is connected to a further mobile switching center (MSC) 22 with its own associated visited location register 24. (In some cases, the two base stations could be connected to the same MSC.) The respective mobile switching centers 14 and 22 and the respective visited location registers 16 and 24 are interconnected as shown. The visited location registers are also connected to a home location register (HLR) 26 and to a billing center 28. The MSCs 14 and 22 are also connected to the billing center. The HLR is a central database containing data relating to the account status and predetermined network settings of subscribers. The VLRs are decentralized databases which are updated with data from the HLR relating to a particular subscriber when that subscriber's telephone connects to the MSC in question. Connected to the MSC 14 are a service control point (SCP) 30, a service data point (SDP) 32 and a service switching point (SSP) 34. The SCP of the MSC 22 servicing the call recipient has terminating screening logic which is invoked when calls are set to route to the call recipient. The SDP is a database associated with the SCP containing data associated with the call recipient and in the context of this invention defining one or more groups of callers and their respective phone numbers. The SSP is an optional intelligent network component forming part of a switching subsystem which essentially defines a network layer associated with switching services. If the caller using the mobile telephone 10 has exhausted his/her prepaid airtime (or, in the case of a person using prepayment telephone cards, the user has depleted the credit value on the prepayment card) or does not have credit with the network operator, he/she will not be able to make calls normally. At best, emergency calls to certain predetermined numbers may be permitted by mobile networks, or calls to an operator may be permitted on a conventional network. The present invention proposes utilising the enhanced functionality of modern networks to monitor calls made on the network in order to identify call attempts made by callers with no or insufficient credit/airtime. In the present example, when the caller utilising the telephone 10 attempts to make a call to the call recipient 18, the mobile switching center (MSC) 14 accesses the visited location register (VLR) 16 (and, if required, the billing center 28) and establishes that the caller does not have sufficient credit/airtime to make a call. Instead of routing a conventional call setup request via the MSC 22 to the telephone 18 of the call recipient, in the simplest form of the invention, the call request can be presented to the call recipient as a single ring (“ring once and disconnect”) when the call recipient is online and available to the network. This is sufficient to generate a missed call message on the mobile telephone 18 of the call recipient, alerting him/her to the fact that the caller wishes to make contact. The call recipient can then return the call at his/her discretion. Preferably, if the call recipient's mobile telephone is on-line, a prerecorded in-call message is presented to the call recipient, indicating that a call request from a caller without credit/airtime has been received. In the case of the call recipient using a conventional telephone on a fixed-line network, a distinctive ringing tone can be presented. Preferably, if the call recipient's mobile telephone is off-line or out of coverage, the network submits a notification which is stored and forwarded to the mobile telephone when it becomes available. Here the MSC 22 automatically transmits a signal to a short message service center (SMSC) 36, instructing the SMSC to transmit an SMS message to the call recipient in a predetermined format, requesting the call recipient to contact the caller. Preferably, the SMS message contains the caller's telephone number, extracted by caller line identification (CLI) and can take the following format, for example: 084 4432100 Please ring me Optionally, the message can include an indication that the caller has no credit or airtime, for example: 084 4432100 Please ring me—no airtime Alternatively, or in addition, a prerecorded voicemail message can be deposited in the voice mailbox of the call recipient, with a conventional notification being sent to the call recipient to alert them to the existence of the SMS and/or voicemail messages. The voicemail message could be entirely computer synthesized, including the caller's telephone number, or could include a recording of the caller's name, recorded previously, in a message requesting the call recipient to respond to the caller's message. Compared with alternative proposals for transmitting messages to call recipients, a significant feature of the present invention is that it is not necessary for the caller to construct, address and send an SMS message from their own handset, or to prefix the telephone number of the call recipient with a special code in order to send a message to the call recipient. Instead, the network itself establishes that the caller does not have credit/airtime and automatically transmits a call request and/or message to the call recipient, requesting the call recipient to contact the caller. The very one and same telephone number is dialed and the network now takes the most appropriate and intelligent action. It will be appreciated that variations of the above described example are possible. For example, a more personalized service could be provided in which the network actually establishes a call to the call recipient and, on answering of the call by the call recipient, plays a prerecorded announcement requesting the call recipient to call the caller back, for example by pressing a predetermined button on the telephone. In this way, the caller and the call recipient could be connected reverse charged (the called party assuming the cost of the call) without having to re-establish the call routing and call path, since the caller may be kept actively engaged on the call all the while. The described method and system have a number of advantages. Firstly, a caller is able to make contact with a selected call recipient even if the caller is out of credit/airtime on the network. This can include an implicit or explicit request for the call recipient to return the call. It is envisaged that the described method and system will increase revenue from subscribers making use of the service, as callers such as children who have insufficient prepaid airtime to make a conventional call are able nevertheless to request a parent or family member to call them back, at the parent or family member's expense. Currently, using existing telephone network operating protocols, such a caller would not be able to establish a call to the person in question. A further benefit is that the method and system operate by detecting callers with no or insufficient credit/airtime and allowing them to send call requests via the network, but callers with adequate airtime who simply choose to send a message requesting a call recipient to call them back need not be accommodated.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>THIS invention relates to a method and system for operating a telephony service, and in particular to a call management protocol on a telephony network. A substantial number of users of modem telephone networks make use of prepayment mechanisms to pay for their calls on a network. For example, users of a conventional fixed-line telephone network who use public telephones will typically use prepayment cards which store a credit value which is reduced according to the cost of calls made. Users of mobile networks who make use of prepaid airtime typically purchase an airtime recharge voucher which has a unique code. The user contacts the network and enters the code, and the balance of the user's prepaid airtime is increased accordingly. As the user makes calls, the balance is reduced accordingly. In either case, once the credit value or prepaid airtime is exhausted, the user is prevented from making further use of the network and in particular making telephone calls until a new prepayment card is obtained (or the existing card is replenished with a further credit value) or further prepaid airtime is “loaded” on the network. With the advent of modem telephone networks and, more recently, cellular networks with enhanced functionality, it is now possible to modify existing network call management protocols to deal with calls from callers having no airtime or insufficient airtime to make a call.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to the invention there is provided a method of operating a telephony service, the method comprising: monitoring call attempts from callers on the network to identify call attempts originating from callers who have insufficient credit or airtime to make a call to an intended recipient; and transmitting a call request to the intended recipient of the call such that the recipient's handset notifies the recipient of such a call attempt, without necessarily establishing a conventional call. Typically, the caller is a prepaid caller on the network who has insufficient credit or airtime remaining on the prepayment mechanism that is being used to make the call. The prepayment mechanism may be a prepaid telephone card or prepaid network airtime, for example. Alternatively, the caller may be a subscriber to the network who has insufficient credit with the network operator to make the call. Preferably, the method includes generating a notification to at least the call recipient that the call request is originating from a subscriber who has insufficient credit to make the call. Preferably the method includes generating a notification to the caller that they have insufficient credit or airtime to place the call and that a call request has been submitted to the call recipient. The call request may be presented to the call recipient as an in-call notification, typically if the call recipient is on-line. Alternatively, the call request may be presented to the call recipient as a message such as an SMS message and/or a voicemail message, typically if the call recipient is off-line. Further according to the invention there is provided a system for operating a telephony service, the system comprising: a telephony network with a plurality of users; and a network node having call screening logic arranged to: i) monitor call attempts from users who have insufficient credit to make a call to the intended recipient; and ii) transmit a call request to the intended recipient of the call such that the recipients handset notifies the recipient of such a call attempt, without necessarily establishing a conventional call. The system may include a database containing details of the credit/airtime status of network subscribers, the network being arranged to establish the credit/airtime status of a caller automatically and to generate the call request if the credit/airtime available to the caller is insufficient to make a call.

20080213

20140318

20080612

84122.0

H04M1100

KHAN, MEHMOOD B

CALL MANAGEMENT PROTOCOL FOR INSUFFICIENT CREDIT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04M

ACCEPTED

Clamping circuit to counter parasitic coupling

A clamper circuit (1) receives an input signal (3) from the signal wire being clamped, i.e. the victim wire. The clamper circuit (1) also receives aggressor signals (5, 7) from aggressor wires, the aggressor wires being the signal wires that can potentially induce crosstalk on the victim wire. An output signal (9), for clamping the victim wire, is selectively enabled based on the logic states of the input signal (3) and the aggressor signals (5, 7). In addition to selectively providing a clamping signal, the clamper circuit (1) also has the advantage of accelerating the switching of the victim wire when an opposite transition occurs on the aggressors and victim wire at the same time, thereby reducing worst case delay and improving the signal integrity.

1. A damper circuit (1) for a signal wire of an integrated circuit, the damper circuit (I) comprising: an input connection for receiving an input signal (3) corresponding to a signal on the signal wire; an output connection for providing an output signal (9) for clamping the signal on the signal wire; characterized in that the circuit (1) comprises means for receiving one or more aggressor signals (5,7), and means for selectively enabling the output signal (9) in accordance with the status of the input signal (3) and one or more of the aggressor signals (5,7). 2. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamper circuit (1) receives first and second aggressor signals (5,7) for selectively enabling the output signal (9). 3. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the damper circuit (1) is adapted to provide an output signal (9) when the input signal (3) and the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) are at the same logic level. 4. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the clamper circuit (1) is adapted to provide a pull down signal as the output signal (9) when the input signal (3) and the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) are at logic 0. 5. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the damper circuit (1) is adapted to provide a pull up signal as the output signal (9) when the input signal (3) and the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) are at logic 1. 6. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the output signal (9) is enabled for a predetermined period of time, thereby discharging an induced charge on the signal wire if the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) switch logic level while the signal wire remains at the same logic level. 7. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the damper circuit (1) is adapted to disable the output signal (9) in response to the input signal (3) crossing a predetermined voltage threshold. 8. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 2, having means for selectively providing a pull up or pull down path as the output signal (9) in response to the input signal (3) switching in an opposite direction to the first and second aggressor signals (5,7). 9. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damper circuit (1) comprises: an inverting circuit; and a clamping stage (17) comprising a pull up path (27, 29) and a pull down path (31, 33), the pull up and pull down paths being selectively enabled using first and second control signals (b, a). 10. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the inverting circuit comprises: a first inverting stage (13) having a low switching threshold; and a second inverting stage (15) having a high switching threshold. 11. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second control signal (a) is determined according to the status of the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) such that a= Agg1+Agg2, where Agg1 is the first aggressor signal (5) and Agg2 is the second aggressor signal (7). 12. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first control signal (b) is set by the status of the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) such that b= Agg1·Agg2, where Agg1 is the first aggressor signal (5) and Agg2 is the second aggressor signal (7). 13. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input connection and the output connection are connected to substantially the same point on the signal wire. 14. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the input connection and the output connection are connected near the receiving end of the signal wire. 15. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) are taken from wires that have the most degrading impact on the signal wire. 16. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) are the immediate neighbors to the signal wire on a communication bus. 17. A damper circuit (1) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first and second aggressor signals (5,7) are taken from wires on the integrated circuit that lie in a plane above and below the plane of the signal wire. 18. An integrated circuit comprising an on-chip communication bus having one or more damper circuits as defined in claim 1. 19. A method of clamping a signal on a signal wire of an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an input signal (3) corresponding to the signal on the signal wire; providing an output signal (9) for clamping the signal on the signal wire; characterized by the step of selectively enabling the output signal (9) in accordance with the status of the input signal (3) and one or more aggressor signals (5,7).

As integrated circuit technology is scaled to provide increased density on a chip, the on-chip interconnects become narrower and narrower. In addition, the height of the on-chip interconnects tend not to be scaled linearly with the width of the interconnects, thus making their aspect ratios larger. These trends lead to an increase in coupling capacitance with neighboring wires, which in turn leads to increased crosstalk between wires. Maintaining the signal integrity of a communication bus can therefore be problematic because of these degrading effects. It is known to use repeater circuits for improving signal, integrity. However, the use of repeater circuits alone does not provide a solution to the problems mentioned above, since glitches can still occur at the receiving end of a wire, which can result in logic faults and higher power dissipation. An object of the present invention is to provide a damper circuit for a signal wire on an integrated circuit, for example the signal wire of an on-chip bus, which helps to alleviate the disadvantages mentioned above. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamper circuit for a signal wire of an integrated circuit, the damper circuit comprising: an input connection for receiving an input signal corresponding to a signal on the signal wire; an output connection for providing an output signal for clamping the signal on the signal wire; characterized in that the circuit comprises means for receiving one or more aggressor signals, and means for selectively enabling the output signal in accordance with the status of the input signal and one or more of the aggressor signals. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of clamping a signal on a signal wire of an integrated circuit, the method comprising the steps of: receiving an input signal corresponding to the signal on the signal wire; providing an output signal for clamping the signal on the signal wire; characterized by the step of selectively enabling the output signal in accordance with the status of the input signal and one or more aggressor signals. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an integrated circuit having one or more damper circuits as defined in the claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined by the dependant claims. For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a damper circuit according to the present invention; FIG. 2 shows how the damper circuit may be used with a signal wire of an on-chip bus; FIG. 3 shows further details of a damper circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 shows a selection circuit for the damper circuit of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a bias circuit for the damper circuit of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 shows simulation results for peak crosstalk versus wire spacing for different schemes at minimum wire width; FIG. 7 shows simulation results for peak crosstalk versus wire width for different schemes at minimum wire spacing; FIG. 8 shows first order crosstalk; FIG. 9 shows second order crosstalk; and FIG. 10 shows third order crosstalk. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a damper circuit 1 according to the present invention. The damper circuit receives an input signal 3 (Vin) from the signal wire being clamped, i.e. the victim wire. The damper circuit 1 also receives aggressor signals 5, 7 from aggressor wires, the aggressor wires being the signal wires that can potentially induce crosstalk on the victim wire. An output signal 9, for clamping the victim wire, is selectively enabled based on the logic states of the input signal 3 and the aggressor signals 5, 7. Unlike a traditional repeater circuit which is placed in the path of the wire under consideration, the damper circuit 1 is instead connected to the victim wire such that the input signal 3 and output signal 9 are connected to the same point on the wire under consideration. The aggressor signals 5, 7 are preferably taken from the immediate aggressors of the victim wire, for example the immediate neighbors on an on-chip bus. However, it will be appreciated that the aggressor signals 5, 7 may also be taken from other signal wires which have a degrading effect on the signal wire under consideration. For example, the aggressor signals can be taken from wires other than the immediate neighbors, or from signal wires on a metal plane which is above or below the plane of the signal wire. FIG. 2 shows the placement of the damper circuit 1 in a bus system, for example an on-chip bus. The clamper circuit 1 receives first and second aggressor signals 5, 7 from the immediate neighbors of the victim wire. In addition, the damper circuit is arranged such that the input signal 3 and output signal 9 are connected to the same point 11 on the victim wire. Preferably, the damper circuit is positioned near the receiving end of the signal wire under consideration, where the maximum crosstalk noise (or peak noise voltage) occurs. The damper circuit 1 has the advantage of helping the driver on the victim wire to discharge the induced charge at a faster rate, leading to a lower value of peak crosstalk noise. Preferably, the damper circuit I is placed at the end of every wire section in the parallel repeater insertion and staggered repeater insertion methods. The clamper circuit 1 has the advantage of accelerating the switching of the victim wire when an opposite transition occurs on the aggressors and victim wire at the same time, as will be described in greater detail later in the application. Therefore, the damper circuit reduces worst-case delay and improves the signal integrity. At the same time, although the damper circuit increases the typical case delay, this does not affect the maximum communication speed of an on-chip bus, provided that the typical case delay is less than the worst-case delay. FIG. 3 shows further details of the damper circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The damper circuit 1 receives an input signal 3 from the signal wire to be clamped, and produces an output signal 9 for clamping the signal wire. The damper circuit 1 comprises an inverting circuit and a clamping stage 17. Preferably, the inverting circuit comprises first and second inverting stages 13, 15. The inverting stages 13, 15 are designed for low and high switching threshold respectively. The first inverting stage 13 comprises a PMOS transistor 19 (M1) and an NMOS transistor 21 (M2). The source of the PMOS transistor 19 is connected to the supply voltage Vdd, while the drain is connected to the drain of the NMOS transistor 21. The Bulk-source of transistor 19 (Ml) are shorted together. The gates of the PMOS and NMOS transistors 19, 21 are connected together, and receive the input signal 3 corresponding to the voltage Vin of the signal wire under consideration. The drain connections of transistors 19, 21 are connected to the gate of a PMOS transistor 27 (M5) in a pull up path of the clamping stage 17. The source of NMOS transistor 21 is connected to ground. Similar to the above, the second inverting stage 15 comprises a PMOS transistor 23 (M3) and an NMOS transistor 25 (M4). The source of the PMOS transistor 23 is connected to the supply voltage Vdd, while the drain is connected to the drain of the NMOS transistor 25. The Bulk-source of the transistor 25 (M4) are shorted. The gates of the PMOS and NMOS transistors 23, 25 are connected together, and receive the input signal 3 corresponding to the voltage Vin of the signal wire under consideration. The drain connections of transistors 23, 25 are connected to the gate of an NMOS transistor 33 (M8) in a pull down path of the clamping stage 17. The source of NMOS transistor 25 is connected to ground. The low and high switching thresholds of the first and second inverting stages 13, 15 are chosen according to the maximum crosstalk peak that is observed on a particular section of wire. For example, the low and high thresholds are typically 400 mV and 700 mV respectively. This means that the inverting stages 13 (having a low switching threshold) and 15 (having a high switching threshold) will not switch due to crosstalk when the aggressor signals switch. The clamping stage 17 comprises a pull up path comprising PMOS transistors 27, 29 and a pull down path comprising NMOS transistors 31, 33. The pmos transistor 27 (M5) has a source connected to Vdd and a drain connected to the PMOS transistor 29 (M6). As mentioned above, the gate of PMOS transistor 27 is connected to the drain connections of the transistors 19, 21 in the first inverting stage 13. The gate of PMOS transistor 29 receives a control signal “b”. The drain of PMOS transistor 29 is connected to the drain of the NMOS transistor 31 (M7) in the pull down path, and also provides the output signal 9 of the clamper circuit 1. The source of NMOS transistor 31 is connected to the drain of NMOS transistor 33 (M8). The source of NMOS transistor 33 is connected to ground, while the gate of NMOS transistor 33 is connected to the drain connections of the transistors 23, 25 in the second inverter stage 15. The gate of NMOS transistor 31 receives a second control signal “a”. The control signals a and b are determined by the logic states of the aggressor and victim wires as shown in Table 1 below, where X represents “don't care” states, and Agg1 and Agg2 represent the first and second aggressor signals 5, 7. TABLE 1 Truth table for control signals a and b Vin Agg1 Agg2 a b 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 X 0 1 0 1 X 1 0 0 1 The logical functions of signals a and b are represented by equations (1) and (2) below: a= Agg1+Agg2 (1) b= Agg1·Agg2 (2) The logic selection circuits used to represent these logical functions are implemented in such a way that their delay meets the criterion shown in equation (3), where TCLK is the clock period, TSL is the delay of the logic selection circuit and τmax is the switching time of the aggressors at the end of each wire section. TCLK>TSL>τmax (3) It can be seen from equations (1) and (2) above that the logical functions correspond to NOR and NAND gates, respectively. Thus, the selection logic for deriving the “a” and “b” control signals from the aggressor signals 5, 7 can be obtained as shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows how the control signal “a” is derived using a NOR gate 41, having a first input corresponding to the first aggressor signal 5, and a second input corresponding to the second aggressor signal 7. The control signal “b” is derived using a NAND gate 43 having a first input corresponding to the first aggressor signal 5, and a second input corresponding to the second aggressor signal 7. Next, a more detailed explanation of the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 3 will be given. Crosstalk noise, which can cause a glitch at the receiver, occurs when the aggressors and the victim wire are in the same state. Let us assume that the aggressors and the victim wire are at logic 0. In this state, the control signals “a” and “b” are at logic 1. Therefore, the pull down path in the clamping stage 17 is enabled as both the transistors 31 (M7) and 33 (M8) are turned on. Now, if the aggressor signals 5, 7 switch from logic 0 to logic 1 and the victim wire remains at logic 0, the pull down path 31, 33 discharges the induced charge at the end of the section of the respective victim wire. Therefore, the peak crosstalk noise is reduced at the cost of a higher typical case delay. The reason for a higher typical case delay can be explained as follows. Assume that the aggressors and the victim wire are at logic 0. The selection signals “a” and “b” are at logic 1 which enables the pull down path 31, 33 of the clamping stage 17. Now, if the victim wire switches from logic 0 to logic 1 and the aggressors remain quiet, the selection signals “a” and “b” remain at the same logic 1. The clamping stage 17 will be enabled until the victim wire voltage crosses the switching threshold voltage of the second inverter stage 15. After the voltage of the victim wire crosses the threshold of the second inverter stage 15, the clamping circuit is disabled. Therefore, the typical case delay is increased due to the delay introduced by the second inverter stage 15 and the fight between the clamping circuit and driver on the victim wire. The damper circuit of the present invention improves the worst-case delay, which can be explained as follows. Let us assume that the aggressors are at logic 1 and the victim wire is at logic 0. The selection signals “a” and “b” are at logic 0 in these states. The transistor 29 (M6) in the pull up path of the clamping stage 17 is enabled. The pull down path 31, 33 is not enabled in these states. Now the aggressors switch from logic 1 to logic 0 and the victim wire switches from logic 0 to logic 1. The selection signals “a” and “b” remain at logic 0 during the switching of the aggressors. The pull up path 27, 29 is enabled and thus accelerates the switching of the victim wire and the worst-case delay is decreased. Preferably, the damper circuit of FIG. 3 uses triple well technology for enabling the threshold voltages of the first and second inverter stages 13, 15 to be lowered. FIG. 5 shows a local bias circuit 50 for biasing the first and second inverter stages when triple well technology is used. The bias circuit 50 provides the bias signals “node 1” and “node 2” for the transistors 21 and 23 in the first and second inverter stages 13, 15, respectively. The bias circuit 50 comprises a first PMOS transistor 51 and NMOS transistors 53, 55 and 57. The source of PMOS transistor 51 is connected to Vdd, while the gate and drain are shorted together, and connected to the drain of NMOS transistor 53. The drain of NMOS transistor 53 is shorted to its gate, and the source of NMOS 53 is connected to the drain of NMOS transistor 55. The drain of NMOS transistor 55 is connected to its gate, and also connected as the bias voltage “node 1” for NMOS transistor 21 in FIG. 3. The source of NMOS transistor 55 is connected to the drain of NMOS transistor 57. The drain of NMOS transistor 57 is shorted to its gate, and the source provides the bias voltage “node 2” for PMOS transistor 23 in FIG. 3. The biasing circuit is used to lower the threshold voltage of the pull up transistor 21 in the first inverter stage 13 and the pull down voltage of the transistor 23 in the second inverting stage 15, thus enabling the switching thresholds to be lowered. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that other biasing circuits can also be used for providing this function. In addition, or alternatively, the thresholds can also be lowered using transistor sizing. Preferably, the sizes of the transistors are chosen to be the minimum dimensions allowed by the technology, as they have to bias very small wells. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the results of simulations that have been performed for different wire configurations at a fixed wire length of 10 mm in 0.13 μm for wires on Metal 2 over Metal 1 planes. With respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, the following illustrates the key to the graphs: No Repeaters Aggressor aware clamper with no repeaters Parallel repeater insertion (3.3-2-2 mm) Parallel repeater insertion with a or aware damper (3-3-2-2 mm) Staggered repeater insertion (3-3-2-2 mm) Staggered repeater insertion with aggressor aware clamper (3-3-2-2 mm) FIG. 6 shows the peak crosstalk noise for different wire spacing (in multiples of minimum spacing) at minimum wire width. FIG. 7 shows the peak crosstalk noise for different wire width (in multiples of minimum wire width) at minimum wire spacing. It can be seen that the clamper circuit of the invention, referred to as the “aggressor aware clamper”, decreases the peak crosstalk noise by about 30% in case of no repeaters and about 26% in the case of staggered repeater insertion (3-3-2-2 mm) at minimum wire pitch as has been shown in FIG. 6. It decreases the peak crosstalk noise by about 39.5% in case of the parallel repeater insertion (3-3-2-2 mm) at minimum wire pitch as has been shown in FIG. 6. Tables 2 and 3 show the improvement of the worst-case delay and the worst-case energy delay product at minimum wire pitch. Worst case delay [ns] No aggressor Aggressor aware aware Percentage Schemes clamper clamper improvement [%] No repeater 7.39 6.36 13.9 Parallel repeater insertion 2.41 2.23 7.4 (3-3-2-2 mm) Staggered repeater insertion 1.93 1.80 6.7 (3-3-2-2 mm) TABLE 2 Worst case delay [ns] for different schemes at minimum wire pitch Energy delay product [mW*ns2] No aggressor Aggressor aware aware Percentage Schemes clamper clamper improvement [%] No repeater 13.4 12.1 9.9 Parallel repeater insertion 0.220 0.203 7.5 (3-3-2-2 mm) Staggered repeater insertion 0.117 0.115 1.3 (3-3-2-2 mm) Table 3. Worst-case energy delay product [mW*ns2] for different schemes at minimum wire pitch Table 4 shows the delay noise for the different schemes at minimum wire pitch. The aggressor aware damper reduces the delay noise significantly for parallel and staggered repeater insertion at a minimum wire pitch. Delay noise [ns] No aggressor Aggressor aware aware Percentage Schemes clamper clamper improvement [%] No repeater 5.95 4.9 17.6 Parallel repeater insertion 1.38 1.00 27.2 (3-3-2-2 mm) Staggered repeater insertion 0.38 0.13 65.8 (3-3-2-2 mm) TABLE 4 Delay noise [ns] for different schemes at minimum wire pitch Xtalk noise Parallel repeater insertion Staggered repeater insertion No repeaters (3-3-2-2 mm) (3-3-2-2 mm) No aggressor Aggressor No aggressor Aggressor No aggressor Aggressor aware clamper aware clamper aware clamper aware clamper aware clamper aware clamper Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak Peak order noise Glitch noise Glitch noise Glitch noise Glitch noise Glitch noise Glitch 1st order 0.499 — 0.349 — 0.488 — 0.295 — 0.343 — 0.251 — 2nd order 0.651 — 0.473 — 0.668 Yes (not 0.418 — 0.436 — 0.338 — full Vdd) 3rd order 0.696 — 0.515 — 0.680 Yes 0.402 — 0.457 — 0.347 — (full Vdd) 4th order 0.708 — 0.529 — 0.687 Yes 0.407 — 0.459 — 0.354 — (full Vdd) Table 5. Higher order crosstalk noise voltage [V] for aggressor aware damper with various schemes at minimum wire pitch Table 5 shows crosstalk noise for higher order crosstalk cases for the aggressor aware damper at minimum wire pitch. Here, the switching of more than two immediate aggressors is referred to as higher order crosstalk. FIGS. 8 to 10 show what is meant by first, second and third order crosstalk. First order crosstalk relates to crosstalk induced by the immediate neighbors of a victim wire, as shown in FIG. 8. Second order crosstalk, as shown in FIG. 9, relates to crosstalk induced by simultaneous switching of two aggressor wires on either side of the victim wire, while third order crosstalk, as shown in FIG. 10, relates to crosstalk induced by simultaneous switching of three aggressor wires on either side of the victim wire. Thus, nth order crosstalk means, simultaneous switching of n neighbors on the either side of the victim wire on the bus. If signals from multiple aggressors are used, then the states which form the initial condition for worst-case crosstalk are identified, and used to generate a truth table similar to the one shown in Table 1 above. The clamping circuit is then controlled by logic selection signals according to the logic states defined by such a truth table. It is clear from the Table 5 that the damper circuit of the invention is particularly effective in preventing glitches at the output of the receivers, especially in the case of parallel repeater insertion. Table 5 shows two sub columns named as “Teak Noise” and “glitch”. The sub column “Teak Noise” indicates the peak crosstalk noise at the end of the wire sections. For cases when there is a glitch at the output, then the sub-column “peak noise” refers to the peak crosstalk noise observed at the end of the first wire section. For the third and the fourth order crosstalk, a glitch always occurs (highlighted) at the end of each wire section on the victim wire in the case of parallel repeater insertion (3-3-2-2 mm). This glitch appears only for a short duration and induces extra charge on the victim wire. This extra charge and the charge induced by the aggressors cause an increase in the peak crosstalk noise. In the examples described above, the clamper is used to accelerate the switching of the victim wire in worst-case delay situations, i.e. when an opposite transition occurs on the aggressors and victim wire at the same time. According to another aspect of the invention, when reliability is an issue, the clamping circuit can be used to clamp the victim wire when overshoots and undershoots occur on the line. Although this results in a higher worst-case delay, it does provide greater signal integrity when reliability is an issue. This is achieved by changing the truth table of Table 1, and providing selection logic to control the clamping circuit in the required manner. It is noted that, although the preferred embodiment makes use of first and second aggressor signals, it will be appreciated that the invention can also rely on just one aggressor signal, for example when the damper circuit is used near the edge of an on-chip bus. Furthermore, the damper circuit can also be used with more than two aggressor signals, for example when second or third order crosstalk is affecting signal integrity. The invention described above therefore provides a damper circuit that clamps a signal wire according to the state of one or more aggressor signal wires. Furthermore, it is noted that although the preferred embodiment provides first and second inverting stages 13, 15, the invention can also be used where the thresholds are not changed, whereby the circuit becomes simplified in that the two inverting stages 13 and 15 merge into one inverting stage. In the examples provided above, it will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that, although the preferred embodiments refer to the aggressor wires being the immediate neighbors of the victim wire, the aggressor wires could also be selected from other signal wires. For example, the aggressor wires need not be the immediate neighbors, or indeed from the same communication bus, as the victim wire. The aggressor wires can therefore be taken from any signal wires that have a significant impact on the victim wire, including neighbors from a metal plane lying above or below the victim wire. The invention can also be used with more than two aggressor wires, for example with two or three pairs of signal wires as described above in relation to second and third order crosstalk. Furthermore, although the preferred embodiment shows the clamper circuit located near the end of a signal wire under consideration, the damper circuit can also be located elsewhere on the signal wire. The invention described above has the advantage of providing a damper circuit which is used to clamp the signal level on a signal wire under consideration based on the logic states of two or more aggressor signals from other signal wires on the integrated circuit. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrates rather than limits the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word “comprising” and “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

20051108

20080930

20070118

94225.0

H03K508

LE, DINH THANH

CLAMPING CIRCUIT TO COUNTER PARASITIC COUPLING

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H03K

ACCEPTED

Apparatus for injecting plasma gas in atmosphere

An apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere is provided, including a plurality of dielectric panels (13a, 13b, 13c), and 13d, which are disposed in parallel at predetermined intervals, a gas supply portion (14), to which the dielectric panels (13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d) are fixed and which supplies a gas to spaces between the dielectric panels (13a and 13b), between the dielectric panels (13b and 13c), and between the dielectric panels (13c and 13d), power electrodes (15a, 15b, and 15c), which are linearly installed near the gas supply portion (14) and between the dielectric panels (13a and 13b, between the dielectric panels 13b and 13c, and between the dielectric panels 13c and 13d), respectively, ground electrodes (16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d), which are formed in the ends of the dielectric panels (13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d), respectively, and a high frequency generator (17), which applies high frequency power to the power electrodes (15a, 15b, and 15c) and the ground electrodes (16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d).

1. An apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, which are disposed in parallel at predetermined intervals; a gas supply portion 14, to which the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are fixed and which supplies a gas to spaces between the dielectric panels 13a and 13b, between the dielectric panels 13b and 13c, and between the dielectric panels 13c and 13d; power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c, which are linearly installed near the gas supply portion 14 and between the dielectric panels 13a and 13b, between the dielectric panels 13b and 13c, and between the dielectric panels 13c and 13d, respectively; ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, which are formed in the ends of the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, respectively; and a high frequency generator 17, which applies high frequency power to the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere. BACKGROUND ART FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere. FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional apparatus of FIG. 1 viewed from direction A. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere is manufactured by coupling a pair of dielectric panels 3 and 3 to a gas supply portion 4 and forming plate-type electrodes 2 and 2′ on the surfaces of the dielectric panels 3 and 3′ such as to be opposite to each other. In this plasma injecting apparatus, when a high frequency power supply portion 1 applies high frequency power to both the plate-type electrodes 2 and 2′, and gas flows between the dielectric panels 3 and 3′, the gas turns into plasma which is injected from the ends of the dielectric panels 3 and 3′. This plasma is injected into an object, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a wafer, or the like, to clean the object. However, plasma comprised of charged particles is strongly prone to be bound between the dielectric panels 3 and 3′ due to an electrical field between the plate-type electrodes 2 and 2′. As a result, even if the gas supply portion 4 continuously supplies gas, plasma is not properly injected from the dielectric panels 3 and 3′. To overcome this problem, an effort has been made to increase the amount of plasma by using a high voltage and higher frequency. However, the use of a high voltage causes generation of an arc between plasma and the outside, an increase in the power consumption, and the like. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an atmospheric plasma injecting apparatus which can generate plasma by using less power and effectively inject the plasma into the outside. The atmospheric plasma injecting apparatus comprises a plurality of dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, a gas supply portion 14, power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c, ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and a high frequency generator 17. The dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are disposed in parallel at predetermined intervals. The dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are fixed to the gas supply portion 14, which supplies a gas to spaces between the dielectric panels 13a and 13b, between the dielectric panels 13b and 13c, and between the dielectric panels 13c and 13d. The power-electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c are linearly installed near the gas supply portion 14 and between the dielectric panels 13a and 13b, between the dielectric panels 13b and 13c, and between the dielectric panels 13c and 13d, respectively. The ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are formed in the ends of the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, respectively. The high frequency generator 17 applies high frequency power to the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere; FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 viewed from direction A; FIG. 3 is a front view of an apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere according to the present invention; and FIG. 4 shows the apparatus of FIG. 3 viewed from direction B. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of dielectric panels, for example, four dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, a gas supply portion 14, power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c, ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and a high frequency generator 17. The dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are vertically disposed at a predetermined interval in parallel to each other and fixed to the gas supply portion 14. The gas supply portion 14 supplies a gas to the space between dielectric panels 13a & 13b, 13b & 13c, and 13c & 13d. The power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c are linearly installed between dielectric panels 13a & 13b, 13b & 13c, and 13c & 13d, respectively, such as to be close to the gas supply portion 14. The ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are formed in the ends of the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, respectively. The high frequency generator 17 applies high frequency power to the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. The dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d must have excellent insulating characteristics. As described above, the gas supply portion 14 injects a gas into the space between dielectric panels 13a & 13b, 13b & 13c, and 13c & 13d. The gas may be various types of gases, such as, an inert gas (e.g., argon), oxygen, hydrogen, a compound gas, and the like. The power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c are formed linearly, that is, in the form of wires, between dielectric panels 13a & 13b, 13b & 13c, and 13c & 13d, respectively. The ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are formed in the ends of the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, respectively. More specifically, the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d may be coated on the ends of the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d or inserted into the ends thereof. The high frequency generator 17 applies high frequency power with a frequency of several to several hundreds of kHz to the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. In this embodiment, power with a 32 kHz frequency is applied thereto. In this structure, when the high frequency generator 17 applies high frequency power to the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d, and the gas supply portion 4 applies a gas to the space between dielectric panels 13a & 13b, 13b & 13c, and 13c & 13d, the gas turns into conductive plasma. The conductive plasma is injected from the ends of the dielectric panels 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d to the outside. At this time, a high voltage with a high frequency applied to the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c flows along with the conductive plasma produced between the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. In other words, an erfect where a voltage formed in the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c moves toward the ground electrodes i6a, 16b, 16c, and 16d appears. Also, a short plasma sheathing is formed on surfaces of the dielectric panels 13a, .13b, 13c, and 13d where the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d are located. Because plasma outside the plasma sheathing maintains a high voltage, neutral particles existing in the atmosphere in contact with the plasma sheathing turn into plasma due to the high voltage. As a result, plasma long in the direction of injection of a gas is obtained. The plasma gas is not easily bound by an electric field between the power electrodes 15a, 15b, and 15c and the ground electrodes 16a, 16b, 16c, and 16d. Thus, the plasma gas injecting apparatus according to the present invention can inject a plasma gas farther than a conventional plasma injecting apparatus does. Further, since a plurality of dielectric panels are disposed in parallel, power electrodes are formed at upper sides of the dielectric panels, and ground electrodes are formed on or in the ends of the dielectric panels, a greater amount of gas can turn into plasma. As described above, a greater amount of plasma gas can be produced and injected farther than in a conventional technique, so that a to-be-processed object in a process such as an LCD manufacture, a PDP manufacture, a semiconductor manufacturing process, a PCB cleaning, a polymer surface modification, or the like, can be effectively cleaned in large quantities. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, in an atmospheric plasma injecting apparatus according to the present invention, power electrodes are formed at upper sides of dielectric panels, ground electrodes are formed on ends of the dielectric panels, and high frequency power is applied to the space between adjacent electrodes. Hence, a gas applied to the space between adjacent dielectric panels can turn into plasma in the atmosphere. Since an electric field formed by the power electrodes and the ground electrodes is in the same direction as the direction of injection of the gas, the plasma gas can spout out farther than in the conventional technique.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere. FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional apparatus of FIG. 1 viewed from direction A. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , a conventional apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere is manufactured by coupling a pair of dielectric panels 3 and 3 to a gas supply portion 4 and forming plate-type electrodes 2 and 2 ′ on the surfaces of the dielectric panels 3 and 3 ′ such as to be opposite to each other. In this plasma injecting apparatus, when a high frequency power supply portion 1 applies high frequency power to both the plate-type electrodes 2 and 2 ′, and gas flows between the dielectric panels 3 and 3 ′, the gas turns into plasma which is injected from the ends of the dielectric panels 3 and 3 ′. This plasma is injected into an object, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a wafer, or the like, to clean the object. However, plasma comprised of charged particles is strongly prone to be bound between the dielectric panels 3 and 3 ′ due to an electrical field between the plate-type electrodes 2 and 2 ′. As a result, even if the gas supply portion 4 continuously supplies gas, plasma is not properly injected from the dielectric panels 3 and 3 ′. To overcome this problem, an effort has been made to increase the amount of plasma by using a high voltage and higher frequency. However, the use of a high voltage causes generation of an arc between plasma and the outside, an increase in the power consumption, and the like.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a front view of a conventional apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere; FIG. 2 shows the apparatus of FIG. 1 viewed from direction A; FIG. 3 is a front view of an apparatus for injecting plasma in the atmosphere according to the present invention; and FIG. 4 shows the apparatus of FIG. 3 viewed from direction B. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051109

20070327

20061005

80246.0

C23C1600

VO, TUYET THI

APPARATUS FOR INJECTING PLASMA GAS IN ATMOSPHERE

SMALL

ACCEPTED

C23C

ACCEPTED

Ultrasonographic device

A small ultrasound diagnostic device is provided at a low cost that enables the appropriate control by a single power supply unit so as to give a predetermined transmission power to a driving waveform different for each mode without excess or deficiency and without affecting properties of the driving waveform. The ultrasound diagnostic device includes: an ultrasound generation unit (1) that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation unit (2) that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable in units of a time that is a period corresponding to a frequency outside a frequency band of the ultrasound generation unit (1) so as to drive the ultrasound generation unit (1); and a single power supply unit (3) that determines an amplitude of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation unit (2). Thereby, an acoustic power of the transmitted ultrasound can be controlled without making the transmission amplitude variable.

1. An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising: an ultrasound generation means that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation means that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable so as to drive the ultrasound generation means; and a power supply unit that determines an amplitude of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means. 2. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 1, wherein the waveform generation means comprises: a fundamental waveform generation means that generates the single pulse or the burst pulse; a modulated wave generation means that generates a continuous rectangular wave whose duty factor is variable during a time period while the fundamental waveform generation means generates pulses; and a multiplication means that multiplies a waveform output from the fundamental waveform generation means by a waveform output from the modulated wave generation means so as to set a duty factor of a driving waveform for the ultrasound generation means. 3. An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising: an ultrasound generation means that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation means that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable in units of a time that is a period corresponding to a frequency outside a frequency band of the ultrasound generation means so as to drive the ultrasound generation means; and a power supply unit that determines an amplitude of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means. 4. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 3, wherein the waveform generation means comprises: a fundamental waveform generation means that generates the single pulse or the burst pulse; a modulated wave generation means that generates a continuous rectangular wave whose duty factor is variable during a time period while the fundamental waveform generation means generates pulses; and a multiplication means that multiplies a waveform output from the fundamental waveform generation means by a waveform output from the modulated wave generation means so as to set a duty factor of a driving waveform for the ultrasound generation means. 5. An ultrasound diagnostic device, comprising: an ultrasound generation means that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation means that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable in units of a time that is a period corresponding to a frequency outside a frequency band of the ultrasound generation means so as to drive the ultrasound generation means; a mode control unit that generates mode information for every transmission; a waveform control unit that sets a pulse width, a wave number and a duty factor of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means based on the mode information from the mode control unit; and a power supply unit that determines an amplitude of the driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means. 6. The ultrasound diagnostic device according to claim 5, wherein the waveform generation means comprises: a fundamental waveform generation means that generates the single pulse or the burst pulse; a modulated wave generation means that generates a continuous rectangular wave whose duty factor is variable during a time period while the fundamental waveform generation means generates pulses; and a multiplication means that multiplies a waveform output from the fundamental waveform generation means by a waveform output from the modulated wave generation means so as to set a duty factor of a driving waveform for the ultrasound generation means.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnostic device used in the medical field. BACKGROUND ART As conventional ultrasound diagnostic devices, those described in JP2001-087263A and JPH08(1996)-280674A are known. In general, ultrasound diagnostic devices employ modes called the B-mode, the M-mode, the Doppler mode (hereinafter referred to as D-mode) and the color or two-dimensional Doppler mode (hereinafter referred to as C-mode) alone or in combination. At this time, a transmission power is controlled so that a surface temperature of a portion of an ultrasound generation means contacting with a living body and an acoustic power from the ultrasound generation means to a living body do not exceed predetermined levels. Further, the transmission is conducted with a frequency, an amplitude and a wave number of a driving waveform that are determined for each mode. Thus, for a driving waveform that is different for each mode, a transmission power is controlled appropriately to have a predetermined value without excess and deficiency. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. In FIG. 7, the conventional ultrasound diagnostic device is composed of: an ultrasound generation means 71; a waveform generation means 72; a mode control unit 75; a waveform control unit 74 and a voltage-variable power supply unit 73. Herein, the ultrasound generation means 71 transmits ultrasound. The waveform generation means 72 generates a single pulse or a burst pulse to drive the ultrasound generation means 71. The mode control unit 75 generates mode information concerning the mode of transmission. The waveform control unit 74 controls an amplitude and a wave number of a driving waveform that is generated by the waveform generation means 72 based on the mode information from the mode control unit 75, and controls the amplitude by using a power supply voltage. The voltage-variable power supply unit 73 determines the amplitude of the driving waveform that is generated by the waveform generation means 72. Herein, as the voltage-variable power supply unit 73 of the ultrasound diagnostic device, a power supply ready for a high voltage exceeding several tens to hundreds volts is necessary and in order to allow for a change in voltage between the respective modes, a quick response at several tens μ-seconds is required. For those reasons, a quick-response circuit is employed, switching among a plurality of power supplies that generate different voltages is performed, or a plurality of waveform generation means with different output levels is provided in parallel with each other so as to choose a proper one for each mode. In the above-stated conventional ultrasound diagnostic device, however, since a plurality of power supplies and a high-speed power supply should be used, the power supply unit is increased in size, which causes the problems of an increase in cost and size of the device and moreover deterioration of the reliability. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-stated problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a small ultrasound diagnostic device at a low cost that enables the appropriate control with a single power supply unit so as to give a predetermined transmission power to a driving waveform different for each mode without excess or deficiency and without affecting properties of the driving waveform. In order to fulfill the above-stated object, a first aspect of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present invention includes: an ultrasound generation unit that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation unit that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable so as to drive the ultrasound generation unit; and a power supply unit that determines an amplitude of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation unit. In order to fulfill the above-stated object, a second aspect of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present invention includes: an ultrasound generation unit that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation unit that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable in units of a time that is a period corresponding to a frequency outside a frequency band of the ultrasound generation unit so as to drive the ultrasound generation unit; and a power supply unit that determines an amplitude of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation unit. With the above-stated configurations, an acoustic power of the ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound generation unit can be controlled without making the transmission amplitude variable, and an unnecessary increase of harmonics due to the change of duty factor can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase of the acoustic power and an increase of a surface temperature, which result from the transmission of unnecessary energy, can be suppressed as well. In order to fulfill the above-stated object, a third aspect of the ultrasound diagnostic device according to the present invention includes: an ultrasound generation unit that transmits ultrasound; a waveform generation unit that generates a single pulse or a burst pulse whose duty factor is variable in units of a time that is a period corresponding to a frequency outside a frequency band of the ultrasound generation unit so as to drive the ultrasound generation unit; a mode control unit that generates mode information for every transmission; a waveform control unit that sets a pulse width, a wave number and a duty factor of a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation unit based on the mode information from the mode control unit; and a power supply unit that determines an amplitude of the driving waveform generated by the waveform generation unit. With this configuration, an acoustic power of the ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound generation unit can be controlled without making a transmission amplitude variable for each mode, thus suppressing an increase in unnecessary second harmonics resulting from a change of duty factor. Thereby, as well as the suppression of an increase in acoustic power and an increase in surface temperature resulting from the transmission of unnecessary energy, the driving amplitude of driving waveforms for the respective modes can be made uniform, whereby it is unnecessary to incorporate a plurality of and quick-response power supply units. Further, according to a fourth aspect of the ultrasound diagnostic device of the present invention: in the first through the third aspects, the waveform generation unit includes: a fundamental waveform generation unit that generates the single pulse or the burst pulse; a modulated wave generation unit that generates a continuous rectangular wave whose duty factor is variable during a time period while the fundamental waveform generation unit generates pulses; and a multiplication unit that multiplies a waveform output from the fundamental waveform generation unit by a waveform output from the modulated wave generation unit so as to set a duty factor of a driving waveform for the ultrasound generation unit. With this configuration, the multiplication unit multiplies a single pulse or a burst pulse generated by the fundamental waveform generation unit and a continuous rectangular wave with a variable duty factor that is generated by the modulated wave generation unit. Thus, a driving waveform with a variable duty factor can be generated easily by simply adding a modulated wave generation unit and a multiplication unit to an existing fundamental waveform generation unit without the use of a complicated logic circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one exemplary configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a relationship among a driving waveform generated by a waveform generation means, frequency spectrum thereof and frequency characteristics of an ultrasound generation means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a relationship among a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means, frequency spectrum thereof and frequency characteristics of the ultrasound generation means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the case where a variable period t2 is set within a frequency band of the ultrasound generation means. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one exemplary configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary internal configuration of a waveform generation means in an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a waveform chart of signals at the respective portions in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the drawings. EMBODIMENT 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one exemplary configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the ultrasound diagnostic device of the present embodiment is composed of: an ultrasound generation means 1; a waveform generation means 2 and a single power supply unit 3. The ultrasound generation means 1 transmits ultrasound. The waveform generation means 2 generates a single pulse or a burst pulse so as to drive the ultrasound generation means 1, in which a duty factor of a single pulse or a burst pulse is variable in the time units of a period corresponding to a frequency outside the frequency band of the frequency characteristics (T) of the ultrasound generation means 1 in FIG. 2 (higher-frequency side than (T)). The power supply unit 3 determines the amplitude of a driving waveform that is generated by the waveform generation means 2. The waveform generation means 2 drives the ultrasound generation means 1 in response to a trigger input therein. The power supply unit 3 applies a constant voltage to the waveform generation means 2. The amplitude of the driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means 2 is linked to a voltage from the power supply unit 3. The waveform generation means 2 varies a duty factor of the driving waveform, whereby the power of the ultrasound can be varied as described later. FIG. 2 shows a relationship among a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means 2, frequency spectrum thereof and frequency characteristics of the ultrasound generation means 1. In FIG. 2, waveforms W0, W1 and W2 are driving waveforms generated by the waveform generation means 2, which have duty factors of 100%, 67% and 33%, respectively (the same holds true for other frequencies). Curves S0, S1 and S2 represent the frequency spectrum distribution corresponding to the waveforms W0, W1 and W2, respectively. T represents the frequency characteristics of the ultrasound generation means 1. In W0 to W2, a period t1 is determined in accordance with a frequency of ultrasound to be transmitted, and in the waveform W0 with a duty factor of 100% (i.e., not varied), the spectrum of the driving waveform (S0 at f1) is within the frequency band (T) of the ultrasound generation means 1. A period t2 is for letting the duty factor variable, which is set to have a frequency outside the frequency band of the ultrasound generation means 1 (higher-frequency side than T). As is evident from FIG. 2, in the frequency spectra S0 to S2 corresponding to the driving waveforms W0 to W2, the component with a peak at the frequency of f1 is a dominant frequency component that is converted into ultrasound by the ultrasound generation means 1. By setting the duty factors appropriately, the dominant frequency component f1 can be increased or decreased (made higher or lower of the spectrum distribution at f1 in FIG. 2) while fixing the voltage of the power supply unit 3. It should be noted here that a feature of the present embodiment resides in that the reciprocal of the variable period t2 of the duty factor is set as a frequency outside the frequency band of the ultrasound generation means 1, which corresponds to the way by pulse width modulation in general. Effects of the present embodiment can be obtained even from an extremely short variable period t2. However, in that case, the time control accuracy for realizing such a variable period t2 would be increased, thus making the implementation thereof difficult. For that reason, in order to make it easier to obtain the effect of the present embodiment, appropriate t1/t2 is an even number and 4 or more (see the fact that the spectrum at f2 in FIGS. 2(b) and (e) is not increased). FIG. 3 shows an inappropriate example, having a variable period deviating from that of the appropriate duty factor shown in FIG. 2. Unlike FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows the case where the variable period t2 is set within the frequency band of the ultrasound generation means 1. Similarly to FIG. 2, FIG. 3 shows a relationship among a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means 2, frequency spectrum thereof and frequency characteristics of the ultrasound generation means 1. In FIG. 3, W0, Wa and Wb represent driving waveforms generated by the waveform generation means 2, which show the examples of duty factors of 100%, 67% and 33%, respectively. Curves S0, Sa and Sb represent the frequency spectrum distribution corresponding to the waveforms W0, Wa and Wb, respectively. T represents the frequency characteristics of the ultrasound generation means 1. When the variable period t2 of the duty is set at a frequency within the frequency band of the ultrasound generation means 1, a harmonic component f2 appears within the frequency band of the ultrasound generation means 1, and even if the duty factor is decreased, driving due to the harmonic component f2 is carried out (the spectrum at f2 in FIGS. 3(e) and (f) is increased). Thus, the effect of suppressing an acoustic power and heat generation cannot be obtained. As stated above, according to the present embodiment, an acoustic power of ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound generation means can be controlled without varying the transmission amplitude, and an unnecessary increase of harmonics due to the change of duty factor can be suppressed. Therefore, an increase of the acoustic power and an increase of a surface temperature, which result from the transmission of unnecessary energy, can be suppressed as well. EMBODIMENT 2 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one exemplary configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a duty factor of a driving waveform from a waveform generation means 2 is made variable so as to control an acoustic power, which is similar to Embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, in accordance with current mode information that is generated by a mode control unit 5, a waveform control unit 4 further determines a driving waveform, which is to be generated by the waveform generation means 2, so as to correspond to waveform information that is determined for each mode corresponding to the mode information at present. Due to a given upper limit of the acoustic power, in the B-mode and the M-mode, which emphasize resolution in general, a peak of the amplitude should be increased with a reduced wave number. In the Doppler (including two-dimensional Doppler) mode, sensitivity is emphasized, and therefore the wave number should be increased. As a method for controlling an acoustic power within a limited range when a wave number is different for each mode, a power supply voltage may be made variable. In ultrasound diagnostic devices, however, in a shorter case, acoustic pulses are transmitted at intervals of several tens μs, and in the case where plural modes operate concurrently, acoustic pulses for different modes should be transmitted alternatively or in order. As a result, the power supply voltage should be switched in a short time. In the present embodiment, however, the power supply voltage is not variable for each mode. The mode control unit 5 generates information concerning the mode of transmission at present, and the waveform control unit 4 holds a period t1, a period t2, a wave number and a duty factor corresponding to the mode. Therefore, the waveform information corresponding to the present mode is sent to the waveform generation means 2, so as to drive the ultrasound generation means 1. As stated above, according to the present embodiment, an acoustic power of ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasound generation means can be controlled without making a transmission amplitude variable for each mode, thus suppressing an increase in unnecessary second harmonics resulting from a change of duty factor. Thereby, as well as the suppression of an increase in acoustic power and an increase in surface temperature, resulting from the transmission of unnecessary energy, the driving amplitude of driving waveforms for the respective modes can be made uniform, whereby it is unnecessary to incorporate a plurality of and quick-response power supply units. EMBODIMENT 3 FIG. 5 is a block diagram mainly showing an exemplary internal configuration of a waveform generation means 2 in an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The waveform generation means 2 shown in FIG. 5 may be applied to Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a waveform chart of signals at the respective portions in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the waveform generation means 2 is composed of a fundamental wave generation means 6, a modulated wave generation means 7, a multiplication means 8 and a driving means 9. The following describes the operation of the thus configured waveform generation means 2, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. The fundamental waveform generation means 6 and the modulated wave generation means 7 are triggered by a trigger waveform A, and the waveforms output from both means are in synchronization with each other. The fundamental waveform generation means 6 generates a driving waveform B that is for driving an ultrasound generation means 1, where the driving waveform B is determined by waveform information containing a period t1 and a wave number. The modulated wave generation means 7 outputs a waveform C whose duty factor has been controlled, and then the multiplication means 8 multiplies the waveform C by the waveform B, so as to make a duty factor of a waveform D variable. The waveform C is determined by a period t2 and a duty factor, and has a length including the entire time period of the waveform B (t3<t4). Herein, in the case of a digital circuit, the multiplication means 8 may be a circuit such as XOR circuit and AND circuit. The fundamental waveform generation means 6 in the present embodiment may be one included in a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device, which performs the deflection and convergence of ultrasound beams, as well as the generation of waveforms for driving the ultrasound generation means 1. Although FIG. 5 shows a complicated configuration in which the driving means 9 is included for driving the ultrasound generation means 1 at a high voltage, the present embodiment can be implemented by simply adding the modulated wave generation means 7 and the multiplication means 8 to a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. As stated above, according to the present embodiment, the multiplication means multiplies a single pulse or a burst pulse generated by the fundamental waveform generation means and a continuous rectangular wave with a variable duty factor that is generated by the modulated wave generation means. Thus, a driving waveform with a variable duty factor can be generated easily by simply adding a modulated wave generation means and a multiplication means to an existing fundamental waveform generation means without the use of a complicated logic circuit. It should be noted here that although all of the above Embodiments 1 to 3 exemplify and describe a unipoloar rectangular pulse waveform, the present invention is not limited to this and is applicable to a bipolar rectangular pulse with positive and negative polarities as well. As described above, according to the present invention, the following special effect can be obtained: a small ultrasound diagnostic device can be provided at a low cost that enables the appropriate control by a single power supply unit so as to give a predetermined transmission power to a driving waveform different for each mode without excess or deficiency and without affecting properties of the driving waveform.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>As conventional ultrasound diagnostic devices, those described in JP2001-087263A and JPH08(1996)-280674A are known. In general, ultrasound diagnostic devices employ modes called the B-mode, the M-mode, the Doppler mode (hereinafter referred to as D-mode) and the color or two-dimensional Doppler mode (hereinafter referred to as C-mode) alone or in combination. At this time, a transmission power is controlled so that a surface temperature of a portion of an ultrasound generation means contacting with a living body and an acoustic power from the ultrasound generation means to a living body do not exceed predetermined levels. Further, the transmission is conducted with a frequency, an amplitude and a wave number of a driving waveform that are determined for each mode. Thus, for a driving waveform that is different for each mode, a transmission power is controlled appropriately to have a predetermined value without excess and deficiency. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. In FIG. 7 , the conventional ultrasound diagnostic device is composed of: an ultrasound generation means 71 ; a waveform generation means 72 ; a mode control unit 75 ; a waveform control unit 74 and a voltage-variable power supply unit 73 . Herein, the ultrasound generation means 71 transmits ultrasound. The waveform generation means 72 generates a single pulse or a burst pulse to drive the ultrasound generation means 71 . The mode control unit 75 generates mode information concerning the mode of transmission. The waveform control unit 74 controls an amplitude and a wave number of a driving waveform that is generated by the waveform generation means 72 based on the mode information from the mode control unit 75 , and controls the amplitude by using a power supply voltage. The voltage-variable power supply unit 73 determines the amplitude of the driving waveform that is generated by the waveform generation means 72 . Herein, as the voltage-variable power supply unit 73 of the ultrasound diagnostic device, a power supply ready for a high voltage exceeding several tens to hundreds volts is necessary and in order to allow for a change in voltage between the respective modes, a quick response at several tens μ-seconds is required. For those reasons, a quick-response circuit is employed, switching among a plurality of power supplies that generate different voltages is performed, or a plurality of waveform generation means with different output levels is provided in parallel with each other so as to choose a proper one for each mode. In the above-stated conventional ultrasound diagnostic device, however, since a plurality of power supplies and a high-speed power supply should be used, the power supply unit is increased in size, which causes the problems of an increase in cost and size of the device and moreover deterioration of the reliability.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one exemplary configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a relationship among a driving waveform generated by a waveform generation means, frequency spectrum thereof and frequency characteristics of an ultrasound generation means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a relationship among a driving waveform generated by the waveform generation means, frequency spectrum thereof and frequency characteristics of the ultrasound generation means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the case where a variable period t 2 is set within a frequency band of the ultrasound generation means. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing one exemplary configuration of an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary internal configuration of a waveform generation means in an ultrasound diagnostic device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a waveform chart of signals at the respective portions in FIG. 5 . FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an exemplary configuration of a conventional ultrasound diagnostic device. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051114

20090728

20070111

78314.0

A61B800

ROZANSKI, MICHAEL T

Ultrasound diagnostic device

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61B

ACCEPTED

Fluid product dispenser

A fluid dispenser comprising a body (1), a fluid reservoir (2), a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (2), and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke.

1. A fluid dispenser comprising a body (1), a fluid reservoir (2), a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (2), and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke, said reservoir (2) being axially displaceable relative to said body (1), said body (1) including at least one stationary gear (110, 120), said dose indicator device including a counter element (20) that is displaceable axially and in rotation relative to said body (1), said counter element (20) co-operating, while the dispenser is being actuated, firstly with said at least one stationary gear (110, 120) of said body, and secondly with said reservoir (2). 2. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which said dose indicator device includes a second safety system which, during the return stroke of the dispenser after dispensing a dose, prevents the fluid from being expelled again until said dispenser has completed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, said dispenser and said dose indicator device being capable of being actuated once again, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete return stroke and said dispenser is actuated once again before returning to it rest position. 3. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which said body (1) includes a stationary gear (110) co-operating with a first gear (210) of said counter element (20), said counter element (20) including a second gear (230) co-operating with an actuator gear (300) of an actuator member (30) of the dispenser, the teeth of said second gear (230) and/or of said actuator gear (300) being made so that axial displacement of the actuator member causes said counter element (20) to be displaced axially and in rotation, the stationary gear (110) preventing said counter element (20) from turning until said counter element (20) no longer co-operates with said stationary gear (110), after a predetermined axial displacement of said counter element (20) corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser. 4. A dispenser according to claim 3, in which the stationary gear (110) includes abutment means (115) preventing said counter element (20) from turning once said counter element (20) has turned at least in part, an additional axial displacement of said counter element (20) being necessary to enable it to continue to turn and/or to return the indicator device to its rest position. 5. A dispenser according to claim 4, in which said abutment means (115) comprise an axial projection. 6. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which said stationary gear (110) and/or said counter element (20) include(s) blocking means (120, 220) preventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element (20) is returning to its rest position after a preceding actuation, and until the dispenser has completed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose. 7. A dispenser according to claim 6, in which said blocking means comprise axial projections (120, 220) provided on the body (1) and on the counter element (20) respectively, each of said projections (120, 220) having an axial end-profile that is plane, said projections (120, 220) facing each other, at least in part, until the counter element has turned sufficiently to offset said projections (120, 220), with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser. 8. A dispenser according to claim 7, in which the teeth of the second gear (230) of the counter element (20) include an intermediate step (235), the actuator member (30) co-operating with said step (235) while the dispenser is being actuated, and co-operating with the end wall of said second gear (230) while returning to the rest position, after being actuated, the displacement between the intermediate step (235) and the end wall being obtained by said counter element (20) turning. 9. A dispenser according to claim 7, in which, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed, the actuator member (30) is positioned facing the following tooth of the second gear (230) of the counter element (20), enabling the dispenser and the dose indicator device to be actuated once again. 10. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which said body (1) includes a first stationary gear (110) and a second stationary gear (120), said counter element (20) including a first gear (210) for co-operating with said first stationary gear (110) and a second gear (220) for co-operating with said second stationary gear (120), said counter element (20) being put axially into contact with the actuator member (30) of the dispenser by means of a return spring (50) and being turnable relative to said actuator member (30), the teeth of said second gear (220) and of said second stationary gear (120) being oblique, at least in part, so that an axial displacement of the actuator member (30) initially causes said counter element (20) to be displaced axially over a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke until the oblique portion (221) of said second gear (220) of the counter element (20) co-operates with said oblique portion (121) of said second stationary gear (120), causing the counter element (20) to be turned over a first portion of a turn cycle, the teeth of said first gear (210) and of said first stationary gear (110) being oblique, at least in part, so that when the counter element (20) returns to its rest position, it is caused to turn so as to terminate its turn cycle, which corresponds to one actuation of the dispenser being counted. 11. A dispenser according to claim 10, in which said first and second stationary gears (110, 120) of the body (1) and/or said first and second gears (210, 220) of the counter element (20) are offset relative to each other, so that whenever the counter element (20) is displaceable in rotation, returning said counter element to its rest position without terminating the actuation stroke of the dispenser causes the counter element (20) to turn over its complete turn cycle, guaranteeing that one actuation of the dispenser is counted after said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke. 12. A dispenser according to claim 10, in which said second stationary gear (120) of the body (1) and/or said second gear (220) of the counter element (20) include(s) blocking means preventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element (20) is returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation, and until said dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose. 13. A dispenser according to claim 12, in which said blocking means have an axial end-profile that is plane, at least in part, and that is formed on the teeth of said second stationary gear (120) of the body (1) and on the teeth of said second gear (220) of the counter element (20), said plane profiles of said teeth facing each other, at least in part, until the counter element (20) has completed a turn that is sufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser. 14. A dispenser according to claim 10, in which said actuator member (30) of the dispenser is secured to said reservoir (2) and is displaced axially therewith. 15. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which said body (1) includes a first stationary gear (110) and a second stationary gear (120), said counter element (20) comprising a first gear (210) for co-operating with said first stationary gear (110), a second gear (220) for co-operating with said second stationary gear (120), and a third gear (230) for co-operating with an actuator gear (300) secured to an actuator member (30) of the dispenser, the teeth of said third gear (230) and/or of said actuator gear (300) being made so that axial displacement of the actuator member (30) causes said counter element (20) to be displaced axially and in rotation, the first stationary gear (110) preventing said counter element (20) from turning until said counter element (20) no longer co-operates with said stationary gear (110), after a predetermined axial displacement of said counter element (20) corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser. 16. A dispenser according to claim 15, in which said second stationary gear (120) of the body (1) and/or said second gear (220) of the counter element (20) include(s) blocking means preventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element (20) is returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation, until said dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose. 17. A dispenser according to claim 16, in which said blocking means have an axial end-profile that is plane and that is formed on the teeth of said second stationary gear (120) and on the teeth of said second gear (220), said teeth facing each other, at least in part, until the counter element (20) has completed a turn that is sufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser. 18. A dispenser according to claim 16, in which said actuator gear (300) includes abutment means (305) limiting the extent to which the counter element (20) can turn, until the actuator member (30) has performed said predetermined incomplete return stroke. 19. A dispenser according to claim 18, in which said abutment means (305) comprise an axial projection formed on said actuator gear (300). 20. A dispenser according to claim 15, in which said actuator member (30) of the dispenser is secured to said reservoir (2) and is displaced axially therewith.

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser, and more particularly to such a dispenser including a dose indicator device for indicating to the user the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from the reservoir of said fluid dispenser. Dose indicator devices are well known, and can include either counters, displaying a number corresponding to the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed, or indicators, informing the user by means of symbols, color codes, or similar numbers, about the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed. In particular, in fluid dispensers containing pharmaceuticals, it is important for the dose indicator device to function in reliable manner, and in particular for it to count the dispensing of a dose each time the fluid is dispensed, regardless of whether the dose is complete or incomplete, e.g. because of accidental actuation or actuation that is interrupted before the end of the actuation cycle. It is generally preferable for the dispensing of an incomplete dose to be counted as a complete dose rather than for it not to be counted at all, since failure to count could present a high risk to the user, informing the user of a reservoir content that is greater than the reality. In dispensers of pharmaceuticals, it is thus generally desirable to avoid any risk of under-counting, in particular by triggering counting just before the active substance is expelled. Another important point with dose indicator devices for dispensers of pharmaceuticals is that once actuation has taken place and a dose has been dispensed, while the dispenser is returning to its rest position, any further actuation that is performed before the end of the return stroke of the dispenser, and that would cause a complete or incomplete dose to be dispensed, should also be counted by the indicator device, likewise to avoid any risk of under-counting. In most fluid dispensers, once a dose has been dispensed, the next dose is loaded into the chamber of the dispenser member (pump or valve) while the dispenser is returning to its rest position. In order to avoid any risk of under-counting during the return stroke of the dispenser, it is desirable for the fluid dispenser to be blocked as soon as the return stroke has allowed the chamber to be filled, and until the indicator device is once again able to count the actuation of the dispenser. An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenser which satisfies one or more of the above-mentioned requirements. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenser including a dose indicator device that prevents any risk of under-counting, i.e. that guarantees that the indicator device is actuated each time fluid is dispended by the fluid dispenser. When the actuation of the dispenser does not cause any fluid to be dispensed, another object of the present invention is to provide such a dispenser that prevents dose dispensing from being counted, and thus prevents the dose indicator device from being actuated. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fluid dispenser that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble, and that is reliable in use. The present invention thus provides a fluid dispenser comprising a body, a fluid reservoir, a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir, and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke. Preferably, said dose indicator device includes a second safety system which, during the return stroke of the dispenser after dispensing a dose, prevents the pharmaceutical from being expelled again until said dispenser has completed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, said dispenser and said dose indicator device being capable of being actuated once again, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete return stroke and said dispenser is actuated once again before returning to it rest position. Advantageously, said reservoir is axially displaceable relative to said body, said body including at least one stationary gear, said dose indicator device including a counter element that is displaceable axially and in rotation relative to said body, said counter element co-operating, while the dispenser is being actuated, firstly with said at least one stationary gear of said body, and secondly with said reservoir. In a first embodiment of the invention, said body includes a stationary gear co-operating with a first gear of said counter element, said counter element including a second gear co-operating with an actuator gear of an actuator member of the dispenser, the teeth of said second gear and/or of said actuator gear being made so that axial displacement of the actuator member causes said counter element to be displaced axially and in rotation, the stationary gear preventing said counter element from turning until said counter element no longer co-operates with said stationary gear, after a predetermined axial displacement of said counter element corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser. The stationary gear advantageously includes abutment means preventing said counter element from turning once said counter element has turned at least in part, an additional axial displacement of said counter element being necessary to enable it to continue to turn and/or to return the indicator device to its rest position. These abutments position the second gear of the counter element in such a manner that the dispenser is blocked on its return prior to the chamber being filled and until its rest position. Advantageously, said abutment means comprise an axial projection. Advantageously, said stationary gear and/or said counter element include(s) blocking means preventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element is returning to its rest position after a preceding actuation, and until the dispenser has completed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose. Advantageously, said blocking means comprise axial projections provided on the body and on the counter element respectively, each of said projections having an axial end-profile that is plane, said projections facing each other, at least in part, until the counter element has turned sufficiently to offset said projections, with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser. Advantageously, the teeth of the second gear of the counter element include an intermediate step, the actuator member co-operating with said step while the dispenser is being actuated, and co-operating with the end wall of said second gear while returning to the rest position, after being actuated, the displacement between the intermediate step and the end wall being obtained by said counter element turning. Advantageously, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed, the actuator member is positioned facing the following tooth of the second gear of the counter element, enabling the dispenser and the dose indicator device to be actuated once again. In a second embodiment of the present invention, said body includes a first stationary gear and a second stationary gear, said counter element including a first gear for co-operating with said first stationary gear and a second gear for co-operating with said second stationary gear, said counter element being put axially into contact with the actuator member of the dispenser by means of a return spring and being turnable relative to said actuator member, the teeth of said second gear and of said second stationary gear being oblique, at least in part, so that an axial displacement of the actuator member initially causes said counter element to be displaced axially over a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke until the oblique portion of said second gear of the counter element co-operates with said oblique portion of said second stationary gear, causing the counter element to be turned over a first portion of a turn cycle, the teeth of said first gear and of said first stationary gear being oblique, at least in part, so that when the counter element returns to its rest position, it is caused to turn so as to terminate its turn cycle, which corresponds to one actuation of the dispenser being counted. Advantageously, said first and second stationary gears of the body and/or said first and second gears of the counter element are offset relative to each other, so that whenever the counter element is displaceable in rotation, returning said counter element to its rest position without terminating the actuation stroke of the dispenser causes the counter element to turn over its complete turn cycle, guaranteeing that one actuation of the dispenser is counted after said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke. Advantageously, said second stationary gear of the body and/or said second gear of the counter element include(s) blocking means preventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element is returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation, and until said dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose. Advantageously, said blocking means have an axial end-profile that is plane, at least in part, and that is formed on the teeth of said second stationary gear of the body and on the teeth of said second gear of the counter element, said plane profiles of said teeth facing each other, at least in part, until the counter element has completed a turn that is sufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser. Advantageously, said actuator member of the dispenser is secured to said reservoir and is displaced axially therewith. In a third embodiment of the present invention, said body includes a first stationary gear and a second stationary gear, said counter element comprising a first gear for co-operating with said first stationary gear, a second gear for co-operating with said second stationary gear, and a third gear for co-operating with an actuator gear secured to an actuator member of the dispenser, the teeth of said third gear and/or of said actuator gear being made so that axial displacement of the actuator member causes said counter element to be displaced axially and in rotation, the first stationary gear preventing said counter element from turning until said counter element no longer co-operates with said stationary gear, after a predetermined axial displacement of said counter element corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser. Advantageously, said second stationary gear of the body and/or said second gear of the counter element include(s) blocking means preventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element is returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation, until said dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose. Advantageously, said blocking means have an axial end-profile that is plane and that is formed on the teeth of said second stationary gear and on the teeth of said second gear, said teeth facing each other, at least in part, until the counter element has completed a turn that is sufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser. Advantageously, said actuator gear includes abutment means limiting the extent to which the counter element can turn, until the actuator member has performed said predetermined incomplete return stroke. Advantageously, said abutment means comprise an axial projection formed on said actuator gear. Advantageously, said actuator member of the dispenser is secured to said reservoir and is displaced axially therewith. Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appear more clearly from the following detailed description of three embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in which: FIGS. 1 to 8 are diagrams of a fluid dispenser constituting a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the successive positions of the dispenser during an actuation cycle; FIGS. 9 to 12 are diagrams of a dispenser constituting a second embodiment of the present invention, also showing various positions of the dispenser during the actuation cycle; and FIGS. 13 to 21 are diagrams of a fluid dispenser constituting a third embodiment of the present invention, showing various positions of the dispenser during the actuation cycle. The descriptions of the three embodiments below relate to actuation cycles of the dispenser, and to the various functional features of the indicator device that make it possible to guarantee operational and counting reliability of said indicator device. The drawings to which the present description refers are therefore highly simplified diagrams which do not show the fluid dispenser in detail, but only in very diagrammatic manner relating to the various portions that can be moved relative to one another, for explaining the actuation cycle of said dispenser and of said indicator device. Thus, for example, the dispenser member, e.g. a pump or a valve, is not shown in the drawings. In addition, the dispenser head including the dispenser orifice is also not shown, since these elements are not directly involved in the present invention. It should be observed that the present invention applies more particularly to “Metered Dose Inhaler” (MDI) devices which comprise a metering valve mounted on a reservoir containing the fluid and a propellant gas, the displacement of the reservoir relative to the valve member causing a dose of fluid to be dispensed by means of said propellant gas. The present invention is not limited to that particular application, but said application represents the preferred application of the present invention. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, a first embodiment of the present invention is described. In this first embodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir 2 that is axially displaceable in a body 1, which is considered below as being the stationary portion of the dispenser. The axial displacement of the reservoir 2 relative to the body 1 actuates the dispenser member and thus causes a dose of fluid to be dispensed from said reservoir. In this first embodiment, the dispenser includes an actuator member 30 on which the user exerts an axial actuation force so as to actuate the dispenser and thus displace said reservoir 2 relative to the body 1. The dispenser further includes a dose indicator device for counting or indicating the dispensing of one fluid dose each time the dispenser is actuated. Thus, by means of the indicator device, the user can tell how many doses have been dispensed from said reservoir 2, or how many doses remain inside said reservoir 2. This information must be very accurate, in particular when the fluid is a pharmaceutical, and any risk of under-counting must be eliminated. In the event of under-counting, i.e. in the event of the indicator device failing to count one or more occasions on which a dose of fluid is dispensed in full or in part, the user can end up with a dispenser that indicates that one or two doses remain in the reservoir, whereas in reality, the reservoir is empty. In the event of an asthma attack, the user can thus end up with a dispenser that is no longer functional, and that does not enable the user to take the medicine. The present invention makes it possible to avoid any risk of under-counting. To do this, the dose indicator device includes at least one safety system, and preferably two. The first safety system guarantees that the dose indicator device is actuated, and thus that the dispensing of a dose of fluid is counted, as soon as the dispenser, on being actuated, has traveled along a predetermined incomplete stroke. The second safety system is for preventing a dose from being expelled during the return stroke of the dispenser, while the dose indicator device is not ready to count the next dose. The dosage chamber of the dispenser is generally filled while the dispenser is returning to its rest position, after a preceding actuation. If the return stroke is not complete, but the device is actuated once again before it has returned to its rest position, it is possible for some fluid to be dispensed. However, if the dose indicator device has not returned to, or close to, its rest position, this dispensing of fluid cannot be counted. Under-counting would thus occur. In order to avoid this, the second safety system blocks any new actuation, or at least any new dispensing of fluid. Blocking is performed until the return stroke is sufficient for the dose indicator device to be actuated once again, and for it to be able to count the next dose. In short, the present invention provides one or two safety systems that avoid any risk of the indicator device under-counting. Initially, the first safety system is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. With reference to these figures, it should be observed that the stationary body 1 includes a stationary gear 110, and that the indicator device comprises a counter element 20 for co-operating firstly with said stationary gear 110 of the body 1, and secondly with the actuator member 30 and/or the reservoir 2. More particularly, the counter element 20 is displaceable both axially and in rotation relative to the body 1. The counter element 20 includes a first gear 210 for co-operating with said stationary gear 110 of the body, and a second gear 230 for co-operating with an actuator gear 300 secured to the actuator member 30. FIGS. 1 to 4 show the first half of an actuation cycle of the dispenser, i.e. the displacement of the dispenser from the rest position (shown in FIG. 1) to the actuated position (shown in FIG. 4). Thus, when the user presses on the actuator member 30 so as to displace said actuator member axially downwards in FIG. 1, the oblique profile of the teeth of the actuator gear 300 and of the second gear 230 of the counter element urge the counter element 20 to be displaced axially downwards, and also in rotation because of the oblique profile of the above-mentioned gears. However, while the first gear 210 of the counter element 20 is co-operating with the stationary gear 110 of the body 1, the counter element 20 is prevented from turning at all. Consequently, at the start of the actuation stroke of the dispenser, and thus of the actuator member 30, the counter element 20 can be displaced only axially together with the actuator member 30, without being able to turn. When the system reaches the position shown in FIG. 2, the axial displacement of the counter element 20 has also caused the reservoir 2 to be displaced axially over a first fraction of the actuation stroke. In the position shown in FIG. 2, the first gear 210 of the counter element 20 reaches a position in which it no longer co-operates with the stationary gear 110 of the body 1. As a result, the counter element, which is urged to turn by the force exerted on the actuator member 30, can turn relative to the body 1. As soon as the counter element starts to turn a little, the dose indicator device is actuated and the counting of one dose of fluid is initiated. This incomplete axial displacement stroke of the counter element 20 corresponds to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser, and more particularly of the reservoir 2. In this type of dispenser, the dose of fluid is not necessarily expelled at the end of the actuation stroke, but starting from a predetermined incomplete stroke, which is itself a function of the displacement of the valve member, or a function of the displacement of the piston in a pump. By making the co-operation of the first gear 210 of the counter element with the stationary gear 110 of the body 1 correspond with said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser, it is ensured that, as soon as there is any possibility of the fluid being dispensed from the reservoir 2, then the indicator device counts one dose as being dispensed. FIG. 3 shows that the stationary gear 110 of the body 1 includes abutment means 115, preferably formed by an axial projection co-operating with the first gear 210 of the counter element 20, and which abutment means cause the counter element to be axially displaced once again, by a very small but non-zero amount, so as to enable sufficient meshing of the actuator gear 300 in the first step, defined by the abutment 235 on the second gear 230. Thus, the chamber of the dispenser cannot be filled unless the abutment 235 has been passed over. Once it has been passed over, the actuator gear 300 is positioned at the second step or the end wall of the second gear 230 of the counter element 20, before the dispenser chamber is filled, so as to prevent the pharmaceutical from being expelled, as shown in FIG. 6. Continuing the actuation stroke brings the reservoir 2 into the position shown in FIG. 4, in which the complete actuation stroke has been performed, and the entire dose has been expelled from the reservoir. However, it should be observed that even if the user ceases to exert force on the actuator member 30 before the end of the complete actuation stroke, the indicator device counts the dispensing of one dose as soon as the incomplete actuation stroke has been performed, so that any under-counting is prevented thereby. With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the second stage of the actuation cycle of the dispenser is described below, namely the return from the dispensing position to the rest position (shown in FIG. 8). With reference to FIG. 5, it should be observed that when the user releases the pressure on the actuator member 30, the return spring (not shown) of the dispenser returns the reservoir 2 to its rest position by displacing the reservoir 2 axially relative to the body 1 in the direction opposite to the direction of the above-described actuation displacement. The displacement of the reservoir 2 causes the counter element 20 to be axially displaced, so that the first gear 210 comes to co-operate once again with the stationary gear 110 of the body 1, but this time via the oblique portions, thereby causing said counter element to turn, so as to terminate the counting cycle of the indicator device. While the counter element is turning relative to the body 1 during the return stroke, it should be observed that the actuator member 30 comes to co-operate with the end wall of the second gear 230 of the counter element 20, whereas during the actuation stage, the actuator gear 300 co-operates with the first step, defined by the abutment 235, formed on said second gear 230 of the counter element 20. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an attempt to perform a new actuation before the dispenser has completed its return stroke. It should be observed that the body 1 includes axial projections 120 that co-operate with axial projections 220 formed on the counter element 20. In a variant, the axial projections 120, 220 can be replaced by gears of corresponding shape. Preferably, the axial end-profiles of said projections 120 and 220 are formed by planes, and the axial projections 120 and 220 are disposed facing each other, at least in part, so that if the return stroke of the dispenser is insufficient, it is impossible to expel a new dose of fluid, as shown in FIG. 6. In order to be able to actuate the dispenser once again, it is necessary for the counter element 20 to turn sufficiently about its axis of rotation, for said projections 120 and 220 to be offset relative to each other, thereby enabling a new actuation. The offset is achieved by freeing the actuator member 30 from the end wall of the second gear 230 of the counter element 20, so as to position it facing the first step, defined by the abutment 235 of the following tooth. The new actuation can be permitted before the dispenser has completed its return stroke, as soon as the indicator device is once again capable of counting a new actuation of the dispenser. The present invention makes it possible to fulfill this requirement, as shown in FIG. 7, in which the return stroke is not complete, but the actuator member 30 of the dispenser, and in particular the actuator gear 300, is in a position in which it can co-operate with the next tooth of the second gear 230 of the counter element, so that a new actuation at this moment causes the counter element to turn through the end of its preceding cycle, thereby causing said axial projections 120 and 220 to be offset, and thus enabling the dispenser and the dose indicator device to be actuated once again. The aim is to prevent expulsion when the chamber is full, so long as the counter is not ready to count another dose. In FIG. 8, the device is returned to its initial rest position and a new actuation cycle can be performed. FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment as follows: Firstly, the body 1 includes two stationary gears 110 and 120, and the counter element 20 includes two gears 210, 220, each co-operating with one of the stationary gears of the body. The actuator member 30 is secured to the reservoir 2, and the counter element 20 is axially displaceable with said actuator member 30. It can be turned relative to said actuator member 30. In fact, in the second embodiment, there is not really an actuator member, but the user generally displaces the reservoir 2 itself, relative to the body 1, so as to perform the actuation. The second stationary gear 120 of the body 1 and the second gear 220 of the counter element include respective portions 121 and 221 that are oblique, at least in part, and said portions co-operate with each other while the dispenser is being actuated. The oblique portions urge the counter element 20 to turn, and thus initiate a counting cycle of the dose indicator device. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, while the dispenser is being actuated, the counter element is firstly displaced axially without turning, by being secured to the actuator member 30 and the reservoir 2. Once the dispenser has performed the predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, the oblique portions 220, 221 of the second gears 120, 220 co-operate so as to cause the actuator member to turn, as shown in FIG. 10. It should be observed that if, in the position shown in FIG. 10, the user stops actuating the dispenser, the system returns to its rest position by means of a return spring 50, and the counting cycle is completed since the first gear 210 of the counter element 20 comes to co-operate with the teeth of the first stationary gear 110 so as to urge the counter element 20 to turn even more, in order to bring it to the end of its counting cycle. The first safety system is thus provided in that the actuation of the dose indicator device is ensured as soon as the dispenser has performed its predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, from which at least some fluid can be dispensed (a full dose or an incomplete dose). FIG. 11 shows the actuated position in which the complete actuation stroke has been performed, and FIG. 12 shows the second safety means, provided by means of the second stationary gear 120, and the second gear 220 of the counter element 20. The two gears also include respective plane portions, each having a plane axial end-profile, so that when the return stroke of the dispenser is not sufficient, as can be seen in FIG. 12, a new actuation of the system brings the counter element 20 into axial abutment with the second stationary gear 120 via their plane end-portions, thereby preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled, by preventing the dispenser from being actuated. It is only once a predetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed that the oblique portions of the second gears 120 and 220 are facing each other, so as to enable the dispenser and the dose indicator device to be actuated once again. FIGS. 13 to 21 show a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the counter element 20 is not axially secured to the actuator member 30 and to the reservoir. The actuator member 30 and the reservoir 2 include an actuator gear 300 that co-operates with a third gear 230 provided on the counter element 20. In the third embodiment, turning of the counter element 2.0 during the actuation stroke of the dispenser is thus no longer caused by the second stationary gear 120, but by means of the third gear 230 and the actuator gear 300. The third embodiment is thus a combination of the first and second embodiments described above. At the start of actuation, when in the situation in FIG. 13, the co-operation between the first stationary gear 110 and the first gear 210 of the counter element 20, prevents the counter element 20 from turning, and thus causes said counter element to be axially displaced. When in the position shown in FIG. 14, the above-mentioned first gears no longer co-operate, and the oblique profiles of the teeth of the actuator gear 300 and of the third gear 230 of the counter element 20, cause the counter element 20 to turn. This takes place after said incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser, after which a complete or incomplete dose of fluid can be dispensed. FIG. 15 shows that if the axial actuation force is eliminated at this moment, the return spring 50 causes the counter element to turn through its complete counting cycle, thereby preventing any risk of under-counting. FIG. 16 shows the final actuated position in which the complete actuation stroke has been performed. At this moment, when the user releases the actuation force on the actuator member 30, the system rises under the effect of the return spring 50, and the co-operation between the first gears 210 and 110 of the counter element 20 and the body 1, respectively, causes the counter element to continue to turn. This continued turning is blocked in the actuator gear 300 by abutment means 305. With reference to FIG. 18, if in this position the user presses once again on the actuator member 30, it should be observed that actuation of the dispenser and of the counter device is prevented as a result of the second gear 220 of the counter element, and the second stationary gear 120 of the body 1, facing each other at their plane axial end-profiles. FIG. 19 shows an attempt to perform an actuation while the second safety system is operational. For the dispenser and the dose indicator device to be actuated once again, it is necessary to perform a predetermined incomplete return stroke, which is shown in FIG. 20. If from this position the user actuates again, the counter element 20 would turn, thereby enabling the dispenser and the indicator device to be actuated once again. Finally, FIG. 21 shows the position in which such an attempt to perform an additional actuation is made, after said incomplete return stroke has been completed. Naturally the detailed description of the three embodiments given above is not limiting, and other embodiments can be envisaged without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.

20051109

20150120

20070308

60572.0

B67D522

NGO, LIEN M

FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B67D

ACCEPTED

Carbostyril derivatives and mood stabilizers for treating mood disorders

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a carbostyril derivative which is a dopamine-sero-tonin system stabilizer and a mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The carbostyril derivative may be aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. The mood stabilizer may include but is not limited to lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamaza-pine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam or clonazepam. These compositions are used to treat patients with mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes. Methods are provided for separate administration of a carbostyril derivative and a mood stabilizer to a patient with a mood disorder.

1. A composition comprising at least one carbostyril derivative in combination with at least one mood stabilizer. 2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the carbostyril derivative is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer. 3. The composition of claim 2 wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the metabolite of aripiprazole is dehydroaripiprazole, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one mood stabilizer is lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam or clonazepam, or a salt thereof. 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one mood stabilizer is carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam or clonazepam, or a salt thereof. 7. The composition of claim 1, further comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 8. Use of the compositions of claim 1 in the preparation of a medicament useful for treatment of mood disorders. 9. Use of the compositions of claim 1, in the preparation of a medicament useful for treatment of bipolar disorder. 10. Use of the compositions of claim 1, in the preparation of a medicament useful for treatment of mania. 11. A method of treating a mood disorder in a patient comprising administration of an amount of the compositions of claim 1 in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the amount is effective to treat the mood disorder in the patient. 12. A method of treating a mood disorder in a patient comprising separate administration of a first amount of a carbostyril derivative and a second amount of mood stabilizer, wherein the administration is effective to treat the mood disorder in the patient. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. 14. The composition of claim 13 wherein the metabolite of aripiprazole is dehydroaripiprazole, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the mood stabilizer is lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam or clonazepam, or a salt thereof. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the the mood stabilizer is carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam or clonazepam, or a salt thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This Application is a 371 of PCT/US2004/013308, field May 19, 2004; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising carbostyril derivatives that act as dopamine-serotonin system stabilizers in combination with mood stabilizers in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention provides methods to treat mood disorders such as bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes using the compositions of the present invention or by separately administering these carbostyril derivatives and mood stabilizers. The carbostyril derivatives of the present invention include but are not limited to aripiprazole and metabolites thereof, such as dehydroaripiprazole. The mood stabilizers include, but are not limited to, lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam and clonazepam. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The number of people with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes is increasing every year for numerous reasons. Since the period of 1950, tricyclic antidepressant drugs (e.g., imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, etc.) have been developed that act to inhibit monoamine reuptake. They are frequently used for treating patients suffering from mood disorders. However, these drugs have side-effects, such as the following: dry mouth, hazy eyes, dysuria, constipation, recognition disturbance and the like due to anticholinergic activity; cardiovascular side-effects such as, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia and the like on the basis of α1-adrenoreceptor antagonist activity; side-effects such as, sedation, increase in the body weight and the like on the basis of histamine-H1 receptor antagonist activity. Although the mood disorders including bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes are heterogeneous diseases, and the causes of these diseases are not fully understood, it is likely that the abnormalities of the monoaminergic central nervous system caused by serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine and the like, and the abnormality of various hormones and peptides as well as various stressors are causes of depression and various other mood disorders (Kubota Masaharu et al.: “RINSHOU SEISHIN IGAKU” Vol. 29, pp 891-899, (2000)). For these reasons, even though mood stabilizer drugs, such as lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam and clonazepam have been used, these drugs are not always effective in treating all patients. New therapeutic trials involve proposed combined therapies using an atypical antipsychotic drug, such as olanzepine or quetiapine, which are agents for treating schizophrenia (anti-psychotic drug), together with mood stabilizing drug such as valproate, lithium or divalproex ((Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 2002 January 59:1):62-69; J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002 October; 41(10) :1216-23.) Further, commercially available atypical antipsychotic drugs have significant problems relating to their safety. For example, clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine increase body weight and enhance the risk of diabetes mellitus (Newcomer, J. W. (Supervised Translated by Aoba Anri): “RINSHOU SEISHIN YAKURI” Vol. 5, pp 911-925, (2002), Haupt, D. W. and Newcomer, J. W. (Translated by Fuji Yasuo and Misawa Fuminari): “RINSHOU SEISHIN YAKURI” Vol. 5, pp 1063-1082, (2002)). In fact, urgent safety alerts have been issued in Japan relating to hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma caused by olanzapine and quetiapine, indicating that these drugs were subjected to dosage contraindication to the patients with diabetes mellitus and patients having anamnesis of diabetes mellitus. Risperidone causes increases serum prolactin levels and produces extrapyramidal side effects at high dosages. Ziprasidone enhances the risk of severe arrhythmia on the basis of cardio-QTc prolongation action. Further, clozapine induces agranulocytosis, so that clinical use thereof is strictly restricted (van Kammen, D. P. (Compiled under Supervision by Murasaki Mitsuroh) “RINSHOU SEISHIN YAKURI” Vol. 4, pp 483-492, (2001)). Accordingly what is needed are new compositions useful for treating mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes, which are efficacious and do not cause the deleterious side effects associated with prior art compounds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the problems described above by providing novel compositions and methods of using these compositions for treating mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, including but not limited to bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, bipolar disorder with and without psychotic features, and mania, acute mania, bipolar depression or mixed episode. The present invention provides solutions to the above-mentioned problems, and demonstrates that the mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and mania, can be treated effectively by administering to a patient with such disorder a composition comprising at least one carbostyril derivative that is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in combination with at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A preferred carbostyril derivative of the present invention that is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Another preferred carbostyril derivative of the present invention that is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer is a metabolite of aripiprazole called dehydroaripiprazole, also known as OPC-14857. Other such metabolites of aripiprazole included within the present invention are shown in FIG. 8. Preferred aripiprazole metabolites are shown in FIG. 8 indicated by the following designations: OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 and DCPP. Aripiprazole, also called 7-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy}-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone, is a carbostyril and is useful for treating schizophrenia (JP-A-2-191256, U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,528). Aripiprazole is also known as 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril, Abilify, OPC-14597, OPC-31 and BMS-337039. Aripiprazole possesses 5-HT1A receptor agonist activity, and is known as a useful compound for treating types of depression and refractory depression, such as endogenous depression, major depression, melancholia and the like (WO 02/060423A2; Jordan et al U.S. Patent Application 2002/0173513A1)). Aripiprazole has activity as an agonist at serotonin receptors and dopamine receptors, and acts as an agonist or partial agonist at the serotonin 5HT1A receptor and as an agonist or partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor. Aripiprazole is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer. Metabolites of aripiprazole are included within the scope of the present invention. One such metabolite of aripiprazole is called dehydroaripiprazole. Other such metabolites of aripiprazole included within the present invention are shown in FIG. 8. Preferred metabolites are shown in FIG. 8 indicated by the following designations: OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 and DCPP. The at least one mood stabilizer used in the present invention includes but is not limited to the following: lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam and clonazepam. The novel compositions of the present invention comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be combined in one dosage form, for example a pill. Alternatively the carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and the at least one mood stabilizer may be in separate dosage forms, each in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. These compositions are administered to a patient with a mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder or mania, in an amount and dose regimen effective to treat the mood disorder. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for treating a mood disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for treating a mood disorder, wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for treating a mood disorder, wherein the mood disorder is mania. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer, wherein the carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer, wherein the carbostyril derivative is dehydroaripiprazole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder wherein the mood disorder is mania. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer together in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating. a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof, and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is dehydroaripiprazole (OPC-14857), DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is dehydroaripiprazole (OPC-14857), DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP, and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is mania. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is mania. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising separate administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative wherein the carbostyril derivative is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. These and other objects, advantages, and uses of the present invention will reveal themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the attached claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is the thermogravimetric/differential thermogram of the aripiprazole hydrate A obtained in Reference Example 4. FIG. 2 is the 1H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d6, TMS) of the aripiprazole hydrate A obtained in Reference Example 4. FIG. 3 is the powder X-ray diffraction diagram of the aripiprazole hydrate A obtained in Reference Example 4. FIG. 4 is the 1H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d6, TMS) of the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained in Example 1. FIG. 5 is the powder X-ray diffraction diagram of the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained in Example 1. FIG. 6 is the thermogravimetric/differential thermogram of the aripiprazole hydrate obtained in Reference Example 3. FIG. 7 is the powder X-ray diffraction diagram of aripiprazole hydrate obtained in Reference Example 3. FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the chemical structures of aripiprazole and metabolites thereof. Some of the metabolites may be formed through other possible pathways; for example, DM-1431 could be formed by N-dealkylation of DM-1451 and DM-1459. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention comprises a first ingredient comprising a carbostyril derivative active as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and a second ingredient comprising a mood stabilizer, in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention are useful in treating mood disorders, including bipolar disorder and mania. The Pharmaceutical Composition: the First Ingredient The first ingredient comprises a carbostyril derivative active as a dopamine-serotonin system system stabilizer. Such carbostyril derivative has activity as an agonist or partial agonist at some serotonin receptors and some dopamine receptors, preferably as an agonist or partial agonist at the serotonin 5HT1A receptor and as an agonist or partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor. Carbostyril derivatives are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,528 and U.S. published patent application 2002/0173513A1. In one embodiment of the present invention, the carbostyril derivatives represented by the following formula (1) are used: wherein the carbon-carbon bond between 3- and 4-positions in the carbostyril skeleton is a single or a double bond. In a preferred embodiment, this activity of the carbostyril derivative is as an agonist or partial agonist at the 5HT1A receptor and an agonist or partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor subtype. In another preferred embodiment, the carbostyril derivative to be used as a first component in the present invention is aripiprazole, or a metabolic derivative thereof. Metabolic derivatives of aripiprazole include but are not limited to dehydroaripiprazole, also called OPC-14857. Other metabolic derivatives of aripiprazole include but are not limited to the chemical structures shown in FIG. 8 as OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 and DCPP. Structures and names of aripiprazole metabolites shown in FIG. 8 are provided below. DCPP: 1-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazine, and N-2,3-dichlorophenylpiperazine DM-14857, OPC-14857: 7-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy}-2-(1H)-quinolinone, also called dehydroaripiprazole DM-1451: 7-{4-[4-(2,3-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy}-3,4-dihydro-2-(1H)-quinolinone, and hydroxyaripiprazole DM-1458: 2,3-dichloro-4-{4-[4-(2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yloxy)-butyl]-piperazin-1-yl}-phenyl sulfate, and sulfated hydroxyaripiprazole DM-1452: 7-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy}-3,4-dihydro-4-hydroxy-2-(1H)-quinolinone, and benzyl hydroxyaripiprazole DM-1454: DM-1454 is the glucuronide of DM-1451. This structure is also know by the following names: 1β-(2,3-dichloro-4-{4-[4-(2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yloxy)-butyl], piperazin-1-yl}-phenoxy)-D-glucopyaranuronic acid, 1β-(2,3-dichloro-4-{4-[4-(2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yloxy)-butyl]-piperazin-1-yl}-phenyl-beta)-D-glucopyaranosiduronic acid, 1β-(2,3-dichloro-4-{4-[4-(2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yloxy)-butyl]-piperazin-1-yl}-phenyl)-beta)-D-Glucuronide, 1β-(2,3-dichloro-4-{4-[4-(2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yloxy)-butyl]-piperazin-1-yl}-phenyl-beta)-D-glucuronic acid, and glucuronide aripiprazole. All of the aforementioned carbostyril derivatives may be used as a first component in the practice of the present invention. Aripiprazole, also called 7-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy}-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone, is a carbostyril compound useful as the effective ingredient for treating schizophrenia (JP-A-2-191256, U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,528). Aripiprazole is also known as 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril, Abilify, OPC-14597, OPC-31 and BMS-337039. Aripiprazole possesses 5-HT1A receptor agonist activity, and is known as a useful compound for treating types of depression and refractory depression, such as endogenous depression, major depression, melancholia and the like (WO 02/060423A2; Jordan et al. U.S. Patent Application 2002/0173513A1). Aripiprazole has activity as an agonist at.serotonin receptors and dopamine receptors, and acts as an agonist or partial agonist at the serotonin 5HT1A receptor and as an agonist or partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor. Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic drug having new mechanism of action which is different from that of other atypical antipsychotic drugs. The available typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs act as antagonists at the dopamine-D2 receptors. In contrast, aripiprazole acts as a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor (Ishigooka Jyunya and Inada Ken: RINSHO SEISHIN YAKURI, Vol. 4, pp 1653-1664, (2001); Burris, K. D. et al.: J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 302, pp 381-389, (2002)). In addition to the partial agonist action at dopamine-D2 receptors, aripiprazole has activity as a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, as well as antagonist action serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Accordingly, aripiprazole is a drug belonging to new category defined as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer (dopamine-serotonin nervous system stabilizer (Burris, K. D. et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., 302, pp 381-389, 2002; Jordan, S. et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 441, pp 137-140, 2002). Methods of Preparing Aripiprazole Aripiprazole and aripiprazole metabolites to be used in the present invention may be any of form, for example, free bases, polymorphisms of every type of crystal, hydrate, salt (acid addition salts, etc.) and the like. Among of these forms, anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B is a preferred form. As to method for preparing the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B, for example it is prepared by heating aripiprazole hydrate A as follows. Aripiprazole Hydrate A The aripiprazole hydrate A having the physicochemical properties shown in (1)-(5) as follows: (1) It has an endothermic curve which is substantially identical to the thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (heating rate 5° C./min) endothermic curve shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, it is characterized by the appearance of a small peak at about 71° C. and a gradual endothermic peak around 60° C. to 120° C. (2) It has an 1 H-NMR spectrum which is substantially identical to the 1H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d6, TMS) shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, it has characteristic peaks at 1.55-1.63 ppm (m, 2H), 1.68-1.78 ppm (m, 2H), 2.35-2.46 ppm (m, 4H), 2.48-2.56 ppm (m, 4H+DMSO), 2.78 ppm (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.97 ppm (brt, J=4.6 Hz, 4H), 3.92 ppm (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 6.43 ppm (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.49 ppm (dd, J=8.4 Hz, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.04 ppm (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.11-7.17 ppm (m, 1H), 7.28-7.32 ppm (m, 2H) and 10.00 ppm (s, 1H). (3) It has a powder x-ray diffraction spectrum which is substantially identical to the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, it has characteristic peaks at 2θ=12.6°, 15.4°, 17.3°, 18.0°, 18.6°, 22.5° and 24.8°. (4) It has clear infrared absorption bands at 2951, 2822, 1692, 1577, 1447, 1378, 1187, 963 and 784 cm−1 on the IR (KBr) spectrum. (5) It has a mean particle size of 50 μm or less. Method for Preparing Aripiprazole Hydrate A Aripiprazole hydrate A is prepared by milling conventional aripiprazole hydrate. Conventional milling methods can be used to mill conventional aripiprazole hydrate. For example, conventional aripiprazole hydrate can be milled in a milling machine. A widely used milling machine such as an atomizer, pin mill, jet mill or ball mill can be used. Among of these, the atomizer is preferably used. Regarding the specific milling conditions when using an atomizer, a rotational speed of 5000-15000 rpm could be used for the main axis, for example, with a feed rotation of 10-30 rpm and a screen hole size of 1-5 mm. The mean particle size of the aripiprazole hydrate A obtained by milling may be normally 50 μm or less, preferably 30 μm or less. Mean particle size can be ascertained by the particle size measuring method described hereinafter. Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B Anhydrous Aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention have the physicochemical properties given in (6)-(10) below. (6) They have an 1H-NMR spectrum which is substantially identical to the 1H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d6, TMS) shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, they have characteristic peaks at 1.55-1.63 ppm (m, 2H), 1.68-1.78 ppm (m, 2H), 2.35-2.46 ppm (m, 4H), 2.48-2.56 ppm (m, 4H+DMSO), 2.78 ppm (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.97 ppm (brt, J=4.6 Hz, 4H), 3.92 ppm (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 6.43 ppm (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.49 ppm (dd, J=8.4 Hz, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.04 ppm (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.11-7.17 ppm (m, 1H), 7.28-7.32 ppm (m, 2H) and 10.00 ppm (s, 1H). (7) They have a powder x-ray diffraction spectrum which is substantially identical to the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, they have characteristic peaks at 2θ=11.0°, 16.6°, 19.3°, 20.3° and 22.1°. (8) They have clear infrared absorption bands at 2945, 2812, 1678, 1627, 1448, 1377, 1173, 960 and 779 cm−1 on the IR (KBr) spectrum. (9) They exhibit an endothermic peak near about 141.5° C. in thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (heating rate 5° C./min). (10) They exhibit an endothermic peak near about 140.7° C. in differential scanning calorimetry (heating rate 5° C./min). When the small particle size is required for solid preparation, such as tablets and other solid dose formulations including for example flash melt formulations, the mean particle size is preferably 50 μm or less. Method for Preparing Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention are prepared, for example, by heating the aforementioned aripiprazole hydrate A at 90-125° C. The heating time is generally about 3-50 hours, but cannot be stated unconditionally, because it differs depending on heating temperature. The heating time and heating temperature are inversely related, so that for example when the heating time is longer, then the heating temperature is lower, and when the heating temperature is higher then the heating time is shorter. Specifically, if the heating temperature of aripiprazole hydrate A is 100° C., the heating time may be 18 hours or more, or preferably about 24 hours. If the heating temperature of aripiprazole hydrate A is 120° C., on the other hand, the heating time may be about 3 hours. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention can be prepared with certainty by heating aripiprazole hydrate A for about 18 hours at 100° C., and then heating it for about 3 hours at 120° C. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention can also be obtained if the heating time is extended still further, but this method may not be economical. When small particle size is not required for the formulation, e.g., when drug substance is being prepared for injectable or oral solution formulations, anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B can be also obtained by the following process. Anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention are prepared for example by heating conventional anhydrous aripiprazole crystals at 90-125° C. The heating time is generally about 3-50 hours, but cannot be stated unconditionally because it differs depending on heating temperature. The heating time and heating temperature are inversely related, so that for example if the heating time is longer, the heating temperature is lower, and if the heating time is shorter, the heating temperature is higher. Specifically, if the heating temperature of the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals is 100° C., the heating time may be about 4 hours, and if the heating temperature is 120° C. the heating time may be about 3 hours. Furthermore, anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention are prepared for example, by heating conventional aripiprazole hydrate at 90-125° C. The heating time is generally about 3-50 hours, but cannot be stated unconditionally because it differs depending on heating temperature. The heating time and heating temperature are inversely related, so that for example, if the heating time is longer, the heating temperature is lower, and if the heating time is shorter, the heating temperature is higher. Specifically, if the heating temperature of the aripiprazole hydrate is 100° C., the heating time may be about 24 hours, and if the heating temperature is 120° C. the heating time may be about 3 hours. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals which are the raw material for preparing the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention are prepared for example by Method A or B below. Method A: Process for Preparing Crude Crystals of Aripiprazole Conventional anhydrous aripiprazole crystals are prepared by well-known methods, as described in Example 1 of Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 191256/1990. 7-(4-bromobutoxy)-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril, is reacted with 1-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazine and the thus obtained crude aripiprazole crystals are re-crystallized from ethanol. Method B: Process for Preparing Conventional Anhydrous Aripiprazole The Method B is described in the Proceedings of the 4th Joint Japanese-Korean Symposium on Separation Technology (Oct. 6-8, 1996). The aripiprazole hydrate which is the raw material for preparing the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B of the present invention is prepared for example by Method C below. Method C: Method for Preparing Conventional Aripiprazole Hydrate Aripiprazole hydrate is easily obtained by dissolving the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals obtained by Method A above in a hydrous solvent, and heating and then cooling the resulting solution. Using this method, aripiprazole hydrate is precipitated as crystals in the hydrous solvent. An organic solvent containing water is usually used as the hydrous solvent. The organic solvent may be preferable one which is miscible with water, for example an alcohol such as methanol, ethanol, propanol or isopropanol, a ketone such as acetone, an ether such as tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, or a mixture thereof, ethanol is particularly desirable. The amount of water in the hydrous solvent may be 10-25% by volume of the solvent, or preferably close to 20% by volume. Aripiprazole can easily form an acid addition salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. As to such acid, for example, an inorganic acid, such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, etc.; an organic acid such as, acetic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, etc. can be exemplified. Similar to aripiprazole of free forms, these acid addition salts can also be used as the active ingredient compounds in the present invention. The objective compound thus obtained through each one of production steps, is separated from the reaction system by usual separation means, and can be further purified. As to the separation and purification means, for example, distillation method, solvent extraction method, dilution method, re-crystallization method, column chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, gel chromatography, affinity chromatography, preparative thin-layer chromatography and the like can be exemplified. The Pharmaceutical Composition: the Second Ingredient In the composition of the present invention, a mood stabilizer is used as the second ingredient. Compounds which function as mood stabilizers can be widely used as the mood stabilizers and are known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A non-limiting list of mood stabilizers which may be used in the present invention includes, lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam and clonazepam. The mood stabilizer may be either in the form of a free base or a salt (an acid addition salt or the like). Further, the mood stabilizer may be either a racemic modifications or R and S enantiomers. The mood stabilizers may be either a single use of one mood stabilizer, and in case of need, two or more of the mood stabilizers may be used in combination. Use of one mood stabilizer is preferred. The mood stabilizer can easily form an acid addition salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid. As to such acid, for example, an inorganic acid, such as sulfuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, hydrobromic acid, etc.; an organic acid such as, acetic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, etc. can be exemplified. Similar to the reuptake inhibitor of free forms, these acid addition salts can also be used as the active ingredient compounds in the present invention. Among the mood stabilizers, a compound having an acidic group can easily form salt by reacting with a pharmaceutically acceptable basic compound. As to such basic compound, a metal hydroxide, for example, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide and the like; an alkali metal carbonate or bicarbonate, for example sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, potassium hydrogencarbonate and the like; a metal alcoholate, for example sodium methylate, potassium ethylate and the like can be exemplified. The thus obtained salt form of mood stabilizer is separated from the reaction system by usual separation means, and can be further purified. As to the separation and purification means, for example, distillation method, solvent extraction method, dilution method, recrystallization method, column chromatography, ion-exchange chromatography, gel chromatography, affinity chromatography, preparative thin-layer chromatography and the like can be exemplified. Combination of the First Ingredient with the Second Ingredient As to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of carbostyril derivatives with activity as dopamine-serotonin stabilizers, and mood stabilizers, non-limiting examples of aripiprazole and dehydroaripiprazole are described herein. It is to be understood that the present invention also comprises a combination of carbostyril derivatives with activity as dopamine-serotonin stabilizers, and mood stabilizers, wherein the carbostyril derivatives are other metabolites of aripiprazole described herein. When aripiprazole is combined with at least one mood stabilizer, the following are non-limiting examples of such combinations: aripiprazole/lithium, aripiprazole/valproic acid, aripiprazole/divalproex sodium, aripiprazole/carbamazapine, aripiprazole/oxcarbamazapine, aripiprazole/zonisamide, aripiprazole/lamotragine, aripiprazole/topiramate, aripiprazole/gabapentin, aripiprazole/levetiracetam and aripiprazole/clonazepam. Among these combinations, the following are particularly preferable: aripiprazole/carbamazapine, aripiprazole/oxcarbamazapine, aripiprazole/zonisamide, aripiprazole/lamotragine, aripiprazole/topiramate, aripiprazole/gabapentin, aripiprazole/levetiracetam and aripiprazole/clonazepam. The pharmaceutical composition comprising the above preferable combination possesses excellent efficacy. Therefore such composition has fewer side-effects and an excellent safety profile. In another embodiment of the present invention, aripiprazole, or a metabolite thereof may be combined with more than one mood stabilizer. Metabolites of aripiprazole that may be used in the present invention include, but are not limited to, OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 and DCPP as shown in FIG. 8. Any one of these metabolites may be used in the present invention. The following sentences describe a combination of dehydroaripiprazole with specific mood stabilizers, however it is to be understood that any one of DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP, as shown in FIG. 8, could be substituted for dehydroaripiprazole in these disclosed combinations. Dehydroaripiprazole (also called OPC-14857 in FIG. 8) is a preferred metabolite of aripiprazole. As to the combination of dehydroaripiprazole with one or more mood stabilizers, the following are non-limiting examples of such combinations: dehydroaripiprazole/lithium, dehydroaripiprazole/valproic acid, dehydroaripiprazole/divalproex sodium, dehydroaripiprazole/carbamazapine, dehydroaripiprazole/oxcarbamazapine, dehydroaripiprazole/zonisamide, dehydroaripiprazole/lamotragine, dehydroaripiprazole/topiramate, dehydroaripiprazole/gabapentin, dehydroaripiprazole/levetiracetam and dehydroaripiprazole/clonazepam. Among these combinations, the following are particularly preferable: dehydroaripiprazole/carbamazapine, dehydroaripiprazole/oxcarbamazapine, dehydroaripiprazole/zonisamide, dehydroaripiprazole/lamotragine, dehydroaripiprazole/topiramate, dehydroaripiprazole/gabapentin, dehydroaripiprazole/levetiracetam and dehydroaripiprazole/clonazepam. The pharmacuetical composition comprising the above preferable combination possesses excellent efficacy. Therefore such composition has fewer side-effects and an excellent safety profile. Method of Treating a Mood Disorder, Especially Bipolar Disorder or Mania Patients with mood disorders may be treated with the compositions of the present invention. Such mood disorders include but are not limited to bipolar disorder, bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, bipolar disorder with and without psychotic features, mania, acute mania, bipolar depression or mixed episodes. Preferred disorders treated with the method and compositions of the present invention are bipolar disorder and mania. Treatment comprises administration of the compositions of the present invention to a patient with a mood disorder such as bipolar disorder or mania, with or without psychotic features, in an amount and dose regimen effective to treat the mood disorder. The present invention includes treatment of mood disorders wherein both the carbostyril derivative with the previously stated activity and the mood stabilizer are combined together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a composition. The present invention further includes treatment of mood disorders wherein both the carbostyril derivative with the previously stated activity is combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in one composition, the mood stabilizer is combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in a second composition, and the two compositions are administered at the same or different times to provide the desired treatment. Dosage Dosage of the drug used in the present invention is decided by considering the properties of each constituting drug to be combined, the properties of drugs after combination and symptoms of the patient. As stated above, the carbostyril derivatives and mood stabilizers may be administered separately and not combined in one composition. General outlines of the dosage are provided in the following guidelines. Aripiprazole or a metabolite, such as dehydroaripiprazole, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP: generally about 0.1 to about 100 mg/once a day (or about 0.05 to about 50 mg/twice a day), preferably about 1 to about 30 mg/once a day (or about 0.5 to about 15 mg/twice a day). The aripiprazole, or metabolite thereof, may be combined with at least one of any of the following mood stabilizers at the dose ranges indicated, or administered separately: Lithium: generally about 300 to about 2400 mg/day, 300 mg to 1200 mg twice per day, preferably until the plasma lithium concentration is about 0.8-1.2 mmol/L. Valproic acid: generally about 750 mg to 2000 mg/day, or 10 to 20 mg/kg/day. Divalproex sodium: generally about 500 to 2500 mg/day. Carbamazepine: generally about 100 to 1000 mg/day, preferably until plasma levels reach between about 6.0 to 9.0 mg/L. Oxcarbamazepine: generally about 600 to 2100 mg/day. Zonisamide: generally about 100 to 500 mg/day. Lamotragine: generally about 50 to 500 mg/day, preferably 100 to 400 mg/day. Topiramate: generally, about 25 to about 500 mg/day. Gabapentin: generally, about 600 to 2400 mg/once a day. Levetiracetam: generally, about 250 to about 3000 mg/day. Clonazepam: generally, about 0.1 to 60 mg/day. Generally, the weight ratio of the first ingredient to the second ingredient is selected in accordance with the above-mentioned guideline. As to the ratio of the first ingredient and the second ingredient, if the first ingredient is about 1 part by weight of the former, the second ingredient is used at about 0.01 to about 500 parts by weight, preferably about 0.1 to about 100 parts by weight. Pharmaceutically Acceptable Carriers Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include diluents and excipients generally used in pharmaceutical preparations, such as fillers, extenders, binders, moisturizers, disintegrators, surfactant, and lubricants. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be formulated as an ordinary pharmaceutical preparation, for example in the form of tablets, flash melt tablets, pills, powder, liquid, suspension, emulsion, granules, capsules, suppositories or injection (liquid, suspension, etc.), troches, intranasal spray percutaneous patch and the like. In case of shaping to tablet formulation, a wide variety of carriers that are known in this field can be used. Examples include lactose, saccharose, sodium chloride, glucose, urea, starch, xylitol, mannitol, erythritol, sorbitol, calcium carbonate, kaolin, crystalline cellulose, silic acid and other excipients; water, ethanol, propanol, simple syrup, glucose solution, starch solution, gelatin solution, carboxymethyl cellulose, shellac, methyl cellulose, potassium phosphate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and other binders; dried starch, sodium alginate, agar powder, laminaran powder, sodium hydrogencarbonate, calcium carbonate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sodium lauryl sulfate, stearic acid monoglyceride, starch, lactose and other disintegrators; white sugar, stearin, cacao butter, hydrogenated oil and other disintegration inhibitors; quaternary ammonium salt, sodium lauryl sulfate and other absorption accelerator; glycerine, starch and other moisture retainers; starch, lactose, kaolin, bentonite, colloidal silic acid and other adsorbents; and refined talc, stearate, boric acid powder, polyethylene glycol and other lubricants and the like. Tablets can also be formulated if necessary as tablets with ordinary coatings, such as sugar-coated tablets, gelatin-coated tablets, enteric coated tablets and film coated tablets, as well as double tablets and multilayered tablets. In case of shaping to pills, a wide variety of carriers that are known in this field can be used. Examples include glucose, lactose, starch, cacao butter, hardened vegetable oil, kaolin, talc and other excipients; gum arabic powder, traganth powder, gelatin, ethanol and other binders; and laminaran, agar and other disintegrators and the like. In case of shaping to a suppository formulation, a wide variety of carriers that are known in the field can be used. Examples include polyethylene glycol, cacao butter, higher alcohol, esters of higher alcohol, gelatin semi-synthetic glyceride and the like. Capsules are prepared according to ordinary methods by mixing anhydrous aripiprazole crystals as the first ingredient and the second ingredient, and the various carriers described above and packing them in hard gelatin capsules, soft capsules hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose capsules (HPMC capsules) and the like. In addition, colorants, preservatives, perfumes, flavorings, sweeteners and the like as well as other drugs may be contained in the pharmaceutical composition. The amounts of the first ingredient and the second ingredient to be contained in the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention are suitably selected from a wide range depending on the diseases to be treated. Generally, about 1 to 70 parts by weight, preferably about 1 to 30 parts by weight of the first ingredient and the second ingredient are combined in the total amount on the basis of the pharmaceutical composition. The methods for administration of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention are not specifically restricted. The composition is administered depending on each type of preparation form, and the age, gender and other condition of the patient (degree and conditions of the disease, etc.). For example, tablets, pills, liquids, suspensions, emulsions, granules and capsules are administered orally. In case of injection preparation, it is administered intravenously either singly or mixed with a common auxiliary liquid such as solutions of glucose or amino acid. Further, if necessary, the injection preparation is singly administered intradermally, subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. In case of a suppository, it is administered intrarectally. Administration forms of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be any type by which the effective levels of both aripiprazole and mood stabilizers can be provided in vivo at the same time. In one embodiment, aripiprazole together with a mood stabilizer are contained in one pharmaceutical composition and this composition may be administered. On the other hand, each one of aripiprazole and a mood stabilizer are contained individually in a pharmaceutical preparation respectively, and each one of these preparations may be administered at the same or at different times. Dosage of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention for treating and improving mood disorders may be used relatively in a small amount, because the composition possesses excellent efficacy. Therefore the composition has fewer side-effects and an excellent safety profile. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be manifest in a wide range of neurotransmission accommodation actions. As a result, the composition of the present invention establishes pseudo-homeostatic dopaminergic and serotoninergic neurotransmission (as a result of partial agonism), which, as a result of neuropathophysiological processes has ceased to function normally. The mood disorders which can be treated by the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention includes the mood disorders classified in “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association. These mood disorders include, for example, bipolar disorder such as bipolar disorder I or II, bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania, acute mania, bipolar depression or mixed episodes. In addition, the pharrmaceutical composition of the present invention is effective on schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. These disorders include, for example, depressive disorders such as major depressive disorder, endogenous depression, melancholia, depression in combination with psychotic episodes, refractory depression, dementia of the Alzheimer's disease with depressive symptoms, Parkinson's disease with depressive symptoms, senile dementia, mood disorder associated with cerebral blood vessels, mood disorder following head injury and the like; anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, social phobia, specific phobia and the like; eating disorders; sleep disorders; adjustment disorders; personality disorders; mental retardations; learning disorders; pervasive developmental disorders; attention-deficit and disruptive behavior disorders; tic disorders; delirium; dementia; amnestic disorders; other cognitive disorders; alcohol-related disorders; amphetamine-related disorders; cocaine-related disorders; nicotine-related disorders; sedative-, hypnotic-, or anxiolytic-related disorders; sexual and gender identity disorders. These disorders are classified in “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association. The present invention will be explained more in detail by illustrating Reference Examples, Example and Formulation Sample Examples. First, analytical methods are explained. Analytical Methods (1) The 1H-NMR spectrum was measured in DMSO-d6 by using TMS as the standard. (2) Powder X-ray Diffraction By using RAD-2B diffraction meter manufactured by Rigaku Denki, the powder x-ray diffraction pattern was measured at room temperature by using a Cu Ka filled tube (35 kV 20mA) as the x-ray source with a wide-angle goniometer, a 1° scattering slit, an 0.15 mm light-intercepting slit, a graphite secondary monochromator and a scintillation counter. Data collection was done in 2θ continuous scan mode at a scan speed of 5°/minute in scan steps of 0.02° in the range of 3° to 40°. (3) The IR spectrum was measured by the KBr method. (4) Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis was measured by using SSC 5200 control unit and TG/DTA 220 simultaneous differential thermal/thermogravimetric measuring unit manufactured by Seiko Corp. Samples (5-10 mg) were placed in open aluminum pans and heated at from 20° C. to 200° C. in a dry nitrogen atmosphere at a heating rate of 5° C./minute. α-Alumina was used as the standard substance. (5) Differential Scanning Calorimetry Thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis was measured by using SSC 5200 control unit and DSC 220C differential scanning calorimeter manufactured by Seiko Corp. Samples (5-10 mg) were placed in crimped aluminum pans and heated from 20° C. to 200° C. in a dry nitrogen atmosphere at a heating rate of 5° C./minute. α-Alumina was used as the standard substance. (6) Particle Size Measurement The particles (0.1 g) to be measured were suspended in a 20 ml n-hexane solution of 0.5 g soy lecithin, and particle size was manufactured by using a size distribution measuring meter (Microtrack HRA, manufactured by Microtrack Co.). REFERENCE EXAMPLE 1 7-(4-Chlorobutoxy)-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril (19.4 g) and monohydrochloride 16.2 g of 1-(2,3-dichlorophenyl) piperadine 1 hydrochloride were added to a solution of 8.39 g of potassium carbonate dissolved in 140 ml of water, and refluxed for 3 hours under agitation. After the reaction was complete, the mixture was cooled and the precipitated crystals collected by filtration. These crystals were dissolved in 350 ml of ethyl acetate, and about 210 ml of water/ethyl acetate azeotrope was removed under reflux. The remaining solution was cooled, and the precipitated crystals were collected by filtration. The resulting crystals were dried at 60° C. for 14 hours to obtain 20.4 g (74.2%) of crude product of aripiprazole. The crude product of aripiprazole (30 g) obtained above was re-crystallized from 450 ml of ethanol according to the methods described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 191256/1990, and the resulting crystals were dried at 80° C. for 40 hours to obtain anhydrous aripiprazole crystals. The yield was 29.4 g (98.0%). The melting point (mp) of these anhydrous aripiprazole crystals was 140° C., which is identical to the melting point of the anhydrous aripiprazole crystals described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 191256/1990. REFERENCE EXAMPLE 2 The crude product of aripiprazole (6930 g) obtained in Reference Example 1 was heat dissolved by heating in 138 liters of hydrous ethanol (water content 20% by volume) according to the method presented at the 4th Joint Japanese-Korean Symposium on Separation Technology, the solution was gradually (2-3 hours) cooled to room temperature, and then was chilled to near 0° C. The precipitated crystals were collected by filtration, about 7200 g of aripiprazole hydrate (wet-state). The wet-state aripiprazole hydrate crystals obtained above were dried at 80° C. for 30 hours to obtain 6480 g (93.5%) of aripiprazole hydrate crystals. The melting point (mp) of these crystals was 139.5° C. The water content of the crystals were confirmed by the Karl Fischer method, the moisture value was 0.03%, thus the crystals were confirmed as anhydrous product. REFERENCE EXAMPLE 3 The aripiprazole hydrate (820 g) in wet state obtained from Reference Example 2 was dried at 50° C. for 2 hours to obtain 780 g of aripiprazole hydrate crystals. The moisture value of the crystals had a moisture value was 3.82% measured according to the Karl Fischer method. As shown in FIG. 6, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis revealed endothermic peaks at 75.0, 123.5 and 140.5° C. Because dehydration began near at 70° C., there was no clear melting point (mp) was observed. As shown in FIG. 7, the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole hydrate obtained by this method exhibited characteristic peaks at 2θ=12.6°, 15.1°, 17.4°, 18.2°, 18.7°, 24.8° and 27.5°. The powder x-ray diffraction spectrum of this aripiprazole hydrate was identical to the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum of aripiprazole hydrate presented at the 4th Joint Japanese-Korean Symposium on Isolation Technology. REFERENCE EXAMPLE 4 The aripiprazole hydrate crystals (500.3 g) obtained in Reference Example 3 were milled by using a sample mill (small size atomizer). The main axis rotation rate was set to 12,000 rpm and the feed rotation rate to 17 rpm, and a 1.0 mm herringbone screen was used. Milling was finished in 3 minutes, and obtained 474.6 g (94.9%) of aripiprazole hydrate A. The aripiprazole hydrate A (powder) obtained in this way had a mean particle size of 20-25 μm. The melting point (mp) was undetermined because dehydration was observed beginning near at 70° C. The aripiprazole hydrate A (powder) obtained above exhibited an 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6, TMS) spectrum which was substantially identical to the 1H-NMR spectrum shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, it had characteristic peaks at 1.55-1.63 ppm (m, 2H), 1.68-1.78 ppm (m, 2H), 2.35-2.46 ppm (m, 4H), 2.48-2.56 ppm (m, 4H+DMSO), 2.78 ppm (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.97 ppm (brt, J=4.6 Hz, 4H), 3.92 ppm (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 6.43 ppm (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.49 ppm (dd, J=8.4 Hz, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.04 ppm (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.11-7.17 ppm (m, 1H), 7.28-7.32 ppm (m, 2H) and 10.00 ppm (s, 1H). The aripiprazole hydrate A (powder) obtained above had a powder x-ray diffraction spectrum which was substantially identical to the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, it had characteristic peaks at 2θ=12.6°, 15.4°, 17.3°, 18.0°, 18.6°, 22.5° and 24.8°. This pattern is different from the powder x-ray spectrum of unmilled Aripiprazole hydrate shown in FIG. 7. The aripiprazole hydrate A (powder) obtained above had infrared absorption bands at 2951, 2822, 1692, 1577, 1447, 1378, 1187, 963 and 784 cm−1 on the IR (KBr) spectrum. As shown in FIG. 1, the aripiprazole hydrate A (powder) obtained above had a weak peak at 71.3° C. in thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis and a broad endothermic peak (weight loss observed corresponding to one molecule of water) between 60-120° C. which was clearly different from the endothermic curve of unmilled aripiprazole hydrate (see FIG. 6). It will be appreciated that other embodiments and uses will be apparent to those skilled in the art and that the invention is not limited to these specific illustrative examples. EXAMPLE 1 The aripiprazole hydrate A (powder) (44.29 kg) obtained in the Reference Examples was dried at 100° C. for 24 hours by using a hot air dryer and further heated at 120° C. for 3 hours, to obtain 42.46 kg (yield; 99.3 %) of anhydrous aripiprazole Crystals B. These anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B had a melting point (mp) of 139.7° C. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained above had an 1H-NMR spectrum (DMSO-d6, TMS) which was substantially identical to the 1H-NMR spectrum shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, they had characteristic peaks at 1.55-1.63 ppm (m, 2H), 1.68-1.78 ppm (m, 2H), 2.35-2.46 ppm (m, 4H), 2.48-2.56 ppm (m, 4H+DMSO), 2.78 ppm (t, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 2.97 ppm (brt, J=4.6 Hz, 4H), 3.92 ppm (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H), 6.43 ppm (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.49 ppm (dd, J=8.4 Hz, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.04 ppm (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.11-7.17 ppm (m, 1H), 7.28-7.32 ppm (m, 2H) and 10.00 ppm (s, 1H). The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained above had a powder x-ray diffraction spectrum which was substantially the identical to the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, they had characteristic peaks at 2θ=11.0°, 16.6°, 19.3°, 20.3° and 22.1°. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained above had remarkable infrared absorption bands at 2945, 2812, 1678, 1627, 1448, 1377, 1173, 960 and 779 cm−1 on the IR (KBr) spectrum. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained above exhibited an endothermic peak near about at 141.5° C. in thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis. The anhydrous aripiprazole crystals B obtained above exhibited an endothermic peak near about at 140.7° C. in differential scanning calorimetry. EXAMPLE 2 Receptor Binding at the 5HT1A Receptor 1. Materials and Methods 1.1 Test Compound 7-{4-[4-(2,3-Dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]-butoxy-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril (aripiprazole) was used as test compound. 1.2 Reference Compounds Serotonin (5-HT) and WAY-100635 (N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridyl)-cyclohexanecarboxamide, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, manufactured by RBI (Natick, Mass.) were used as reference compounds. 1.3 Vehicle Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) manufactured by Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, Mo.) was used as vehicle. 1.4 Preparation of Test and Reference Compounds Test compound was dissolved in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to yield 100 μM stock solutions (final concentration of DMSO in all tubes containing test compound was 1%, v/v). All other reference compounds were prepared by the same method using double-distilled water rather than DMSO. 1.5 Experimental Procedure for the [35S]GTPγS Binding Assay Test and reference compounds were studied in triplicate at 10 different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 1000, 10000 and 50000 nM) for their effects upon basal [35S]GTPγS binding to h5-HT1A CHO cell membranes. Reactions were performed in 5 ml glass test tubes containing 8 μl of test/reference drug mixed with 792 μl of buffer (25 mM Tris HCl, 50 mM NaCl, 5 mM MgCl2, 0.1 mM EGTA, pH=7.4) containing GDP (1 μM), [35S]GTPS (0.1 nM) and h5-HT1A CHO cell membranes (10 μg protein/reaction; NEN Life Science Products, Boston, Mass.; catalog #CRM035, lot #501-60024, GenBank # X13556). Reactions proceeded for 60 min at room temperature and were terminated by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B filter paper, using a Brandel harvester and 4×3 ml ice-cold buffer washes. S radioactivity bound to the filter paper was measured using liquid scintillation counting (1272 Clinigamma, LKB/Wallach). 1.6 Experimental Procedure to Determine the Binding Affinity of the Test compound Aripiprazole at the h5-HT1A Receptor Test compound was studied in triplicate at 10 different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 50,100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 nM) to determine its displacement of [3H]8-OH-DPAT (1 nM; NEN Life Sciences; catalog #NET 929, lot #3406035, Specific Activity =124.9 Ci/mmol) binding to h5-HT1A receptors in CHO cell membranes (15-20 μg protein; NEN Life Science Products, catalog #CRM035, lot #501-60024). Membranes (396 μl) were incubated in 5 ml glass tubes containing [3H]8-OH-DPAT (396 μl), test compound or vehicle (8 μl) and buffer A (50 mM Tris.HCl, 10 mM MgSO4, 0.5 mM EDTA, 0.1% (w/v) ascorbic acid, pH=7.4). All assays proceeded for 60 min at room temperature and were terminated by rapid filtration through Whatman GF/B filter paper (presoaked in buffer B; 50 mM Tris.HCI, pH=7.4), using a Brandel harvester and 4×1 ml ice-cold washes with buffer B. Non-specific binding was determined in the presence of 10 μM (+)8-OH-DPAT. 1.7 Parameters Determined Serotonin (5-HT) is a full 5-HT1A receptor agonist which stimulates increases in basal [35S]GTPγS binding to h5-HT1A receptors in recombinant CHO cell membranes. The test compound was studied at 10 concentrations to determine effects upon basal [35S]GTPγS binding relative to that produced by 10 μM 5-HT. The relative potency (EC50, 95% confidence interval) and intrinsic agonist activity (% of Emax for 10 μM 5-HT) was calculated for each compound by computerized non-linear regression analysis of complete concentration-effect data. The binding affinity of test compound at the h5-HT1A receptor was determined by its ability to prevent [3H]8-OH-DPAT binding to CHO cell membranes that express this receptor. Non-linear regression analysis of the competition binding data was used to calculate an inhibition constant (IC50, 95% confidence interval), which is the concentration of test compound that occupies half of the h5-HT1A sites specifically bound by [3H]8-OH-DPAT. The affinity of h5-HT1A receptors for test compound (Ki, 95% confidence interval) was calculated by the equation, Ki=(IC50)/(1+([[3H]8-OH-DPAT]/Kd), where the Kd for [3H]8-OH-DPAT at h5-HT1A=0.69 nM (NEN Life Sciences). All estimates of drug binding affinity, potency and intrinsic efficacy at the h5-HT1A receptor were calculated using GraphPad Prism version 3.00 for Windows (GraphPad Software, San Diego, Calif.). 2. Results The test compound and 5-HT produced concentration-dependent increases above basal [35S]GTPγS binding. 1% DMSO tested alone had no effect upon basal or drug-induced [35S]GTPγS binding. The test compound (EC50=2.12 nM), 5-HT (EC50=3.67 nM), potently stimulated basal [35S]GTPγS binding. Potency and intrinsic agonist efficacy estimates were derived by non-linear regression analysis with correlation coefficients (r2)>0.98 in each case (Table 1). The test compound exerted partial agonist efficacies in the 65-70% range. WAY-100635 produced no significant change (unpaired Student's t-test) in basal [35S]GTPγS 5 binding at all concentrations tested (Table 1). WAY-100635 did, however, completely inhibit the effects of 5-HT and test compound upon [35S]GTPγS binding to h5-HT1A receptors in CHO cell membranes (Table 2). Tables 1 and 2 are shown below. The test compound demonstrated high affinity binding to h5-HT1A receptors in CHO cell membranes (IC504.03 nM, 95% confidence interval=2.67 to 6.08 nM; Ki=1.65 nM, 95% confidence interval=1.09 to 2.48. TABLE 1 Potency (EC50) and Intrinsic Agonist Efficacy (Emax) of Test compound and Reference Drugs in a h5-HTlA[35S]GTPγS CHO-cell Membrane Binding Assay. EC50, nM (95% Goodness Confidence Emax of Fit Drug Interval (% ± SEM) (r2) Test 2.12 68.13 ± 3.16 0.986 Compound (0.87 to 5.16) 5-HT 3.67 98.35 ± 4.47 0.986 (1.56 to 8.63) WAY-100635 — — — TABLE 2 Inhibitory Potency (IC50) of WAY-100635 versus 1 μM Concentration of 5-HT and Test compound in a h5-HTlA[35S]GTPγS CHO-cell Membrane Binding Assay. WAY-100635 Inhibition Goodness of Drug Potency, IC50, nM Fit Combination (95% Confidence Interval) (r2) 5-HT + WAY- 217.1 0.988 100635 (127.4 to 369.7) Test Compound + WAY- 392.2 0.989 100635 (224.1 to 686.2) EXAMPLE 3 Formulation Examples Several non-limiting formulation examples of aripiprazole or dehydroaripiprazole with mood stabilizers are presented below. Formulation Sample Example 1 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Lithium 600 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 800 mg According to a preparation method which is well-known to a person having an ordinary skill in the art, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 2 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Valproic Acid 1000 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 1200 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 3 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Divalproex sodium 750 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 950 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 4 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Carbamazepine 500 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 700 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 5 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Oxcarbamazepine 800 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 1000 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 6 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Zonisamide 300 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 500 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 7 Formulation Sample Example 7 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Lamotragine 250 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 450 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 8 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Topiramate 250 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 450 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 9 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Gabapentin 800 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 1000 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 10 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg Levetiracetam 600 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 800 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Several non-limiting formulation examples of dehydroaripiprazole and mood stabilizers are presented below. It is to be understood that any one of DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP, as shown in FIG. 8, could be substituted for dehydroaripiprazole in these disclosed formulations. Formulation Sample Example 11 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Lithium 600 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 800 mg According to a preparation method which is well-known to a person having an ordinary skill in the art, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 12 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Valproic Acid 1000 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 1200 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 13 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Divalproex sodium 750 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 950 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 14 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Carbamazepine 500 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 700 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 15 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Oxcarbamazepine 800 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 1000 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Zonisamide 300 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 500 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 17 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Lamotragine 250 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 450 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 18 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Topiramate 250 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 450 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 19 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Gabapentin 800 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 1000 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 20 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg Levetiracetam 600 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 800 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 21 Anhydrous Aripiprazole Crystals B 5 mg clonazepam 600 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 800 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. Formulation Sample Example 22 Dehydroaripiprazole 5 mg clonazepam 600 mg Starch 131 mg Magnesium stearate 4 mg Lactose 60 mg Total 800 mg According to a common method, the tablet containing the above mentioned formulation is prepared. EXAMPLE 4 Method of Treatment of Patients with a New Diagnosis, Recurrent or Refractory Episode of Bipolar Disorder (I or II) with or without psychotic features, manic or mixed episode as defined by DSM -IV-R criteria. A combination of aripiprazole, or an aripiprazole metabolite, and at least one mood stabilizer is evaluated as a therapy for patients with a new diagnosis, recurrent or refractory episode of bipolar disorder (I or II), acute mania, or bipolar depression. Patients ranging in age from 18 to 65 years who are diagnosed with bipolar disorder (I or II), acute mania, or bipolar depression are evaluated to ensure that they have a baseline Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score of greater than 24. Only patients with this YMRS score receive treatment. These patients are interviewed to obtain a complete medical and psychiatric history. Aripiprazole, or an aripiprazole metabolite, is first administered at a dose of 10 mg/day and increased to 30 mg/day as needed in the opinion of the monitoring psychiatrist. Aripiprazole, or an aripiprazole metabolite, is administered to these patients at a dose of from 10 mg/day to 30 mg/day for a period of at least four weeks, and up to eight weeks for patients who respond well to this treatment during the first four weeks. The aripiprazole, or the aripiprazole metabolite, is administered together with at least one mood stabilizer, wherein the mood stabilizer is lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam or clonazepam. The aripiprazole, or the aripiprazole metabolite, can be administered in one dosage form, for example a tablet, and the mood stabilizer may be administered in a separate dosage form, for example a tablet. The administration may occur at about the same time or at different times during the day. Dosages may be within the ranges provided above for each of aripiprazole, an aripiprazole metabolite and for the mood stabilizer. Alternatively, a dosage form containing aripiprazole, or an aripiprazole metabolite, in administered in combination with at least one mood stabilizer and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such combinations include without limitation the following: aripiprazole/lithium, aripiprazole/valproic acid, aripiprazole/divalproex sodium, aripiprazole/carbamazapine, aripiprazole/oxcarbamazapine, aripiprazole/zonisamide, aripiprazole/lamotragine, aripiprazole/topiramate, aripiprazole/gabapentin, aripiprazole/levetiracetam and aripiprazole/clonazepam. An improvement in alleviation of symptoms of bipolar disorder (I or II), acute mania, or bipolar depression is observed in these patients following administration of aripiprazole, or aripiprazole metabolite, and the one or more mood stabilizers, as shown by results of testing performed during and after the duration of administration of aripiprazole, or an aripiprazole metabolite, and the mood stabilizer. The YMRS and other measures such as CGI, AIMS, SAS, Simpson & Angus and Barnes, commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art, are administered to these patients. Results demonstrate a normalization of mood. EXAMPLE 5 Efficacy of Aripiprazole in combination with valproate or lithium in the treatment of mania in patients partially nonresponsive to valproate or lithium monotherapy. A 6-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is conducted to determine the efficacy of combined therapy with aripiprazole and either valproate or lithium compared with valproate or lithium alone in treating acute manic or mixed bipolar episodes. The methods used are generally as described in Tohen et al., (Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 2002 January; 59(1):62-9). The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of aripiprazole (1-30 mg/day) vs placebo when added to ongoing mood-stabilizer therapy as measured by reductions in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores. Patients with bipolar disorder, manic or mixed episode, who are inadequately responsive to more than 2 weeks of lithium (600 mg/day) or valproate (500 mg/day) therapy, are randomized to receive cotherapy (aripiprazole+mood-stabilizer) or monotherapy (placebo+mood-stabilizer). The results indicate that aripiprazole cotherapy improves patients' YMRS total scores more than monotherapy. Clinical response rates (> or =50% improvement on YMRS) are higher with cotherapy. Aripiprazole cotherapy improves 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-21) total scores more than monotherapy. In patients with mixed-episodes with moderate to severe depressive symptoms (DSM-IV mixed episode; HAMD-21 score of > or =20 at baseline), aripiprazole cotherapy improves HAMD-21 scores compared to monotherapy. Extrapyramidal symptoms (Simpson-Angus Scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) are not significantly changed from baseline to end point in either treatment group. Compared with the use of valproate or lithium alone, the addition of aripiprazole provided superior efficacy in the treatment of manic and mixed bipolar episodes. EXAMPLE 6 Efficacy of Dehydroaripiprazole in combination with valproate or lithium in the treatment of mania in patients partially nonresponsive to valproate or lithium monotherapy. A 6-week double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial is conducted to determine the efficacy of combined therapy with dehydroaripiprazole and either valproate or lithium, compared with valproate or lithium alone, in treating acute manic or mixed bipolar episodes. The methods used are generally as described in Tohen et al., (Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 2002 January; 59(1):62-9). The objective is to evaluate the efficacy of dehydroaripiprazole (1-30 mg/day) vs placebo when added to ongoing mood-stabilizer therapy as measured by reductions in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) scores. Patients with bipolar disorder, manic or mixed episode, who are inadequately responsive to more than 2 weeks of lithium (600 mg/day) or valproate (500 mg/day) therapy, are randomized to receive cotherapy (dehydroaripiprazole+mood-stabilizer) or monotherapy (placebo+mood-stabilizer). The results indicate that dehydroaripiprazole cotherapy improves patients' YMRS total scores more than monotherapy. Clinical response rates (> or =50% improvement on YMRS) are higher with cotherapy. Dehydroaripiprazole cotherapy improves 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-21) total scores more than monotherapy. In patients with mixed-episodes with moderate to severe depressive symptoms (DSM-IV mixed episode; HAMD-21 score of > or =20 at baseline), dehydroaripiprazole cotherapy improves HAMD-21 scores compared to monotherapy. Extrapyramidal symptoms (Simpson-Angus Scale, Barnes Akathisia Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) are not significantly changed from baseline to end point in either treatment group. Compared with the use of valproate or lithium alone, the addition of dehydroaripiprazole provided superior efficacy in the treatment of manic and mixed bipolar episodes. EXAMPLE 7 A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of Aripiprazole as adjunctive treatment for adolescent mania. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examines the efficacy and tolerability of aripiprazole in combination with divalproex (DVP) for acute mania in adolescents with bipolar disorder. The methods employed are essentially as described by Delbello et al., (J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2002 October; 41(10):1216-23). It is hypothesized that DVP in combination with aripiprazole is more effective than DVP alone for treating mania associated with adolescent bipolar disorder. Thirty manic or mixed bipolar I adolescents (12-18 years) receive an initial DVP dose of 20 mg/kg and are randomly assigned to 6 weeks of combination therapy with aripiprazole, about 10 mg/day or placebo. Primary efficacy measures are change from baseline to endpoint in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score and YMRS response rate. Safety and tolerability are assessed weekly. The DVP+aripiprazole group demonstrates a greater reduction in YMRS scores from baseline to endpoint than the DVP+placebo group. Moreover, YMRS response rate is significantly greater in the DVP+aripiprazole group than in the DVP+placebo group. No significant group differences from baseline to endpoint in safety measures are noted. Sedation, rated as mild or moderate, is more common in the DVP+aripiprazole group than in the DVP+placebo group. The results indicate that aripiprazole in combination with DVP is more effective for the treatment of adolescent bipolar mania than DVP alone. In addition, the results suggest that aripiprazole is well tolerated when used in combination with DVP for the treatment of mania. EXAMPLE 8 A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of Dehydroaripiprazole as adjunctive treatment for adolescent mania. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examines the efficacy and tolerability of dehydroaripiprazole in combination with divalproex (DVP) for acute mania in adolescents with bipolar disorder. The methods employed are essentially as described by Delbello et al., (J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2002 October; 41(10):1216-23). It is hypothesized that DVP in combination with dehydroaripiprazole is more effective than DVP alone for treating mania associated with adolescent bipolar disorder. Thirty manic or mixed bipolar I adolescents (12-18 years) receive an initial DVP dose of 20 mg/kg and are randomly assigned to 6 weeks of combination therapy with dehydroaripiprazole, about 10 mg/day or placebo. Primary efficacy measures are change from baseline to endpoint in Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score and YMRS response rate. Safety and tolerability are assessed weekly. The DVP+dehydroaripiprazole group demonstrates a greater reduction in YMRS scores from baseline to endpoint than the DVP+placebo group. Moreover, YMRS response rate is significantly greater in the DVP+dehydroaripiprazole group than in the DVP +placebo group. No significant group differences from baseline to endpoint in safety measures are noted. Sedation, rated as mild or moderate, is more common in the DVP+dehydroaripiprazole group than in the DVP+placebo group. The results indicate that dehydroaripiprazole in combination with DVP is more effective for the treatment of adolescent bipolar mania than DVP alone. In addition, the results suggest that aripiprazole is well tolerated when used in combination with DVP for the treatment of mania. All patents, patent applications, scientific and medical publications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated in their entirety. It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates only to preferred embodiments of the present invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The number of people with mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes is increasing every year for numerous reasons. Since the period of 1950, tricyclic antidepressant drugs (e.g., imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, etc.) have been developed that act to inhibit monoamine reuptake. They are frequently used for treating patients suffering from mood disorders. However, these drugs have side-effects, such as the following: dry mouth, hazy eyes, dysuria, constipation, recognition disturbance and the like due to anticholinergic activity; cardiovascular side-effects such as, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia and the like on the basis of α 1 -adrenoreceptor antagonist activity; side-effects such as, sedation, increase in the body weight and the like on the basis of histamine-H 1 receptor antagonist activity. Although the mood disorders including bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes are heterogeneous diseases, and the causes of these diseases are not fully understood, it is likely that the abnormalities of the monoaminergic central nervous system caused by serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine and the like, and the abnormality of various hormones and peptides as well as various stressors are causes of depression and various other mood disorders (Kubota Masaharu et al.: “RINSHOU SEISHIN IGAKU” Vol. 29, pp 891-899, (2000)). For these reasons, even though mood stabilizer drugs, such as lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam and clonazepam have been used, these drugs are not always effective in treating all patients. New therapeutic trials involve proposed combined therapies using an atypical antipsychotic drug, such as olanzepine or quetiapine, which are agents for treating schizophrenia (anti-psychotic drug), together with mood stabilizing drug such as valproate, lithium or divalproex ((Arch. Gen. Psychiatry, 2002 January 59:1):62-69; J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2002 October; 41(10) :1216-23.) Further, commercially available atypical antipsychotic drugs have significant problems relating to their safety. For example, clozapine, olanzapine and quetiapine increase body weight and enhance the risk of diabetes mellitus (Newcomer, J. W. (Supervised Translated by Aoba Anri): “RINSHOU SEISHIN YAKURI” Vol. 5, pp 911-925, (2002), Haupt, D. W. and Newcomer, J. W. (Translated by Fuji Yasuo and Misawa Fuminari): “RINSHOU SEISHIN YAKURI” Vol. 5, pp 1063-1082, (2002)). In fact, urgent safety alerts have been issued in Japan relating to hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis and diabetic coma caused by olanzapine and quetiapine, indicating that these drugs were subjected to dosage contraindication to the patients with diabetes mellitus and patients having anamnesis of diabetes mellitus. Risperidone causes increases serum prolactin levels and produces extrapyramidal side effects at high dosages. Ziprasidone enhances the risk of severe arrhythmia on the basis of cardio-QTc prolongation action. Further, clozapine induces agranulocytosis, so that clinical use thereof is strictly restricted (van Kammen, D. P. (Compiled under Supervision by Murasaki Mitsuroh) “RINSHOU SEISHIN YAKURI” Vol. 4, pp 483-492, (2001)). Accordingly what is needed are new compositions useful for treating mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder with or without psychotic features, mania or mixed episodes, which are efficacious and do not cause the deleterious side effects associated with prior art compounds.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention solves the problems described above by providing novel compositions and methods of using these compositions for treating mood disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, including but not limited to bipolar disorder I, bipolar disorder II, bipolar disorder with and without psychotic features, and mania, acute mania, bipolar depression or mixed episode. The present invention provides solutions to the above-mentioned problems, and demonstrates that the mood disorders, such as bipolar disorder and mania, can be treated effectively by administering to a patient with such disorder a composition comprising at least one carbostyril derivative that is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in combination with at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. A preferred carbostyril derivative of the present invention that is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Another preferred carbostyril derivative of the present invention that is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer is a metabolite of aripiprazole called dehydroaripiprazole, also known as OPC-14857. Other such metabolites of aripiprazole included within the present invention are shown in FIG. 8 . Preferred aripiprazole metabolites are shown in FIG. 8 indicated by the following designations: OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 and DCPP. Aripiprazole, also called 7-{4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy}-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone, is a carbostyril and is useful for treating schizophrenia (JP-A-2-191256, U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,528). Aripiprazole is also known as 7-[4-[4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)-1-piperazinyl]butoxy]-3,4-dihydrocarbostyril, Abilify, OPC-14597, OPC-31 and BMS-337039. Aripiprazole possesses 5-HT 1A receptor agonist activity, and is known as a useful compound for treating types of depression and refractory depression, such as endogenous depression, major depression, melancholia and the like (WO 02/060423A2; Jordan et al U.S. Patent Application 2002/0173513A1)). Aripiprazole has activity as an agonist at serotonin receptors and dopamine receptors, and acts as an agonist or partial agonist at the serotonin 5HT 1A receptor and as an agonist or partial agonist at the dopamine D 2 receptor. Aripiprazole is a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer. Metabolites of aripiprazole are included within the scope of the present invention. One such metabolite of aripiprazole is called dehydroaripiprazole. Other such metabolites of aripiprazole included within the present invention are shown in FIG. 8 . Preferred metabolites are shown in FIG. 8 indicated by the following designations: OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 and DCPP. The at least one mood stabilizer used in the present invention includes but is not limited to the following: lithium, valproic acid, divalproex sodium, carbamazapine, oxcarbamazapine, zonisamide, lamotragine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam and clonazepam. The novel compositions of the present invention comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier may be combined in one dosage form, for example a pill. Alternatively the carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and the at least one mood stabilizer may be in separate dosage forms, each in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. These compositions are administered to a patient with a mood disorder, such as bipolar disorder or mania, in an amount and dose regimen effective to treat the mood disorder. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for treating a mood disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for treating a mood disorder, wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition useful for treating a mood disorder, wherein the mood disorder is mania. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer, wherein the carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer, wherein the carbostyril derivative is dehydroaripiprazole. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder wherein the mood disorder is mania. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer together in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating. a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof, and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is dehydroaripiprazole (OPC-14857), DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is dehydroaripiprazole (OPC-14857), DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP, and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is bipolar disorder. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is mania. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating a mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the mood disorder is mania. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising separate administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and a composition comprising at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative is aripiprazole or a metabolite thereof. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method for treating mood disorder comprising administration to a patient with a mood disorder of a composition comprising a carbostyril derivative with activity as a dopamine-serotonin system stabilizer and at least one mood stabilizer in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the carbostyril derivative wherein the carbostyril derivative is a metabolite of aripiprazole and is OPC-14857, DM-1458, DM-1451, DM-1452, DM-1454 or DCPP. These and other objects, advantages, and uses of the present invention will reveal themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the attached claims.

20060802

20150908

20070208

94909.0

A61K317008

KANTAMNENI, SHOBHA

Carbostyril derivatives and mood stabilizers for treating mood disorders

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Method and system for spatio-temporal video warping

A computer-implemented method and system for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene wherein for at least two successive frames of the second sequence, there are selected from at least three different frames of the first sequence portions that are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene and copied to a corresponding frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. In a second aspect, for at least one feature in the first dynamic scene respective portions of the first sequence of video frames are sampled at a different rate than surrounding portions of the first sequence of video frames; and the sampled portions are copied to a corresponding frame of the second sequence.

1. A computer-implemented method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) selecting from at least three different frames of the first sequence portions that are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene; and (b) copying said portions to at least two successive frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first dynamic scene is captured by a camera at a fixed location. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the camera is rotated relative to an axis at said fixed location. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least three different frames of the first sequence are temporally contiguous. 5. The method according to claim 1, including spatially warping at least two of said portions prior to copying to the second sequence. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selected portions are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene. 7. The method according to claim 1, including pre-aligning the first sequence of video frames so as to produce an aligned space-time volume by: (a) computing image motion parameters between frames in the first sequence; (b) warping the video frames in the first sequence so that stationary objects in the first dynamic scene will be stationary in the video. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the selected portions relates to a fast-moving object. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein selecting image slices includes sweeping the aligned space-time volume by a “time front” surface and generating a sequence of time slices. 10. A method according to claim 1 wherein two events that occurred simultaneously in the first video sequence are displayed at different times in the second video sequence. 11. A computer-implemented method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) capturing at least two events having a first mutual temporal relationship in the first sequence; and (b) displaying said at least two events in the second sequence so as to define a second mutual temporal relationship that is different from the first mutual temporal relationship. 12. The method according to claim 11, when used to display events that occurred simultaneously in the first sequence at different times in the second sequence. 13. The method according to claim 11, when used to display events that occurred at different times in the first sequence simultaneously in the second sequence. 14. The method according to claim 11, comprising: (c) for at least one feature in the first dynamic scene sampling respective portions of the first sequence of video frames at a different temporal rate than surrounding portions of the first sequence of video frames; and (d) copying sampled portions of the first sequence of video frames to at least two frames of the second sequence. 15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first dynamic scene is captured by a camera at a fixed location. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the camera is rotated relative to an axis at said fixed location. 17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the frames of the first sequence are temporally contiguous. 18. The method according to claim 11, including spatially warping at least two of said sampled portions prior to copying to the frames in the second sequence. 19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the sampled portions are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene. 20. The method according to claim 11, including pre-aligning the first sequence of video frames so as to produce an aligned space-time volume by: (e) computing image motion parameters between frames in the first sequence; (f) warping the video frames in the first sequence so that stationary objects in the first dynamic scene will be stationary in the video. 21. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the sampled portions relates to a moving object. 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein sampling respective portions of the first sequence of video frames includes sweeping the aligned space-time volume by a “time front” surface and the frames of the second sequence are generated from a sequence of time slices. 23. A sequence of video frames depicting a dynamic scene, each video frame comprising a plurality of pixels wherein at least two adjacent pixels are derived from temporally contiguous input frames. 24. A system for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the system comprising: a first memory for storing the first sequence of video frames, a selection unit coupled to the first memory for selecting spatially contiguous portions from at least three different frames of the first sequence for at least two successive frames of the second sequence, a frame generator for copying said portions to a corresponding frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence, and a second memory for storing frames of the second sequence. 25. The system according to claim 24, further including a display device coupled to the second memory for displaying the second dynamic scene. 26. The system according to claim 24, wherein the at least three different frames of the first sequence are temporally contiguous. 27. The system according to claim 24, wherein the frame generator includes a warping unit for spatially warping at least two of said portions prior to copying to the second sequence. 28. The system according to claim 24, further including an alignment unit coupled to the first memory for pre-aligning the first sequence of video frames by: (g) computing image motion parameters between frames in the first sequence; (h) warping the video frames in the first sequence so that stationary objects in the first dynamic scene will be stationary in the video. 29. The system according to claim 24, including a time slice generator coupled to the selection unit for sweeping the aligned space-time volume by a “time front” surface and generating a sequence of time slices. 30-31. (canceled) 32. A computer-implemented program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) selecting from at least three different frames of the first sequence portions that are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene; and (b) copying said portions to at least two successive frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. 33. A computer-implemented computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the computer program product comprising: computer readable program code for causing the computer to select from at least three different frames of the first sequence portions that are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene; and computer readable program code for causing the computer to copy said portions to at least two successive frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. 34. A computer-implemented program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) capturing at least two events having a first mutual temporal relationship in the first sequence; and (b) displaying said at least two events in the second sequence so as to define a second mutual temporal relationship that is different from the first mutual temporal relationship. 35. A computer-implemented computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the computer program product comprising: computer readable program code for causing the computer to capture at least two events having a first mutual temporal relationship in the first sequence; and computer readable program code for causing the computer to display said at least two events in the second sequence so as to define a second mutual temporal relationship that is different from the first mutual temporal relationship.

RELATED APPLICATONS This application claims benefit of provisional applications Ser. No. 60/624,896 filed Nov. 5, 2004 and 60/664,371 filed Jan. 18, 2005 whose contents are included herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to image and video based rendering, where new images and videos are created by combining portions from multiple original images of a scene. PRIOR ART Prior art references considered to be relevant as a background to the invention are listed below and their contents are incorporated herein by reference. Additional references are mentioned in the above-mentioned U.S. provisional applications Nos. 60/624,896 and 60/664,371 and their contents are incorporated herein by reference. Acknowledgement of the references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the invention disclosed herein. Each reference is identified by a number enclosed in square brackets and accordingly the prior art will be referred to throughout the specification by numbers enclosed in square brackets. [1] Agarwala, A., Dontcheva, M., Agrawala, M., Drucker, S., Colburn, A., Curless, B., Salesin, D. H., and Cohen, M. F. Interactive digital photomontage, ACM Transactions on Graphics Vol. 23, No. 3, August 2004, pp. 294-302. [2] Baker, H. H., and Bolles, R. C. Generalizing epipolar-plane image analysis on the spatiotemporal surface, International Journal of Computer Vision Vol. 3, No. 1, May 1989, pp. 33-49. [3] Bergen, J. R., Anandan, P., Hanna, K. J., and Hingorani, R. Hierarchical model-based motion estimation, European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV '92), 1992, pp. 237-252. [4] Bolles, R. C., Baker, H. H., and Marimont, D. H. Epipolar-plane image analysis: an approach to determining structure from motion, International Journal of Computer Vision Vol. 1, No. 1, 1987, pp. 7-56. [5] Carpendale, M. S. T., Light, J., and Pattison, E. Achieving higher magnification in context, Proceedings of the 17th annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology, 2004, Vol. 6, pp. 71-80. [6] Cohen, M. F., Colburn, A., and Drucker, S. Image stacks, Tech. Rep. MSR-TR-2003-40, Microsoft Research, 2003. [7] A. Rav-Acha, Y. Pritch, S. Peleg., Online Video Registration of Dynamic Scenes using Frame Prediction, Technical Report, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. (June 2005) subsequently published in IEEE workshop on dynamical vision at ICCV'05, Beijing, October 2005. [8] Klein, A. W., Sloan, P.-P. J., Colburn, R. A., Finkelstein, A., and Cohen, M. F. Video cubism, Tech. Rep. MSR-TR-2001-45, Microsoft Research, April 2001. [9] Klein, A. W., Sloan, P.-P. J., Finkelstein, A., and Cohen, M. F. Stylized video cubes, Proc. Symp Comp Animation (SCA 2002), 2002. [10] Kwatra, V., Schodl, A., Essa, I., Turk, G., and Bobick, A. Graphcut textures: image and video synthesis using graph cuts, ACM Transactions on Graphics Vol. 22, No. 3 July 2003, pp. 277-286. [11] Zomet, A., Feldman, D., Peleg, S., and Weinshall, D. Mosaicing new views: The crossed-slits projection, IEEE Transactions on PAMI, June 2003, pp. 741-754. [12] K. S. Bhat, S. M. Seitz, J. K. Hodgins, and P. K. Khosla, Flow-based Video Synthesis and Editing, SIGGRAPH 2004, pp. 360-363 [13] A. Fitzgibbon Stochastic rigidity: Image registration for nowhere-static scenes International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV'01), Vol. 1, pp. 662-669, Vancouver, Canada, July 2001. [14] S. Peleg, B. Rousso, A. Rav-Acha, and A. Zomet Mosaicing on adaptive manifolds, IEEE Trans. on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (PAMI'00), 22(10):1144-1154, October 2000. [15] A. Schodl, R. Szeliski, D. Salesin, and I. Essa Video textures ACM Transactions on Graphics (Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 2000), pp. 489-498, 2000. [16] P. Torr and A. Zisserman {MLESAC}: A new robust estimator with application to estimating image geometry, Journal of Computer Vision and Image Understanding (CVIU'00), 78(1):138-156, 2000. [17] E. H. Adelson and J. R. Bergen, The plenoptic function and the elements of early vision, in Computational Models of Visual Processing by M. Landy and J. A. Movshon, Eds. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass., 3-20, 1991 [18] M. Levoy and P. Hanrahan, Light field rendering, Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 96, Addison-Wesley, H. Rushmeier, Ed. Computer Graphics Proceedings, Annual Conference Series, ACM SIGGRAPH, 31-42 [19] P. Rademacher and G. Bishop, Multiple-center-of-projection images, Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 98, ACM Press/Addison-Wesley, Ed. Computer Graphics Proceedings, Annual Conference Series, ACM SIGGRAPH, 199-206 [20] M. Irani, P. Anandan, J. Bergen, R. Kumar and S. Hsu, Mosaic representations of video sequences and their applications, Signal Processing: Image Communication, 8(4):327-351, May 1996 [21] S. K. Nayar, Catadioptric omnidirectional camera, IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR'97), pages 482-488, Puerto Rico, June 1997 [22] P. Baker, C. Fermller, Y. Aloimonos and R. Pless, A spherical eye from multiple cameras (makes better models of the world), IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR'01), volume 1, pages 576-583, Vancouver, Canada, July 2001 [23] T. Beier and S. Neely, Feature-based image metamorphosis Computer Graphics (SIGGRAPH '92 Proceedings), E. E. Catmull, Ed. vol. 26, 35-42 [24] J. Zheng and S. Tsuji, Generating dynamic projection images for scene representation and understanding, Journal of Computer Vision and Image Understanding (CVIU'98), 72(3):237-256, December 1998 [25] J. Shi and J. Malik, Motion segmentation and tracking using normalized cuts, ICCV98, pages 1154-1160, 1998 [26] J. Herman et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,905, issued Jun. 13 2000 Method and apparatus for mosaic image construction [27] S. Peleg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,990, issued Dec. 10, 2002. Method for the automatic computerized audio visual dubbing of movies [28] P. Burt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,163, issued May 21, 2002. Mosaic based image processing system [29] S. Peleg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,036, issued Mar. 11 2003. Generalized panoramic mosaic [30] S. Peleg et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,003, issued Dec. 16 2003. System and method for generating and displaying panoramic images and movies [31] S. Peleg et al., U.S. Patent Application 60/624,896. Dynamic mosaicing [32] S. Peleg et al., US Patent Application 2004/0223051, published Nov. 11, 2004. System and method for capturing and viewing stereoscopic panoramic images BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While spatial image warping is extensively used in image and video editing applications for creating a wide variety of interesting special effects, there are only very primitive tools for manipulating the temporal flow in a video. For example, tools are available for temporal speeding up (slowing down) of the video comparable to image zoom, or the “in-out” video selection comparable to image crop and shift. But there are no tools that implement the spatio-temporal analogues of more general image warps, such as the various image distortion effects found in common image editing applications. Imagine a person standing in the middle of a crowded square looking around. When requested to describe his dynamic surrounding, he will usually describe ongoing actions. For example—“some people are talking in the southern corner, others are eating in the north”, etc. This kind of a description ignores the chronological time when each activity was observed. Owing to the limited field of view of the human eye, people cannot take in an entire panoramic scene in a single time. Instead, the scene is examined over time as the eyes are scanning it. Nevertheless, this does not prevent us from obtaining a realistic impression of our dynamic surroundings and describing it. The space-time volume, where the 2D frames of a video sequence are stacked along the time axis was introduced as the epipolar volume by Bolles et al. [2, 4], who analyzed slices perpendicular to the image plane (epipolar plane images) to track features in image sequences. Light fields are also related to the space-time volume: they correspond to 4D subsets of the general 7D plenoptic function [17], which describes the intensity of light rays at any location, direction, wavelength, and time. Light field rendering algorithms [18] operate on 4D subsets of the plenoptic function, extracting 2D slices corresponding to desired views. The space-time volume is a 3D subset of the plenoptic function, where two dimensions correspond to ray directions, while the third dimension defines the time or the camera position. Multiple centers of projection images [19] and multiperspective panoramas [30] may also be considered as two-dimensional slices through a space-time volume spanned by a moving camera. Klein et al. [8, 9] also utilize the space-time volume representation of a video sequence, and explore the use of arbitrary-shaped slices through this volume. This was done in the context of developing new non-photorealistic rendering tools for video, inspired by the Cubist and Futurist art movements. They define the concept of a rendering solid, which is a sub-volume carved out from the space-time volume, and generate a non-photorealistic video by compositing planar slices which advance through these solids. Cohen et al. [6] describe how a non-planar slice through a stack of images (which is essentially a space-time volume) could be used to combine different parts from images captured at different times to form a single still image. This idea was further explored by Agarwala et al. [1]. Their “digital photomontage” system presents the user with a stack of images as a single, three-dimensional entity. The goal of their system is to produce a single composite still image, and they have not discussed the possibilities of generating dynamic movies from such 3D image stacks. For example, they discuss the creation of a stroboscopic visualization of a moving subject from a video sequence, but not the manipulation of the video segment to produce a novel video. Video textures [Kwatra et al. [10]] and graphcut textures [Schödl et al. [15]] are also related to this work, as they describe techniques for video-based rendering. Schödl et al. generate new videos from existing ones by finding good transition points in the video sequence, while Kwatra et al. show how the quality of such transitions may be improved by using more general cuts through the space-time volume. The above-mentioned publications are not directed to meaningful ways in which the user may specify and control various spatio-temporal warps of dynamic video sequences, resulting in a variety of interesting and useful effects. While it is known to process a sequence of video image frames by using video content from different frames and merging such content so as to create a new frame, known approaches have mostly focused on producing still images using photo-montage techniques or have required translation of the camera relative to the scene. 1. Related Work The most popular approach for the mosaicing of dynamic scenes is to compress all of the scene information into a single static mosaic image. The description of scene dynamics in a static mosaic varies. Early approaches eliminated all dynamic information from the scene, as dynamic changes between images were undesired [16]. More recent methods encapsulate the dynamics of the scene by overlaying several appearances of the moving objects into the static mosaic, resulting in a “stroboscopic” effect [1]. An attempt to incorporate the panoramic view with the dynamic scene was proposed in [20]. The original video frames were played on top of the panoramic static mosaic, registered into their location in the mosaic. The resulting video is mostly stationary, and motion is visible only at the location of the current frame. The present invention addresses the problem of generating the impression of a realistic panoramic video, in which all activities take place simultaneously. The most common method to obtain such panoramic videos is to equip a video camera with a panoramic lens [21]. Indeed, if all cameras were equipped with a panoramic lens, life could have been easier for computer vision. Unfortunately, use of such lens is not convenient, and it suffers from many quality problems such as low resolution and distortions. Alternatively, panoramic videos can be created by stitching together regular videos from several cameras having overlapping field of view [22]. In either case, these solutions require equipment which is not available for the common video user. In many cases a preliminary task before mosaicing is motion analysis for the alignment of the input video frames. Many motion analysis methods exist, some offer robust motion computation that overcome the presence of moving objects in the scene [3, 16]. A method proposed by [13] allows image motion to be computed even with dynamic texture, and in [7] motion is computed for dynamic scenes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a method and computer system for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals by a camera to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene. This object is realized in accordance with one aspect of the invention by a computer-implemented method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) for at least two successive frames of the second sequence, selecting from at least three different frames of the first sequence portions that are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene; and (b) copying said portions to a corresponding frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. Within the context of the invention and the appended claims, the term “video” is synonymous with “movie” in its most general term providing only that it is accessible as a computer image file amenable to post-processing and includes any kind of movie file e.g. digital, analog. The camera is preferably at a fixed location by which is meant that it can rotate and zoom—but is not subjected translation motion as is done in hitherto-proposed techniques. The scenes with the present invention is concerned are dynamic as opposed, for example, to the static scenes processed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,003 [30] and other references directed to the display of stereoscopic images which does not depict a dynamic scene wherein successive frames have spatial and temporal continuity. When the camera is stationary, contiguous portions in the frames are contiguous in the first dynamic scene; stationary background objects in the first dynamic scene remain stationary in the second dynamic scene. Preferably, the first sequence of video frames is preprocessed so as to generate an aligned video having an aligned sequence of frames by: (a) computing image motion parameters between frames in the first sequence; (b) warping the video frames in the first sequence so that stationary objects in the first dynamic scene will be stationary in the video. By such means, the stationary objects remain stationary also in the aligned sequence so that they do not move in the aligned video. When a video camera is scanning a dynamic scene, different regions are visible at different times. The chronological time when a region becomes visible in the input video is not part of the scene dynamics, and may be ignored. Only the “relative time” during the visibility period of each region is relevant for the dynamics of the scene, and should be used for building the dynamic mosaics. The distinction between chrono-logical time and relative time for describing dynamic scenes inspired this work. No mathematically correct panoramic video of a dynamic scene can be constructed, as different parts of the scene are seen in different times. Yet, panoramic videos giving a realistic impression of the dynamic environment can be generated by relaxing the chronological requirement, and maintaining only the relative time. In order to describe the invention use will be made of a construct that we refer to as the “space-time volume” to create the dynamic panoramic videos. The space-time volume may be constructed from the input sequence of images by sequentially stacking all the frames along the time axis. However, it is to be understood that so far as actual implementation is concerned, it is not necessary actually to construct the space-time volume for example by actually stacking in time 2D frames of a dynamic source scene. More typically, source frames are processed individually to construct target frames but it will aid understanding to refer to the space time volume as though it is a physical construct rather than a conceptual construct. With this in mind, we show how panoramic movies can be produced by taking different slices of the space time volume. Methods similar to those used in ordinary mosaicing obtain seamless images from slices of the space time volume, giving the name “Dynamic Mosaics” (“Dynamosaics”). Various slicing schemes of the space-time volume can manipulate the chronological time in different ways. For example, the scanning video can be played at a different speed, even backwards, while preserving the relative time characteristics of the original video. Panoramic video is a temporally compact representation of video clips scanning a scene, useful as a video summary tool. In addition it can be used for video editing as well as for entertainment. However, since manipulation of chronological time as proposed in this paper is a new concept, it is expected that new innovative applications will develop over time. One aspect of the invention lies in generalizing from planar and non-deforming time fronts to free-form and deforming ones; synthesizing entire videos, rather than still images; and exploring some of the video editing effects that may be achieved in this manner. While some of these effects are not new per se, we demonstrate that they all fit nicely within the powerful and flexible evolving time fronts paradigm. An alternative embodiment for the user interface allows the user to control the shape and the evolution of the time front via a sparse set of constraints. One type of constraint forces the time front to pass through a user-specified point in the space-time volume at a given frame of the output video sequence. Another type of constraint forces the time front to advance at some user-specified speed when passing through certain user-specified points in the space-time volume. Piecewise smooth evolving time fronts that satisfy these constraints may be obtained by formulating an objective function consisting of two terms: a data term which measures the deviation from the desired constraints, and a smoothness term, which forces the solution to be piecewise smooth. The resulting function may then be minimized using a number of numerical methods known to any experienced practitioner in the field, such as described in “Numerical Recipes: The Art of Scientific Computing” developed by Numerical Recipes Software and published by Cambridge University Press. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer-implemented method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) capturing at least two events having a first mutual temporal relationship in the first sequence; and (b) displaying said at least two events in the second sequence so as to define a second mutual temporal relationship that is different from the first mutual temporal relationship. Such a method may be used to display events that occurred simultaneously in the first sequence at different times in the second sequence or to display events that occurred at different times in the first sequence simultaneously in the second sequence, and may include: (c) for at least one feature in the first dynamic scene sampling respective portions of the first sequence of video frames at a different temporal rate than surrounding portions of the first sequence of video frames; and (d) copying sampled portions of the first sequence of video frames to a corresponding frame of the second sequence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGS. 1a and 1b are pictorial representations (viewed from top) showing 3D space-time volumes produced using stationary and moving cameras, respectively; FIG. 2a is a pictorial representation depicting snapshots of an evolving time front surface that produce a sequence of time fronts; FIG. 2b is a pictorial representation depicting mapping each time front to produce a single output video frame; FIGS. 3a and 3b are pictorial representations showing successive stages during sweeping 3D space-time volumes with an evolving 2D time front; FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show respectively frames from a source video sequence and from two target video clips generated from the source video sequence with different time flow patterns; FIGS. 4d and 4e show several time slices superimposed over a u-t slice passing through the center of the space-time volume; FIGS. 5a and 5b show frames from two different target videos derived from a source video of a swimming competition that is configured to yield different winners; FIGS. 5c and 5d show corresponding time slices superimposed over a v-t slice passing through the center of the space-time volume of the swimming competition; p FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c show evolving time fronts and corresponding effects used to generate a spatio-temporal magnifying glass; FIG. 7 is a pictorial representation of a video frame showing a dynamic pattern formed over a dynamic texture of fire and smoke; FIG. 8a shows a time flow pattern for generating dynamic mosaics from a panning camera; FIGS. 8b and 8c show respectively frames from a source video sequence and from a target video clip generated from the source video sequence with the time flow pattern of FIG. 8a; FIGS. 8d and 8e are pictorial and schematic representations respectively showing the construction according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention for creating panoramic dynamic mosaics; FIGS. 8f and 8g are schematic representations of a continuous linear slice in the continuous space-time volume used for creating panoramic dynamic mosaics; FIG. 9 shows a time flow pattern for generating dynamic mosaics from a panning camera while reversing the scanning direction of the camera; FIG. 10 is a schematic representation showing effects of various linear slices on the space-time volume of an input sequence from a rotating camera; FIG. 11 is a schematic representation showing effects of various non-linear slices on the space-time volume of an input sequence from a rotating camera; FIGS. 12 and 12b show parallax of two “stereo” views generated from a space time volume captured by a translating camera; FIG. 13a shows the progression of time flow with a rotating time front; FIGS. 13b and 13c show forward parallax of two “stereo” views generated from a space time volume captured by a translating camera and created using the rotating time front shown in FIG. 13a; FIGS. 14a to 14d show various stages in the time splicing of video clips; FIGS. 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b show examples of a single frame from panoramic dynamosaics for different types of scenes created using the invention; FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing the main functionality of a system according to the invention; FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing the principal operation carried in accordance with the invention; and FIGS. 19a and 19b show alternative representations of the space-time volume that may be used according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 1. The Evolving Time Fronts Framework The invention creates a spatio-temporal video warping framework with which there are associated three conceptual stages: constructing a space-time volume, sweeping the volume with an evolving time front surface, and mapping the resulting time slices to produce the warped output video frames. Before proceeding with a more detailed description of the process, we introduce the notation for the different coordinates systems involved: 1. Original video coordinates (x,y,t) denote the (x,y) location in input video frame t, where (x, y) are given in the local coordinate system of each frame. 2. Registered space-time coordinates (u,v,t), denote locations in the space-time volume. Here (u,v) refer to some global coordinate system available after video registration. 3. Warped video coordinates (x′,y′,t′) denote the (x′,y′) location in the output video frame t′, again, in the local coordinate system of each frame. 1.1. The Space-Time Volume Given a sequence of input video frames, they are first registered and aligned to a global spatial coordinate system (u,v). This defines a mapping R(x,y,t)→(u,v,t), typically leaving t unchanged, and only warping the spatial coordinates of each frame to their place on the global manifold. The necessary registration may be performed using previously described computer vision techniques [3, 13] both of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIGS. 1a and 1b are pictorial representations showing in plan view 3D space-time volumes 10 and 11 respectively comprising a plurality of 2D images stacked along the time axis. A stack of 2D images constituting a 3D space-time relating to a different embodiment of the invention is also shown in FIG. 8d. Each video frame is represented by a ID row 12, and the video frames are aligned along the global u axis. In FIG. 1a a static camera is used to define the rectangular space-time region 10, while a moving camera defines the more general swept volume 11 shown in FIG. 1b. Stacking the aligned 2D video frames along the time axis results in the 3D space-time volumes 10 and 11. As shown in FIG. 1a, for a static camera the volume is shaped as a rectangular box, while a moving camera defines a more general swept volume. In either case, planar slices perpendicular to the t axis correspond to the original video frames. A static scene point traces a line parallel to the t axis (for a static or panning camera), while a moving point traces a more general trajectory. An example for the location of a static point 15 is the dashed line 16 in FIG. 1b. 3.2. The Time Front The invention proposes a number of different ways of transforming one space-time volume into another, yielding a novel video sequence but it is to be understood that these are non-limiting. In the most general case, each pixel (x′,y′,t′) in the target video may be generated by an arbitrary function of the entire original source space-time volume. In practice, however, such general transformations could turn out to be unintuitive and difficult to specify. Thus, for the purpose of explanation, we will focus on a more restrictive class of transformations that correspond to meaningful spatio-temporal manipulations of the video. Spatial image warping geometrically transforms images, typically by applying a bijective mapping to transform the spatial coordinates of an input image to yield the warped image. Informally, this allows a user to change the position and size of various features in the image, but without breaking continuity. By the same token, a user is able to specify new spatio-temporal locations and sizes for various regions in the original space-time volume. For example, shrinking (stretching) a region along the temporal dimension causes time to flow faster (slower) in the warped video. Preferably, mappings are bijective in order to maintain a continuous spatio-temporal flow. One possible approach according to the invention, and one that has the desired characteristics outlined above, is to define the warping by specifying an evolving time front—a free-form surface 13 that deforms as it sweeps through the space-time volume and an upper edge of which is shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Thus, FIG. 2a shows snapshots of an evolving time front surface producing a sequence of time fronts 13 that intersect multiple frames 12. In FIG. 2b each time front is mapped to produce a single output video frame. This is done by mapping the pixels 14 in each frame 12 that are intersected by the evolving time front 13 and projecting on to a target video frame 15, such that projections of successive time fronts form a successive series of video frames in the target video. FIGS. 3a and 3b are pictorial representations showing successive stages during sweeping the 3D space-time volume 10 with the evolving 2D time front 13. Specifying the spatio-temporal warping in this manner separates between the manipulation of the temporal and the spatial components of the video and provides an intuitive interface for controlling such warps. For example, we can slow down or speed up the time flow in various regions at will by varying the speed at which the time front advances in the corresponding regions of the space-time volume. 3.3. User Interface Some of the effects described herein are generated with very specific and well-defined time front geometries. A video editing tool may present such effects to the user as a black box with a few input parameters that control the outcome. In other cases, a more elaborate user interface is required. The temporal evolution of general time fronts and the speed at which they sweeps through the space-time volume may be specified via a keyframing user interface, similar to the interfaces used in computer animation. The user is required to specify a number of key time slices and indicate which output frames these slices correspond to. By interpolating between these key slices a continuously evolving time front is defined, which is then sampled at the appropriate time intervals to compute a time slice for each output frame. Two different user interfaces were employed for shaping the key time slices: (i) defining a free-form surface by manipulating a control mesh and (ii) a painting interface. In the latter interface the user starts with a gray image corresponding to a planar time slice perpendicular to the time axis and paints on it with a soft-edged brush. Darker colors are used to displace the time slice backwards in time, while brighter colors advance it forward. Both interfaces provide feedback to the user by displaying the image defined by the manipulated time slice. As for defining the spatial warp between the resulting time slices and output frames, it has been found that simple parallel projection of the slice on to a plane perpendicular to the t axis is sufficient for many useful video manipulations. However, in order to define a more general spatio-temporal mapping (as in the spatio-temporal magnifying glass described below with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b) it is possible to use any spatial image warping interface, such as [23]. In the next sections we discuss several different embodiments for time front evolution, and explain the corresponding video warping effects. 4. Spatially Varying Time Flow With further reference to the space-time volume 10 generated from a video of a dynamic scene captured by a static camera shown in FIG. 1a. The original video may be reconstructed from this volume by sweeping forward in time with a planar time front perpendicular to the time axis. As explained above dynamic events in the video can be manipulated by varying the shape and speed of the time front as it sweeps through the space-time volume. FIGS. 4b and 4c demonstrate two different manipulations of a video clip capturing the demolition of a stadium. In the original clip shown in FIG. 4a, the entire stadium collapses almost uniformly. By sweeping the space-time volume as shown in FIG. 4e the output frames use time fronts that are ahead in time towards the sides of the frame, causing the sides of the stadium to collapse before the center (FIG. 4c). Sweeping with the time fronts in FIG. 4d produces a clip where the collapse begins at the dome and spreads outward (FIG. 4b), as points in the center of the frame are taken ahead in time. It should be noted that Agarwala et al. [1] used the very same input clip to produce still time-lapse mosaic images where time appears to flow in different directions (e.g., left-to-right or top-to-bottom). This was done using graph-cut optimization in conjunction with a suitable image objective function. In contrast, the framework according to this aspect of the invention generates entire new dynamic video clips. Because of the unstructured nature of the expanding dust clouds in this example, it was possible to obtain satisfactory results without graph-cuts optimization. In more structured cases, graph-cuts [1] may be used to make time slices appear seamless by introducing local temporal displacements into each time slice. Another example is shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b showing alternative target video clips of a swimming competition derived from a source video (not shown) taken by a stationary camera. Competitors swim in respective lanes that are delineated by the ropes spanning the length of the pool. FIGS. 5c and 5d show the shape of corresponding time slices used to offset the time front at regions of the space-time volume corresponding to a particular lane thereby allowing the corresponding swimmer to be speeded up, thus altering the outcome of the competition at will. In FIGS. 5c and 5d the respective time fronts are offset in different lanes but are both directed forward in the direction of time, thereby speeding up the corresponding swimmer. However, the opposite effect can equally be achieved directing the offset time front backward against the direction of time, thereby slowing down the corresponding swimmer, or even making the swimmer appear to swim backwards. In such an example, the swimmer represents a feature of the first dynamic scene and the method according to the invention includes sampling respective portions of the first sequence of video frames for the swimmer at a different rate than surrounding portions of the first sequence of video frames; and copying sampled portions of the first sequence of video frames to a corresponding frame of the second sequence. The same technique may be done for more than one feature in the first dynamic scene. This example takes advantage of the fact that the trajectories of the swimmers are parallel. In general, it is not necessary for the trajectories to be parallel, or even linear, but it is important that the tube-like swept volumes that correspond to the moving objects in space-time do not intersect. If they do, various anomalies, such as duplication of objects, may arise. Another interesting application is dubbing a video with a different soundtrack. The new soundtrack rarely matches the lip motion of the original video, and particularly disturbing are cases when the mouth moves but no sound is heard, or when sound is heard but the mouth does not move. This problem can be partially overcome by using the approach described herein. The mouth motion can be accelerated or slowed down using an appropriate time flow, such that only the spoken moments correspond to mouth motions, while during silent moments the mouth does not move. If the head is moving, head tracking as known in the art [27] can be performed, so that the different times will be taken from the same mouth area even though the head may be in different locations. 5. Spatio-Temporal Magnifying Glass While the previous examples have demonstrated only time manipulations, in a general spatio-temporal mapping the spatial coordinates may be manipulated simultaneously with the temporal ones. In this case, all three output video coordinates (x′,y′,t′) are functions of the space-time coordinates (u,v,t). That is, (x′,y′,t′)=(fx(u,v,t), fy(u,v,t), ft(u,v,t)). This more general spatio-temporal warp provides a tool for creating additional interesting and useful effects. For example, a spatio-temporal magnifying glass can be applied to videos of sport events. Such a device enables us to magnify a spatial region in which some particularly interesting action takes place, while simultaneously slowing down the action. Unlike in ordinary instant replay, in this case the spatial and temporal magnification occur in the original context of the action, with a continuous transition between the magnified and the surrounding regions. Thus, when a basketball player dunks the ball into the basket, the viewer is able to see the dunk in greater detail, and at the same time keep track of the other players. Although not essential to an understanding of the invention, this effect is demonstrated in several video clips that are accessible from our website at http://www.vision.huji.ac.il/P1604032/. The magnifying glass effect is achieved by deforming and warping the time fronts as illustrated in FIG. 6a showing a slice of the space-time volume with horizontal curves describing the evolution of the time front. The vertical curves define the warping on the time slices to the frames of the output video. Both the horizontal curves and the vertical curves are mapped to straight lines in the resulting output video. The dense grid in the center of the diagram is the focal volume of the lens, and will be enlarged both in space and in time in the output video. Action taking place inside this volume is both magnified and slowed down, while action outside this volume (but still inside the lens) is compressed and accelerated. Everything entirely outside the lens remains unaffected. This is shown in FIG. 6b where the denser spacing of the evolving time fronts represented by the horizontal curves and of their spatial time warping represented by the vertical curves creates a “bubble” in which the image is magnified and slowed down. In other words, time flow is accelerated when entering the lens, slows down in the central focal region, and accelerates again when exiting, to “catch up” with the time flow outside the lens. The spatial dimensions are affected in an analogous way (shrinking when entering/exiting the lens and expanding inside the focal volume). Specifically, a slightly modified version of the clamped focal radius lens is used with the Gaussian drop-off function, as proposed by Carpendale et al. [5]. The opposite effect may be achieved by deforming and warping the time fronts as illustrated in FIG. 6c whereby a “bubble” is created wherein the image is reduced in size and speeded up. While the spatial and temporal mappings are inter-related, a different magnification factor may be applied in each domain. In this effect no registration of the input video frames was performed; the space-time volume was formed by simply stacking the frames on top of each other. The user may control the effect by keyframing the center of the magnifying glass, specifying the magnification factors, and the drop-off function parameters. Instead of keyframing, automatic tracking of moving objects may also be used to position the magnifying glass over a moving object. The amount of useful spatial and temporal magnification depends on the spatial and temporal resolution of the source video. The duration of the effect may also be limited to a short period of time if temporal continuity is to be maintained: if a subject is permitted to spend too much time inside the lens, the temporal disparity between the time flow inside and outside the lens may become too great. 6. Patterns from Temporal Shifts Mildly displacing the time front preserves the characteristics of the original video, but more abrupt displacements may introduce visible distortions in dynamic potions of the video. We can take advantage of such distortions to “emboss” various patterns over dynamic textures. For example, we have created text and logos over dynamic textures of fire and of water. We start by rasterizing the desired embossed shape to a binary image, and then displace the points in the interior of the shape forward or backward in time based on their distance from the shape's boundary. For example, for points closer to the boundary than some user specified value w, the displacement may be linear in the distance, and constant for the remaining interior points. The resulting time front surface is then used to sweep through the space-time volume to produce the resulting video. A frame from one such video is shown in FIG. 7. By starting and ending with the original planar time fronts we can make the pattern gradually emerge and disappear. Note that the resulting effect is only visible in dynamic potions of the original video, and works best when there is sufficient fluctuation in brightness or in color. An interesting alternative which we have yet to explore is to animate the pattern used to define the displacement. 7. Dynamic Mosaics Traditional mosaicing from a panning camera creates static panoramic images even when the scene is dynamic. By using appropriate time flow patterns, dynamic panoramic movies can be produced from a panning camera scanning a dynamic scene. FIG. 8a shows a time-flow pattern over a space-time volume, and assumes a camera panning from left to right of a source scene a frame of which is shown in FIG. 8b. In this time flow pattern, the initial time front is passing through the right side of each input frame, where regions are captured as they first enter the camera's field of view. Thus, the first time slice is a panoramic image capturing the earliest appearance of each point in the scene. The final time front is passing through the left side of each frame, where regions are captured just before leaving the field of view. This time slice shows the last appearance of each point in the scene. Similarly, each intermediate time slice (generated by linear interpolation) corresponds to an image where each region is captured at some time between entering and exiting the field of view. Although each panorama consists of regions taken from different points in time, the local dynamics inside each region is preserved. For example, in a waterfall scene, water in each region will be seen flowing down. FIG. 8c shows a single panorama from such a movie. In this example, the effect is enabled by the fact that the motion inside each region (water flow) is roughly perpendicular to the panning direction. 7.1. Mosaicing with Strips FIG. 8d depicts pictorially an exemplary embodiment of the present invention of a mosaicing scheme whereby strips are taken from each image and pasted side by side to form the mosaic image. The figure shows the collection of input frames as a space-time volume, where strips are taken from each image to form a mosaic image. For simplicity we assume that the camera is panning, image motion is mainly horizontal, and therefore only vertical strips are used. FIG. 8e l gives a 2D display of the mosaicing process, assuming a fixed y coordinate. In this figure all images were aligned along the u axis, and a central strip was taken from each image to form the panoramic mosaic. The collection of all strips in the space-time (u-t) volume forms a “slice” in this volume going through the center of all frames. 7.2. Mosaicing by Slicing the Space-Time Volume Image mosaicing can be described by a function which maps each pixel in the synthesized mosaic image to the input frame from which this pixel is taken. In the aligned sequences, this also determines the location of the pixel in the selected frame. When only vertical strips are used, the function is one-dimensional: it determines for each column of the mosaic image, the frame from which this column should be taken. The discrete mosaicing function can be represented by a continuous slice in the continuous space-time (u-t) volume as shown in FIG. 8f. Each continuous slice determines the mosaic strips by its intersection with the frames of the original sequence at the actual discrete time values. In the non-linear slice, the slope at region A was reduced to zero, while the slope at region B was increased. As a result, objects in A will not be distorted. 7.3. Creating Panoramic Dynamosaics The invention makes use of the space-time representation to produce dynamic panoramic movies by generating sequences of mosaic images corresponding to varying slices of the space-time volume as shown in FIG. 8g. The first mosaic in the sequence is constructed from strips taken from the right side of each input frame, which display regions as they first enter the movie. This mosaic image displays the first appearance of all regions as did the right strips in FIG. 8d. The last mosaic in the sequence is the mosaic generated from the strips in the left, just before a region leaves the field of view. This mosaic image displays the last appearance of all regions in the movie. Between these two extreme slices of the space-time volume, corresponding to the appearance and disappearance of scene regions, intermediate panoramic images are used that are represented by slices moving smoothly from the first slice to the last slice. These slices are panoramic images, advancing along the relative time from the “appearance” slice to the “disappearance” slice, where the local dynamics of each region is preserved. A panoramic dynamosaic movie is produced by moving the first slice slowly towards the last slice and generating multiple panoramic images. FIG. 8c shows a single panorama from such a movie. Panoramic dynamosaics represent the elimination of the chronological time of the scanning camera. Instead, all regions appear simultaneously according to the relative time of their visibility period: from their first appearance to their disappearance. But there is more to time manipulation than eliminating the chronological time as will now be explained with regard to the relationships between time manipulations and various slicing schemes. 7.4. Chronological Time Manipulation The manipulation of chronological time vs. relative time using dynamosaicing will now be described. The dynamic panoramas described in the previous section are a simple example of this concept when the chronological time has been eliminated. Chronological time manipulation is not limited to the creation of dynamic panoramic videos. It can be useful for any application where a video should be manipulated in a way that changes the chronological order of objects in the scene. The realistic appearances of the movie is preserved by preserving the relative time, even when the chronological time is changed. 7.5. Advancing backwards in Time The original waterfalls video, a frame of which is shown in FIG. 8b, was captured by a video camera panning from left to right. If we wanted to reverse the scanning direction and create a video where the camera is panning from right to left, we could simply reverse the order of frames in the video, but this would result in the water flowing upward. At a first glance, it seems impossible to play a movie backwards without reversing its dynamics. Yet, the distinction between chronological and relative times as provided by the invention allows the scanning order to be reversed without distorting the relative time. Thus, looking at dynamosaic panoramic movies, one can claim that all objects are moving simultaneously, and the scanning direction does not have any role. Thus, there must be some kind of symmetry, which enables to convert the panoramic movie into a scanning sequence in which the scanning is at any desired direction and speed. FIG. 9 shows another time flow pattern that may be used to reverse the scanning direction, while preserving the original water flow. The slicing scheme depicted in FIG. 9 uses a slice whose slope is tg(θ)=2tg(α) where θ is the slope of the slice and α is the slope of the visibility region both relative to the u axis. The generated mosaic image has the width w as the original image. Sliding this slice in the positive time direction (down) moves the mosaic image to the left, in the opposite direction to the original scanning order. The width of the generated images remains unchanged. Time flow in the positive time direction (down) moves the generated images to the left, reversing the original panning direction. However, each local region exhibits the same temporal evolution as it did in the original sequence. Local point ua, for example, will first appear as it was in time tk, and will evolve in time until it disappears at time t1. 7.6. Linear Slices of the Space-Time Volume FIG. 10 shows schematically the different types of time manipulations that can be obtained with linear slicing schemes. The slices in FIG. 10 are always played “down” in the direction of positive time at the original speed to preserve the original relative time and can vary both in their angle relative to the u axis and in their length. While in this example the slice always translates in a constant speed in the positive time, various slice angles will have different effects on the resulting video. Thus, different slice angles result in different scanning speeds of the scene. For example, maximum scanning speed is achieved with the panoramic slices. Indeed, with panoramic slices the resulting movie is very short, as all regions are played simultaneously. (The scanning speed should not be confused with the dynamics of each objects, which always preserve the original speed and direction). The slicing scheme can create different results with different cropping of the slice, controlling the field of view of the mosaic images. This can be useful, for example, when changing the scanning speed of the scene while preserving the original field of view. In addition to the slicing approaches so far described where the mosaicing is done from slices translating along the time axis, time manipulations effects can be obtained by changing the angle of the slice during the translation. This can make some regions move faster or slower compared to other regions. For example, if we rotate the slice about a line in the 3D space-time volume, this line will remain stationary in the generated sequence, while other regions will be moving with speed relative to the distance from the stationary line. Such slicing can be used also with a stationary camera, and it can show various effects: The top of the resulting image will move faster than its bottom, or the left side will move faster than the right side, etc. 8. Non-Linear Slices 8.1. The “Doppler” effect For simplicity we present the distortion analysis in the one-dimensional case, when the objects are moving along the u-t plane. In our experiments, we found that the distortions caused by the motion component perpendicular to this plane were less noticeable. For example, in the panoramic dynamics most distortions are due to image features moving in the direction of the scanning camera. We examine the area in the space time volume where a time slice intersects a path traced by a moving object. Let αc, be the angle between the time slice and the t axis. When αc=90° there is no distortion as the entire area is taken from the same frame. Let α0 be the angle between the path of the object and the t axis. When αo=0 the object is stationary and again there is no distortion. It can be shown that the distortion is proportional to  tg ⁡ ( α c ) tg ⁡ ( α c ) - tg ⁡ ( α ⁢ ⁢ o )  . In the particular case of panoramic dynamosaicing, the effect of linear slicing of the space time volume on moving objects can be understood by imagining a virtual “slit” camera which scans the scene, as in done in [24]. Similar to the general case, the width wnew in the panoramic movie of an object with original width woriginal will be: w new =  v c v c - v o  ⁢ w original where vc and vo are the velocities of the slit and the object correspondingly. Note that for panoramic dynamosaicing, the velocity of the slit is a combination of the velocities of the camera and the slice. Objects moving opposite to the scanning direction have negative velocity (vo<0). This implies that such objects will shrink, while objects moving in the camera direction will expand, as long as they move more slowly than the camera. The chronological order of very fast objects may be reversed. Notice also that when the camera motion vc is large, wnew approaches woriginal which means that when the camera is moving fast enough relative to the objects in the scene, these distortions become insignificant. The shrinking and expansion effects just described have some interesting resemblance to the well known Doppler Effect. The frequencies of object motions getting closer become higher, while the frequencies of object motions moving far away become lower. 8.2. Non-Linear Slices Slicing with straight lines, as discussed above, can produce impressive panoramic videos. Sometimes, however, moving objects in the scene are distorted in a way that is too disturbing. This includes fast moving objects, or rigid objects that lose their rigidity in the resulting movies. It is indeed possible to minimize the distortions at selected areas (e.g. at points of interest), while increasing the potential distortions in other regions. Such varying distortion can be implemented using slices that are not straight, as demonstrated in FIG. 11. The slope of the slice is smaller in regions where the distortion should be minimized, and larger in regions were the distortion is less noticeable or less important (such as the static regions, where no distortion occurs). In the extreme case, a few moving regions can have a “zero” slope, meaning that the objects in that regions will be displayed exactly as they were displayed in the original video. 9. Parallax Effects So far we have discussed the effects of time flow manipulation on a scene with moving objects. We will now consider a different type of image motion: motion parallax. While general video sequences may have both motion parallax and moving objects, for the sake of clarity we discuss the parallax issue separately from moving objects. It will be assumed that the input video sequences are captured by a camera translating sideways. It has been found by the inventors that when a scene is scanned by a translating camera, the time flow pattern shown in FIG. 8a, which was used to generate dynamic panoramic mosaics, may also be used to produce a stereo parallax effect. For example, FIGS. 12a and 12b shows two “stereo” views generated from a space time volume captured by a translating camera. The time fronts corresponding to these two views are similar to those marked as “initial” and “final” in FIG. 8a, except that they are planar in order to avoid geometric distortions. The initial time front consists of the right sides of all input frames, and therefore each point in the resulting image appears to be viewed from a viewpoint to its left. Similarly, each point in the image corresponding to the final time front appears to be viewed from the right. Sweeping the time front from initial to final results in a sequence where the bottles appear to rotate on a turntable in front of a static camera. To understand the meaning of these different time fronts, assume two pictures from a translating camera viewing a house. In one picture the house is in the right side of the input picture and in the other input picture the house is on the left side. When the house is on the right side of the picture, we see the left side of the house. When the house is on the left side of the picture, we see the right side of the house. For this reason, FIG. 12a which is built from the right parts of the input images views the objects from the left, while FIG. 12b which is built from the left parts of the input images views the objects from the right. Therefore, time fronts from various image locations correspond to different viewing directions of the scene. A detailed geometric interpretation of this case, as well as the effects of different camera trajectories, can be found in [30]. Another interesting case, shown in FIGS. 13a to 13c, is the case of the XSlits camera [11], whose contents are fully incorporated herein by reference. The forward parallax effect is created by rotating the time front. The scene was scanned by a translating video camera. FIG. 13a shows the progression of time flow with a rotating time front. In this case the time front does not sweep forward in time, as was the case with all of the examples discussed so far; instead, the time front rotates inside the space-time volume. The image shown in FIG. 13b was created by the “Far Away” time front, and the resulting image seems to be taken from a camera further away from the scene. The image shown in FIG. 13c was created by the “Nearby” time front, and the resulting image seems to be taken by a camera closer to the scene than the one used to capture the original sequence. It will be noted that the two sides of the central cars are visible in FIG. 13c but not in FIG. 13b. As demonstrated in this figure and explained in [11], the rotation of the time front results in an apparent forward or backward motion of the generated views. It is believed that this special kind of video warping, which can transform a sideways moving video into a forward moving video simply by defining an appropriate time front motion, is an important testament to the power and elegance of the evolving time fronts paradigm. 9. Video Splicing Kwatra et al. [10] describe a method for splicing together video clips using graph cuts. Specifically, they search for an optimal spatio-temporal surface T that will make the seam between the two video clips as invisible as possible. This splicing scheme is illustrated in FIG. 14a representing two time-lines of video clips to be spliced together. An optimal space-time slice T is selected by Kwatra et al. [10] for a smooth spliced video shown in FIG. 14b. The same space-time slice T is used for both clips A and B and the resulting spliced video. Such an approach can be summarized as follows: Given two video clips A(x,y,t) and B(x,y,t) (A and B can be the same video clip), and given a time shift d between them, a new video clip C(x,y,t) is generated by splicing A and B together using the following rule: C ⁡ ( x , y , t ) = { A ⁡ ( x , y , t ) if ⁢ ⁢ t < T ⁡ ( x , y ) B ⁡ ( x , y , t - d ) if ⁢ ⁢ t > T ⁡ ( x , y ) , where the space-time surface T(x, y) corresponds to a graph cut that minimizes the cost of transition between A and B, in order to make the clip C seamless. In many cases, however, seamless splicing is impossible, since no single spatio-temporal cut T(x, y) achieves a sufficiently small transition cost. FIGS. 14c and 14d show the use of evolving time fronts according to the invention to offer a more flexible solution by allowing the transition to occur between two different spatio-temporal surfaces, T1 in A and T2 in B. A spliced video clip C may then be generated by warping both T1 and T2 to a common time front T3 in the spliced clip C. In FIG. 14c a space-time slice T1 is selected in Clip A, and a possibly different space time T2 is selected in Clip B. In FIG. 14d the clips are spliced together by mapping gradually evolving time fronts in clips A and B to a common space-time slice T3 in the spliced video. The use of evolving time fronts for video splicing should be most significant when different regions of the scene have different temporal behavior (e.g., different periodicity). In such cases, the video can be better synchronized by slowing down or accelerating different parts of the scene. 10. EXAMPLES FIGS. 15a, 15b, 16a and 16b show examples of panoramic dynamosaics for different types of scenes. In FIG. 15a, the street performer was moving very quickly forward and backwards. Therefore, the linear slicing scheme of FIG. 8f resulted in distorted images (left). With the non-linear slicing shown in FIG. 11, the distortions of the performer were reduced with no significant influence on its surrounding. The street performer constitutes a fast-moving object within a selected portion of the source image shown in FIG. 15a. If desired more than one selected portion of the source image may contain a respective fast-moving object. In this example, if the selected portions are too narrow the street performer's unicycle is broken into parts. The selected portion should therefore be large enough to include the entire object. FIG. 16a shows a frame of a dynamic panorama of a tree moving in the wind. Some 300 frames were obtained by scanning the tree from the bottom up. FIG. 16b shows a single frame from the resulting dynamosaic movie created using simple linear slices 11. CONCLUSION Given an input video sequence, new video sequences with a variety of interesting, and sometimes even surprising, effects may be generated by sweeping various evolving time fronts through its space-time volume. The space-time volume is “aligned” or “stabilized” with respect to the camera motion, and this alignment is important for all cases involving a moving camera. While the generation of new images by slicing through the space time volume is not new, the invention presents a new methodology to design the time flow for a specific desired effect. The time flow, which is the progression of time fronts through the space-time volume, can be manipulated to generate effects which include: (i) Shifting in time or changing the speed of selected spatial regions. (ii) Simultaneous spatial and temporal manipulations. (iii) Creating patterns in dynamic textures. (iv) Generation of dynamic panoramas. (v) Producing parallax in new directional views or even in forward motion. While (i), (iv), and (v) were introduced before as unrelated cases, they are shown by the invention to be just special cases of the more general and powerful evolving time fronts framework. The description has concentrated on the introduction of the evolving time fronts framework and some of the effects it can generate. It is understood that many variations to the basic method are possible. For example, some variations include: (i) Tracking of moving objects. This tracking is necessary to avoid the distortion of moving objects when they are reconstructed from their appearances at different times. In this case care should be taken to always select a moving object from a single frame, or a small number of adjacent frames. (ii) Interpolation. In the presence of image motion, more sophisticated interpolation should take into account this motion to prevent blurring and ghosting. It has thus been shown in accordance with the present invention that when a scene is scanned by a video camera, the chronological time is not essential to obtain a dynamic description of the scene. Relative time, describing the individual dynamic properties of each object or region in the scene, is more important that the chronological time. The invention exploits this observation to manipulate sequences taken from a video camera in ways that have previously been impossible. In particular, we have demonstrated the use of this concept to create dynamic panoramas, and to invert the scanning direction of the camera, without effecting the local dynamic properties of the scene. Besides their impressive appearance, dynamic panoramas can be used as a temporally compact representation of scenes, for the use of applications like video summary or video editing. The video summary effect is created when events that occurred at different times are displayed simultaneously, thereby reducing the length of the generated video. The possible distortions of objects moving in the scanning direction can be handled with traditional motion segmentation methods [25] and nonlinear slicing. First, independently moving objects will be segmented. Then, the rest of the scene, including dynamic textures and other temporal changes will be addressed with the proposed method. Unlike dynamic textures [15] using statistical motion features to generate an infinite playing video, Dynamosaicing displays only dynamic feature that actually occur in the scene. 12. Hardware Implementation Referring now to FIG. 17, there is shown a block diagram of a system 10 according to the invention for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene. The system includes a first memory 11 for storing the first sequence of video frames derived from a camera 12. A selection unit 13 is coupled to the first memory 11 for selecting spatially contiguous portions from at least three different frames of the first sequence for at least two successive frames of the second sequence. A frame generator 14 copies the spatially contiguous portions to a corresponding frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. The frames of the second sequence are stored in a second memory 15 for subsequent processing or display by a display unit 16. The frame generator 14 may include a warping unit 17 for spatially warping at least two of said portions prior to copying to the second sequence. The system 10 may in practice be realized by a suitably programmed computer having a graphics card or workstation and suitable peripherals, all as are well known in the art. For the sake of completeness, FIG. 18 is a flow diagram showing the principal operations carried out by the system 10 according to the invention. 13. Additional Technical Material: Moving Objects The invention also provides a method to handle the mosaicing of a scene with moving objects. Such a method is helpful in all cases where mosaic images are generated by pasting together parts of the original images from a moving or a static camera. If moving, the camera can have a pure rotation, or a translation, or any other motion of change of camera parameters. The scene can be assumed as static or as dynamic. This method includes the following operations: 1. Find the moving objects. This can be done manually by an operator marking moving objects in each image in the sequence of input images, or interactively where the operator marks the moving object in at least one frame and the system completes the marking in other frames using well-known motion detection methods. Detection of moving objects can also be done automatically by known motion segmentation and tracking methods. 2. In order that a moving object will not be distorted by mosaicing relevant parts of this object are preferably included in one segment which is pasted into the mosaic image. This is done by amending the mosaicing method used: examining the image parts to be included in the mosaic as if the scene had no moving objects, and changing the regions in a way that, on one hand, will include most of the moving object in a single region and, on the other hand, will preserve the desired effects of the mosaicing, e.g. stereo mosaicing, dynamic panorama, etc. 3. Stitching together the image regions pasted in (2) into a mosaic image, whereby moving parts will not be distorted. 14. Appendix 14.1. Using Image Coordinate System Sometimes it is more convenient to use an alternative representation of the space-time volume, described in FIG. 19a and 19b. In this representation, the world coordinates (u,v) are replaced with the image coordinates (x,y). Although the first representation is technically more correct, the later one might be easier to implement, especially when the velocity of the camera varies from frame to frame. In the image coordinate system, for example, dynamosaic panoramic movies corresponds to parallel vertical slices of the (x,y,u) space-time volume. It will also be understood that the system according to the invention may be a suitably programmed computer. Likewise, the invention contemplates a computer program being readable by a computer for executing the method of the invention. The invention further contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine for executing the method of the invention.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>While spatial image warping is extensively used in image and video editing applications for creating a wide variety of interesting special effects, there are only very primitive tools for manipulating the temporal flow in a video. For example, tools are available for temporal speeding up (slowing down) of the video comparable to image zoom, or the “in-out” video selection comparable to image crop and shift. But there are no tools that implement the spatio-temporal analogues of more general image warps, such as the various image distortion effects found in common image editing applications. Imagine a person standing in the middle of a crowded square looking around. When requested to describe his dynamic surrounding, he will usually describe ongoing actions. For example—“some people are talking in the southern corner, others are eating in the north”, etc. This kind of a description ignores the chronological time when each activity was observed. Owing to the limited field of view of the human eye, people cannot take in an entire panoramic scene in a single time. Instead, the scene is examined over time as the eyes are scanning it. Nevertheless, this does not prevent us from obtaining a realistic impression of our dynamic surroundings and describing it. The space-time volume, where the 2D frames of a video sequence are stacked along the time axis was introduced as the epipolar volume by Bolles et al. [2, 4], who analyzed slices perpendicular to the image plane (epipolar plane images) to track features in image sequences. Light fields are also related to the space-time volume: they correspond to 4D subsets of the general 7D plenoptic function [17], which describes the intensity of light rays at any location, direction, wavelength, and time. Light field rendering algorithms [18] operate on 4D subsets of the plenoptic function, extracting 2D slices corresponding to desired views. The space-time volume is a 3D subset of the plenoptic function, where two dimensions correspond to ray directions, while the third dimension defines the time or the camera position. Multiple centers of projection images [19] and multiperspective panoramas [30] may also be considered as two-dimensional slices through a space-time volume spanned by a moving camera. Klein et al. [8, 9] also utilize the space-time volume representation of a video sequence, and explore the use of arbitrary-shaped slices through this volume. This was done in the context of developing new non-photorealistic rendering tools for video, inspired by the Cubist and Futurist art movements. They define the concept of a rendering solid, which is a sub-volume carved out from the space-time volume, and generate a non-photorealistic video by compositing planar slices which advance through these solids. Cohen et al. [6] describe how a non-planar slice through a stack of images (which is essentially a space-time volume) could be used to combine different parts from images captured at different times to form a single still image. This idea was further explored by Agarwala et al. [1]. Their “digital photomontage” system presents the user with a stack of images as a single, three-dimensional entity. The goal of their system is to produce a single composite still image, and they have not discussed the possibilities of generating dynamic movies from such 3D image stacks. For example, they discuss the creation of a stroboscopic visualization of a moving subject from a video sequence, but not the manipulation of the video segment to produce a novel video. Video textures [Kwatra et al. [10]] and graphcut textures [Schödl et al. [15]] are also related to this work, as they describe techniques for video-based rendering. Schödl et al. generate new videos from existing ones by finding good transition points in the video sequence, while Kwatra et al. show how the quality of such transitions may be improved by using more general cuts through the space-time volume. The above-mentioned publications are not directed to meaningful ways in which the user may specify and control various spatio-temporal warps of dynamic video sequences, resulting in a variety of interesting and useful effects. While it is known to process a sequence of video image frames by using video content from different frames and merging such content so as to create a new frame, known approaches have mostly focused on producing still images using photo-montage techniques or have required translation of the camera relative to the scene. 1. Related Work The most popular approach for the mosaicing of dynamic scenes is to compress all of the scene information into a single static mosaic image. The description of scene dynamics in a static mosaic varies. Early approaches eliminated all dynamic information from the scene, as dynamic changes between images were undesired [16]. More recent methods encapsulate the dynamics of the scene by overlaying several appearances of the moving objects into the static mosaic, resulting in a “stroboscopic” effect [1]. An attempt to incorporate the panoramic view with the dynamic scene was proposed in [20]. The original video frames were played on top of the panoramic static mosaic, registered into their location in the mosaic. The resulting video is mostly stationary, and motion is visible only at the location of the current frame. The present invention addresses the problem of generating the impression of a realistic panoramic video, in which all activities take place simultaneously. The most common method to obtain such panoramic videos is to equip a video camera with a panoramic lens [21]. Indeed, if all cameras were equipped with a panoramic lens, life could have been easier for computer vision. Unfortunately, use of such lens is not convenient, and it suffers from many quality problems such as low resolution and distortions. Alternatively, panoramic videos can be created by stitching together regular videos from several cameras having overlapping field of view [22]. In either case, these solutions require equipment which is not available for the common video user. In many cases a preliminary task before mosaicing is motion analysis for the alignment of the input video frames. Many motion analysis methods exist, some offer robust motion computation that overcome the presence of moving objects in the scene [3, 16]. A method proposed by [13] allows image motion to be computed even with dynamic texture, and in [7] motion is computed for dynamic scenes.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the invention to provide a method and computer system for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals by a camera to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene. This object is realized in accordance with one aspect of the invention by a computer-implemented method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) for at least two successive frames of the second sequence, selecting from at least three different frames of the first sequence portions that are spatially contiguous in the first dynamic scene; and (b) copying said portions to a corresponding frame of the second sequence so as to maintain their spatial continuity in the first sequence. Within the context of the invention and the appended claims, the term “video” is synonymous with “movie” in its most general term providing only that it is accessible as a computer image file amenable to post-processing and includes any kind of movie file e.g. digital, analog. The camera is preferably at a fixed location by which is meant that it can rotate and zoom—but is not subjected translation motion as is done in hitherto-proposed techniques. The scenes with the present invention is concerned are dynamic as opposed, for example, to the static scenes processed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,665,003 [30] and other references directed to the display of stereoscopic images which does not depict a dynamic scene wherein successive frames have spatial and temporal continuity. When the camera is stationary, contiguous portions in the frames are contiguous in the first dynamic scene; stationary background objects in the first dynamic scene remain stationary in the second dynamic scene. Preferably, the first sequence of video frames is preprocessed so as to generate an aligned video having an aligned sequence of frames by: (a) computing image motion parameters between frames in the first sequence; (b) warping the video frames in the first sequence so that stationary objects in the first dynamic scene will be stationary in the video. By such means, the stationary objects remain stationary also in the aligned sequence so that they do not move in the aligned video. When a video camera is scanning a dynamic scene, different regions are visible at different times. The chronological time when a region becomes visible in the input video is not part of the scene dynamics, and may be ignored. Only the “relative time” during the visibility period of each region is relevant for the dynamics of the scene, and should be used for building the dynamic mosaics. The distinction between chrono-logical time and relative time for describing dynamic scenes inspired this work. No mathematically correct panoramic video of a dynamic scene can be constructed, as different parts of the scene are seen in different times. Yet, panoramic videos giving a realistic impression of the dynamic environment can be generated by relaxing the chronological requirement, and maintaining only the relative time. In order to describe the invention use will be made of a construct that we refer to as the “space-time volume” to create the dynamic panoramic videos. The space-time volume may be constructed from the input sequence of images by sequentially stacking all the frames along the time axis. However, it is to be understood that so far as actual implementation is concerned, it is not necessary actually to construct the space-time volume for example by actually stacking in time 2D frames of a dynamic source scene. More typically, source frames are processed individually to construct target frames but it will aid understanding to refer to the space time volume as though it is a physical construct rather than a conceptual construct. With this in mind, we show how panoramic movies can be produced by taking different slices of the space time volume. Methods similar to those used in ordinary mosaicing obtain seamless images from slices of the space time volume, giving the name “Dynamic Mosaics” (“Dynamosaics”). Various slicing schemes of the space-time volume can manipulate the chronological time in different ways. For example, the scanning video can be played at a different speed, even backwards, while preserving the relative time characteristics of the original video. Panoramic video is a temporally compact representation of video clips scanning a scene, useful as a video summary tool. In addition it can be used for video editing as well as for entertainment. However, since manipulation of chronological time as proposed in this paper is a new concept, it is expected that new innovative applications will develop over time. One aspect of the invention lies in generalizing from planar and non-deforming time fronts to free-form and deforming ones; synthesizing entire videos, rather than still images; and exploring some of the video editing effects that may be achieved in this manner. While some of these effects are not new per se, we demonstrate that they all fit nicely within the powerful and flexible evolving time fronts paradigm. An alternative embodiment for the user interface allows the user to control the shape and the evolution of the time front via a sparse set of constraints. One type of constraint forces the time front to pass through a user-specified point in the space-time volume at a given frame of the output video sequence. Another type of constraint forces the time front to advance at some user-specified speed when passing through certain user-specified points in the space-time volume. Piecewise smooth evolving time fronts that satisfy these constraints may be obtained by formulating an objective function consisting of two terms: a data term which measures the deviation from the desired constraints, and a smoothness term, which forces the solution to be piecewise smooth. The resulting function may then be minimized using a number of numerical methods known to any experienced practitioner in the field, such as described in “ Numerical Recipes: The Art of Scientific Computing ” developed by Numerical Recipes Software and published by Cambridge University Press. In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer-implemented method for transforming a first sequence of video frames of a first dynamic scene captured at regular time intervals to a second sequence of video frames depicting a second dynamic scene, the method comprising: (a) capturing at least two events having a first mutual temporal relationship in the first sequence; and (b) displaying said at least two events in the second sequence so as to define a second mutual temporal relationship that is different from the first mutual temporal relationship. Such a method may be used to display events that occurred simultaneously in the first sequence at different times in the second sequence or to display events that occurred at different times in the first sequence simultaneously in the second sequence, and may include: (c) for at least one feature in the first dynamic scene sampling respective portions of the first sequence of video frames at a different temporal rate than surrounding portions of the first sequence of video frames; and (d) copying sampled portions of the first sequence of video frames to a corresponding frame of the second sequence.

20051114

20101214

20061123

59596.0

H04N700

AUGUSTIN, MARCELLUS

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SPATIO-TEMPORAL VIDEO WARPING

SMALL

ACCEPTED

H04N

ACCEPTED

Video processing device with low memory bandwidth requirements

The present invention relates to a video processing device for processing data corresponding to a sequence of pictures according to a predictive block-based encoding technique. Said device comprises a processing unit (20) including a reconstruction circuit (16) for reconstructing pictures from decoded data and an external memory (1) for storing reference pictures delivered by the reconstruction circuit. The processing unit further comprises a memory controller (11) for controlling data exchange between the processing unit and the external memory, a cache memory (17) for temporarily storing data corresponding to a prediction area, said data being read out from the external memory via the memory controller, and a motion compensation circuit (14) for delivering motion compensated data to the reconstruction circuit on the basis of the prediction area read out from the cache memory.

1. A video processing device for processing data corresponding to a sequence of pictures according to a predictive block-based encoding technique, said device comprising: a processing unit (20;30) including a reconstruction circuit (16;36) for reconstructing pictures from decoded data, an external memory (1) for storing reference pictures delivered by the reconstruction circuit, the processing unit further comprising: a memory controller (11;31) for controlling data exchange between the processing unit and the external memory, a cache memory (17;39) for temporarily storing data corresponding to a prediction area, said data being read out from the external memory via the memory controller, and a motion compensation circuit (14;37) for delivering motion compensated data to the reconstruction circuit on the basis of the prediction area read out from the cache memory. 2. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is a decoding unit (20) for decoding an encoded data stream corresponding to a sequence of encoded pictures. 3. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is an encoding unit (30) for encoding an input data stream corresponding to a sequence of pictures. 4. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit is a transcoding unit for transcoding a first encoded data stream corresponding to a sequence of encoded pictures into a second encoded data stream. 5. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the memory controller (11;31) is able to fetch automatically the data corresponding to a complete prediction area from the external memory (1) to the cache memory (17;39). 6. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cache memory (17;39) is divided into equal zones, and the memory controller (11;31) is able to fetch data corresponding to a zone from the external memory (1) to the cache memory (17;39) upon request of the processing unit. 7. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cache memory (17;39) is adapted to receive the prediction areas of two reference pictures. 8. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cache memory (17;39) is adapted to receive the prediction area of a past reference picture, the prediction area of a future reference picture being read out from the external memory (1). 9. A video processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cache memory (17;39) is adapted to receive luminance components of the prediction area of at least one reference picture. 10. A video processing method for processing data corresponding to a sequence of pictures according to a predictive block-based encoding technique, said method comprising the steps of: reconstructing pictures from decoded data, storing reference pictures delivered by the reconstruction step in an external memory (1), temporarily storing data corresponding to a prediction area in a cache memory (17;39), said data being read out from the external memory via a memory controller, and motion compensation, able to deliver motion compensated data to the reconstruction step on the basis of the prediction area read out from the cache memory.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a video processing device for processing data corresponding to a sequence of pictures according to a predictive block-based encoding technique. This invention is particularly relevant to video encoder, decoder and transcoder based on MPEG or an equivalent video standard. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Video decoders or encoders based on predictive block-based encoding techniques, such as MPEG-2 or H.264, for example, are based on a recursive use of motion estimation/compensation in order to reduce the amount of information to be transmitted. FIG. 1 shows a conventional video decoder according to these encoding techniques. Such a conventional video decoder is described for example in “MPEG video encoding: a basic tutorial introduction”, BBC Research and Development Report, by S. R. Ely 1996/3. Said video decoder (100) comprises a decoding unit (10) for decoding an encoded data stream ES corresponding to a sequence of encoded pictures. In the MPEG standard, three types of pictures are considered: I (or intra) pictures, encoded without any reference to other pictures, P (or predicted) pictures, encoded with reference to a past picture (I or P), and B (or bidirectionally predicted) pictures, encoded with reference to a past and a future picture (I or P) in a display order. These I and P pictures will be hereinafter referred to as reference pictures. Moreover, each picture of an MPEG sequence is subdivided into motion compensation areas called macroblocks. The decoding unit according to the prior art includes: a parser (12), for analysing the encoded data stream, a macroblock processing unit MBPU (13), for computing motion vectors V(n) and variable length decoded data, an inverse quantizing and inverse discrete cosine transform IQ/IDCT circuit (15) for delivering a residual error data R′(n) from the variable length decoded data, a motion compensation circuit MC (14) for delivering motion compensated data using the motion vector V(n), a reconstruction circuit REC (16) for reconstructing pictures from a sum of motion compensated data and residual error data. The known video decoder comprises an external memory EMEM (1) for storing reconstructed pictures delivered by the reconstruction circuit. The pictures to be stored are reference pictures F0 and F1 of the intra or predictive type. The decoding unit further comprises a memory controller MMI (11) for controlling data exchange between said decoding unit and the external memory via a data bus (2). Said data exchange is, for example, the storage of reference pictures from the reconstruction circuit into the external memory, or the read-out from the external memory of the motion compensated data in a reference picture in order to fetch them to the motion compensation circuit. A first drawback of the prior art is that the motion compensation is performed on a macroblock basis, so that the motion compensated data are generally read out from different zones of the external memory for successive macroblocks. As a consequence, the data read-out from the external memory is achieved in an irregular manner and a video decoder according to the prior art needs an important memory bandwidth due to the amount of data to be read and to the difficulty of optimizing the access to the external memory with the memory controller. In effect, the data to be read are not necessary aligned in the memory data banks. This drawback is strengthened by the fact that the bandwidth resources do not increase as fast as processor frequency does according to Moore's law. The following example illustrates this point in the case of an MPEG-2 decoding. Let us assume an external memory organized in words of 64 bits. A word can then contain 8 values (luminance or chrominance) of pixels. The motion compensation circuit has to read areas of at least 16×8 pixels. In MPEG2 standard, the motion compensation has a half-pixel accuracy. As a consequence, the motion compensation unit has to read an area of 17×9 pixels in order to compute the interpolated pixel values. Due to the memory organization in words, the motion compensation circuit reads in fact 3 words of 9 lines or in other words 24×9 bytes, corresponding to a loss of bandwidth of 30% (17×9 corresponds to a bandwidth of approximately 180 Mbytes/s and 24×9 corresponds to a bandwidth of approximately 270 Mbytes/s for a MPEG-2 High Definition HD picture). Another problem relates to the optimization of the memory controller. This is due to the fact that external memory, such as SDRAM for example, operates in a burst mode, which is not adapted to an irregular read-out of data. Bursts are generated for each lines of the memory. A burst comprises at least 7 or 8 cycles, whereas 3 cycles, in our example, would have been enough to read out the 3 words of a line. As a consequence, the needed bandwidth required for a video decoder according to the prior art is more than twice the bandwidth that would have theoretically been necessary for the decoding process. Moreover, reference pictures cannot be stored easily in embedded memories instead of the external memory, as said memories are still very expensive. In our example, an embedded memory of 6 Mbytes would be necessary in a high definition HD format, such a memory corresponding to a circuit of approximately 50 mm2 size in a CMOS 0.12 micron technology, which represents a too important circuit surface. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to propose a video processing device that requires a lower memory bandwidth than those of the prior art. To this end, the video processing device in accordance with the invention comprises: a processing unit including a reconstruction circuit for reconstructing pictures from decoded data, an external memory for storing the reconstructed pictures delivered by the reconstruction circuit, the processing unit further comprising: a memory controller for controlling data exchange between the processing unit and the external memory, a cache memory for temporarily storing data corresponding to a prediction area, said data being read out from the external memory via the memory controller, and a motion compensation circuit for delivering motion compensated data to the reconstruction circuit on the basis of the prediction area read out from the cache memory. The present invention is based on the fact that, during the decompression process, the processing unit needs to read recursively a predetermined zone of the external memory corresponding to a predetermined area of a reference picture, said predetermination area being hereinafter referred to as prediction area. Said prediction area serves as a reference for reconstructing a current picture block per block. Such a prediction area can be loaded into an embedded memory, i.e. a cache memory, without requiring prohibitive cost or circuit surface, as said area is much smaller than the whole picture. As a result, the memory bandwidth required by a processing device in accordance with the invention is decreased compared to a solution without cache memory. Moreover, there is no loss of bandwidth at the memory controller level, as the read-out of data from the external memory into the cache memory is achieved on a regular basis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional video decoder, FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a video decoder in accordance with the invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a video decoder in accordance with the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is here described by way of examples of a video decoder and a video encoder but it will obvious to a person skilled in the art that said invention is applicable to any video processing device for processing data corresponding to a sequence of pictures according to a predictive block-based encoding technique, such as a transcoder for transcoding a first encoded data stream corresponding to a sequence of encoded pictures into a second encoded data stream, or a device for performing video scaling. It is described in the case of the MPEG2 standard but is also applicable to other encoding format in which the prediction area has a limited format such as, for example, H.264. The present invention is also based on the fact that the size of the prediction area in which the 17×9 pixel area (as it has been hereinabove defined) has to be found is predetermined. In the example of the MPEG2 standard, the prediction area is limited to 256 lines for decoding. FIG. 2 describes a video decoder in accordance with the invention. Said video decoder (200) comprises a decoding unit (20) for decoding an encoded data stream ES corresponding to a sequence of encoded pictures. Said decoding unit includes: a parser (12), for analyzing the encoded data stream, a macroblock processing unit MBPU (13), for computing motion vectors V(n) and variable length decoded data, an inverse quantizing and inverse discrete cosine transform IQ/IDCT circuit (15) for delivering a residual error data R′(n) from the variable length decoded data, a motion compensation circuit MC (14) for delivering motion compensated data using the motion vector V(n), a reconstruction circuit REC (16) for reconstructing pictures from a sum of motion compensated data and residual error data. The video decoder comprises an external memory EMEM (1) for storing reference pictures F0 and F1 delivered by the reconstruction circuit. The decoding unit also comprises a memory controller MMI (11) for controlling data exchange between said decoding unit and the external memory via a data bus (2). The video decoder according to the invention further comprises a cache memory CM (17) for temporarily storing data read out from the external memory via the memory controller. Said cache memory comprises, in the MPEG2 case, 256 lines and is adapted to receive the prediction area. The content of the cache memory can be updated in different ways. According to a first way, the data corresponding to the prediction area are read out from the external memory in a regular manner during the decoding process. The content of the cache memory is changed row by row, each time a row of macroblocks has been processed. Motion compensation is then performed directly using the content of said cache memory, the irregular read-out of data being done at the level of the cache memory and no more at the level of the external memory, thus without requiring additional memory bandwidth. As a result, the bandwidth required by a decoding device according to the invention is fixed and is equal to about 180 Mbytes/s. According to another way, the 256 lines of the cache memory are divided into equal zones. If the decoding unit needs to access a specific pixel in a zone, then a request, e.g. a cache miss, is generated by the cache memory, and it is only in that case that the corresponding zone is fetched from the external memory to the cache memory thanks to the memory controller. So, if during decoding, no pixel from a zone is needed, the bandwidth to fetch the corresponding part of the picture is saved. As a result, the bandwidth required by the decoding device according to the invention is variable and is comprised between 0 and 180 MByte/s, depending on the decoded stream. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the prediction areas of 2 reference pictures are stored in the cache memory. The size of the embedded memory is thus divided by more than 4 in HD format compared to a solution where the whole frames would have been embedded. According to a second embodiment of the invention, only the prediction area of the past reference picture is stored in the cache memory, whereas the future reference picture is read out from the external memory. In this case, the embedded memory size is decreased but the memory bandwidth required by a video decoder in accordance with the invention is slightly increased compared to the first embodiment. According to a third embodiment of the invention, the prediction areas of the luminance component of the reference pictures are stored in the cache memory, whereas the prediction areas of the chrominance component of said reference pictures is read out directly from the external memory. In the same manner, the embedded memory size is decreased but the bandwidth required by the video decoder is slightly increased compared to the first embodiment. The present invention is also applicable to a video encoder. FIG. 3 describes a video encoder according to the invention. Said video encoder (300) comprises an encoding unit (30) for encoding an input data stream corresponding to a sequence of pictures. Said encoding unit includes: a subtractor SUB (32) for delivering first residual error data R(n), a discrete cosine transform and quantizing DCT/Q circuit (33) for transforming and quantizing successively the first residual error data R(n), a variable length coder VLC (34) for delivering variable length coded data from the quantized data, an inverse quantizing and inverse discrete cosine transform IQ/IDCT circuit (35) for delivering second residual error data R′(n) from the quantized data, a motion compensation circuit MC (37) for delivering motion compensated data P(I′(n−1);V(n)) to a reconstruction circuit REC (36) and to the subtractor using a motion vector V(n), the subtractor being adapted to subtract the motion compensated data from the input data I(n), a reconstruction circuit REC (36) for reconstructing pictures from a sum of the motion compensated data and the second residual error data R′, a motion estimation circuit ME (38) for finding, in a reference picture, a reference macroblock associated to the current macroblock to be encoded, as well as its corresponding motion vector V(n). The motion estimation circuit is based, for example, on the computing of the sum of absolute differences SAD, the expression of the SAD being: SAD = ∑ i = 0 k · k - 1 ⁢  A ⁡ ( i ) - B ⁡ ( i )  where B(i) and A(i) respectively designate the current macroblock of size k×k (16×16 pixels for example in the MPEG-2 standard) and the reference macroblock in the reference picture. The reference macroblock that minimizes the SAD is considered as the best matching macroblock and the corresponding data and motion vector are derived. The video decoder comprises an external memory EMEM (1) for storing reference pictures F0 and F1 delivered by the reconstruction circuit, as well as the current picture to be encoded. The encoding unit comprises a memory controller MMI (31) for controlling data exchange between said encoding unit and the external memory via a data bus (2). The video decoder according to the invention further comprises a cache memory CM (39) for temporarily storing data corresponding to the prediction area and read out from the external memory via the memory controller. Motion estimation and motion compensation are then performed directly using said cache memory In the case of a video encoder, the gain in terms of bandwidth can even be increased compared to a video decoder, as the size of the prediction area is not normative for encoding and thus can be decreased to 128 lines or even 64 lines but, of course, at the cost of a decreased video quality. The drawings and their description hereinbefore illustrate rather than limit the invention. It will be evident that there are numerous alternatives, which fall within the scope of the appended claims. In this respect, the following closing remarks are made. There are numerous ways of implementing functions by means of items of hardware. In this respect, the drawings are very diagrammatic, each representing only one possible embodiment of the invention. Thus, although a drawing shows different functions as different blocks, this by no means excludes that a single item of hardware carries out several functions. Nor does it exclude that an assembly of items of hardware carries out a function. Any reference sign in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the claim. It will be obvious that the use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations do not exclude the presence of any other steps or elements besides those defined in any claim. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element or step does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements or steps.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Video decoders or encoders based on predictive block-based encoding techniques, such as MPEG-2 or H.264, for example, are based on a recursive use of motion estimation/compensation in order to reduce the amount of information to be transmitted. FIG. 1 shows a conventional video decoder according to these encoding techniques. Such a conventional video decoder is described for example in “MPEG video encoding: a basic tutorial introduction”, BBC Research and Development Report, by S. R. Ely 1996/3. Said video decoder ( 100 ) comprises a decoding unit ( 10 ) for decoding an encoded data stream ES corresponding to a sequence of encoded pictures. In the MPEG standard, three types of pictures are considered: I (or intra) pictures, encoded without any reference to other pictures, P (or predicted) pictures, encoded with reference to a past picture (I or P), and B (or bidirectionally predicted) pictures, encoded with reference to a past and a future picture (I or P) in a display order. These I and P pictures will be hereinafter referred to as reference pictures. Moreover, each picture of an MPEG sequence is subdivided into motion compensation areas called macroblocks. The decoding unit according to the prior art includes: a parser ( 12 ), for analysing the encoded data stream, a macroblock processing unit MBPU ( 13 ), for computing motion vectors V(n) and variable length decoded data, an inverse quantizing and inverse discrete cosine transform IQ/IDCT circuit ( 15 ) for delivering a residual error data R′(n) from the variable length decoded data, a motion compensation circuit MC ( 14 ) for delivering motion compensated data using the motion vector V(n), a reconstruction circuit REC ( 16 ) for reconstructing pictures from a sum of motion compensated data and residual error data. The known video decoder comprises an external memory EMEM ( 1 ) for storing reconstructed pictures delivered by the reconstruction circuit. The pictures to be stored are reference pictures F 0 and F 1 of the intra or predictive type. The decoding unit further comprises a memory controller MMI ( 11 ) for controlling data exchange between said decoding unit and the external memory via a data bus ( 2 ). Said data exchange is, for example, the storage of reference pictures from the reconstruction circuit into the external memory, or the read-out from the external memory of the motion compensated data in a reference picture in order to fetch them to the motion compensation circuit. A first drawback of the prior art is that the motion compensation is performed on a macroblock basis, so that the motion compensated data are generally read out from different zones of the external memory for successive macroblocks. As a consequence, the data read-out from the external memory is achieved in an irregular manner and a video decoder according to the prior art needs an important memory bandwidth due to the amount of data to be read and to the difficulty of optimizing the access to the external memory with the memory controller. In effect, the data to be read are not necessary aligned in the memory data banks. This drawback is strengthened by the fact that the bandwidth resources do not increase as fast as processor frequency does according to Moore's law. The following example illustrates this point in the case of an MPEG-2 decoding. Let us assume an external memory organized in words of 64 bits. A word can then contain 8 values (luminance or chrominance) of pixels. The motion compensation circuit has to read areas of at least 16×8 pixels. In MPEG2 standard, the motion compensation has a half-pixel accuracy. As a consequence, the motion compensation unit has to read an area of 17×9 pixels in order to compute the interpolated pixel values. Due to the memory organization in words, the motion compensation circuit reads in fact 3 words of 9 lines or in other words 24×9 bytes, corresponding to a loss of bandwidth of 30% (17×9 corresponds to a bandwidth of approximately 180 Mbytes/s and 24×9 corresponds to a bandwidth of approximately 270 Mbytes/s for a MPEG-2 High Definition HD picture). Another problem relates to the optimization of the memory controller. This is due to the fact that external memory, such as SDRAM for example, operates in a burst mode, which is not adapted to an irregular read-out of data. Bursts are generated for each lines of the memory. A burst comprises at least 7 or 8 cycles, whereas 3 cycles, in our example, would have been enough to read out the 3 words of a line. As a consequence, the needed bandwidth required for a video decoder according to the prior art is more than twice the bandwidth that would have theoretically been necessary for the decoding process. Moreover, reference pictures cannot be stored easily in embedded memories instead of the external memory, as said memories are still very expensive. In our example, an embedded memory of 6 Mbytes would be necessary in a high definition HD format, such a memory corresponding to a circuit of approximately 50 mm 2 size in a CMOS 0.12 micron technology, which represents a too important circuit surface.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the invention to propose a video processing device that requires a lower memory bandwidth than those of the prior art. To this end, the video processing device in accordance with the invention comprises: a processing unit including a reconstruction circuit for reconstructing pictures from decoded data, an external memory for storing the reconstructed pictures delivered by the reconstruction circuit, the processing unit further comprising: a memory controller for controlling data exchange between the processing unit and the external memory, a cache memory for temporarily storing data corresponding to a prediction area, said data being read out from the external memory via the memory controller, and a motion compensation circuit for delivering motion compensated data to the reconstruction circuit on the basis of the prediction area read out from the cache memory. The present invention is based on the fact that, during the decompression process, the processing unit needs to read recursively a predetermined zone of the external memory corresponding to a predetermined area of a reference picture, said predetermination area being hereinafter referred to as prediction area. Said prediction area serves as a reference for reconstructing a current picture block per block. Such a prediction area can be loaded into an embedded memory, i.e. a cache memory, without requiring prohibitive cost or circuit surface, as said area is much smaller than the whole picture. As a result, the memory bandwidth required by a processing device in accordance with the invention is decreased compared to a solution without cache memory. Moreover, there is no loss of bandwidth at the memory controller level, as the read-out of data from the external memory into the cache memory is achieved on a regular basis.

20051115

20120410

20070419

86348.0

H04N712

DANG, DUY M

VIDEO PROCESSING DEVICE WITH LOW MEMORY BANDWIDTH REQUIREMENTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04N

ACCEPTED

Anti-adhesion composites and methods of use thereof

Described herein are composites that inhibit or reduce adhesion between two or more tissues. Also described herein are methods of using the composites.

1. A composite comprising (1) a first compound comprising a first anti-adhesion compound covalently bonded to a first anti-adhesion support, and (2) a first prohealing compound. 2. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises an anti-cancer drug, an anti-proliferative drug, a PKC inhibitor, an ERK or MAPK inhibitor, a cdc inhibitor, an antimitotic, a DNA intercalator, a covalent modifier of DNA, an anti-inflammatory compound, or an inhibitor of PI3 kinase. 3. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises mitomycin C. 4. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first anti-adhesion support comprises a polyanionic polysaccharide. 5. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first anti-adhesion support comprises hyaluronan. 6. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first compound is produced by reacting the first anti-adhesion support having at least one SH group with at least one first anti-adhesion compound having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group. 7. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first anti-adhesion support has the formula III wherein Y comprises a residue of the first anti-adhesion support, and L comprises a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. 8. The composite of claim 7, wherein Y comprises carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan. 9. The composite of claim 8, wherein L comprises CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2. 10. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises mitomycin C. 11. The composite of claim 6, wherein the thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group on the first anti-adhesion compound comprises an electron-deficient vinyl group. 12. The composite of claim 11, wherein the wherein the electron-deficient vinyl group comprises an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an acrylamide, or a methacrylamide. 13. The composite of claim 6, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises mitomycin C having at least one acrylate group. 14. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first compound comprises the reaction product between a first anti-adhesion support having the formula III wherein Y comprises a residue of carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan, and L comprises CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2, and a first anti-adhesion compound comprising mitomycin C having at least one acrylate group. 15. The composite of claim 6, further comprising reacting the first anti-adhesion compound and first anti-adhesion support with a crosslinker. 16. The composite of claim 15, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula V wherein R3 and R4 comprise, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; U and V comprise, independently, O or NR5, wherein R5 comprises hydrogen or lower alkyl; and M comprises a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. 17. The composite of claim 15, wherein the compound having the formula V comprises polyethylene glycol diacrylate. 18. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first compound is produced by reacting a first anti-adhesion support having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group with at least one first anti-adhesion compound having at least one SH group. 19. The composite of claim 1, wherein the composite further comprises a second anti-adhesion compound that is not covalently bonded to the first anti-adhesion support, wherein the first first anti-adhesion compound and the second first anti-adhesion compound are the same or different. 20. The composite of claim 1, wherein the prohealing compound comprises a protein, a synthetic polymer, or a polysaccharide. 21. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first prohealing compound comprises a polysaccharide. 22. The composite of claim 21, wherein the polysaccharide comprises a glycosaminoglycan. 23. The composite of claim 21, wherein the polysaccharide comprises chondroitin sulfate, dermatan, heparan, heparin, dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, alginic acid, pectin, carboxymethylcellulose, or hyaluronan. 24. The composite of claim 1, wherein the composite further comprises a second prohealing compound, wherein the second prohealing compound is different from the first prohealing compound. 25. The composite of claim 24, wherein the second prohealing compound comprises a growth factor. 26. The composite of claim 25, wherein the growth factor comprises a nerve growth promoting substance, a nerve growth factor, a hard or soft tissue growth promoting agent, human growth hormone, a colony stimulating factor, a bone morphogenic protein, a platelet-derived growth factor, an insulin-derived growth factor, a transforming growth factor-alpha, a transforming growth factor-beta, an epidermal growth factor, a fibroblast growth factor, a vascular endothelial growth factor, a keratinocyte growth factor, or a dried bone material. 27. The composite of claim 1, wherein the first compound is crosslinked with itself and/or the prohealing compound. 28. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable compound and the composite of claim 1. 29. A kit comprising (1) a first compound comprising a first anti-adhesion compound covalently bonded to a first anti-adhesion support, and (2) a first prohealing compound. 30. An article comprising the composite of claim 1. 31. The article of claim 30, wherein the article comprises a gel, a bead, a sponge, a film, a mesh, or a matrix. 32. The article of claim 30, wherein the composite comprises a laminate. 33. The article of claim 32, wherein the laminate comprises a first layer and a second layer, wherein (1) the first layer comprises a first compound comprising a first anti-adhesion compound covalently bonded to a first anti-adhesion support, wherein the first layer has a first surface and a second surface, and (2) the second layer comprises a first prohealing compound, wherein the second layer has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the first layer is adjacent to the first surface of the second layer. 34. The composite of claim 33, wherein the laminate further comprises a third layer comprising a third prohealing compound, wherein the third layer has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the third layer is adjacent to the second surface of the first layer. 35. A method for reducing or inhibiting adhesion of two tissues in a surgical wound in a subject, comprising contacting the wound of the subject with the composite or composition of claim 1. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the surgical wound is produced from cardiosurgery, articular surgery, abdominal surgery, thoracic surgery, surgery in the urogenital region, nerve surgery, tendon surgery, laparascopic surgery, pelvic surgery, oncological surgery, sinus and craniofacial surgery, ENT surgery, opthalmological surgery, or a procedure involving spinal dura repair. 37. The method of claim 35, Wherein the composite or composition is preformed prior to contacting the wound. 38. The method of claim 35, wherein the composite or composition is formed in situ upon contacting the wound. 39. The method of claim 35, wherein the composite is a laminate. 40. The method of claim 39, wherein the laminate is wrapped around a skeletal structure, wherein the first layer of the laminate is in contact with the skeletal structure. 41. The method of claim 39, wherein the skeletal structure is bone, cartilage, or a tendon. 42. A method for improving wound healing in a subject in need of such improvement, comprising contacting the wound of the subject with the composite or composition of claim 1. 43. A compound comprising a first anti-adhesion compound covalently bonded to a first anti-adhesion support. 44. The compound of claim 43, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises an anti-cancer drug, an anti-proliferative drug, a PKC inhibitor, an ERK or MAPK inhibitor, a cdc inhibitor, an antimitotic, a DNA intercalator, a covalent modifier of DNA, an anti-inflammatory compound, or an inhibitor of PI3 kinase. 45. The compound of claim 43, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises mitomycin C. 46. The compound of claim 43, wherein the first anti-adhesion support comprises a polyanionic polysaccharide. 47. The compound of claim 43, wherein the first anti-adhesion support comprises hyaluronan. 48. A compound comprising the reaction product between a first anti-adhesion support having at least one SH group with at least one first anti-adhesion compound having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group. 49. The compound of claim 48, wherein the first anti-adhesion support comprises the formula III wherein Y comprises a residue of the first anti-adhesion support, and L comprises a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. 50. The compound of claim 49, wherein Y comprises carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan. 51. The compound of claim 49, wherein L comprises CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2. 52. The compound of claim 48, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises mitomycin C. 53. The compound of claim 52, wherein the thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group on the first anti-adhesion compound comprises an electron-deficient vinyl group. 54. The compound of claim 53, wherein the wherein the electron-deficient vinyl group comprises an acrylate group, a methacrylate group, an acrylamide, or a methacrylamide. 55. The compound of claim 48, wherein the first anti-adhesion compound comprises mitomycin C having at least one acrylate group. 56. The compound of claim 48, wherein the first compound comprises the reaction product between a first anti-adhesion support comprising the formula III wherein Y comprises a residue of carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan, and L comprises CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2, and a first anti-adhesion compound comprising mitomycin C having at least one acrylate group. 57. The compound of claim 48, further comprising reacting the first anti-adhesion compound and first anti-adhesion support with a crosslinker. 58. The compound of claim 57, wherein the crosslinker comprises the formula V wherein R3 and R4 comprise, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; U and V comprise, independently, O or NR5, wherein R5 comprises hydrogen or lower alkyl; and M comprises a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. 59. The compound of claim 48, wherein the compound having the formula V comprises polyethylene glycol diacrylate. 60. A compound comprising the reaction product between a first anti-adhesion support having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group with at least one first anti-adhesion compound having at least one SH group.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. Nos. 60/471,482, filed May 15, 2003. This application is hereby incorporated by this reference in its entirety for all of its teachings. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The research leading to this invention was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, Grant No. NIH DC04336. The U.S. Government may have certain rights in this invention. BACKGROUND Adhesions are the formation of fibrous attachments between two apposing surfaces, and are often formed during the dynamic process of healing of the incision and tissue trauma after surgery. The initiation of the adhesion begins with the formation of a fibrin matrix. The ischemic conditions caused by surgery prevent fibrinolytic activity to dissolve the matrix, and the fibrin persists. Wound repair cells then turn the matrix into an organized adhesion, often having a vascular supply and neuronal elements. Adhesions are a particular problem in gastrointestinal and gynecological surgery, leading to post-operative bowel obstruction, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. The barrier method of reducing post-surgical adhesions is most commonly used (Arnold, P. B., Green, C. W., Foresman, P. A, and Rodeheaver, G. T. (2000) “Evaluation of resorbable barriers for preventing surgical adhesions”Fert Steril 73, 157-161; Osada, H., Takahashi, K., Fujii, T. K., Tsunoda, I., and Satoh, K. (1999) “The effect of cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel on the reduction of post-surgical adhesion reformation in rabbits” J Int Med Res 27, 233-241). For example, Seprafilm™ (Genzyme) is a bioresorbable membrane prepared from hyaluronan (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) that reduces adhesions. Seprafilm, however, has poor handling properties and a short residence time that contributes to loss of efficacy. An internally esterified form of HA (ACP™ gel, Fidia Advanced Biopolymers) and a 0.5% ferric iron jonically crosslinked HA gel (Intergel™, Lifecore Biomedical) are newer barrier materials which do not accelerate healing of the incisions. Described herein are composites that inhibit or reduce adhesion between two or more tissues. SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS Described herein are composites that inhibit or reduce adhesion between two or more tissues and kits used to produce the composite. Also described herein are methods of using the composites. The advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the aspects described below. The advantages described below will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects described below. FIG. 1 shows the reaction scheme for producing HA-thiolated derivatives. FIG. 2 shows the synthesis of HA-DTPH-MMC. FIG. 3 shows the synthesis of HA-DTPH-PEGDA-MMC. FIG. 4 shows a laminate described herein FIG. 5 show the results of in vitro MMC release. FIG. 6 shows the prevention of adhesions by crosslinked HA-DTPH-PEGDA containing MMC. FIG. 7 shows the Macrographic examination of rat uterine horn adhesion (Panel A: buffer treatment; Panel B: Gel (1.25%) Panel C: Gel (0.625%); Panel D, Gel (0.31%)). FIG. 8 shows the histological examination of rat uterine horn adhesions (Panel A: buffer treatment; Panel B: Gel (1.25%) Panel C: Gel (0.625%); Panel D, Gel (0.31%)). FIG. 9 shows the in vitro cell proliferation of T31 human tracheal scar fibroblasts cultured in the presence of HA-DTPH-PEGDA films with different concentrations of MMC and compared with no-film controls for up to 5 days. FIG. 10 shows the in vitro culture of human T31 fibroblasts in the presence of HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films with different concentrations of MMC, wherein the cells were double-stained with F-DA (green, live cells) and propidium iodide (PI) (red, dead cells). FIG. 11 shows leukocyte differential in peritoneal fluid in the presence of HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films. FIG. 12 shows the histology of peritoneal tissue for HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA at day 7 post-implantation as visualized by PAS staining. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before the present composites, compositions, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the aspects described below are not limited to specific compounds, synthetic methods, or uses as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings: It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a pharmaceutical carrier” includes mixtures of two or more such carriers, and the like. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase “optionally substituted lower alkyl” means that the lower alkyl group can or can not be substituted and that the description includes both unsubstituted lower alkyl and lower alkyl where there is substitution. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. References in the specification and concluding claims to parts by weight, of a particular element or component in a composition or article, denotes the weight relationship between the element or component and any other elements or components in the composition or article for which a part by weight is expressed. Thus, in a compound containing 2 parts by weight of component X and 5 parts by weight component Y, X and Y are present at a weight ratio of 2:5, and are present in such ratio regardless of whether additional components are contained in the compound. A weight percent of a component, unless specifically stated to the contrary, is based on the total weight of the formulation or composition in which the component is included. A residue of a chemical species, as used in the specification and concluding claims, refers to the moiety that is the resulting product of the chemical species in a particular reaction scheme or subsequent formulation or chemical product, regardless of whether the moiety is actually obtained from the chemical species. For example, a polysaccharide that contains at least one —COOH group can be represented by the formula Y—COOH, where Y is the remainder (i.e., residue) of the polysaccharide molecule. Variables such as R3-R5, R7, R8, L, G, M, U, V, X, Y, and Z used throughout the application are the same variables as previously defined unless stated to the contrary. The term “alkyl group” as used herein is a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon group of 1 to 24 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, decyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl, tetracosyl and the like. A “lower alkyl” group is an alkyl group containing from one to six carbon atoms. The term “polyalkylene group” as used herein is a group having two or more CH2 groups linked to one another. The polyalkylene group can be represented by the formula —(CH2)n—, where n is an integer of from 2 to 25. The term “polyether group” as used herein is a group having the formula —[(CHR)nO]m—, where R is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, n is an integer of from 1 to 20, and m is an integer of from 1 to 100. Examples of polyether groups include, polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide, and polybutylene oxide. The term “polythioether group” as used herein is a group having the formula —[(CHR)nS]m—, where R is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, n is an integer of from 1 to 20, and m is an integer of from 1 to 100. The term “polyimino group” as used herein is a group having the formula —[(CHR)nNR]m—, where each R is, independently, hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, n is an integer of from 1 to 20, and m is an integer of from 1 to 100. The term “polyester group” as used herein is a group that is produced by the reaction between a compound having at least two carboxylic acid groups with a compound having at least two hydroxyl groups. The term “polyamide group” as used herein is a group that is produced by the reaction between a compound having at least two carboxylic acid groups with a compound having at least two unsubstituted or monosubstituted amino groups. The term “aryl group” as used herein is any carbon-based aromatic group including, but not limited to, benzene, naphthalene, etc. The term “aromatic” also includes “heteroaryl group,” which is defined as an aromatic group that has at least one heteroatom incorporated within the ring of the aromatic group. Examples of heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and phosphorus. The aryl group can be substituted or unsubstituted. The aryl group can be substituted with one or more groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, alkynyl, alkenyl, aryl, halide, nitro, amino, ester, ketone, aldehyde, hydroxy, carboxylic acid, or alkoxy. I. Anti-Adhesion Composites In one aspect, described herein are composites comprising (1) a first compound comprising a first anti-adhesion compound covalently bonded to a first anti-adhesion support and (2) a first prohealing compound. The term “anti-adhesion compound” as referred to herein is defined as any compound that prevents cell attachment, cell spreading, cell growth, cell division, cell migration, or cell proliferation. In one aspect, compounds that induce apoptosis, arrest the cell cycle, inhibit cell division, and stop cell motility can be used as the anti-adhesion compound. Examples of anti-adhesion compounds include, but are not limited to anti-cancer drugs, anti-proliferative drugs, PKC inhibitors, ERK or MAPK inhibitors, cdc inhibitors, antimitotics such as colchicine or taxol, DNA intercalators such as adriamycin or camptothecin, or inhibitors of PI3 kinase such as worttnannin or LY294002. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion compound is a DNA-reactive compound such as mitomycin C. In another aspect, any of the oligonucleotides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,610, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used as the anti-adhesion compound. In another aspect, any of the anti-inflammatory drugs described below can be the anti-adhesyion compound. Examples of anti-inflammatory compounds include, but are not limited to, methyl prednisone, low dose aspirin, medroxy progesterone acetate, and leuprolide acetate. The term “anti-adhesion support” as referred to herein is defined as any compound that is capable of forming a covalent bond with the anti-adhesion compound that that does not adhere to, spread, or proliferate cells. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion support is a hydrophilic, natural or synthetic polymer. Any of the polyanionic polysaccharides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,223, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used as the anti-adhesion support. Examples of polyanionic polysaccharides include, but are not limited to, hyaluronan, sodium hyaluronate, potassium hyaluronate, magnesium hyaluronate, calcium hyaluronate, carboxymethylcellulose, carboxymethyl amylose, or a mixture of hyaluronic acid and carboxymethylcellulose. The formation of the first compound involves reacting the anti-adhesion compound with the anti-adhesion support to form a new covalent bond. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion compound possesses a group that is capable of reacting with the anti-adhesion support. The group present on the anti-adhesion compound that can react with the anti-adhesion support can be naturally-occurring or the anti-adhesion compound can be chemically modified to add such a group. In another aspect, the anti-adhesion support can be chemically modified so that it is more reactive with the anti-adhesion compound. In one aspect, the first compound can be formed by crosslinking the anti-adhesion compound with the anti-adhesion support. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion compound and the anti-adhesion support each possess at least one hydrazide group, which then can react with a crosslinker having at least two hydrazide-reactive groups. Examples of hydrazide-reactive groups include, but are not limited to, a carboxylic acid or the salt or ester thereof, an aldehyde group, or a keto group. Any of the crosslinkers disclosed in international publication no. WO 02/06373 A1, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used in this aspect. In one aspect, the crosslinker is a polyethylene glycol dialdehyde. In another aspect, the first compound can be formed by the oxidative coupling of the anti-adhesion compound with the anti-adhesion support. In one aspect, when the anti-adhesion compound and the anti-adhesion support each possess a thiol group, the anti-adhesion compound and the anti-adhesion support can react with one another in the presence of an oxidant to form a new disulfide bond. In one aspect, the reaction between the anti-adhesion compound and the anti-adhesion support can be conducted in the presence of any gas that contains oxygen. In one aspect, the oxidant is air. This aspect also contemplates the addition of a second oxidant to expedite the reaction. In another aspect, the reaction can be performed under an inert atmosphere (i.e., oxygen free), and an oxidant is added to the reaction. Examples of oxidants useful in this method include, but are not limited to, molecular iodine, hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydroperoxides, peroxy acids, dialkyl sulfoxides, high valent metals such as Co+3 and Ce+4, metal oxides of manganese, lead, and chromium, and halogen transfer agents. The oxidants disclosed in Capozzi, G.; Modena, G. In The Chemistry of the Thiol Group Part II; Patai, S., Ed.; Wiley: New York, 1974; pp 785-839, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, are useful in the methods described herein. The reaction between the anti-adhesion compound and the anti-adhesion support can be conducted in a buffer solution that is slightly basic. The amount of the anti-adhesion compound relative the amount of the anti-adhesion support can vary. In one aspect, the volume ratio of the anti-adhesion compound to the anti-adhesion support is from 99:1, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, 30:70, 20:80, 10:90, or 1:99. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion compound and the anti-adhesion support react in air and are allowed to dry at room temperature. In this aspect, the dried material can be exposed to a second oxidant, such as hydrogen peroxide. The resultant compound can then be rinsed with water to remove any unreacted anti-adhesion compound, anti-adhesion support, and any unused oxidant. One advantage of preparing the first compound via the oxidative coupling methodology described herein is that coupling can occur in an aqueous media under physiologically benign conditions without the necessity of additional crosslinking reagents. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion support has been chemically modified so that it has the formula IIII. wherein Y can be a residue of the anti-adhesion support, and L can be a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. In one aspect, L in formula III can be CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2. In one aspect, the residue of the anti-adhesion support in formula III is carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan. FIG. 1 depicts one aspect of the method described above for producing the anti-adhesion support having the formula III, where Y is hyaluronan. The first step involves reacting a macromolecule having the formula Y—COOH with the dihydrazide/disulfide compound having the formula A. The reaction is performed in the presence of a condensing agent. A condensing agent is any compound that facilitates the reaction between the dihydrazide group of compound A and the COOH group on the macromolecule. In one aspect, the condensing agent is a carbodiimide, including, but not limited to, 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-carbodiimide (EDCI). As depicted in FIG. 1, a mixture of products (B and C) are produced after the first step. The disulfide bond in compounds B and C is cleaved with a reducing agent. In one aspect, the reducing agent is dithiothreitol. Cleavage of the disulfide bonds in compounds B and C produces the anti-adhesion support having the formula III. The first compounds produced using the methods described above have at least one fragment comprising the formula VI wherein Y can be a residue of the anti-adhesion support; and G can be a residue of the anti-adhesion compound. The term “fragment” as used herein refers to the entire molecule itself or a portion or segment of a larger molecule. For example, Y in formula VI may be high molecular weight hyaluronan that is crosslinked by a disulfide linkage with the anti-adhesion compound to produce the first compound. Alternatively, the first compound may have multiple disulfide linkages. In this aspect, the first compound has at a minimum one unit depicted in formula VI, which represents at least one disulfide linkage as the result of at least one anti-adhesion compound that reacted with at least one anti-adhesion support via oxidation. In one aspect, the fragment having the formula VI has the formula VIII wherein Y can be a residue of the anti-adhesion support; L can be a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, an aryl group, a polyester, or a polythioether group; and G can be a residue of an anti-adhesion compound. In one aspect, L in formula VIII can be a polyalkylene group. In another aspect, L in formula III can be a C1 to C20 polyalkylene group. In another aspect, L in formula I can be CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2. In another aspect, Y can be a residue of carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan. In another aspect, the first compound is produced by reacting the anti-adhesion support having at least one SH group with at least one anti-adhesion compound having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group. Any of the anti-adhesion compounds described above that possess at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic group can be used in this aspect. The term “thiol-reactive electrophilic group” as used herein is any group that is susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the lone-pair electrons on the sulfur atom of the thiol group or by the thiolate anion. Examples of thiol-reactive electrophilic groups include groups that have good leaving groups. For example, an alkyl group having a halide or alkoxy group attached to it or an α-halocarbonyl group are examples of thiol-reactive electrophilic groups. In another aspect, the thiol-reactive electrophilic group is an electron-deficient vinyl group. The term “an electron-deficient vinyl group” as used herein is a group having a carbon-carbon double bond and an electron-withdrawing group attached to one of the carbon atoms. An electron-deficient vinyl group is depicted in the formula Cβ═CαX, where X is the electron-withdrawing group. When the electron-withdrawing group is attached to Cα, the other carbon atom of the vinyl group (Cβ) is more susceptible to nucleophilic attack by the thiol group. This type of addition to an activated carbon-carbon double bond is referred to as a Michael addition. Examples of electron-withdrawing groups include, but are not limited to, a nitro group, a cyano group, an ester group, an aldehyde group, a keto group, a sulfone group, or an amide group. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion compound has an electron-deficient vinyl group, wherein the electron-deficient vinyl group is an acrylate group, a methacrylate, an acrylamide, or a methacrylamide. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion compound can be mitomycin C having an acrylate group. FIG. 2 depicts this aspect, where mitomycin C (MMC) can be converted to the corresponding acrylate (MMC-acrylate). In another aspect, MMC-acrylate can be then coupled with the hydrazide-modified hyaluronan thiol compound HA-DTPH (Formula III, where Y is a residue of hyaluronan and L is CH2CH2CH2) to produce HA-DTPH-MMC (FIG. 2). In another aspect, the first compound is produced by reacting the anti-adhesion support having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group with at least one anti-adhesion compound having at least two thiol groups. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion support having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group has the formula I wherein Y can be a residue of the anti-adhesion support; Q can be a thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group; and L can be a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. In one aspect, when Q is thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group, Y can be carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan, and L can be CH2CH2 or CH2CH2CH2. In another aspect, Q can be an acrylate, a methacrylate, an acrylamide, or a methacrylamide adduct. The compounds produced by coupling the anti-adhesion support with an anti-adhesion compound having at least one thiol-reactive electrophilic functional group possess at least one fragment of the formula VII wherein R7 and R9 can be, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; X can be an electron-withdrawing group attached to the anti-adhesion compound; and Y can be a residue of the anti-adhesion support. In this aspect, X in formula VII can be any of the anti-adhesion compounds described above and Y can be a residue of any of the anti-adhesion supports described above. In one aspect, R7 is hydrogen. In another aspect, R7 is hydrogen; R8 is hydrogen or methyl; X is a residue of mitomycin C having an electron-deficient vinyl group, and Y is a residue of carboxymethylcellulose, hyaluronan, or a chemically modified-derivative of hyaluronan. In one aspect, the reaction between the thiol reactive compound (anti-adhesion compound or the anti-adhesion support) and the thiol compound (anti-adhesion compound or the anti-adhesion support) is generally conducted at a pH of from 7 to 12, 7.5 to 11, 7.5 to 10, or 7.5 to 9.5, or a pH of 8. In one aspect, the solvent used can be water (alone) or an aqueous solution containing an organic solvent. In one aspect, when the mixed solvent system is used, a base such as a primary, secondary, or tertiary amine can be used. In one aspect, an excess of thiol compound is used relative to the thiol-reactive compound in order to ensure that all of the thiol-reactive compound is consumed during the reaction. Depending upon the selection of the thiol reactive compound, the thiol compound, the pH of the reaction, and the solvent selected, coupling can occur from within minutes to several days. If the reaction is performed in the presence of an oxidant, such as air, the thiol compound can react with itself or another thiol compound via oxidative addition to form a disulfide linkage in addition to reacting with the thiol-reactive compound. In another aspect, the first compound can be produced by reacting the first adhesion compound and the first adhesion support in the presence of a crosslinker. The first adhesion compound, first adhesion support, and crosslinker can be reacted with one another in any given order. In one aspect, the crosslinker can be a thiol-reactive compound having two electron-deficient vinyl groups, wherein the two electron-deficient vinyl groups are the same. In another aspect, the thiol-reactive compound can be a diacrylate, a dimethacrylate, a diacrylamide, a dimethacrylamide, or a combination thereof. In one aspect, the crosslinker has the formula V wherein R3 and R4 can be, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; U and V can be, independently, O or NR5, wherein R5 can be hydrogen or lower alkyl; and M can be a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. In one aspect, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, U and V are oxygen, and M is a polyether group. In another aspect, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, U and V are NH, and M is a polyether group. In a further aspect, R3 and R4 are methyl, U and V are oxygen, and M is a polyether group. In another aspect, R3 and R4 are methyl, U and V are NH, and M is a polyether group. FIG. 3 depicts one aspect of crosslinking. HA-DTPH-MMC contains one or more free thiols groups, which then can couple with PEGDA to produce HA-DTPH-PEGDA-MMC. The composite can optionally contain unreacted (i.e., free) anti-adhesion compound. The unreacted anti-adhesion compound can be the same or different anti-adhesion compound that is covalently bonded to the anti-adhesion support. The composite is composed of a prohealing compound. The term “prohealing drug” as defined herein is any compound that promotes cell growth, cell proliferation, cell migration, cell motility, cell adhesion, or cell differentiation. In one aspect, the prohealing compound includes a protein or synthetic polymer. Proteins useful in the methods described herein include, but are not limited to, an extracellular matrix protein, a chemically-modified extracellular matrix protein, or a partially hydrolyzed derivative of an extracellular matrix protein. The proteins may be naturally occurring or recombinant polypeptides possessing a cell interactive domain. The protein can also be mixtures of proteins, where one or more of the proteins are modified. Specific examples of proteins include, but are not limited to, collagen, elastin, decorin, laminin, or fibronectin. In one aspect, the synthetic polymer has at least one carboxylic acid group or the salt or ester thereof, which is capable of reacting with a hydrazide. In one aspect, the synthetic polymer comprises glucuronic acid, polyacrylic acid, polyaspartic acid, polytartaric acid, polyglutamic acid, or polyfimaric acid. In another aspect, the prohealing compound can be any of the supports disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,081 B2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. In one aspect, the prohealing compound includes cross-linked alginates, gelatin, collagen, cross-linked collagen, collagen derivatives, such as, succinylated collagen or methylated collagen, cross-linked hyaluronan, chitosan, chitosan derivatives, such as, methylpyrrolidone-chitosan, cellulose and cellulose derivatives such as cellulose acetate or carboxymethyl cellulose, dextran derivatives such carboxymethyl dextran, starch and derivatives of starch such as hydroxyethyl starch, other glycosaminoglycans and their derivatives, other polyanionic polysaccharides or their derivatives, polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), a copolymer of a polylactic acid and a polyglycolic acid (PLGA), lactides, glycolides, and other polyesters, polyoxanones and polyoxalates, copolymer of poly(bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)propane)anhydride (PCPP) and sebacic acid, poly(1-glutamic acid), poly(d-glutamic acid), polyacrylic acid, poly(dl-glutamic acid), poly(1-aspartic acid), poly(d-aspartic acid), poly(dl-aspartic acid), polyethylene glycol, copolymers of the above listed polyamino acids with polyethylene glycol, polypeptides, such as, collagen-like, silk-like, and silk-elastin-like proteins, polycaprolactone, poly(alkylene succinates), poly(hydroxy butyrate) (PHB), poly(butylene diglycolate), nylon-2/nylon-6-copolyamides, polydihydropyrans, polyphosphazenes, poly(ortho ester), poly(cyano acrylates), polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, poly casein, keratin, myosin, and fibrin. In another aspect, cross-linked HA can be the prohealing compound. In another aspect, the prohealing compound can be a polysaccharide. In one aspect, the polysaccharide has at least one group, such as a carboxylic acid group or the salt or ester thereof, that can react with a dihydrazide. In one aspect, the polysaccharide is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG). A GAG is one molecule with many alternating subunits. For example, HA, a non-sulfated GAG, is (GlcNAc-GlcUA-)x. Other GAGs are sulfated at different sugars. Generically, GAGs are represented by the formula A-B-A-B-A-B, where A is a uronic acid and B is an aminosugar that is either O- or N-sulfated, where the A and B units can be heterogeneous with respect to epimeric content or sulfation. Any natural or synthetic polymer containing uronic acid can be used. There are many different types of GAGs, having commonly understood structures, which, for example, are within the disclosed compositions, such as chondroitin sulfate, dermatan, heparan, heparin, dermatan sulfate, and heparan sulfate. Any GAG known in the art can be used in any of the composites described herein. Glycosaminoglycans can be purchased from Sigma, and many other biochemical suppliers. Alginic acid, pectin, and carboxymethylcellulose are among other carboxylic acid containing polysaccharides useful in the composites described herein. In one aspect, the prohealing compound is a compound having the formula III, where Y is a residue of a polysaccharide. In another aspect, Y is a residue of hyaluronan. HA is a non-sulfated GAG. Hyaluronan is a well known, naturally occurring, water soluble polysaccharide composed of two alternatively linked sugars, D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. The polymer is hydrophilic and highly viscous in aqueous solution at relatively low solute concentrations. It often occurs naturally as the sodium salt, sodium hyaluronate. Methods of preparing commercially available hyaluronan and salts thereof are well known. Hyaluronan can be purchased from Seikagaku Company, Clear Solutions Biotech, Inc., Pharmacia Inc., Sigma Inc., and many other suppliers. For high molecular weight hyaluronan it is often in the range of 100 to 10,000 disaccharide units. In another aspect, the lower limit of the molecular weight of the hyaluronan is from 10,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, 50,000, 60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, or 100,000, and the upper limit is 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, 700,000, 800,000, 900,000, or 1,000,000, where any of the lower limits can be combined with any of the upper limits. The composite can optionally contain a second prohealing compound. In one aspect, the second prohealing compound can be a growth factor. Any substance or metabolic precursor which is capable of promoting growth and survival of cells and tissues or augmenting the functioning of cells is useful as a growth factor. Examples of growth factors include, but are not limited to, a nerve growth promoting substance such as a ganglioside, a nerve growth factor, and the like; a hard or soft tissue growth promoting agent such as fibronectin (FN), human growth hormone (HGH), a colony stimulating factor, bone morphogenic protein, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-derived growth factor (IGF-I, IGF-II), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), dried bone material, and the like; and antineoplastic agents such as methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin, vinblastine, cisplatin, tumor-specific antibodies conjugated to toxins, tumor necrosis factor, and the like. The amount of growth factor incorporated into the composite will vary depending upon the growth factor and prohealing compound selected as well as the intended end-use of the composite. Any of the growth factors disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,591 B2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used in this aspect. In one aspect, the growth factor includes transforming growth factors (TGFs), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs), epidermal growth factors (EGFs), connective tissue activated peptides (CTAPs), osteogenic factors, and biologically active analogs, fragments, and derivatives of such growth factors. Members of the transforming growth factor (TGF) supergene family, which are multifunctional regulatory proteins. Members of the TGF supergene family include the beta transforming growth factors (for example, TGF-β1; TGF-β2, TGF-β3); bone morphogenetic proteins (for example, BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6, BMP-7, BMP-8, BMP-9); heparin-binding growth factors (for example, fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)); inhibins (for example, Inhibin A, Inhibin B); growth differentiating factors (for example, GDF-1); and Activins (for example, Activin A, Activin B, Activin AB). Growth factors can be isolated from native or natural sources, such as from mammalian cells, or can be prepared synthetically, such as by recombinant DNA techniques or by various chemical processes. In addition, analogs, fragments, or derivatives of these factors can be used, provided that they exhibit at least some of the biological activity of the native molecule. For example, analogs can be prepared by expression of genes altered by site-specific mutagenesis or other genetic engineering techniques. In another aspect, the addition of a crogslinker can be used to couple the first compound with the prohealing compound. Any of the crosslinkers described above can be used in this aspect. In one aspect, when the first compound and the prohealing compound possess free thiol groups, a crosslinker having at least two thiol-reactive electrophilic groups can be used to couple the two compounds. Additionally, the crosslinker can couple two first compounds or two prohealing compounds. In one aspect, the crosslinker can be a thiol-reactive compound having two electron-deficient vinyl groups, wherein the two electron-deficient vinyl groups are the same. In another aspect, the thiol-reactive compound can be a diacrylate, a dimethacrylate, a diacrylamide, a dimethacrylamide, or a combination thereof. In another aspect, the thiol-reactive compound has the formula V wherein R3 and R4 can be, independently, hydrogen or lower alkyl; U and V can be, independently, O or NR5, wherein R5 can be hydrogen or lower alkyl; and M can be a polyalkylene group, a polyether group, a polyamide group, a polyimino group, a polyester, an aryl group, or a polythioether group. In one aspect, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, U and V are oxygen, and M is a polyether group. In another aspect, R3 and R4 are hydrogen, U and V are NH, and M is a polyether group. In a further aspect, R3 and R4 are methyl, U and V are oxygen, and M is a polyether group. In another aspect, R3 and R4 are methyl, U and V are NH, and M is a polyether group. The composites described herein can assume numerous shapes and forms depending upon the intended end-use. In one aspect, the composite can be a laminate, a gel, a bead, a sponge, a film, a mesh, or a matrix. The procedures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,534,591 B2 and 6,548,081 B2, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties, can be used for preparing composites having different forms. In one aspect, the composite is a laminate. In one aspect, the laminate includes a first layer and a second layer, wherein (1) the first layer comprises a first compound comprising a first anti-adhesion compound covalently bonded to a first anti-adhesion support, wherein the first layer has a first surface and a second surface, and (2) the second layer comprises a first prohealing compound, wherein the second layer has a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface of the first layer is adjacent to the first surface of the second layer. In this aspect, the first layer is adjacent to the second layer. Depending upon the selection of the first compound and the prohealing compound, the first compound and the prohealing compound can either be covalently bonded to one another or merely in physical contact with one another without any chemical reaction occurring between the two compounds. In one aspect, the first compound and the prohealing compound possess free thiol groups, which can form new disulfide bonds in the presence of an oxidant. In one aspect, a second layer of prohealing compound can be applied to a film of first layer. In one aspect, the width of the interface between the first and second layers can vary depending upon the casting time of the first layer. For example, if the casting time of the first layer is long, the width of the interface formed upon the application of the second layer will be decreased. Similarly, if the casting time of the first layer is short, a wider interface will be produced. By varying the width of the interface between the first and second layer, it is possible to create a gradient that will prevent cell growth either immediately (narrow interface) or gradually (wide interface). In another aspect, another layer of prohealing compound can be applied to the other surface of the first layer to produce a sandwich of first layer encased by prohealing compound. FIG. 4 depicts one aspect of this sandwich laminate. In one aspect, the composite can be molded into any desired shape prior to delivery to a subject. In another aspect, the second layer (prohealing compound) can be applied to a subject followed by the application of the first compound to the exposed second layer. In a further aspect, another layer containing the prohealing compound can be applied to the exposed surface of the first layer. In this aspect, a sandwich laminate is formed in situ in the subject. In one aspect, the first compound and prohealing compound can be used as a kit. For example, the first compound and prohealing compound are in separate syringes, with the contents being mixed using syringe-to-syringe techniques just prior to delivery to the subject. In this aspect, the first compound and prohealing compound can be extruded from the opening of the syringe by an extrusion device followed by spreading the mixture using techniques known in the art such as, for example, via spatula. In another aspect, the first compound and prohealing compound can be spread by natural means upon application to the particular area or region of interest. In another aspect, the first compound and the prohealing compound are in separate chambers of a spray can or bottle with a nozzle or other spraying device. In this aspect, the first compound and prohealing compound do not actually mix until they are expelled together from the nozzle of the spraying device. II. Pharmaceutical Compositions In one aspect, any of the composites described above can include at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable compound. The resulting pharmaceutical composition can provide a system for sustained, continuous delivery of drugs and other biologically-active agents to tissues adjacent to or distant from the application site. The biologically-active agent is capable of providing a local or systemic biological, physiological or therapeutic effect in the biological system to which it is applied. For example, the agent can act to control infection or inflammation, enhance cell growth and tissue regeneration, control tumor growth, act as an analgesic, promote anti-cell attachment, and enhance bone growth, among other functions. Additionally, any of the anti-adhesion composites described herein can contain combinations of two or more pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds. In one aspect, when the composite is a laminate, the pharmaceutically-acceptable compound can be incorporated into the first and/or second layer. In one aspect, the pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds can include substances capable of preventing an infection systemically in the biological system or locally at the defect site, as for example, anti-inflammatory agents such as, but not limited to, pilocarpine, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, cortisone, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin, 6∝-methyl-prednisolone, corticosterone, dexamethasone, prednisone, and the like; antibacterial agents including, but not limited to, penicillin, cephalosporins, bacitracin, tetracycline, doxycycline, gentamycin, chloroquine, vidarabine, and the like; analgesic agents including, but not limited to, salicylic acid, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, piroxicam, flurbiprofen, morphine, and the like; local anesthetics including, but not limited to, cocaine, lidocaine, benzocaine, and the like; immunogens (vaccines) for stimulating antibodies against hepatitis, influenza, measles, rubella, tetanus, polio, rabies, and the like; peptides including, but not limited to, leuprolide acetate (an LH-RH agonist), nafarelin, and the like. All compounds are available from Sigma Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.). Other useful substances include hormones such as progesterone, testosterone, and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) (birth control, fertility-enhancement), insulin, and the like; antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, and the like; cardiovascular agents such as papaverine, streptokinase and the like; anti-ulcer agents such as isopropamide iodide, and the like; bronchodilators such as metaprotemal sulfate, aminophylline, and the like; vasodilators such as theophylline, niacin, minoxidil, and the like; central nervous system agents such as tranquilizer, B-adrenergic blocking agent, dopamine, and the like; antipsychotic agents such as risperidone, narcotic antagonists such as naltrexone, naloxone, buprenorphine; and other like substances. All compounds are available from Sigma Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.). The pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared using techniques known in the art. In one aspect, the composition is prepared by admixing the first compound and/or prohealing compound described herein with a pharmaceutically-acceptable compound prior to composite formation. The term “admixing” is defined as mixing the two components together so that there is no chemical reaction or physical interaction. The term “admixing” also includes the chemical reaction or physical interaction between the first compound or prohealing compound and the pharmaceutically-acceptable compound. Covalent bonding to reactive therapeutic drugs, e.g., those having reactive carboxyl groups, can be undertaken on the compound. For example, first, carboxylate-containing chemicals such as anti-inflammatory drugs ibuprofen or hydrocortisone-hemisuccinate can be converted to the corresponding N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) active esters and can further react with the NH2 group of the dihydrazide-modified ant-adhesion support. Second, non-covalent entrapment of a pharmacologically active agent in the first compound and/or the prohealing compound is also possible. Third, electrostatic or hydrophobic interactions can facilitate retention of a pharmaceutically-acceptable compound in the first compound and/or the prohealing compound. For example, the hydrazido group can non-covalently interact, e.g., with carboxylic acid-containing steroids and their analogs, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen (2-(4 iso-butylphenyl) propionic acid). The protonated hydrazido group can form salts with a wide variety of anionic materials such as proteins, heparin or dermatan sulfates, oligonucleotides, phosphate esters, and the like. Alternatively, the composite can be admixed with one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds. It will be appreciated that the actual preferred amounts of active pharmaceutically-acceptable compound in a specified case will vary according to the specific compound being utilized, the particular compositions formulated, the mode of application, and the particular situs and subject being treated. Dosages for a given host can be determined using conventional considerations, e.g. by customary comparison of the differential activities of the subject compounds and of a known agent, e.g., by means of an appropriate conventional pharmacological protocol. Physicians and formulators, skilled in the art of determining doses of pharmaceutical compounds, will have no problems determining dose according to standard recommendations (Physicians Desk Reference, Barnhart Publishing (1999). Pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be formulated in any excipient the biological system or entity can tolerate. Examples of such excipients include, but are not limited to, water, saline, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, Hank's solution, and other aqueous physiologically balanced salt solutions. Nonaqueous vehicles, such as fixed oils, vegetable oils such as olive oil and sesame oil, triglycerides, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate can also be used. Other useful formulations include suspensions containing viscosity enhancing agents, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Excipients can also contain minor amounts of additives, such as 0.15 substances that enhance isotonicity and chemical stability. Examples of buffers include phosphate buffer, bicarbonate buffer and Tris buffer, while examples of preservatives include thimerosol, cresols, formalin and benzyl alcohol. Pharmaceutical carriers are known to those skilled in the art. These most typically would be standard carriers for administration to humans, including solutions such as sterile water, saline, and buffered solutions at physiological pH. Molecules intended for pharmaceutical delivery can be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition. Pharmaceutical compositions can include carriers, thickeners, diluents, buffers, preservatives, surface active agents and the like in addition to the molecule of choice. Pharmaceutical compositions can also include one or more active ingredients such as antimicrobial agents, antiinflammatory agents, anesthetics, and the like. The pharmaceutical composition can be administered in a number of ways depending on whether local or systemic treatment is desired, and on the area to be treated. Administration can be topically (including ophthalmically, vaginally, rectally, intranasally). Preparations for administration include sterile aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. Examples of non-aqueous carriers include water, alcoholic/aqueous solutions, emulsions or suspensions, including saline and buffered media. Parenteral vehicles, if needed for collateral use of the disclosed compositions and methods, include sodium chloride solution, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose and sodium chloride, lactated Ringer's, or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles, if needed for collateral use of the disclosed compositions and methods, include fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as those based on Ringer's dextrose), and the like. Preservatives and other additives can also be present such as, for example, antimicrobials, anti-oxidants, chelating agents, and inert gases and the like. Formulations for topical administration can include ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, thickeners and the like can be necessary or desirable. Dosing is dependent on severity and responsiveness of the condition to be treated, but will normally be one or more doses per day, with course of treatment lasting from several days to several months or until one of ordinary skill in the art determines the delivery should cease. Persons of ordinary skill can easily determine optimum dosages, dosing methodologies and repetition rates. In one aspect, any of the composites and pharmaceutical compositions described herein can include living cells or genes. Examples of living cells include, but are not limited to, fibroblasts, hepatocytes, chondrocytes, stem cells, bone marrow, muscle cells, cardiac myocytes, neuronal cells, or pancreatic islet cells. Any of the cells and genes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,591 B2, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, can be used. III. Methods of Use The composites and pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be used for a variety of uses related to drug delivery, small molecule delivery, wound healing, burn injury healing, and tissue regeneration. The disclosed compositions are useful for situations which benefit from a hydrated, pericellular environment in which assembly of other matrix components, presentation of growth and differentiation factors, cell migration, or tissue regeneration are desirable. The composites and pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be placed directly in or on any biological system without purification as it is composed of biocompatible materials. Examples of sites the composites can be placed include, but not limited to, soft tissue such as muscle or fat; hard tissue such as bone or cartilage; areas of tissue regeneration; a void space such as periodontal pocket; surgical incision or other formed pocket or cavity, a natural cavity such as the oral, vaginal, rectal or nasal cavities, the cul-de-sac of the eye, and the like; the peritoneal cavity and organs contained within, and other sites into or onto which the compounds can be placed including a skin surface defect such as a cut, scrape or burn area. The anti-adhesion composites described herein can be biodegradable and naturally occurring enzymes will act to degrade them over time. Components of the anti-adhesion composites can be “bioabsorbable” in that the components of the composite will be broken down and absorbed within the biological system, for example, by a cell, tissue and the like. Additionally, the composites, especially composites that have not been rehydrated, can be applied to a biological system to absorb fluid from an area of interest. The composites and compositions described herein can be used in a number of different surgical procedures. In one aspect, the composites and compositions can be used in any of the surgical procedures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,534,591 B2 and 6,548,081 B2, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. In one aspect, the composites and compositions described herein can be used in cardiosurgery and articular surgery, abdominal surgery where it is important to prevent adhesions of the intestine or the mesentery, thoracic surgery involving the lungs and heart (e.g., heart bypass or transplant surgery); operations performed in the urogenital regions where it is important to ward off adverse effects on the ureter and bladder, and on the functioning of the oviduct and uterus; and nerve surgery operations where it is important to minimize the development of granulation tissue. In surgery involving tendons, there is generally a tendency towards adhesion between the tendon and the surrounding sheath or other surrounding tissue during the immobilization period following the operation. In another aspect, the composites and compositions described herein can be used to prevent adhesions after laparascopic surgery, pelvic surgery, oncological surgery, sinus and craniofacial surgery, ENT surgery, or in procedures involving spinal dura repair. In another aspect, the composites and compositions can be used in opthalmological surgery. In opthalmological surgery, a biodegradable implant could be applied in the angle of the anterior chamber of the eye for the purpose of preventing the development of synechiae between the cornea and the iris; this applies especially in cases of reconstructions after severe damaging events. Moreover, degradable or permanent implants are often desirable for preventing adhesion after glaucoma surgery and strabismus surgery. In another aspect, the composites and compositions described herein can be used for the augmentation of soft or hard tissue. In another aspect, the composites and compositions described herein can be used to coat implants. In another aspect, the composites and compositions described herein can be used to treat aneurisms. The composites described herein can be used as a carrier and delivery device for a wide variety of releasable pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds having curative or therapeutic value for human or non-human animals. Any of the pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds described above can be used in this aspect. Many of these substances which can be carried by the anti-adhesion composites are discussed above. Depending upon the selection of the pharmaceutically-acceptable compound, the pharmaceutically-acceptable compound can be present in the first compound or the prohealing compound. Included among pharmaceutically-acceptable compounds that are suitable for incorporation into the composites described herein are therapeutic drugs, e.g., anti-inflammatory agents, anti-pyretic agents, steroidal and non-steroidal drugs for anti-inflammatory use, hormones, growth factors, contraceptive agents, antivirals, antibacterials, antifungals, analgesics, hypnotics, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-convulsants, muscle relaxants, local anesthetics, antispasmodics, antiulcer drugs, peptidic agonists, sympathiomimetic agents, cardiovascular agents, antitumor agents, oligonucleotides and their analogues and so forth. The pharmaceutically-acceptable compound is added in pharmaceutically active amounts. The rate of drug delivery depends on the hydrophobicity of the molecule being released. For example, hydrophobic molecules, such as dexamethazone and prednisone are released slowly from the compound as it swells in an aqueous environment, while hydrophilic molecules, such as pilocarpine, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, cortisone, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin, 6∝-methyl-prednisolone and corticosterone, are released quickly. The ability of the compound to maintain a slow, sustained release of steroidal anti-inflammatories makes the compounds described herein extremely useful for wound healing after trauma or surgical intervention. In certain methods the delivery of molecules or reagents related to angiogenesis and vascularization are achieved. Disclosed are methods for delivering agents, such as VEGF, that stimulate microvascularization. Also disclosed are methods for the delivery of agents that can inhibit angiogenesis and vascularization, such as those compounds and reagents useful for this purpose disclosed in but not limited to U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,861 for “Methods of inhibiting angiogenesis via increasing in vivo concentrations of endostatin protein;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,865 for “Methods of treating angiogenesis-induced diseases and pharmaceutical compositions thereof;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,688 for “Angiostatin fragments and method of use;” U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,954 for “Method of treating tumors using O-substituted fumagillol derivatives;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,403 for “Angiostatin fragments and method of use;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,069 “Estrogenic compounds as anti-mitotic agents;” for U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,795 for “Methods of expressing angiostatic protein;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,861,372 for “Aggregate angiostatin and method of use;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,221 for “Endothelial cell proliferation inhibitor and method of use;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,205 for “Therapeutic antiangiogenic compositions and methods;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,682 for “Angiostatin fragments and method of use;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,845 for “Nucleotides encoding angiostatin protein and method of use;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,876 for “Method of inhibiting angiogenesis;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,586 for “Angiogenesis inhibitory agent;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,143 for “Estrogenic compounds as anti-mitotic agents;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,725 for “Angiostatin protein;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,074 for “Estrogenic compounds as anti-angiogenic agents;” U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,807 for “Method for regressing angiogenesis using o-substituted fumagillol derivatives;” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,919 for “Method and a pharmaceutical composition for the inhibition of angiogenesis” which are herein incorporated by reference for the material related to molecules for angiogenesis inhibition. In one aspect, the pharmaceutically-acceptable compound is pilocarpine, hydrocortisone, prednisolone, cortisone, diclofenac sodium, indomethacin, 6∝-methyl-prednisolone, corticosterone, dexamethasone and prednisone. However, methods are also provided wherein delivery of a pharmaceutically-acceptable compound is for a medical purpose selected from the group of delivery of contraceptive agents, treating postsurgical adhesions, promoting skin growth, preventing scarring, dressing wounds, conducting viscosurgery, conducting viscosupplementation, engineering tissue. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion composites and compositions described herein can be used for the delivery of living cells to a subject. Any of the living cells described above can be used in the aspect. In one aspect, the living cells are part of the prohealing compound. For example, when the composite is a laminate, the living cells are present in the prohealing layer. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion composites and compositions can be used for the delivery of growth factors and molecules related to growth factors. Any of the growth factors described above are useful in this aspect. In one aspect, the growth factor is part of the prohealing compound. In one aspect, described herein are methods for reducing or inhibiting adhesion of two tissues in a surgical wound in a subject by contacting the wound of the subject with any of the composites or compositions described herein. Not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the first compound will prevent tissue adhesion between two different tissues (e.g., organ and skin tissue). It is desirable in certain post-surgical wounds to prevent the adhesion of tissues in order to avoid future complications. The second layer and optional third layer will promote healing of the tissues. Any of the prohealing compounds described above can be used as the second or third layer. In one aspect, the second and third layer can be chemically modified-heparin, chemically modified-hyaluronan, or a chemically-modified glycosaminoglycan such as, for example, chemically-modified chondroitin sulfate. FIG. 4 depicts one aspect of this methodology. In this aspect, the first layer is composed of mitomycin C-chemically modified-hyaluronan, which is sandwiched by a second and third layer of chemically modified-chondroitin sulfate that optionally contains a growth factor. The chemically modified-chondroitin sulfate layers are in contact with the skin and organ tissue. Here, the mitomycin C-chemically modified-hyaluronan layer prevents adhesion between the skin and organ tissues. In another aspect, when the composite is laminate, the laminate includes a first layer of anti-adhesion compound/support and a second layer composed of a prohealing compound, wherein the laminate is wrapped around a tissue. For example, the laminate can be wrapped around a tendon, where the first layer is in contact with the tendon, and the second layer is in contact with surrounding muscle tissue. In this aspect, the laminate contributes a cylindrical anti-adhesion layer around the tendon, while healing of the tendon is promoted by the inner layer of the cylindrical material. The composites described herein provide numerous advantages. For example, the composites provide a post-operative adhesion barrier that is at least substantially resorbable and, therefore, does not have to be removed surgically at a later date. Another advantage is that the composites are also relatively easy to use, can be formulated to hold sutures, and can stay in place after it is applied. In another aspect, described herein are methods for improving wound healing in a subject in need of such improvement by contacting any of the composites or pharmaceutical compositions described herein with a wound of a subject in need of wound healing improvement. Also provided are methods to deliver at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable compound to a patient in need of such delivery by contacting any of the anti-adhesion composites or pharmaceutical compositions described herein with at least one tissue capable of receiving said pharmaceutically-acceptable compound. The disclosed composites and compositions can be used for treating a wide variety of tissue defects in an animal, for example, a tissue with a void such as a periodontal pocket, a shallow or deep cutaneous wound, a surgical incision, a bone or cartilage defect, and the like. For example, the composites described herein can be in the form of a hydrogel film. The hydrogel film can be applied to a defect in bone tissue such as a fracture in an arm or leg bone, a defect in a tooth, a cartilage defect in the joint, ear, nose, or throat, and the like. The hydrogel film composed of the composites described herein can also function as a barrier system for guided tissue regeneration by providing a surface on or through which the cells can grow. To enhance regeneration of a hard tissue such as bone tissue, it is preferred that the hydrogel film provides support for new cell growth that will replace the matrix as it becomes gradually absorbed or eroded by body fluids. The anti-adhesion composites described herein can be delivered onto cells, tissues, and/or organs, for example, by injection, spraying, squirting, brushing, painting, coating, and the like. Delivery can also be via a cannula, catheter, syringe with or without a needle, pressure applicator, pump, and the like. The composite can be applied onto a tissue in the form of a film, for example, to provide a film dressing on the surface of the tissue, and/or to adhere to a tissue to another tissue or hydrogel film, among other applications. In one aspect, the anti-adhesion composites described herein are administered via injection. For many clinical uses, when the composite is in the form of a hydrogel film, injectable hydrogels are preferred for three main reasons. First, an injectable hydrogel could be formed into any desired shape at the site of injury. Because the initial hydrogels can be sols or moldable putties, the systems can be positioned in complex shapes and then subsequently crosslinked to conform to the required dimensions. Second, the hydrogel would adhere to the tissue during gel formation, and the resulting mechanical interlocking arising from surface microroughness would strengthen the tissue-hydrogel interface. Third, introduction of an in situ-crosslinkable hydrogel could be accomplished using needle or by laparoscopic methods, thereby minimizing the invasiveness of the surgical technique. The anti-adhesion composites described herein can be used to treat periodontal disease, gingival tissue overlying the root of the tooth can be excised to form an envelope or pocket, and the composition delivered into the pocket and against the exposed root. The composites can also be delivered to a tooth defect by making an incision through the gingival tissue to expose the root, and then applying the material through the incision onto the root surface by placing, brushing, squirting, or other means. When used to treat a defect on skin or other tissue, the anti-adhesion composites described herein can be in the form of a hydrogel film that can be placed on top of the desired area. In this aspect, the hydrogel film is malleable and can be manipulated to conform to the contours of the tissue defect. The anti-adhesion composites described herein can be applied to an implantable device such as a suture, claps, prosthesis, catheter, metal screw, bone plate, pin, a bandage such as gauze, and the like, to enhance the compatibility and/or performance or function of an implantable device with a body tissue in an implant site. The composites can be used to coat the implantable device. For example, the composites could be used to coat the rough surface of an implantable device to enhance the compatibility of the device by providing a biocompatable smooth surface which reduces the occurrence of abrasions from the contact of rough edges with the adjacent tissue. The composites can also be used to enhance the performance or function of an implantable device. For example, when the composite is a hydrogel film, the hydrogel film can be applied to a gauze bandage to enhance its compatibility or adhesion with the tissue to which it is applied. The hydrogel film can also be applied around a device such as a catheter or colostomy that is inserted through an incision into the body to help secure the catheter/colosotomy in place and/or to fill the void between the device and tissue and form a tight seal to reduce bacterial infection and loss of body fluid. It is understood that the disclosed composites and compositions can be applied to a subject in need of tissue regeneration. For example, cells can be incorporated into the composites described herein for implantation. Examples of subjects that can be treated with the composites described herein include mammals such as mice, rats, cows or cattle, horses, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and primates, including apes, chimpanzees, orangatangs, and humans. In another aspect, the composites and compositions described herein can be applied to birds. When being used in areas related to tissue regeneration such as wound or burn healing, it is not necessary that the disclosed composites, compositions, and methods eliminate the need for one or more related accepted therapies. It is understood that any decrease in the length of time for recovery or increase in the quality of the recovery obtained by the recipient of the disclosed composites, compositions, and methods has obtained some benefit. It is also understood that some of the disclosed composites, compositions, and methods can be used to prevent or reduce fibrotic adhesions occurring as a result of wound closure as a result of trauma, such surgery. It is also understood that collateral affects provided by the disclosed composites, compositions, and methods are desirable but not required, such as improved bacterial resistance or reduced pain etc. It is understood that any given particular aspect of the disclosed composites, compositions and methods can be easily compared to the specific examples and embodiments disclosed herein, including the non-polysaccharide based reagents discussed in the Examples. By performing such a comparison, the relative efficacy of each particular embodiment can be easily determined. Particularly preferred assays for the various uses are those assays which are disclosed in the Examples herein, and it is understood that these assays, while not necessarily limiting, can be performed with any of the composites, compositions, and methods disclosed herein. EXAMPLES The following examples are put forth so as to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclosure and description of how the compounds, compositions, and methods described and claimed herein are made and evaluated, and are intended to be purely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as their invention. Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers (e.g., amounts, temperature, etc.) but some errors and deviations should be accounted for. Unless indicated otherwise, parts are parts by weight, temperature is in ° C. or is at ambient temperature, and pressure is at or near atmospheric. There are numerous variations and combinations of reaction conditions, e.g., component concentrations, desired solvents, solvent mixtures, temperatures, pressures and other reaction ranges and conditions that can be used to optimize the product purity and yield obtained from the described process. Only reasonable and routine experimentation will be required to optimize such process conditions. I. Materials Fermentation-derived hyaluronan (HA, sodium salt, Mw=1.5 MDa) was purchased from Clear Solutions Biotech, Inc. (Stony Brook, N.Y.). 1-Ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino) propyl]carbodiimide (FDCI), triethylamine (IEA), 3,3′-dithiobis(propanoic acid), acryloyl chloride and hydrazine hydrate were from Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis.). Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS) and propidium iodide (PI) were from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, Mo.). Dithiothreitol (DTT) was from Diagnostic Chemicals Limited (Oxford, Conn.). 5,5′-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) was from Acros (Houston, Tex.). MMC was from ICN Biomedicals Inc. (Aurora, Ohio). PEGDA (Mw 3400 Da) was from Shearwater Polymers (Huntsville, Ala.). Fluorescein diacetate (F-DA) was from Molecular Probes (Eugene, Oreg.). 1H and 13C NMR were obtained using a Varian INOVA 400 at 400 MHz and 100 MHz respectively in the solvent indicated. UV-vis spectral data were obtained using a Hewlett-Packard 8453 UV-visible spectrophotometer (Palo Alto, Calif.). Thiolated HA (42% modification, i.e., 42 thiol groups per 100 disaccharide units, Mw 158 kDa, Mn 78 kDa, polydispersity index=2.03) was synthesized as described (Shu, X. Z.; Liu, Y.; Luo, Y.; Roberts, M. C.; Prestwich, G. D. Biomacromolecules 2002, 3, 1304-1311), which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. II. Synthesis of Hydrogels a. Synthesis of MMC-Acrylate Mitomycin C (2 mg) was dissolved in 10 ml dried methylene chloride, and 1.7 μl TEA and 1 μl distilled acryloyl chloride were added subsequently. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, then concentrated and purified by a silica column (methylene chloride:methanol=20:1). The yield is 1.78 mg. 1H NMR (400 MHz, MeOD-d3): δ 6.31 (dd, J=2, J=10, 2′-H), 1.82 (dd, J=10, J=2.4, 1H, 3′-H), 5.48 (d, J=0.8, 1H, 3′-H), 4.81 (dd, obscured by MeOH, 1H, 10-H), 4.49 (d, J=13, 1H, 3-H), 3.93 (t, J=11, 1H, 3-H), 3.67 (d, J=4.4, 1H, 10-H), 3.64 (d, J=4.8, 1H, 9-H), 3.51 (d, J=12, 1H, 1-H), 3.48 (dd, J=1.2, J=4.8, 1H, 2-H), 3.24 (s, 3H, 9α-OCH3), 1.75 (s, 3H, 6-CH3). 13C NMR (400 Mz, MeOD-d3): δ177.7 (C-1′), 176.1 (C-5), 176.0 (C-8), 158.4 (CONH2), 155.4 (C-4-a), 149.7 (C-7), 130.4 (C-2′), 129.4 (C-3′), 109.9 (C-8a), 106.0 (C-9a), 103.8 (C-6), 61.5 (C-10), 53.6 (C-9), 49.0 (9a-OCH3), 48.9 (C-3), 42.3 (C-1), 40.9 (C-2), 6.9 (6-CH3). b. Preparation of MMC-HA Model Reaction of MMC-Acrylate with Thiol Group: The reaction time of MMC-acrylate conjugate to thiolated HA was determined by a model reaction. N-acetyl cysteine methyl ester was used as a model reagent to react with MMC-acryloyl. The concentration of thiol group was measured using 2-nitro-5-thiosulfobenzoate (NTSB) or Ellman reagent. The reaction was performed in PBS buffer (pH 8.0) with a concentration of MMC-acrylate of 0.3 mg/mL and an initial ratio of 2 acrylates to 1 thiol. To a 0.3 mg/mL solution of MMC-acrylamide in DPBS buffer (pH 8.0) was added 0.5 equivalents of N-acetyl cysteine methyl ester, giving a ratio of two acrylamide groups per thiol. The concentration of remaining thiols was measured using NTSB or Ellman's reagent. The conjugate addition adduct was isolated by silica chromatography (methylene chloride:methanol=20:1). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 4.75 (dd, obscured by MeOH, 1H, H-10), 4.50 (dd, J=4.8 Hz, J=7.6 Hz, 1H, H-6′), 4.36 (d, J=13 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.90 (t, J=10.8 Hz, 1H, H-3), 3.63 (s, 3H, 7′-OCH3), 3.59 (d, J=4 Hz, 1H, H-10), 3.55 (d, J=4 Hz, 1H, H-9), 3.45 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H, H-1), 3.41 (d, J=2 Hz, 1H, H-2), 3.15 (s, 3H, 9a-OCH3), 2.6˜3.1 (m, 6H, H-2′, H-3′, H-5′), 1.90 (s, 3H, 1″-CH3), 1.67 (s, 3H, 6-CH3). 13C NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 182.7 (C-5), 177.7 (C-8), 176.0 (C-1′), 172.1 (C-7′), 171.4 (C-1″), 158.4 (CONH2), 155.4 (C-4a), 149.7 (C-7), 109.8 (C-8a), 105.9 (C-9a), 103.8 (C-6), 61.5 (C-10), 53.6 (C-9), 52.6 (C-6′), 51.7 (7′-OCH3), 48.9 (9a-OCH3), 48.9 (C-3), 42.4 (C-1), 39.9 (C-2), 36.6 (C-2′), 33.3 (C-5′), 27.0 (C-3′), 21.1 (1″-CH3), 6.9 (6-CH3). MS (ESI) m/z 566.2 M+1 (100). Preparation of HA-MMC Conjugate Thiolated HA was dissolved in PBS buffer to the concentration of 1.25% (w/v). Modified MMC was dissolved in minimal ethanol and added into the HA-DTPH solution. The theoretical MMC loading to the disaccharides was 0.5%, 1% and 2% respectively. The procedure was conducted under N2 protection and the final pH of the mixture was adjusted to 8.0. The reaction was processed for three hours with stirring. c. Preparation of HA-MMC-PEG Hydrogel Films Procedure 1 HA-MMC solution was adjusted to pH 7.4 after the coupling reaction. PEG diacrylate was dissolved in PBS buffer to the concentration of 4.5% (w/v). The two solutions were mixed together and vortexed for one minute. The reaction mixture was removed by Eppendorf® Combitips and added to 2 cm×2 cm dishes, 2 mL/dishes. The hydrogels were formed in about half hour and were evaporated in air to dryness for several days to form the films. Procedure 2 The pKa value for thiolated HA was determined to be 8.87. The thiolated HA was dissolved in DPBS buffer to a concentration of 1.25% (w/v) and the pH was adjusted to 8.0. MMC-acrylamide was dissolved in a minimal volume of ethanol and added dropwise to the stirred thiolated HA solution. The theoretical MMC loadings, 0.5% and 2%, were calculated relative to the HA disaccharide unit. All procedures were performed under a nitrogen atmosphere to minimize disulfide formation, and each reaction was stirred for 3 h. After the coupling reaction, the HA-DTPH-MMC solution was then adjusted to pH 7.4 by addition of 1 N HCl. PEGDA was dissolved in DPBS buffer to give a stock concentration of 4.5% (w/v). The 1 volume of PEGDA stock was added to four volumes of HA-DTPH-MMC solution, and the mixture was stirred and vortexed for 1 min. Aliquots (2.0 mL) of the HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA reaction mixture were removed with plastic Eppendorf® Combitips and added to 2 cm×2 cm dishes. The hydrogels began to gel in 10 min, and gelation was essentially complete by 30 min. Plates were then transferred to a hood and allowed to further crosslink in air; after three days, pliable hydrogel films (0.10 mm thick) had formed. III. In Vitro Release Studies MMC Release Experiment Dried hydrogel films were cut into 2 cm squares. The square gel film and the cut off margin were weighed separately, and the MMC contained in each square film was calculated. Each film was dipped into 5 mL of 100 mM PBS buffer and shaken gently at 37° C. At each time point, 0.5 mL solution was removed and 0.5 mL fresh PBS buffer was added. The solution containing released MMC was detected at a wavelength of 358 μm. The accumulated concentration of released MMC was plotted as a function of the time. FIGS. 5a-5c show the results of in vitro MMC release results. FIG. 5a shows the absolute released concentration. The released MMC is proportional to the MMC contained in the hydrogel. The relative release pattern is shown in FIG. 5b after replotting the data. HA films with 1% and 2% MMC loadings have similar release profiles. At the first half hour, about 13% MMC was released from the hydrogel, which may come from two sources: one was the un-coupled MMC, the other was hydrolyzed MMC. Then a slow release pattern was observed with a half-life of approximately 48 hours. The release of MMC continued for 5 days until reaching a plateau. A considerable amount of MMC remained in the film after 8 days. The release profile 0.5% MMC is depicted in FIG. 5c, where the amount of MMC released was proportional to the amount of starting amount of MMC in the hydrogel. IV. In Vitro Cytotoxicity Cell proliferation and cell morphology were examined in separate experiments. First, T31 human tracheal scar fibroblasts were seeded in 12-well cell culture inserts (Fisher, Marshalltown, Iowa), cultured for 24 h, and then transferred into 12-well cell culture plate that had been pre-coated with HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films (1 mL gel per well). Next, 2.5 mL of a 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco's modified Eagle Medium and Nutrient Mixture F-12 (D-MEM/F-12) (GIBCO, Rockville, Md.) containing 10% newborn calf serum (NBCS) was added to each well. Four 2-mm diameter holes were made with 16 gauge needles on the side of the inserts closest to the bottom to ensure that the medium could be easily exchanged between the inserts and the wells of the plates. At day 0, 1, 3, and 5, six inserts from each group were transferred into a new 12-well plate, and 1 mL of D-MEM/F-12 medium containing 15% (v/v) of CellTiter 96 Proliferation Kit solution (MTS assay, Promega, Madison, Wis.) and 5% (v/v) of NBCS were added into each insert. The plate was incubated at 37° C. 5% CO2 on a shaker for 2 h. Then, aliquots (150 μL) of the media were transferred into a 96-well plate and read at 550 nm with an OPTI Max microplate reader (Molecular Devices). The absorbance reading was converted into a cell number based on standard curves that were generated from the assay of known numbers of cells. To monitor changes in cell morphology, T31 fibroblasts (30,000 cells) were seeded into each chamber of two-well chamber slide (Fisher) and cultured for 24 h. A plastic scaffold made from the cap of T75 cell culture flask (Fisher) was added into each chamber followed by addition of HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films (5×5 mm) on the top of each scaffold. Next, 2.5 mL of D-MEM/F-12 culture medium containing 10% NBCS was added into each chamber. After three days in culture, the films and scaffolds were removed, and the cells were observed using a confocal laser scanning microscope (LSM 510, Carl Zeiss Microimaging, Inc., Thornwood, N.Y.) after being double-stained by F-DA and PI. On days 0, 1, 3, and 5, the quantity of living cells was determined by an MTS (CellTitler Proliferation) assay. The cell morphology was also studied by culturing the cells on chamber slides, without direct contact with the films, which were on the top of the specially-designed scaffolds. On day 3, the cells were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope and double-stained with F-DA and PI. As shown in FIG. 9, the cells cultured in the presence of HA-DTPH-PEGDA film (i.e., 0% MMC) proliferated as fast as the no-film control cells. In contrast, cell proliferation was significantly decreased in the presence of the HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films containing 0.5% MMC. With a concentration of 2.0% MMC, cell proliferation was stopped and cells began to die. Thus, the HA-DTPH-PEGDA film lacking MMC showed no cytotoxicity and the anti-proliferative effects were entirely due to MMC released from the films. The morphology and density of the cells are illustrated in FIG. 10, in which living cells are stained green and dead cells are stained red ((a) Control, no film; (b) HA-DTPH-PEGDA films lacking MMC; (c) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films with 0.5% MMC; and (d) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films with 2.0% MMC. Scale bar: 10 μm.). The results were consistent with that obtained from MTS assay. The cell density in the presence of HA-DTPH-PEGDA film (FIG. 10b) was similar to the no-film control group (FIG. 10a). Cell growth was partially inhibited in the presence of HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films with 0.5% MMC (FIG. 10c). An even larger number of dead cells were found when the cells were indirectly exposed to the HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films containing 2% MMC (FIG. 10d). In summary, the in vitro cytotoxicity experiments illustrated that MMC was released from the film, and that the released MMC maintained its anti-proliferative activity. The magnitude of the effect was dependent upon the MMC concentration in the HA-DTPH-PEGDA films. V. In Vivo Biocompatibility Example 1 An example of the action of MMC-HA-DTPH-PEGDA is shown in FIG. 6. Using eight rats for each of four treatments, rat uterine horn adhesions were evaluated with HA gel only, and the 0.5% and 2.0% MMC gels. The severity of the adhesions were ranked on a scale from 0 to 4 (Hooker, G. D., Taylor, B. M., and Driman, D. K. (1999) Prevention of adhesion formation with use of sodium hyaluronate-based bioresorbable membrane in a rat model of ventral hernia repair with polypropylene mesh-A randomized, controlled study. Surgery 125, 211-216)). Grade 0=no adhesions; grade 1=filmy, transparent adhesions with minimal fibrous strands; grade 2=continuous fibrous adhesions; grade 4=dense adhesions. The data show statistical significance (p<0.05) for HA hydrogel treatment vs. surgical control only, and for 2.0% MMC-HA relative to HA hydrogel only. Example 2 In addition, preliminary studies with the rabbit sinus ostia model showed that for n=8 rabbits, the HA-MMC 2.0% gel used by in situ crosslinking on the ostia, maintains a 5 mm sinus ostium with a mean for the experimental of 2.9 mm, and a mean for the control of 0.3 mm, which is statistically significant using a paired two-tailed T-test at p=0.00080 level. Example 3 Sexually mature, non-pregnant female Wistar rats (Charles River), each weighing 250-300 g, were anesthetized by inhalation of isoflurane (2.5%) following the protocol approved by Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at The University of Utah. After anesthesia, then the lower abdominal area was shaved, cleaned with alcohol and Betadine, and a lower ventral midline incision was made to expose the two uterine horns. Surgical injuries to the contacting serosal surfaces were created by excising a portion of the medial uterine wall musculature covering an area of 3×10 mm. The injury was 5 mm from the root of uterine horn. A single 9/0 nylon suture was placed 3 mm from the distal edge of the injured area to ensure the direct contact of the apposing injury sites on the medial aspect of the contralateral horn. In the experimental animals, the crosslinked HA films or in situ crosslinked HA gels were placed between the two injured uterine horns. The abdominal peritoneum was closed with a single row of continuous running sutures, and the skin was approximated with interrupted sutures. On day 14 post-surgery, the animals were sacrificed by CO2 inhalation, and the extent of uterine horn adhesions was assessed by estimating the length of uterine horn with adhesions (maximum 10 mm). Means and variances for each group were calculated from the average extent of adhesions for each animal. The extent (cm) of uterine horns along which adhesions formed was used as the primary outcome measurement. The presence of adhesions between the uterine horn and intraperitoneal fat and small bowel was also recorded as a binary (present or absent) parameter. After the macrographical evaluation, the samples were prepared for Masson's Trichrome staining. To evaluate the extent of adhesions, a Student's t-test was used. Adhesion sites were compared across groups with Fisher's exact test, and a p value <0.05 was considered significant. All statistical analyses were performed with StatView (Version 5.0.1, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C.). Application of MMC-Loaded Crosslinked HA Films Each of eight rats per experimental group received standard bilateral surgical injuries to the uterine horns. The HA films were cut into 5×12 mm rectangles and inserted between the two uterine horns at the sites of injury to completely cover the injured surfaces. A single suture was placed to prevent shifting of the film after surgical closure. The experimental groups included HA-DTPH-PEGDA films lacking MMC, and HA-DTPH-PEGDA films that contained 0.5% or 2.0% loading of MMC based on available thiol groups. Animals receiving the surgical injury but no treatment served as the no-treatment control group. Injection of In Situ Crosslinking MMC-Loaded HA Hydrogels Each of eight rats per experimental condition received standard surgical injuries to the two uterine horns, and were then treated as follows. First, 1 ml of a given viscous pre-gelled HA-DTPH-PEGDA (with or without MMC) was pipetted onto the surface of the injured uterine horns. Then, an additional 4 ml of the same viscous solution was injected into the peritoneal cavity through the incision in the 0.5 immediate vicinity of the uterine injuries. The experimental groups included the HA-DTPH-PEGDA in situ gel without MMC or one of the HA-DTPH-PEGDA gels with 1.25%, 0.625%, or 0.31% MMC loading. Control animals were injected with DPBS. Efficacy of MMC-Loaded HA Films To evaluate the anti-adhesion properties of HA films with different MMC loadings (Table 1), a rat uterine horn model was used. All experimental and control animals survived the surgical procedures, and none were excluded from the study. The extent of uterine horn adhesions was assessed by estimating the length of uterine horn that exhibited adhesions (maximum 10 mm). Means and variances for each group were calculated from the average extent of adhesions for each animal. The presence of adhesions between the uterine horn and intraperitoneal fat, and small bowel was also recorded as a yes/no response. After the macrographical evaluation, the samples were prepared for Masson's Trichrome staining. The extent of uterine horn adhesions is shown in Table 2 and the instances of adhesion to surrounding tissues are presented in Table 3. The statistical comparisons of the groups is summarized in Table 4. First, all animals treated with a barrier hydrogel or film showed significantly reduced adhesions relative to the untreated control animals. Second, responses in both the film insertion and in situ injection methods were dependent on MMC loading. HA films with 2% MMC loading had the lowest extent of uterine horn adhesions (1.3±0.2 mm). HA films with 0.5% MMC showed an intermediate extent of uterine horn adhesions (3.5±10.4 mm), while an HA film lacking MMC still showed substantial adhesions (7.3±0.3 mm). Importantly, HA films with different MMC loadings did not significantly reduce the incidence of adhesions between the uterine horn and intraperitoneal fat or small bowel (Tables 3 and 4). No side effects were observed in the uterine horns and surrounding tissues in any of the animals in these groups. The histology of the uterine horn injury sites was consistent with the above macrographical assessment. The treated uterine horns were distinguishable from the untreated controls (data not shown). The effects of the HA film lacking MMC were local and incomplete, which was represented by the infiltration of partial fibrous tissue and loose connective tissue between the two uterine horns. The application of the 0.5% MMC HA films or the 2.0% MMC HA film reduced fibrous tissue between the two injured uterine horns. This was attributed to the free MMC release from HA films. Without MMC loading, the HA films can only function as barriers to reduce adhesion formation. MMC dose-dependent results were obtained and no side effects were found in MMC-loaded HA films; nonetheless, it would be desirable to use the lowest fully effective MMC loading in a clinical setting. Efficacy of MMC-Loaded In Situ Crosslinkable HA Gels Sterilized 1.25% HA-DTPH and HA-MMC solution (with 1.25% MMC loading) were crosslinked to a theoretical extent of 50% by addition of PEGDA. To obtain lower concentrations of gel components including MMC, the HA-DTPH-MMC solution was diluted with one or three volumes of DPBS and then mixed with a PEGDA solution to achieve a theoretical extent of 50% crosslinking. These compositions are summarized in Table 1. Then, 1 ml of each viscous solution was placed (and allowed to gel) onto the surface of the injured uterine horns. An additional 4 ml of each pre-gelled solution was injected into the peritoneal cavity surrounding the injured uterine horns prior to closure of the peritoneal cavity. On day 14 post-surgery, the animals were euthanized by inhalation of CO2, and the extent of uterine horn adhesions and incidence of adhesions formed to surrounding tissues was assessed. The extent of uterine horn adhesions and the areas of adhesion from the gel injection protocols are depicted in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. The comparison is summarized in Table 3. The injection of undiluted 1.25% MMC HA gel showed very minimal adhesions (1.4±0.3 mm), as did the 0.625% MMC HA gel (1.5±0.3 mm). In contrast, the viscous but not fully gelled 0.31% HA “gel” and was less effective in decreasing adhesions (7.3±0.6 mm). This result was similar to the HA gel that lacked MMC (7.6±0.4 mm). Nonetheless, a significantly lower adhesion extent rate was observed for these gels as compared to the DPBS treated uterine horns (9.6±0.3 mm). The data for areas of adhesion was consistent with the adhesion extent results. The macrographical examinations are illustrated in FIG. 7. Severe adhesions can be observed between the uterine horns and intraperitoneal fat, in addition to the firm adhesions formed between two uterine horns in DPBS treated animals (FIG. 7A). The formation of adhesions between the uterine horns and intraperitoneal fat was attributed to the errhysis in the procedure of superficial excision of uterine horns, i.e., light injuries on the surface of uterine horn and intraperitoneal fat caused by surgical interference and long time exposure in the air. No apparent adhesions between uterine horns and intraperitoneal fat were found in animals treated with 1.25% MMC HA gel (FIG. 7B), 0.625% MMC HA gel (FIG. 7C), 0.31% MMC HA gel (FIG. 7D). The efficacy of the 1.25% MMC HA gel and the 0.625% MMC HA gel was particularly noteworthy, as no physical barrier was actually inserted in these treatments. An unresolved gel bridging the two uterine horns and severe intraperitoneal fat atrophy were observed in the 1.25% MMC HA gel-treated animals (FIG. 7B). FIG. 7D shows that for the gels with lowest MMC loadings, the two uterine horns had abundant firm adhesions. The histology of the uterine horn injury sites was analyzed and found to be consistent with the above macrographical examination. In untreated animals, adhesions were found between the two uterine horns, and within the intraperitoneal fat (FIG. 8A). There was minor adhesion and some residual HA gel observed between the uterine horns in the 1.25% MMC HA gel-treated animals (FIG. 8B). The uterine horns were well separated in the 0.625% MMC HA gel-treated animals, but adhered firmly in the 0.31% MMC HA gel-treated animals (FIGS. 8C and 8D). The efficacy of MMC-loaded HA hydrogels was highly correlated to overall concentration of the HA-DTPH used. First, with the highest concentration of HA-MMC solution (1.25%, undiluted), gelation time was short (<10 min), but a gel was obtained that was difficult to disperse and degrade. Second, after 1:1 dilution, the 0.625% MMC HA gel formed much more slowly (45 min). A thin layer of gel was evenly dispersed on the surface of the injured uterine horns and in the peritoneal cavity to form a homogeneous hydrogel membrane on the uterine horns and surrounding tissue and organs. This membrane then functioned as an in situ-produced barrier to reduce the formation of adhesions. In addition, free MMC was released from the hydrogel membrane and inhibited fibroblast proliferation. Finally, no gel formed in >2 hours when for the 1:4 dilution (0.31% MMC). The effects of this 0.31% MMC viscous sol resembled those observed for the administration of MMC solution alone in the peritoneal cavity. In this case, MMC was released and cleared rapidly, and the low MMC concentrations available were insufficient to prevent the fibroproliferative response. The intermediate concentration of 0.625% MMC with a 6.25 mg/ml HA-DTPH appeared to be optimal for the injection strategy. In summary, both MMC-loaded HA films and HA gels were highly effective in reducing the formation of intraperitoneal post-operative adhesions. Dose-dependent results were obtained in MMC-loaded HA films. The efficacy of MMC-loaded HA gels was highly correlated to the concentration of HA-DTPH-MMC solution when preparing the hydrogel. The 0.625% MMC HA gel was shown to be fully effective in reducing post-operative adhesion formation. Compared with MMC-loaded HA films, MMC-loaded in situ crosslinkable HA gels offer a substantial advantage: the viscous solution, which gels only after 1045 min, can be locally delivered through an endoscope and can be used to prevent the adhesion formation at very specific sites that incur either severe or slight injuries to tissues and organs. Example 4 The animal model consisted of 64 female Wistar rats (200-250 g, Charles River, Raleigh, N.C.), which were anesthetized and then subjected to a laparotomy through a 1.5-cm long incision on the lower right abdominal wall. The procedures were conducted under the supervision of The University of Utah Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and in accordance with the standards of the National Institutes of Health guidelines (NIH Publication #85-23 Rev. 1985). HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films (20.21±0.05 mg) with different MMC loadings (0%, 0.5%, and 2.0%) were inserted into the lower right abdominal cavity (16 rats per loading). An additional 16 animals underwent sham surgeries and served as the controls. At 3 days and 7 days after the insertions, eight rats from each group underwent laparotomy through a 5-mm long central incision. The abdominal cavity was instilled with 10 mL of chilled DPBS solution followed by massaging the abdomen gently for 3-5 min. Then, the DPBS solution was aspirated through a 3-mm silicon rubber tube with three small side holes on the top. The above procedures were repeated twice, and the three aspirates were pooled from each animal for leukocyte differential counts. Finally, the rats were euthanized in a CO2 chamber, and the films with surrounding tissue were excised for histological examination. Leukocyte differential counts. Peritoneal fluid leukocyte differential counts were made from slides from aliquots with a cytocentrifuge (Centra CL2, IEC, San Antonio, Tex.). The slides were air-dried and stained with a Wright-Giemsa stain (Fisher). The peritoneal fluid leukocyte number was determined by counting the cells in a standard clinical hemocytometer. Histology. The films with surrounding tissues were excised and fixed with 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned to 2-3 μm thickness with a microtome at three different distances from the surface, and stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reagent. The thickness of fibrous tissue surrounding the films was measured using Image-Pro Plus 4.0 (Symantec, Corporation, Cupertino, Calif.). Three sections from each sample and sixteen points from each section were measured. Statistical analysis. Anaylsis of variance (ANOVA) was applied using StatView software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, N.C.) to determine differences in statistical significance. Values of p<0.05 were deemed to be significantly different. To investigate the biocompatibility of the HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films, HA films with different MMC loadings were studied in vivo by inserting the films into a rat peritoneal cavity and evaluating the cell population in the peritoneal fluid on day 3 and day 7 post implantation. All the cells present in the peritoneal fluid were morphologically identifiable as leukocytes, and the differential counts on day 3 are depicted in FIG. 11 (Key to FIG. 11: PMN=polymorphonuclear cells; Lymph=lymphocytes; Mono=mononuclear cells include both monocytes and macrophages; Eos=eosinophils; and Baso=basophils). Films with 0.5% MMC showed higher PMN relative to films without MMC (p<0.001), while films with 2% MMC showed lower PMN than both 0.5% MMC (p<0.001) and no-MMC films p<0.05). Only PMN showed a slight but significant difference relative to the no-film control. The most readily identifiable change in the peritoneal fluid was observed in the polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes. No other significant changes were observed for the lymphocyte or mononuclear cell populations in any of the experimental groups. The HA-DTPH-PEGDA films lacking MMC and HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA films with 0.5% and 2.0% MMC induced a modest augmentation in PMN compared to the no-film control, which was likely due to degradation of the film. Although the degradation rate was very slow, the leukocyte response caused by degradation fragments appeared dominant relative to the effect from released MMC. Nonetheless, the MMC released from the films with 2.0% MMC loading significantly lowered the average PMN number (11%) when compared to either the HA-DTPH-PEGDA films lacking MMC (14%) or the HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA with 0.5% MMC (15%). This can be attributed to the cytotoxic effects of MMC at higher concentrations. By day 7, the PMN numbers from all film insertion groups were not significantly different from those for the control group in which no films had been inserted (data not shown). The films and surrounding tissues were excised after day 7 for histological examination. No obvious inflammatory response was observed in any of the groups (FIG. 12: (a) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA film with 2% MMC; (b) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA film with 0.5% MMC loading; and (c) HA-DTPH-PEGDA film alone (no MMC). Scale bar: 500 μm. Two-headed arrows indicate the length of fibrous tissue measured. Asterisks indicate statistically significant differences (p<0.05)). Significant differences in fibrous tissue thickness surrounding the films was observed using Image-Pro Plus 4.0 software. As expected, the films with 2% MMC loading had thinner fibrous tissue formation (FIG. 12a and Table 5), while the films with 0.5% MMC had thicker fibrous tissue formation (FIG. 12b and Table 5). The films lacking MMC exhibited the thickest fibrous tissue (FIG. 12c and Table 5). These results revealed that, as expected from the in vitro culture data, the HA-DTPH-MC-PEGDA films did inhibit fibroblast proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these data establish that HA-DTPH-PEGDA films lacking MMC or with two MMC loadings have good biocompatibility, but that HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA with 0.5% MMC would likely be optimal for use in the prevention of post-surgical adhesions. Throughout this application, various publications are referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the compounds, compositions and methods described herein. Various modifications and variations can be made to the compounds, compositions and methods described herein. Other aspects of the compounds, compositions and methods described herein will be apparent from consideration of the specification and practice of the compounds, compositions and methods disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary. TABLE 1 Compositions of biomaterials Volume of film Total MMC Abbreviated HA-DTPH Volume of film used in each MMC used in each form Film concentrationa prepared (mm) animal (mm) loading animal (μg) HA Film (0) HA-DTPH-PEDA 1.25% 20 × 20 × 0.1 5 × 12 × 0.1 0% 0 HA Film (0.5%) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEDDA 1.25% 20 × 20 × 0.1 5 × 12 × 0.1 0.5% 4.86 (0.5% MMC loading) HA Film (2.0%) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEDDA (2% MMC loading) 1.25% 20 × 20 × 0.1 5 × 12 × 0.1 2% 19.44 MMC Volume of gel Total MMC HA-DTPH concentration in used in each MMC used in each Gel concentration gel (μg/ml) animal (ml) loading animal (μg) HA Gel (0) HA-DTPH-PEGDA 1% 0 5 0 0 HA Gel (0.31%) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA 0.25% 10.1 5 0.31% 50.62 (0.31% MMC loading) HA Gel (0.625%) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA 0.5% 20.3 5 0.625% 101.3 (0.625% MMC loading) HA Gel (1.25%) HA-DTPH-MMC-PEGDA 1% 40.5 5 1.25% 202.3 (1.25% MMC loading) aHA-DTPH concentration for film preparation TABLE 2 Efficacy of HA films and gels for extent of adhesions Extent of Adhesions Treatment group† (mm) Insertion of Sterilized Films Untreated 9.5 ± 0.4 HA Film (0) 7.3 ± 0.3 HA Film (0.5%)† 3.5 ± 0.4 HA Film (2.0%) 1.3 ± 0.2 Injection of in situ Crosslinkable Gels Buffer 9.6 ± 0.3 HA Gel (0) 7.6 ± 0.4 HA Gel (1.25%) 1.4 ± 0.3 HA Gel (0.625%) 1.5 ± 0.3 HA Gel (0.31%) 7.3 ± 0.6 Values are means ± SD for n = 8 rats per experimental set. †See Table 1 for compositions of materials TABLE 3 Locations of Abdominal Adhesions (n = 8 animals per set) Adhesion site Uterine horn- Uterine horn-small Treatment group intraperitoneal fat bowel Insertion of Sterilized Films Untreated Yes = 8 Yes = 7 No = 0 No = 1 HA (0) Yes = 7 Yes = 8 No = 1 No = 0 HA Film (0.5%) Yes = 7 Yes = 7 No = 1 No = 1 HA Film (2.0%) Yes = 7 Yes = 7 No = 1 Injection of in situ Crosslinkable Gels Buffer Yes = 7 Yes = 8 No = 1 No = 0 HA Gel (0) Yes = 5 Yes = 3 No = 3 No = 5 HA Gel (1.25) Yes = 0 Yes = 1 No = 8 No = 7 HA Gel (0.625% Yes = 1 Yes = 0 No = 7 No = 8 HA Gel (0.31%) Yes = 3 Yes = 5 No = 5 No = 3 TABLE 4 Statistical Comparisons Between Experimental Groups. The extent of adhesion was compared across groups with Student's t-test, and adhesion sites were compared with Fisher's exact test. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. P value P value Comparison (extent) (adhesion sites) Among inserted films HA (0) vs. Untreated P < 0.0001 P = 0.5452 HA Films (0.5% vs. 0) P < 0.0001 P = 0.7851 HA Films (2.0% vs. 0.5%) P < 0.0001 N/A Among injected in situ crosslinkable gels HA Gel vs. buffer P < 0.0001 P = 0.035 HA Gels (1.25% vs. 0) P < 0.0001 P = 0.035 HA Gels (0.625 vs. 0) P < 0.000l P = 0.0469 HA Gels (0.625 vs. 1.25%) P = 0.73 P = 0.5452 HA Gels (0.31% vs. no 1.25%) P < 0.0001 P = 0.0469 HA Gel (0.31%) vs. buffer P < 0.0001 P = 0.0469 Between pre-formed films and injectable gels HA Gel (1.25%) Gel vs. HA Film (2.0%) P = 0.30 P = 0.006 HA Gel (0.625%) vs. HA Film (2.0%) P = 0.18 P = 0.018 HA Gel (0.31%) vs. HA Film (2.0%) P < 0.0001 P = 0.0362 TABLE 5 Comparison of fibrous tissue thickness formed in vivo Thickness of fibrous tissue Film (μm) Paired comparison p value HA-DTPH-MMC- 144.2 ± 40.4 2% MMC vs. p < 0.001 PEGDA (2% MMC) 0.5% MMC HA-DTPH-MMC- 261.0 ± 69.3 2% MMC vs. p < 0.001 PEGDA (0.5% MMC) no MMC HA-DTPH-PEGDA 1605.0 ± 123.6 0.5% MMC vs. p < 0.001 (no MMC) no MMC

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Adhesions are the formation of fibrous attachments between two apposing surfaces, and are often formed during the dynamic process of healing of the incision and tissue trauma after surgery. The initiation of the adhesion begins with the formation of a fibrin matrix. The ischemic conditions caused by surgery prevent fibrinolytic activity to dissolve the matrix, and the fibrin persists. Wound repair cells then turn the matrix into an organized adhesion, often having a vascular supply and neuronal elements. Adhesions are a particular problem in gastrointestinal and gynecological surgery, leading to post-operative bowel obstruction, infertility, and chronic pelvic pain. The barrier method of reducing post-surgical adhesions is most commonly used (Arnold, P. B., Green, C. W., Foresman, P. A, and Rodeheaver, G. T. (2000) “Evaluation of resorbable barriers for preventing surgical adhesions” Fert Steril 73, 157-161; Osada, H., Takahashi, K., Fujii, T. K., Tsunoda, I., and Satoh, K. (1999) “The effect of cross-linked hyaluronate hydrogel on the reduction of post-surgical adhesion reformation in rabbits” J Int Med Res 27, 233-241). For example, Seprafilm™ (Genzyme) is a bioresorbable membrane prepared from hyaluronan (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) that reduces adhesions. Seprafilm, however, has poor handling properties and a short residence time that contributes to loss of efficacy. An internally esterified form of HA (ACP™ gel, Fidia Advanced Biopolymers) and a 0.5% ferric iron jonically crosslinked HA gel (Intergel™, Lifecore Biomedical) are newer barrier materials which do not accelerate healing of the incisions. Described herein are composites that inhibit or reduce adhesion between two or more tissues.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS <EOH>Described herein are composites that inhibit or reduce adhesion between two or more tissues and kits used to produce the composite. Also described herein are methods of using the composites. The advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the aspects described below. The advantages described below will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

20081203

20121204

20090514

65614.0

A61K3818

LAU, JONATHAN S

ANTI-ADHESION COMPOSITES AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Method and device for deciding support portion position in a backup device

A host computer 80 for wholly controlling an electronic component mounting line displays a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of a board having components mounted thereon, with the images being superposed; displays components mounted on the surface side of the board and components mounted on the reverse side in visually different modes; and designates and determines the positions of support places of a backup device on the displayed superposed image (step 108).

1-9. (canceled) 10. A support place position determination method in a backup device of determining the positions of support places of the backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components on the board by an electronic component mounting apparatus, the method comprising: a superposed image display step of displaying a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon, with the images being superposed, and of displaying components mounted on the surface side of the board and components mounted on the reverse side in visually different modes; and a support place position determination step of designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device on the superposed image being displayed at the superposed image display step. 11. The support place position determination method in the backup device as set forth in claim 10, wherein at the superposed image display step, the components mounted on the surface side of the board and the components mounted on the reverse side of the board are displayed to be switched in display mode. 12. The support place position determination method in the backup device as set forth in claim 10, further comprising: a determination inhibition step of inhibiting the determination at the support place position determination step if the position of any support place determined at the support place position determination step is within an area which causes an interference with a component on the support surface. 13. A support place position determination device for determining the positions of support places of a backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components, the device comprising: display means for displaying a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon, with the images being superposed, and for displaying components mounted on the surface side of the board and components mounted on the reverse side in visually different modes; and support place position determination means for designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device on the superposed image being displayed by the display means. 14. A support place position determination aiding device comprising: a display section control device for controllably displaying in a display section a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon; a support place position designation device capable of designating the positions of support places of a backup device for supporting a board, at desired positions on the surface side image and/or the reverse side image being displayed in the display section; and a superposed image preparation device for superposing the surface side image and the reverse side image to prepare a superposed image; wherein the display section control device controllably displays the surface side image and the reverse side image included in the superposed image in visually different modes. 15. A support place position determination method in a backup device of determining the positions of support places of the backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of the component mounting surface in mounting components on the board by one or plural electronic component mounting apparatuses, the method including: a support place position determination step of designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device while setting each support place of the backup device to either a flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or a particular component support place for supporting a particular component for which highly precise mounting is required. 16. The support place position determination method in the backup device as set forth in claim 15, further including: a support object component correlating step of correlating a support place which is set to the particular component support place at the support place position determination step, with information about a particular component to be supported by the support place. 17. The support place position determination method in the backup device as set forth in claim 16, further including: a support place position determination step dedicated to each electronic component mounting apparatus, wherein the dedicated support place position determination step is a step, independently executed in the associated electronic component mounting apparatus, of determining the positions of support places used in the associated electronic component mounting apparatus by reference to support place data and mounting component data, the support place data being prepared through the support place position determination step and the support object component correlating step and being composed of positions relating to all the support places for supporting the board, setting states of the support places and support object components, and the mounting component data being for designating those components, whose mountings are to be performed by the associated electronic component mounting apparatus, of the components to be mounted on the board. 18. A support place position determination device for determining the positions of support places of a backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components, the device including: support place position determination means for designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device while setting each support place of the backup device to either a flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or a particular component support place for supporting a particular component for which highly precise mounting is required.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD: The present invention relates to a support place position determination method and a support place position determination device for determining the positions of support places of a backup device which supports a board. BACKGROUND ART Heretofore, there has been well known a backup device which constitutes an electronic component mounting apparatus for mounting components on a board and which supports the board. As the backup device, there is one in which plural backup pins for supporting a board at the reverse side in mounting electronic components are planted to be removably insertable into plural pin holes opening on a backup plate. In the backup device, the backup pins have practically been planted at positions where the backup pins are to be planted in dependence on the kinds of boards to be produced. That is, the positions for enabling the backup pins to support the board are distinguished in dependence on the kind of each board, and the planting positions for the pins are indicated to a worker by displaying the distinguished planting positions for the pins on a display device, by printing them by a printer or by lighting the pin holes. Thus, the worker is enabled to plant the backup pins at the indicated planting positions for the pins. (Patent Document 1) The pin planting positions in the backup device have been determined by an information processing device for controlling the mounting operations of electronic components, as follows: The information processing device makes reference to information about the size, shape and the like of a board to have electronic components mounted thereon and if the board has mounted electronic components on the reverse side, also makes reference to the electronic component mounting positions on the reverse side. The information processing device then excludes pin planting positions which are not encompassed in an area corresponding to the size and shape of the board, from the positions of plural pin holes opening on the backup plate, that is, form all of the pin planting positions, and in the case of the board having electronic components mounted on the reverse side, further excludes pin planting positions encompassed within the areas which overlap the electronic component mounting positions. As a result, pin planting positions which are left finally are distinguished (determined) as the planting positions for the backup pins which are able to support the board. On the other hand, with the speeding-up of the mounting tact-time, there arises a problem that the mounting position for a component is made off the target by the shock at the time of the component mounting operation. This problem becomes serious in the case of components (e.g., QFP, SOP, BGA, CSP etc.) which are required to be mounted with particularly high precision. To cope with this, there has been conceived an idea of using backup pins (support places) to support a reverse side portion corresponding to a mounting position for the component which is required to be mounted highly precisely so that the shock at the time of the mounting operation can be suppressed to be as small as possible. The patent document 1 is Japanese unexamined, published patent application No. 6-169198 (Pages 3, 4 and FIGS. 2-4). In the aforementioned method of determining the pin planting positions, the overall area in which the pins are enabled to be planted can be distinguished, but the precise mounting positions for components which are required to be mounted highly precisely cannot be distinguished, so that it is unable to plant the pins at right positions. The present invention is made to solve the aforementioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a support place position determination method and a support place position determination device for determining the right positions for support places by simultaneously indicating the mounting position for any component which is required to be mounted highly precisely, within the area in which the support places can be arranged. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention resides in a support place position determination method in a backup device of determining the positions of support places of the backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components on the board by an electronic component mounting apparatus, and the method comprises a superposed image display step of displaying a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon, with the images being superposed, and of displaying the components having been mounted on the surface side of the board and the components having been mounted on the reverse side in visually different modes; and a support place position determination step of designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device on the superposed image being displayed at the superposed image display step. With this construction, prior to mounting components on the surface side and reverse side of the board by the electronic component mounting apparatus, a worker recognizes the mounting surface for each component by reference to the superposed image being displayed at the superposed image display step, designates the positions of the support places while avoiding the components on the support surface based on such recognition; and then, designates as the position for a support place a reverse side portion corresponding to a mounting side portion where a component is to be mounted highly precisely. Thus, it can be done to determine the positions of the support places properly. In the support place position determination method in the backup device according to the present invention, at the superposed image display step, the components having been mounted on the surface side of the board and the components having been mounted on the reverse side of the board are displayed to be switched in display mode. With this construction, in mounting components on the surface side and the reverse side of a board by the electronic component mounting apparatus, it can be realized to display a superposed image accurately regardless of whether the mountings are performed first from the surface side or first from the reverse side. In the support place position determination method in the backup device according to the present invention, there is included a determination inhibition step of inhibiting the determination at the support place position determination step if the position of any support place determined at the support place position determination step is within an area which causes an interference with a component on the support surface. With this construction, it can be avoided reliably to erroneously set the position of each support place on any component having been mounted on a support surface of the board. The present invention resides in a support place position determination device for determining the positions of support places of a backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components, and the device comprises display means for displaying a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon, with the images being superposed, and for displaying components having been mounted on the surface side of the board and components having been mounted on the reverse side in visually different modes; and support place position determination means for designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device on the superposed image being displayed by the display means. With this construction, prior to mounting components on the surface side and reverse side of the board by the electronic component mounting apparatus, the worker recognizes the mounting surface for each component by reference to the superposed image being displayed by the superposed image display means, designates the positions of the support places while avoiding the components on the support surface based on such recognition; and then, designates as the position for a support place a reverse side portion corresponding to a mounting side portion where a component is to be mounted highly precisely. Thus, it can be done to determine the positions of the support places properly. The present invention resides in a support place position determination aiding device comprising a display section control device for controllably displaying in a display section a surface side image and a reverse side image which respectively show a surface side and a reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon; a support place position designation device capable of designating the positions of support places of a backup device for supporting a board, at desired positions on the surface side image and/or the reverse side image being displayed in the display section; and a superposed image preparation device for superposing the surface side image and the reverse side image to prepare a superposed image; wherein the display section control device controllably displays the surface side image and the reverse side image included in the superposed image in visually different modes. With this construction, in the support place position determination aiding device in the backup device, the surface side image and the reverse side image included in the superposed image are displayed in the visually different modes, and the worker designates the positions of the support places while avoiding any component on the support surface by reference to the superposed image being displayed and further designates as the place for a support place a reverse side portion corresponding to a mounting side portion where a component is to be mounted highly precisely, by the use of the support place position determination aiding device. Therefore, it is possible to aid the worker in determining the positions of the support places reliably and accurately. The present invention resides in a support place position determination method in a backup device of determining the positions of support places of the backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components on the board by one or plural electronic component mounting apparatuses, and the method includes a support place position determination step of designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device while setting each support place of the backup device to either a flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or a particular component support place for supporting a particular component for which highly precise mounting is required. With this construction, since setting is made as to whether each support place of the backup device is to serve as the flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or as the particular component support place for supporting the particular component which requires highly precise mounting, it can be realized to usefully provide the support places necessary for each electronic component mounting apparatus. Accordingly, it becomes possible to reduce the cost involved in the works for setting the support places on the backup device and for exchanging the support places. In the support place position determination method in the backup device according to the present invention, there is further included a support object component correlating step of correlating a support place which is set to the particular component support place at the support place position determination step, with information about a particular component to be supported by the support place. With this construction, in addition to the foregoing functions and effects, it can be realized to confirm the component which is to be supported by the particular component support place. In the support place position determination method in the backup device according to the present invention, there is further included a support place position determination step dedicated to each electronic component mounting apparatus, and the dedicated support place position determination step is a step which is independently executed in the associated electronic component mounting apparatus and which is of determining the positions of support places used in the associated electronic component mounting apparatus by reference to support place data and mounting component data, the support place data being prepared through the support place position determination step and the support object component correlating step and being composed of positions relating to all the support places for supporting the board, setting states of the support places and support object components, and the mounting component data designating those components, whose mountings are to be performed by the associated electronic component mounting apparatus, of components to be mounted on the board. With this construction, in addition to the foregoing functions and effects, it can be realized to reliably determine the support places which are required in each of the electronic component mounting apparatus. The present invention resides in a support place position determination device for determining the positions of support places of a backup device which supports a board at a support surface on a reverse side of a component mounting surface in mounting components, and the device is provided with support place position determination means for designating and determining the positions of the support places of the backup device while setting each support place of the backup device to either a flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or a particular component support place for supporting a particular component for which highly precise mounting is required. With this construction, since setting is made as to whether each support place of the backup device is to serve as the flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or as the particular component support place for supporting the particular component which requires highly precise mounting, it can be realized to usefully provide the support places necessary for each electronic component mounting apparatus. Accordingly, it becomes possible to reduce the cost involved in the works for setting the support places on the backup device and for exchanging the support places. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an electronic component mounting line which has applied thereto a support place position determination method and a support place position determination device in one embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire constructions of electronic component mounting apparatuses shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a backup device shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a function block diagram representing each electronic component mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a function block diagram representing a host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a table representing a production program prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7(a) is an explanatory view showing a surface side image prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 7(b) an explanatory view showing a reverse side image prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a superposed image prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 9 is a chart showing planting positions of backup pins designated by a worker; FIG. 10 is a table showing coordinate data for backup pins prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 11 is a table showing planting position sequence data for backup pins prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 12(a) is a table showing feeder setup data for a first electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 12(b) is a table showing feeder setup data for a second electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 12(c) is a table showing feeder setup data for a third electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a program executed by the host computer shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a program executed by each electronic component mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 15(a) is a table showing the coordinate data and the planting positions of backup pins for the first electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 15(b) is a table showing the coordinate data and the planting positions of backup pins for the second electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 15(c) is a table showing the coordinate data and the planting positions of backup pins for the third electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 16(a) is a chart showing backup pin planting positions for the first electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 16(b) is a chart showing backup pin planting positions for the second electronic component mounting apparatus; and FIG. 16(c) is a chart showing backup pin planting positions for the third electronic component mounting apparatus. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT TO PRACTICE THE INVENTION Hereafter, description will be made regarding an electronic component mounting line in one embodiment which has applied thereto a support place position determination method and a support place position determination device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic construction of the electronic component mounting line A, FIG. 2 shows the entire constructions of electronic component mounting apparatuses, and FIG. 3 mainly shows a sectional view of a backup device. It is to be noted that FIG. 2 shows two electronic component mounting apparatuses mounted on a single base. The electronic component mounting line A takes the construction that first to third electronic component mounting apparatuses 11 to 13, that is, three electronic component mounting apparatuses 20 are arranged in series. A solder printer 14 for applying cream solder to predetermined places on each board S and an adhesive application machine 15 for applying component adhering adhesive to component mounting positions if need be are arranged in order on an upstream side of the first electronic component mounting apparatus 11, while a mounting inspection machine 16 for inspecting the mounting state of components and a reflow soldering device 17 for soldering the components on each board S are arranged in order on a downstream side of the third electronic component mounting apparatus 13. Each of the electronic component mounting apparatuses 11 to 13, the solder printer 14, the adhesive application machine 15, the mounting inspection machine 16 and the reflow soldering device 17 are connected to a host computer 80 through a local area network (hereafter as “LAN”) 18 for mutual communication. The host computer 80 is connected to a board designing CAD system 95 through the LAN 18 for mutual communication. As shown in FIG. 2, each electronic component mounting apparatus 20 is an electronic component mounting apparatus of a so-called “double truck conveyer type”, and on a base 21, there are provided a board transfer device 30 for transferring boards S, backup devices 40 each for fixedly positioning each transferred board S in cooperation with the board transfer device 30, a component supply device 50 provided on one side of the board transfer device 30 for supplying electronic components, and a component mounting device 60 arranged over the devices 30, 40 and 50 for drawing and holding electronic components supplied from the component supply device 50 by a mounting head 64 to automatically mount the electronic components on the boards S positioned and supported on the board transfer device 30. The board transfer device 30 is for transferring the boards S in a predetermined direction (an X-direction in FIG. 2) and is provided with first and second conveyers 31, 32 assembled on the base 21 in parallel relation with each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the first conveyer 31 is provided with first and second guide rails 31a, 31b which are arranged to extend in the transfer direction in parallel to each other, and the first and second guide rails 31a, 31b guide each board S in the transfer direction. On the upper ends of the first and second guide rails 31a, 31b, engaging portions 31a1, 31b1 respectively protruding inward are provided over the entire lengths thereof (refer to FIG. 3). In the first conveyer 31, as shown in FIG. 3, first and second conveyer belts 31c, 31d are juxtaposed respectively under the first and second guide rails 31a, 31b to extend in parallel relation to each other. The first and second conveyer belts 31c, 31d support the board S and transfer the same in the transfer direction. As shown mainly in FIG. 3, the first guide rail 31a and the first conveyer belt 31c of the first conveyer 31 are attached to a first attaching frame 31f which is fixed at its opposite ends on the upper ends of a pair of stationary support frames 31e fixed at lower ends thereof on the base 21 and which is elongate to extend in the X-axis direction. Further, the second guide rail 31b and the second conveyer belt 31d of the first conveyer 31 are attached to a second attaching frame 31h which is fixed at its opposite ends on the upper end of a movable support frame 31g and which is elongate to extend in the X-axis direction. The movable support frame 31g is fixed at its lower end on a slider 31k which is movable on a pair of rails 22 fixed on the base 21. Thus, the second guide rail 31b is moved together with the second conveyer belt 31d thereunder in a direction (Y-direction) perpendicular to the transfer direction and is fixedly positioned, so that the conveyer width of the first conveyer 31 can be altered in correspondence to the board width of each board S to be transferred. The first and second attaching frames 31f, 31h have first and second support plates 31i, 31jattached thereto which support the first and second conveyer belts 31c, 31d in contact with the lower surfaces of the same, respectively. The second conveyer 32 differs from the first conveyer 31 only in a respect that a first attaching frame 32f is movable, and takes substantially same construction as the first conveyer 31. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the second conveyer 32 is provided with first and second guide rails 32a, 32b which are arranged to extend in the transfer direction in parallel relation to each other, and the first and second guide rails 32a, 32b guide each board S in the transfer direction. On the upper ends of the first and second guide rails 32a, 32b, engaging portions (not shown) respectively protruding inward are provided over the entire lengths thereof. In the second conveyer 32, first and second conveyer belts (not shown) are juxtaposed respectively under the first and second guide rails 32a, 32b to extend in parallel relation to each other. The first and second conveyer belts support each board S and transfer the same in the transfer direction. As shown in FIG. 2, the first guide rail 32a and the first conveyer belt thereunder of the second conveyer 32 are attached to a first attaching frame 32f which is fixed at its opposite ends on the upper end of a movable support frame 32g and which is elongate to extend in the X-axis direction. The movable support frame 32g is fixed at its lower end on a slider 32k which is movable along the paired rails 22 fixed on the base 21. Further, the second guide rail 32b and the second conveyer belt thereunder of the second conveyer 32 are attached to a second attaching frame 32h which is fixed at its opposite ends on the upper end of a movable support frame 32g and which is elongate to extend in the X-axis direction. The movable support frame 32g is fixed at its lower end on a slider 32k which is movable on the paired rails 22 fixed on the base 21. Thus, the first and second guide rails 32a, 32b are moved together with the first and second conveyer belts thereunder in the direction (Y-direction) perpendicular to the transfer direction and are fixedly positioned, so that the conveyer width of the second conveyer 32 can be altered in correspondence to the board width of each board S to be transferred. As shown in FIG. 3, the base 21 is provided thereon with the backup devices 40 each for upwardly pushing a board S, which is transferred by the board transfer device 30 to a mounting position, to clamp (position and support) the board S. Each backup device 40 is provided with a board support unit 41 for supporting the board S and elevator devices 42 for moving the board support unit 41 up and down. The board support unit 41 is composed of a rectangular backup plate 41a having a plurality of planting holes 41a1 at an upper surface thereof and backup pins 41b removably planted in the planting holes 41a1 and serving as support places for supporting the board S. The elevator devices 42 are constituted by air cylinders, which include rods 42a removably assembled to four corners of the backup plate 41aand cylinder bodies 42b for advancing and retracting the rods 42a. The backup device 40 as constructed above holds the board support unit 41 at its lowered position (indicated by the two-dot-chain line in FIG. 3) during any other time than mounting the components. When the board S is transferred by the board transfer device 30 to be stopped (as indicated by the two-dot-chain line in FIG. 3, the backup device 40 upwardly moves the board support unit 41 by the operations of the elevator devices 42 and upwardly pushes the board S to hold the same at a raised position (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3) and to keep that state until the mountings of the components are completed. Then, upon completion of the component mountings, the backup device 40 lowers the board support unit 41 to the lowered position. In each electronic component mounting apparatus 20, the component supply device 50 is arranged on one side of the board transfer device 30, as shown in FIG. 2, and the component supply device 50 is provided with a plurality of removable cassette-type feeders (component supply cassettes) 51 arranged in juxtaposed relation. Each of the cassette-type feeders 51 is provided with a main body 51a, a supply reel 51b provided at the rear part of the main body 51a, and a component takeout section 51c provided at the front part of the main body 51a. The supply reel 51b winds and holds therearound a long tape (not shown) enclosing electronic components therein at a predetermined interval, and the tape is drawn out by a sprocket (not shown) at the predetermined interval, whereby the electronic components are successively fed to the component takeout section 51c as they are released from the enclosed state. Not only the cassette-type one but also a tray-type one having electronic components arranged on a tray may be used as the component supply device 50. As shown in FIG. 2, each electronic component mounting apparatus 20 is provided with the component mounting device 60 over the board transfer device 30. The component mounting device 60 is of an XY robot type and is provided with a Y-direction movable slider 62 which is movable by a Y-axis servomotor 61 in the Y-direction. The Y-direction movable slider 62 carries an X-direction movable slider 63 which is movable by an X-axis servomotor (not shown) in a horizontal X-direction perpendicular to the Y-direction. The X-direction movable slider 63 has attached thereto a mounting head 64 which is carried to be movable vertically in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-direction and the Y-direction and which is controllable by a servomotor through a ball screw to be moved up and down. The mounting head 64 has attached thereto a suction nozzle 65 (refer to FIG. 1), which is provided to protrude downward from the mounting head 64 for drawing and holding an electronic component at its lowermost end. Each electronic component mounting apparatus 20 constructed as mentioned above is provided with a control device 70 as shown in FIG. 4. The control device 70 has a microcomputer (not shown), which is provided with input/output interfaces, a CPU, a RAM and a ROM (all not shown) which are mutually connected through bus lines. The CPU executes a predetermined program to control the mountings of electronic components on boards and further executes a program corresponding to a flow chart shown in FIG. 14 to prepare backup pin coordinate data and planting sequence data for the backup device 40 of the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20. The RAM is provided for temporarily storing variables necessary in executing the programs, while the ROM stores the programs. The control device 70 has connected thereto an input device 71, a communication device 72, a memory device 73, the board transfer device 30, the backup devices 40, the component mounting device 60, the component supply device 50 and an output device 74. The input device 71 is provided for being manipulated by the worker to input commands, data and the like necessary for component mountings. The communication device 72 is provided for mutual communication with other devices and is connected to the host computer 80 via the LAN 18. The memory device 73 stores a system program for controlling the whole of the apparatus, control programs for individually controlling each of various devices of the apparatus under the system program, a production program and the backup pin coordinate data (all information) which are transmitted from the host computer 80 and which are split for the associated electronic component mounting apparatus, and the prepared coordinate data and planting sequence data (either of the data being information for exclusive use in the associate electronic component mounting apparatus) of the backup pins. The output device 74 displays status information about the electronic component mounting apparatus 20, warnings, and the prepared coordinate data and planting sequence data for the backup pins. The host computer 80 wholly controls the operation of each electronic component mounting apparatus 20 and wholly administers each electronic component mounting apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the host computer 80 is provided with a control section 81, and a communication section 82 connected to the control section 81 is connected to the electronic component mounting apparatuses 20 and the board designing CAD system 95 via the LAN 18. The control section 81 has a microcomputer (not shown), which is provided with input/output interfaces, a CPU, a RAM and a ROM (all not shown) which are mutually connected through bus lines. The CPU executes a program corresponding to a flow chart shown in FIG. 13 to execute the whole control of the operation for each electronic component mounting apparatus 20 and determines the positions of the backup pins 41b which are support places of the backup device 40. Specifically, the host computer 80 has a function as a support place position determination device. The RAM is for temporarily storing variables which are necessary for the execution of the programs, while the ROM stores the programs. The control section 81 also has a function as a display section control device which controllably displays in a display section 84 a surface side image and a reverse side image respectively showing the surface side and the reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon. The control section 81 has connected thereto an input section 83, the display section 84, a rewritable memory section 85, a production program preparation section 86, an image data preparation section 87, a backup pin coordinate data preparation section 88, a planting sequence data preparation section 89, a feeder setup data preparation section 91 and a component information database 92. The input section 83 is provided for being manipulated by the worker to input necessary information, data and the like. This input section 83 also functions as a support place position designation device, by which the positions of the backup pins 41b constituting the support places of the backup device 40 for supporting the board can be designated at desired positions on a surface side image and/or a reverse side image being displayed in the display section 84. The display section 84 is provided for displaying various states of control. Another output section (printer section) may be provided in place of the display section 84 (or, together with the display section 84). The memory section 85 stores CAD data for boards acquired from the board designing CAD system, production programs prepared based on the CAD data, image information on boards to be produced, backup pin coordinate data, planting sequence data of the backup pins, feeder setup data, and line construction data of the electronic component mounting line 10 which the host computer 80 controls wholly. The production program preparation section 86 prepares a production program (mounting program) shown in FIG. 6 based on board CAD data that is, IDs of the components to be mounted, the kinds of the components, and the mounting positions (coordinate values) which have been acquired from the board designing CAD system to be stored in the memory section 85. The production program is composed of the IDs of the components to be mounted, the mounting coordinates, the mounting orders, and the designations of electronic component mounting apparatuses for performing the mountings. The production program shown in FIG. 6 is a production program for performing the mountings on the surface side of a board Sa shown in FIG. 7(a) by the three electronic component mounting apparatuses. FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) respectively show the states of the surface side and the reverse side of the board Sa which respectively have components mounted thereon. The surface side of the board Sa has mounted thereon one piece of component Xaa, one piece of component Xbb, five pieces of components Xcc, three pieces of components Xdd and four pieces of components Xee, while the reverse side of the board Sa has mounted thereon thirteen pieces of components Xff. It is to be noted that in the present embodiment, description has been omitted as to a production program for components to be mounted on the reverse side. The image data preparation section 87 prepares production board image information, that is, a superposed image shown in FIG. 8 based on the board CAD data which has been stored after being acquired from the board designing CAD system or based on the production program prepared in the production program preparation section 86. The image data preparation section 87 also has a function as a superposed image preparation device for preparing the superposed image by superposing the surface side image and the reverse side image. When the positions P1 through P6 of the backup pins 41b are designated by the worker by reference to the superposed image prepared in the image data preparation section 87 (refer to FIG. 9), the backup pin coordinate data preparation section 88 prepares backup pin coordinate data shown in FIG. 10 by correlating the IDs of the backup pins 41b with the coordinates of the designated positions P1 through P6. The backup pin coordinate data is constituted by the ID of each backup pin, the setting of the backup pin, the position coordinate of the backup pin, and, in the case of the backup pin being set to be a particular component support place, a RefList indicating the ID of a component for which the backup pin operates as a support. The abbreviation “RefList” in this description and the accompanying drawings means a reference ID list of a component. When the planting orders of the designated backup pins 41b are input by the worker, the planting sequence data preparation section 89 prepares planting sequence data for the backup pins as shown in FIG. 11 by correlating the planting orders with the IDs of respective backup pins 41b. The planting sequence data of each backup pin is composed of the ID and the planting order of the backup pin. The feeder setup data preparation section 91 prepares feeder setup data shown in FIG. 12, in which each component ID is correlated with the ID of each cassette type feeder 51 set in the component supply device 50 of each electronic component mounting apparatus 20, based on the production program. The feeder setup data is composed of the ID of each cassette type feeder 51 and the ID of the component to be mounted. The component information data base 92 stores information about mounting speeds, the kinds of mounting nozzles to be used, and the like for all of the components to be mounted. Next, the procedures for determining the positions of the support places by the use of the aforementioned support place (backup pin) position determination device will be described with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 13. The host computer 80 being the support place position determination device obtains production board information, that is, the aforementioned board CAD data from the board designing CAD system 95 for storage in the memory section 85 (step 102). The host computer 80 prepares the aforementioned production program by adding the component mounting orders and the designations of the electronic component mounting apparatuses which are to undertake mountings (step 104). The prepared production program is stored in the memory section 85. It is to be noted that the component mounting orders and the designations of the electronic component mounting apparatuses which are to undertake mountings may be input by the worker or may be automatically set by the host computer 80. At step 106, the host computer 80 first prepares a surface side image (refer to FIG. 7(a)) and a reverse side image (refer to FIG. 7(b)) which respectively show the surface and reverse sides of each board having components mounted thereon, based on the production board information or the production program. Each of these images is constituted by at least the outline of the board and the outlines of the components. Where the board has holes and slits inside thereof, it is preferable for the image to include the outlines of these holes and slits. Then, the host computer 80 superposes the prepared surface side image and reverse side image in the same coordinate system to display them as a superposed image (the production board image) in the display section 84 (refer to FIG. 8). At this time, it is desired to display the components mounted on the surface side of the board and the components mounted on the reverse side of the board respectively in visually different modes. This may be done by displaying the components mounted on the surface side and the reverse side respectively in red and green for example. Further, it is preferable to display planting inhibition areas for the backup pins at the same time. This planting inhibition areas are the areas in which the positions of the pins interfere with the components on the support surface, that is, the areas which are set to prevent the pins from interfering with the components on the support surface, and are set based on the outlined areas of the components and the external dimensions of the pins. Where the worker designates a pin position within any of the planting inhibition areas, it is desirable to inhibit such designation and to alert that such designation is not allowed. The host computer 80 displays the prepared superposed image in the display section 84 at step 108. Then, when the positions P1 through P6 of the backup pins 41b are designated by the worker on the superposed image (refer to FIG. 9), the host computer 80 calculates respective coordinate values (X1, Y1) through (X6, Y6) of the designated positions and correlates them with the IDs of the backup pins 41b thereby to prepare the backup pin coordinate data (refer to FIG. 10). The planting positions for the backup pins with IDs of 1 through 6 respectively correspond to P1 through P6. When the positions for the backup pins 41b are designated by the worker, selection is simultaneously made by the worker as to whether each of the backup pins 41b is to serve as a support place for preventing flexure or as a support place for a particular component. The settings for such selections are also correlated with the IDs of the backup pins 41b. It is to be noted that only when a backup pin 41b is set as a support place for a particular component, the ID of the component supported by the backup pin 41 is correlated in the RefList for such setting. The flexure preventing support place is a support place which is provided for the purpose of preventing the board from being flexed or warped by its gravity. Where the board is produced by way of the plural electronic component mounting apparatuses, the flexure preventing support place is provided in common to all of the electronic component mounting apparatuses. The particular component support place is a support place which is provided for the purpose of supporting a particular component (e.g., the component narrow in the pitch of terminals such as those known as QFP, SOP, BGA, CSP) which is required to be positioned highly precisely so that the particular component is not dislocated by the shock during the mounting operation. Where the board is produced by way of the plural electronic component mounting apparatuses, the particular component support place is provided only in one which operates for the mounting of the particular component. When the planting orders of the backup pins 41b whose positions have been designated are input by the worker, the host computer 80 at step 110 prepares the plating sequence data for the backup pins by correlating the planting orders with the IDs of the backup pins. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, a pin ID1 is designated as first, a pin ID5 is designated as second, a pin ID2 is designated as third, a pin ID3 is designated as fourth, a pin ID6 is designated as fifth and a pin ID4 is designated as sixth. At step 112, the host computer 80 prepares production programs for respective electronic component mounting apparatuses by splitting the production program into those for the respective electronic component mounting apparatuses, and at step 114, prepares feeder setup data for respective electronic component mounting apparatuses 20, that is, for the first to third electronic component mounting apparatuses 11 to 13 based on those production programs split for the respective electronic component mounting apparatuses (refer to FIG. 12). Then, at step 116, the host computer 80 transmits each production program for each electronic component mounting apparatus and each feeder setup data for each electronic component mounting apparatus to a corresponding electronic component mounting apparatus 20 and further transmits the backup pin coordinate data to all the electronic component mounting apparatuses 20. Each of the first to third electronic component mounting apparatuses 11 to 13 executes a program corresponding to a flow chart shown in FIG. 14 thereby to prepare the backup pin coordinate data and the planting sequence data for the backup device 40 of each electronic component mounting apparatus 20. Specifically, the control device 70 of each electronic component mounting apparatus 20 acquires from the host computer 80 the split production program for the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20 (or the feeder setup data for the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20) and the backup pin coordinate data (step 202) and prepares the coordinate data and the planting sequence data for the backup pins particular to the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20 based on the acquired production program for the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20 (or the acquired feeder setup data for the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20) and the acquired backup pin coordinate data (step 204). Thus, it can be done to select the backup pins which are necessary to each electronic component mounting apparatus 20. For example, the first electronic component mounting apparatus 11 mounts the components (designated by the feeder setup data shown in FIG. 12(a)) being the first to third in mounting order of the production program shown in FIG. 6. Since a particular component Xaa is included in these components, the backup pins to be planted on the first electronic component mounting apparatus 11 become those designated by ID1 to ID4 and ID6 of the backup pin coordinate data shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 15(a) shows the coordinate data and the planting sequence data for these backup pins, and FIG. 16(a) shows the components Xcc and Xaa, mounted by the first electronic component mounting apparatus 11, and the support positions P1-P4 and P6 of the backup pins 41b. Further, the second electronic component mounting apparatus 12 mounts the components (designated by the feeder setup data shown in FIG. 12(b)) being the fourth to seventh in mounting order of the production program shown in FIG. 6. Since another particular component Xbb is included in these components, the backup pins to be planted on the second electronic component mounting apparatus 12 become those designated by ID1 to ID5 of the backup pin coordinate data shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 15(b) shows the coordinate data and the planting sequence data for these backup pins, and FIG. 16(b) shows the components Xdd and Xbb, mounted by the second electronic component mounting apparatus 12, and the support positions P1-P5 of the backup pins 41b. Further, the third electronic component mounting apparatus 13 mounts the components (designated by the feeder setup data shown in FIG. 12(c)) being the eighth to fourteenth in mounting order of the production program shown in FIG. 6. Since no particular component is included in these components, the backup pins to be planted on the third electronic component mounting apparatus 13 become those designated by ID1 to ID4 of the backup pin coordinate data shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 15(c) shows the coordinate data and the planting sequence data for these backup pins, and FIG. 16(c) shows the components Xcc and Xee, mounted by the third electronic component mounting apparatus 13, and the support positions P1-P4 of the backup pins 41b. As is clear from the foregoing description, in the present embodiment, prior to mounting components on the surface side and reverse side of each board by the electronic component mounting apparatus 20, the worker recognizes the mounting surface on which each component is to be mounted, by reference to the superposed image being displayed in the display section 84 of the host computer 80, designates the positions of the backup pins 41b while avoiding the components on each support surface based on such recognition, and further designates as the position of a backup pin 41b a reverse side portion corresponding to the mounting surface portion on which a particular component is to be mounted highly precisely. Therefore, it can be realized to determine the positions for the backup pins properly. Further, since setting is made as to whether each backup pin 41b is to serve as a flexure preventing support place for preventing the flexure of the board or as a particular component support place for supporting a particular component which requires high precision mounting, it can be realized to usefully provide the backup pins 41b necessary for each electronic component mounting apparatus 20. Accordingly, it becomes possible to reduce the cost involved in the works for setting the backup pins 41b on the backup device 40 and for exchanging the backup pins 41b. Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the step 108 (support place position determination step) further includes the support object component correlating step for correlating the backup pin 41b set as the particular component support place with the information relating to a particular component to be supported by the backup pin 41b. Therefore, in addition to the foregoing functions and effects, it can be realized to confirm the component which is to be supported by a backup pin 41b serving as the particular component support place. Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the step 204 (support place position determination step dedicated to the associated electronic component mounting apparatus) which is a step independently executed by the associated electronic component mounting apparatus 20 is further included for determining the positions of the backup pins 41b to be used on the associated electronic component mounting apparatus by reference to the support place data (the backup pin coordinate data) and the mounted component data (the production program or the feed setup data). The support place data is prepared through the step 108 (the support place position determination step and the support object component correlating step) and is composed of the positions relating to all the support places supporting a board, the setting state of the support places and the support object components, whereas the mounted component data is for designating the components which are of those components to be mounted on a board and which are to be mounted by the associated electronic component mounting apparatus. With this construction, in addition to the foregoing functions and effects, it can be further realized to reliably determine the backup pins 41b which are necessary to each electronic component mounting apparatus 20. Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the determination inhibition step is further included for inhibiting the determination at step 108 if the position of any of the backup pins 41b determined at the step 108 (support place position determination step) is within the area where it interferes with a component on a support surface. Thus, it can be avoided reliably to erroneously set the position of any backup pin 41b on a component having been mounted on a support surface of the board. Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the support place position determination aiding device for the backup device is provided with a display section control device (the control section 81) for controllably displaying in the display section 84 the surface side image and the reverse side image which respectively show the surface side and the reverse side of the board having components mounted thereon, a support place position designation device (the input section 83) capable of designating the positions of the backup pins 41b, which are support places of the backup device 40 for supporting the board, at desired positions on the surface side image and/or the reverse side image being displayed in the display section 84, and a superposed image preparation device (the image data preparation section 87) for preparing a superposed image by superposing the surface side image and the reverse side image. The display section control device (the control section 81) controllably displays the surface side image and the reverse side image included in the superposed image in visually different modes. With this construction, in the support place position determination aiding device for the backup device, the display section control device displays the surface side image and the reverse side image included in the superposed image in the visual modes which are different from each other, and the worker designates the positions of the support places while avoiding the components on the support surface by reference to the displayed superposed image and further designates as the position of a support place a board reverse side portion corresponding to a mounting side portion on which a component is to be mounted highly precisely, by the use of the support place position designation device. Accordingly, it is possible to aid the worker in determining the support places reliably and accurately. Although the foregoing embodiment is constructed to display the superposed image in the display section 84 of the host computer 80, the superposed image may be printed out. In this case, the positions of the backup pins 41b may be designated on a printed material, and the coordinates of such positions may be manually input into the host computer 80 or may be scanned by using a scanner. Further, in the foregoing embodiment, the components mounted on the surface side of a board and those mounted on the reverse side of the board may be displayed at step 108 to be switched in display mode. With this construction, in mounting components on the surface side and the reverse side of a board by the electronic component mounting apparatus, it can be realized to display a superposed image accurately regardless of whether the mountings are performed first from the surface side or first from the reverse side. Further, although in the foregoing embodiment, the support places of the backup device 40 are constructed by the backup pins, the support places of the backup device 40 may be constructed by support places of block shapes, or the backup device may be constructed by that of a vacuum backup type having a function of sucking a board by a vacuum power. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the support place position determination method and the support place position determination device according to the present invention are capable of displaying the support places in an area wherein the support places can be arranged, together with the mounting positions for the components which are required to be mounted highly precisely and hence, are suitable for use in determining the positions of the support places properly.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Heretofore, there has been well known a backup device which constitutes an electronic component mounting apparatus for mounting components on a board and which supports the board. As the backup device, there is one in which plural backup pins for supporting a board at the reverse side in mounting electronic components are planted to be removably insertable into plural pin holes opening on a backup plate. In the backup device, the backup pins have practically been planted at positions where the backup pins are to be planted in dependence on the kinds of boards to be produced. That is, the positions for enabling the backup pins to support the board are distinguished in dependence on the kind of each board, and the planting positions for the pins are indicated to a worker by displaying the distinguished planting positions for the pins on a display device, by printing them by a printer or by lighting the pin holes. Thus, the worker is enabled to plant the backup pins at the indicated planting positions for the pins. (Patent Document 1) The pin planting positions in the backup device have been determined by an information processing device for controlling the mounting operations of electronic components, as follows: The information processing device makes reference to information about the size, shape and the like of a board to have electronic components mounted thereon and if the board has mounted electronic components on the reverse side, also makes reference to the electronic component mounting positions on the reverse side. The information processing device then excludes pin planting positions which are not encompassed in an area corresponding to the size and shape of the board, from the positions of plural pin holes opening on the backup plate, that is, form all of the pin planting positions, and in the case of the board having electronic components mounted on the reverse side, further excludes pin planting positions encompassed within the areas which overlap the electronic component mounting positions. As a result, pin planting positions which are left finally are distinguished (determined) as the planting positions for the backup pins which are able to support the board. On the other hand, with the speeding-up of the mounting tact-time, there arises a problem that the mounting position for a component is made off the target by the shock at the time of the component mounting operation. This problem becomes serious in the case of components (e.g., QFP, SOP, BGA, CSP etc.) which are required to be mounted with particularly high precision. To cope with this, there has been conceived an idea of using backup pins (support places) to support a reverse side portion corresponding to a mounting position for the component which is required to be mounted highly precisely so that the shock at the time of the mounting operation can be suppressed to be as small as possible. The patent document 1 is Japanese unexamined, published patent application No. 6-169198 (Pages 3, 4 and FIGS. 2-4). In the aforementioned method of determining the pin planting positions, the overall area in which the pins are enabled to be planted can be distinguished, but the precise mounting positions for components which are required to be mounted highly precisely cannot be distinguished, so that it is unable to plant the pins at right positions. The present invention is made to solve the aforementioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a support place position determination method and a support place position determination device for determining the right positions for support places by simultaneously indicating the mounting position for any component which is required to be mounted highly precisely, within the area in which the support places can be arranged.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: <EOH>FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an electronic component mounting line which has applied thereto a support place position determination method and a support place position determination device in one embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire constructions of electronic component mounting apparatuses shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a backup device shown in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 is a function block diagram representing each electronic component mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 5 is a function block diagram representing a host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a table representing a production program prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 ( a ) is an explanatory view showing a surface side image prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 7 ( b ) an explanatory view showing a reverse side image prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 8 is a superposed image prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 9 is a chart showing planting positions of backup pins designated by a worker; FIG. 10 is a table showing coordinate data for backup pins prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 11 is a table showing planting position sequence data for backup pins prepared by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 12 ( a ) is a table showing feeder setup data for a first electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 12 ( b ) is a table showing feeder setup data for a second electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 12 ( c ) is a table showing feeder setup data for a third electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a program executed by the host computer shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a program executed by each electronic component mounting apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 15 ( a ) is a table showing the coordinate data and the planting positions of backup pins for the first electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 15 ( b ) is a table showing the coordinate data and the planting positions of backup pins for the second electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 15 ( c ) is a table showing the coordinate data and the planting positions of backup pins for the third electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 16 ( a ) is a chart showing backup pin planting positions for the first electronic component mounting apparatus; FIG. 16 ( b ) is a chart showing backup pin planting positions for the second electronic component mounting apparatus; and FIG. 16 ( c ) is a chart showing backup pin planting positions for the third electronic component mounting apparatus. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051114

20090602

20070329

66687.0

G06F1900

KASENGE, CHARLES R

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DECIDING SUPPORT PORTION POSITION IN A BACKUP DEVICE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G06F

ACCEPTED

Power converter for a solar panel

A solar array power generation system includes a solar array electrically connected to a control system. The solar array has a plurality of solar modules, each module having at least one DC/DC converter for converting the raw panel output to an optimized high voltage, low current output. In a further embodiment, each DC/DC converter requires a signal to enable power output of the solar modules.

1. A control unit for controlling an output of a solar device, the control unit comprising: a converter for coupling to the output of the solar device, the converter being configured and arranged to convert the output to a high voltage and low current. 2. A control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the high voltage is between approximately 200 and 600 VDC. 3. A control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the solar device is selected from the group consisting of a solar module, a group of solar cells and a solar cell. 4. A control unit as recited in claim 1, wherein the converter includes MPPT. 5. A control unit for controlling a solar module in a solar array to maximize the output of the solar module, the control unit comprising: at least one converter for coupling to at least one cell of the solar module, the converter being configured and arranged to maximize a power output of the at least one cell. 6. A control system as recited in claim 5, wherein the at least one converter is connected to a diode in electrical communication with sixteen cells of a solar module. 7. A control system for a solar module to allow for safe handling during installation, maintenance and repair, the control unit comprising: means coupled to a solar module for preventing a power output of the solar module unless an activation signal is received by the means. 8. A control system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means is a converter. 9. A control system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means is also for maximizing a power output of the solar module. 10. A control system as recited in claim 7, wherein the means is also for converting an output of the solar module to a high voltage and low current 11. A solar module array comprising: a plurality of solar modules connected in parallel; at least one low voltage to high voltage DC/DC converter coupled to each solar module for maximizing a power output by each respective module. 12. A solar module array as recited in claim 11, further comprising a DC/AC inverter coupled to an output of the DC/DC converters for outputting a usable power to a load. 13. A solar module array as recited in claim 12, further comprising a storage device disposed between the DC/AC inverter and the solar array for providing temporary power. 14. A solar module array as recited in claim 13, wherein the storage element is selected from the group consisting of a flywheel energy storage system, a capacitor, an ultra capacitor, a battery, an advance battery and a fuel cell. 15. A solar module array as recited in claim 11, wherein the low voltage is approximately 48V and the high voltage is at least 200V. 16. A solar panel array as recited in claim 11, wherein the low voltage to high voltage DC/DC converter requires an enabling signal in order to produce the power output. 17. A solar panel arrar as recited in claim 11, wherein each solar module includes 32 cells divided into 2 groups. 18. A solar panel arrar as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one low voltage to high voltage DC/DC converter is coupled to each group. 19. A solar panel arrar as recited in claim 11, wherein one low voltage to high voltage DC/DC converter is coupled to cell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The subject disclosure relates to systems for utilizing power generated by solar panels, and more particularly to an improved system for converting the power generated by a solar panel to improve safety and efficiency. 2. Background of the Related Art In the modern world, the needs for electrical power are ubiquitous. However, many of the sources of electrical power such as nuclear energy and coal or fossil fuel power generation plants are not always feasible, and generate not only power but excessive polution, exhaustion of resources and controversy. In an effort to avoid these drawbacks by utilizing the renewable energy of the sun, photovoltaic solar panel arrays are finding expanded use in the home environment and industry. Solar panel arrays are particularly well-suited to stand alone applications in isolated regions. Solar panel arrays not only function as an alternate energy source but excess power can be sold back to utility companies or stored for later use. Refering to FIG. 1, a conventional home system is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. The system 10 includes a solar panel array or solar array 20 mounted on a roof 22 and electrically connected to a control system 40. By mounting the solar array 20 on the roof 22, a maximum amount of sunlight, represented by arrows 24, without interference from trees, buildings or other obstructions is more likely. The control system 40 is typically stored within the basement of the house, and provides power to the load 26. The load 26 may also receive power from the utility grid 28 in a conventional manner. The solar array 20 has a plurality of solar modules 30a-n which are comprised of a number of solar cells. Depending on the number of modules 30a-n, the system 10 can have a capacity from a few kilowatts to a hundred kilowatts or more. Typically, the number of modules is somewhat matched to meet the demands of the load because each module 30 represents a significant investment. Moreover, the roof 22 has limited area for conveniently and practically retaining the modules 30. Commonly, a module 30 consists of 36 photovoltaic cells which produce an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 21 to 23 VDC and a max power point voltage of 15 to 17 VDC. Standard power ratings for the solar modules 30 range from 50 W to 150 W. Thus, for an exemplary system 10, where two kilowatts are desired, as many as forty modules 30 may be needed. For the most part, the prior art solar modules 30 are somewhat limited by their performance characteristics. In view of this, attempts have been made to optimize the solar module usage so that fewer solar modules 30 or less space are required. Tracking mechanisms have been added to actively orient each solar module 30 so that the incident sunlight is normal to the solar module 30 for increased efficiency. Other attempts at increasing efficiency and applicability of roof mounted solar arrays 20 have involved creating turrets to reduce the footprint thereof. Despite these attempts, solar arrays 20 are still uncommon and underutilized because of the additional expense and complexity these methods provide. As a result, the drawbacks of capacity and expense need to be overcome otherwise the range of practical applications for power from a solar arrays 20 will continue to be limited. A common method for mounting a solar array 20 on the roof 22 is to mount each solar panel 30 individually and directly onto the surface of the roof 22. This method usually involves the installers carrying each solar panel 30 up to the roof and mounting them one at a time. Usually, the solar modules 30 are put into groups to form panels which, in turn, can be used to form the solar array 20. Solar modules 30 are live, i.e. outputting power, during installation. On a sunny day, the power generation can pose a safety hazard to the installers. There is a need, therefore, for an improved solar module control system which forces an improved module into a default off mode with no power output when not in use. Thus, adequate safety can be assured during installation and at other times of disconnection such as during replacement and repair. Referring still to FIG. 1, an electrical conduit or conduits (not shown) carry the wiring that electrically interconnects the solar array 20 with the control system 40. The power output of each module 30 is carried individually to a string combiner 42 within the control system 40. Typically, the electrical conduit carries the outputs of the solar array 20 in a low voltage, high current bundle. As the size of the solar, array 20 increases, the thickness of the bundle and, in turn, the electrical conduit increases. As a result, the elect conduit is not only unsightly but represents significant danger if exposed. Thus, there is a need for a solar panel array which provides a high voltage and low current output that can be carried in relatively small cables which pose a minimal safety risk. The control system 40 includes a central inverter 44 for changing the raw power from the string combiner 42 into usable power for the load 26. The central inverter 44 includes a matching DC/DC converter 46 and an AC/DC converter 48. An optional battery 50 is also shown disposed between the matching DC/DC converter 46 and the AC/DC converter 48 for use in an off grid system or as part of an uninterruptable power supply (hereinafter “UPS”). The matching converter 46 drops the raw solar array power down from the string combiner 42 to a desired level. When a battery 50 is used, the typical desired level of voltage is 54V. Thus, the power generated by the solar array 20 may be stored in the battery for use during the night or fed to the AC/DC converter 48 for use by the load 26 or sale via the utility grid 28. The AC/DC converter 48 receives the 54 VDC power and outputs an AC current at a desired voltage and frequency such as for example 120, 208 or 240 VAC at 50 or 60 Hz. Converters 46, 48 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art and, therefore, not further described herein. The matching converter 46 may also include maximum power point tracking (hereinafter “MPPT”) for varying the electrical operating point so that the solar array 20 delivers the maximum available power. This and other techniques for effectively using power generated by solar arrays are common. An example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,919 to Madenokouji et al. and is incorporated herein by reference. From the foregoing, it may be observed that the MPPT optimizes the solar array 20 as a monolithic unit. In actuality, the solar array 20 is made up of solar modules 30 that each typically includes thirty-two cells divided into two groups of sixteen. Each of the solar module cells and solar modules 30 may be from different manufacturers and have varied performance characteristics. Moreover, shading by clouds and the like varies the output from cell to cell and module 30 to module 30. Thus, significant improvements in the efficiencies of the solar panels 30 can be realized if each solar module 30 can be operated at peak power levels. Similarly, each group of sixteen cells or even each cell's performance can be enhanced by corresponding optimization. Such performance would permit solar arrays with less panels to reduce the cost of a given installation and broaden the range of practical applications for solar power. There is a need, therefore, for a cost effective and simple control system which can greatly increase efficiency in new and existing solar arrays. Further, the typical solar array 20 has a variable output not only throughout the day but the output voltage also varies according to other parameters such as temperature. As a result, the central inverter 44 is also required to be a variable regulator to control these variations. In the United States, galvanic isolation is required for connection to the utility grid 28. The galvanic isolation is usually achieved by a 60 Hz transformer on the output of the central inverter 44. These prior art necessities further increase the cost and complexity of the control system 40. A solar array which does not need the central inverter 44 to act as a variable regulator or galvanic isolation would advantageously reduce the cost and complexity of the control system. Further still, solar arrays 20 that are configured for grid connect only (without UPS function available) operate only while the utility grid 28 is on. In a problematic manner, if a utility grid outage occurs, the power generated by the solar array 20 cannot be accessed to run the load 26. Even for periodic outages lasting for only seconds, requirements are such that the solar array 20 cannot be reconnected for five minutes after the utility grid power has returned. Thus, a need exists for a solar array control unit which can supply power to the load even when a utility grid outage occurs. 3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a control unit for controlling an output of a solar module. The control unit includes a converter for coupling to the output of the solar module, the converter being configured and arranged to convert the output to a high voltage and low current. It would be desirable to provide a solar array with increased capacity, for a given size, while reducing the complexity and expense so that solar power may be used more economically and for a wider range of applications. It would be desirable to provide a solar panel array which optimizes the power output at a subcomponent level to increase the overall power generated. It would be desirable to provide a control system for a solar array which can be retrofit onto existing arrays to provide increased power generation. It would be desirable to provide a control system for a solar panel which defaults in an off mode for allowing safe installation. It would be desirable to provide a control system which allows for utilization of the power generated by a solar array even when the grid power is down. It would be desirable to provide a simplified control system which utilizes standard, off-the-shelf components. It would further be desirable to provide an inverter that is standard. In a further embodiment, the inverter would also provide galvanic isolation from the utility grid. It would be desirable to provide a solar array which produces power at a relatively high voltage and low current to allow for relatively small cables to carry the power in a safe and convenient manner. It would further be desirable for the solar array power to be at a desirable DC voltage to allow use of off-the-shelf components. In one embodiment, a control unit controls an output of a solar device. The control unit includes a converter coupled to the output of the solar device such that the solar device output is converted to a high voltage and low current. Preferably, the high voltage is between approximately 200 and 600 VDC and the solar device is selected from the group consisting of a solar module, a group of solar cells and a solar cell. The converter also preferably includes MPPT. Still another embodiment is directed to a control unit for a solar module in a solar array for maximizing the output of the solar module. The control unit includes a converter for coupling to the cells of the solar module and, thereby, maximize a power output of each cell. Yet still another embodiment is a solar module array including a plurality of solar modules connected in parallel and a low voltage to high voltage DC/DC converter coupled to each solar module for maximizing a power output by each respective module. Preferably, the solar module array also includes a DC/AC inverter coupled to an output of the DC/DC converters for outputting a usable power to a load. It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device and a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional solar panel array installation; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a solar panel array installation constructed in accordance with the subject disclosure; and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another solar panel array installation constructed in accordance with the subject disclosure. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with solar arrays. The advantages, and other features of the systems and methods disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements. Referring to FIG. 2, an improved solar array power generation system is referred to generally by the reference numeral 110. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, the system 110 utilizes some similar components as the system 10 described above. Accordingly, like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “1” are used to indicate like elements whenever possible. The system 110 includes a roof mounted solar array 120 electrically connected to a control system 140. The solar array 120 has a plurality of solar modules 130a-n. Each solar module 130a-n has a corresponding DC/DC converter 131a-n for converting the raw panel output to a nominal 400 VDC output. Thus, the modules 130 may be easily connected in parallel and, in turn, connected to the control system 140 by a relatively small, safe, high voltage, low current cable (not shown). The resulting 400 VDC level is more suitable for the creation of 120 or 240 VAC than, for example, a 12 VDC car battery. Another advantage realizable by use of the converters 131 is that relatively high switch frequencies can be employed to significantly reduce the size and filtering requirements of the system 110. In a further embodiment, the DC/DC converters 131 include MPPT. The DC/DC converter 131 with MPPT maximizes the module output according to the present operating conditions of the solar module 130. For example, module 130a may be temporarily shaded by a cloud or object while module 130c is receiving direct sunlight. Under such circumstances, the performance characteristics of panels 130a and 130c would be different, e.g., the optimum power settings for each panel would not be the same. The corresponding DC/DC converters 131a and 131c would uniquely adjust the module's operation such that modules 130a and 130c will produce the maximum power possible individually. Accordingly, the maximum power output of the solar array 120 is maximized and fewer modules 130 may be employed to produce comparable power to prior art systems. In a preferred embodiment, each module 130 contains thirty-two cells divided into two groups of sixteen. A diode (not shown) is commonly disposed between each group of sixteen cells to prevent reverse current flow during shady conditions and other events which may cause variation in panel output. A plurality of DC/DC converters 131 regulate the output of each group of sixteen cells of the module 130 by picking up the output at the diode. Thus, the advantages of the subject disclosure may be utilized in new and existing solar modules by retrofit. In still another embodiment, the DC/DC converters 131 are connected to maximize the output of each cell of the module 130. In a further embodiment, the DC/DC converters 131 are also configured to require a signal from the control system 140 to output power. If the panel 130 is not receiving this signal, then the default mode of no power output is achieved. Consequently, installers can handle panels 130 on a sunny day without concern for the live power generated thereby. The control system 140 is also improved by further simplification in the preferred system 110. The control system 140 includes a central inverter 144 having a single DC/AC inverter 147. The DC/AC inverter 147 prepares the raw power from the solar array 120 for use by the load 126 or sale to the utility company via the utility grid 128. In the preferred embodiment, the inverter 147 is a relatively simple, low dynamic range, off-the-shelf high voltage inverter for dropping the voltage down and creating the desired frequency. Since the DC/DC converters 131 regulate the power outage from the solar panels 130, the control system 140 can be optimized for efficiency since a very small input voltage range is required for operation. In an embodiment where the solar array 120 outputs 400 VDC, a standardized inverter 147 can be used to beneficially and significantly reduce the wiring complexity and, thereby, the cost of the control system 140. In a further embodiment, galvanic isolation can be maintained in the standardized inverter 147. Accordingly, the control system 140 is further simplified. Referring now to FIG. 3, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, the system 210 utilizes the same principles of the system 110 described above. Accordingly, like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “2” instead of the numeral “1”, are used to indicate like elements. An optional energy storage device 250 is disposed between the control system 240 and the solar array 220. In one embodiment, the energy storage device 250 is a high voltage flywheel energy storage system which ideally operates at 400V. Accordingly, the output of the DC/AC inverter 247 is matched to optimize the operating efficiency of the high voltage flywheel. Acceptable 6 kWh high voltage energy flywheels are available from Beacon Power Corporation in Wilmington, Massachusetts. In another embodiment, the energy storage device 250 is a conventional battery. In still another embodiment, the energy storage device 250 is a capacitor and the system 210 acts as an uninterruptible power supply. The capacitor 250 charges during normal operation as the solar array 220 and utility grid 228 provide power to the load 226. In a system with a conventional battery, such operation would shorten the life of the battery as is known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art. However, with a capacitor such short life is avoided. During an interruption of utility grid power, the capacitor discharges to provide interim power to the load 226 until an electronic switch (not shown) can be actuated to allow the solar array 220 to meet the demand of the load 226. It is envisioned that the capacitor will be able to meet the demand for at least twenty seconds although advantages would be provided by a capacitor with only a few seconds of sustained power output. Thus, the power output from the solar array 220 can still be accessed even when the utility grid 228 is down. In a further embodiment, the capacitor is what is commonly known as an electro-chemical capacitor or ultra capacitor. The capacitor may be a carbon-carbon configuration, an asymmetrical carbon-nickel configuration or any suitable capacitor now known or later developed. An acceptable nominal 48V, 107 F ultra capacitor is available from ESMA of the Troitsk Moscow Region in Russia, under model no. 30EC104U. In another embodiment, an alternative energy source such as a conventional fuel burning generator, fuel cell or other suitable alternative acts as a backup in combination with a solar array. While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The subject disclosure relates to systems for utilizing power generated by solar panels, and more particularly to an improved system for converting the power generated by a solar panel to improve safety and efficiency. 2. Background of the Related Art In the modern world, the needs for electrical power are ubiquitous. However, many of the sources of electrical power such as nuclear energy and coal or fossil fuel power generation plants are not always feasible, and generate not only power but excessive polution, exhaustion of resources and controversy. In an effort to avoid these drawbacks by utilizing the renewable energy of the sun, photovoltaic solar panel arrays are finding expanded use in the home environment and industry. Solar panel arrays are particularly well-suited to stand alone applications in isolated regions. Solar panel arrays not only function as an alternate energy source but excess power can be sold back to utility companies or stored for later use. Refering to FIG. 1 , a conventional home system is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 . The system 10 includes a solar panel array or solar array 20 mounted on a roof 22 and electrically connected to a control system 40 . By mounting the solar array 20 on the roof 22 , a maximum amount of sunlight, represented by arrows 24 , without interference from trees, buildings or other obstructions is more likely. The control system 40 is typically stored within the basement of the house, and provides power to the load 26 . The load 26 may also receive power from the utility grid 28 in a conventional manner. The solar array 20 has a plurality of solar modules 30 a - n which are comprised of a number of solar cells. Depending on the number of modules 30 a - n , the system 10 can have a capacity from a few kilowatts to a hundred kilowatts or more. Typically, the number of modules is somewhat matched to meet the demands of the load because each module 30 represents a significant investment. Moreover, the roof 22 has limited area for conveniently and practically retaining the modules 30 . Commonly, a module 30 consists of 36 photovoltaic cells which produce an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 21 to 23 VDC and a max power point voltage of 15 to 17 VDC. Standard power ratings for the solar modules 30 range from 50 W to 150 W. Thus, for an exemplary system 10 , where two kilowatts are desired, as many as forty modules 30 may be needed. For the most part, the prior art solar modules 30 are somewhat limited by their performance characteristics. In view of this, attempts have been made to optimize the solar module usage so that fewer solar modules 30 or less space are required. Tracking mechanisms have been added to actively orient each solar module 30 so that the incident sunlight is normal to the solar module 30 for increased efficiency. Other attempts at increasing efficiency and applicability of roof mounted solar arrays 20 have involved creating turrets to reduce the footprint thereof. Despite these attempts, solar arrays 20 are still uncommon and underutilized because of the additional expense and complexity these methods provide. As a result, the drawbacks of capacity and expense need to be overcome otherwise the range of practical applications for power from a solar arrays 20 will continue to be limited. A common method for mounting a solar array 20 on the roof 22 is to mount each solar panel 30 individually and directly onto the surface of the roof 22 . This method usually involves the installers carrying each solar panel 30 up to the roof and mounting them one at a time. Usually, the solar modules 30 are put into groups to form panels which, in turn, can be used to form the solar array 20 . Solar modules 30 are live, i.e. outputting power, during installation. On a sunny day, the power generation can pose a safety hazard to the installers. There is a need, therefore, for an improved solar module control system which forces an improved module into a default off mode with no power output when not in use. Thus, adequate safety can be assured during installation and at other times of disconnection such as during replacement and repair. Referring still to FIG. 1 , an electrical conduit or conduits (not shown) carry the wiring that electrically interconnects the solar array 20 with the control system 40 . The power output of each module 30 is carried individually to a string combiner 42 within the control system 40 . Typically, the electrical conduit carries the outputs of the solar array 20 in a low voltage, high current bundle. As the size of the solar, array 20 increases, the thickness of the bundle and, in turn, the electrical conduit increases. As a result, the elect conduit is not only unsightly but represents significant danger if exposed. Thus, there is a need for a solar panel array which provides a high voltage and low current output that can be carried in relatively small cables which pose a minimal safety risk. The control system 40 includes a central inverter 44 for changing the raw power from the string combiner 42 into usable power for the load 26 . The central inverter 44 includes a matching DC/DC converter 46 and an AC/DC converter 48 . An optional battery 50 is also shown disposed between the matching DC/DC converter 46 and the AC/DC converter 48 for use in an off grid system or as part of an uninterruptable power supply (hereinafter “UPS”). The matching converter 46 drops the raw solar array power down from the string combiner 42 to a desired level. When a battery 50 is used, the typical desired level of voltage is 54V. Thus, the power generated by the solar array 20 may be stored in the battery for use during the night or fed to the AC/DC converter 48 for use by the load 26 or sale via the utility grid 28 . The AC/DC converter 48 receives the 54 VDC power and outputs an AC current at a desired voltage and frequency such as for example 120, 208 or 240 VAC at 50 or 60 Hz. Converters 46 , 48 are well known to those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art and, therefore, not further described herein. The matching converter 46 may also include maximum power point tracking (hereinafter “MPPT”) for varying the electrical operating point so that the solar array 20 delivers the maximum available power. This and other techniques for effectively using power generated by solar arrays are common. An example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,919 to Madenokouji et al. and is incorporated herein by reference. From the foregoing, it may be observed that the MPPT optimizes the solar array 20 as a monolithic unit. In actuality, the solar array 20 is made up of solar modules 30 that each typically includes thirty-two cells divided into two groups of sixteen. Each of the solar module cells and solar modules 30 may be from different manufacturers and have varied performance characteristics. Moreover, shading by clouds and the like varies the output from cell to cell and module 30 to module 30 . Thus, significant improvements in the efficiencies of the solar panels 30 can be realized if each solar module 30 can be operated at peak power levels. Similarly, each group of sixteen cells or even each cell's performance can be enhanced by corresponding optimization. Such performance would permit solar arrays with less panels to reduce the cost of a given installation and broaden the range of practical applications for solar power. There is a need, therefore, for a cost effective and simple control system which can greatly increase efficiency in new and existing solar arrays. Further, the typical solar array 20 has a variable output not only throughout the day but the output voltage also varies according to other parameters such as temperature. As a result, the central inverter 44 is also required to be a variable regulator to control these variations. In the United States, galvanic isolation is required for connection to the utility grid 28 . The galvanic isolation is usually achieved by a 60 Hz transformer on the output of the central inverter 44 . These prior art necessities further increase the cost and complexity of the control system 40 . A solar array which does not need the central inverter 44 to act as a variable regulator or galvanic isolation would advantageously reduce the cost and complexity of the control system. Further still, solar arrays 20 that are configured for grid connect only (without UPS function available) operate only while the utility grid 28 is on. In a problematic manner, if a utility grid outage occurs, the power generated by the solar array 20 cannot be accessed to run the load 26 . Even for periodic outages lasting for only seconds, requirements are such that the solar array 20 cannot be reconnected for five minutes after the utility grid power has returned. Thus, a need exists for a solar array control unit which can supply power to the load even when a utility grid outage occurs.

<SOH> 3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed to a control unit for controlling an output of a solar module. The control unit includes a converter for coupling to the output of the solar module, the converter being configured and arranged to convert the output to a high voltage and low current. It would be desirable to provide a solar array with increased capacity, for a given size, while reducing the complexity and expense so that solar power may be used more economically and for a wider range of applications. It would be desirable to provide a solar panel array which optimizes the power output at a subcomponent level to increase the overall power generated. It would be desirable to provide a control system for a solar array which can be retrofit onto existing arrays to provide increased power generation. It would be desirable to provide a control system for a solar panel which defaults in an off mode for allowing safe installation. It would be desirable to provide a control system which allows for utilization of the power generated by a solar array even when the grid power is down. It would be desirable to provide a simplified control system which utilizes standard, off-the-shelf components. It would further be desirable to provide an inverter that is standard. In a further embodiment, the inverter would also provide galvanic isolation from the utility grid. It would be desirable to provide a solar array which produces power at a relatively high voltage and low current to allow for relatively small cables to carry the power in a safe and convenient manner. It would further be desirable for the solar array power to be at a desirable DC voltage to allow use of off-the-shelf components. In one embodiment, a control unit controls an output of a solar device. The control unit includes a converter coupled to the output of the solar device such that the solar device output is converted to a high voltage and low current. Preferably, the high voltage is between approximately 200 and 600 VDC and the solar device is selected from the group consisting of a solar module, a group of solar cells and a solar cell. The converter also preferably includes MPPT. Still another embodiment is directed to a control unit for a solar module in a solar array for maximizing the output of the solar module. The control unit includes a converter for coupling to the cells of the solar module and, thereby, maximize a power output of each cell. Yet still another embodiment is a solar module array including a plurality of solar modules connected in parallel and a low voltage to high voltage DC/DC converter coupled to each solar module for maximizing a power output by each respective module. Preferably, the solar module array also includes a DC/AC inverter coupled to an output of the DC/DC converters for outputting a usable power to a load. It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device and a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

20061017

20120124

20070510

59703.0

H02J700

PACHECO, ALEXIS BOATENG

POWER CONVERTER FOR A SOLAR PANEL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H02J

ACCEPTED

Container for Piece Goods

A container for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates and the like. The container consists of a container body and comprises product side and base retaining means and at least one outlet opening through which the product comes out. The container body has a polygonal base and there are container closing means, consisting of a lid for closing the product outlet opening, which is suitably connected to the container body.

1. A container for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates, comfits and the like; the container consisting of a retaining body (11) and comprising side product retaining means and at least one outlet opening (25) through which the product comes out; the container being characterised in that the container body is a tubular container body with a polygonal base; and in that in practice there are container closing means, consisting of a lid (26) for closing the product outlet opening, the lid extending from the container body and being connected to it. 2. The container according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the container body has a polygonal base. 3. The container according to either of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the container body has a hexagonal base. 4. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the container body has a polygonal base with regular sides. 5. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the container body comprises a front wall (18). 6. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the container body comprises a rear wall (12). 7. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the container body comprises a pair of front side walls (16, 20). 8. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the front side walls each extend from the side of the front wall (18). 9. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the container body comprises a pair of rear side walls (14, 22). 10. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the rear side walls each extend from the side of the rear wall (12). 11. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the rear side walls are joined to the front side walls (16, 20). 12. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that at least one outer walls forms an obtuse angle, that is to say, an angle above 90° with an adjacent outer wall. 13. The container according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises a base wall (24) for retaining the product in the container. 14. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 2 to 13 or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means (26) for closing the product outlet opening of the container. 15. The container according to claim 14, characterised in that there are means for closing the container consisting of a lid (26) for closing the product outlet opening, suitably connected to the container body (11). 16. The container according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the means for closing the container comprise a closing wall (28) which extends transversally. 17. The container according to claim 16, characterised in that the closing wall (28) of the closing means is flat. 18. The container according to claim 16 or 17, characterised in that the lid closing wall (28) extends from the rear wall of the container body. 19. The container according to any of the foregoing from claims 14 to 18, characterised in that the closing means comprise a longitudinal wall (30). 20. The container according to claim 19, characterised in that the longitudinal wall of the closing means is a front wall (30). 21. The container according to any of the foregoing from claims 14 to 20, characterised in that the closing means comprise a first and a second side outer wall (32, 34). 22. The container according to claim 21, characterised in that the outer walls are front side walls (32, 34). 23. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 14 to 22, characterised in that at least one outer wall of the closing means forms an obtuse angle, that is to say, an angle above 90° with an adjacent outer wall. 24. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are connecting means between the closing means (26) and the container body (11). 25. The container according to claim 24, characterised in that the connecting means comprise a line for connection and rotation (1228, 2117) relative to a corresponding container body outer wall. 26. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are retaining means (26) for holding the lid closed. 27. The container according to claim 26, characterised in that the retaining means for holding the lid closed comprise engagement means located on the closing means or lid (26). 28. The container according to claim 27, characterised in that the engagement means on the closing means or lid (26) comprise at least one engagement tooth, in particular a first and a second engagement tooth (35, 37). 29. The container according to claim 28, characterised in that there is a first and a second tooth (35, 37), each extending from a corresponding side wall of the closing means or lid. 30. The container according to claim 28 or 29, characterised in that each retaining tooth (35, 37) is at the front outer wall (30) of the closing means or lid. 31. The container according to claim 29 or 30, characterised in that the engagement tooth (35, 37) extends from a front side wall (32, 34) of the closing means or lid. 32. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 28 to 31, characterised in that each engagement tooth (35, 37) is on an inner face of the front wall (30) of the closing means or lid. 33. The container according to claim 28, characterised in that the retaining teeth (335, 337) are at the corresponding side wall of the closing means or lid. 34. The container according to claim 33, characterised in that the retaining teeth (335, 337) are at the corresponding front side wall (32, 34) of the closing means or lid. 35. The container according to claim 33 or 34, characterised in that there is a first and a second tooth (335, 337), each extending from the front wall (30) of the closing means or lid. 36. The container according to any of the foregoing from claims 27 to 35, characterised in that the retaining means on the closing means operate in conjunction with engagement means (39) on the container body (11). 37. The container according to claim 36, characterised in that the engagement means (39) on the container body comprise an engagement tooth or tab (18). 38. The container according to claim 36 or 37, characterised in that the retaining means (39) on the container body are at the outer face of the corresponding outer wall. 39. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 38, characterised in that the retaining means (39) on the container body are at the front wall (18) of the container body. 40. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 39, characterised in that the retaining means (339a, 339b) on the container body are at the side wall of the container body. 41. The container according to claim 40, characterised in that the retaining means (339a, 339b) on the container body are at the front side wall (16, 20) of the container body. 42. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 41, characterised in that the retaining means (39) on the container body extend from a corresponding upper edge (1839) of the container body. 43. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 36 to 42, characterised in that the closing retaining means comprise engagement means on the lid (26) comprising a tab (36) for insertion in a corresponding slot (38) in the container body. 44. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are stiffening means for the container body. 45. The container according to claim 44, characterised in that there are stiffening means for the container body in the open condition. 46. The container according to claim 44 or 45, characterised in that the stiffening means are located at the product outlet opening (25). 47. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 46, characterised in that the stiffening means are located at one end of the container body. 48. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 47, characterised in that the stiffening means comprise at least one portion (17, 117, 217) extending transversally to the container body. 49. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there is a single transversal panel (17, 117, 217) extending from one end of an outer wall and forming the stiffening means. 50. The container according to claim 49, characterised in that the stiffening panel (17) extends from the front outer wall (18). 51. The container according to claim 49, characterised in that the stiffening panel (117, 217) extends from the rear outer wall (121) of the container body. 52. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 51, characterised in that the stiffening means (17, 117, 217) are connected to at least one of the other outer walls of the container. 53. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 52, characterised in that the stiffening means (17, 117) are connected to the front side walls (16, 20) of the container body. 54. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 53, characterised in that the stiffening means (17, 117, 217) are connected to the rear side walls (14, 22) of the container body. 55. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 54, characterised in that the transversal stiffening wall (217) connects the rear wall and the front and rear side walls of the container body. 56. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 54, characterised in that the transversal stiffening wall (117) connects the rear wall and the front and rear side walls of the container body. 57. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 56, characterised in that the transversal stiffening wall (117) is only connected to the rear part of the front side walls of the container body. 58. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 57, characterised in that the transversal stiffening wall (17, 117, 217) extends transversally, lying substantially in the perpendicular plane formed by the upper edge (1839) of the corresponding outer wall (18), from which the engagement means (39, 139) extend on the container body. 59. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 58, characterised in that the stiffening wall (17, 117, 217) is connected to the side walls of the container body by corresponding tabs extending from the side walls (14, 16, 20, 22, 43, 51, 147, 149). 60. The container according to claim 59, characterised in that the connecting tabs extend from the rear side walls (14, 22). 61. The container according to claim 59 or 60, characterised in that the connecting tabs extend from the front side walls (16, 20) to which the transversal wall is fixed. 62. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 59 to 61, characterised in that the stiffening wall is connected to the top of the connecting tabs. 63. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are means for covering the opening in the container body. 64. The container according to claim 63, characterised in that the means for covering the opening extend from the side walls of the container body. 65. The container according to claim 63 or 64, characterised in that the means for covering the opening extend from the rear side walls of the container body. 66. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 63 to 65, characterised in that the means for covering the opening consist of the transversal panel (17, 117, 217). 67. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that there are opening means (25, 125, 225) with predetermined size. 68. The container according to claim 67, characterised in that the predetermined opening (25, 125, 225) is suitable for allowing the passage of a predetermined number of pieces at a time. 69. The container according to claim 67 or 68, characterised in that the product outlet opening (25) is made in the transversal stiffening and/or covering wall. 70. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 69, characterised in that the product outlet opening (25, 125, 225) has a predetermined shape and dimensions suitable for the passage of only one piece of product held in the container at a time. 71. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 70, characterised in that the product outlet opening (25, 125, 225) extends from the front side (18) of the container body. 72. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 71, characterised in that the product outlet opening (25, 125, 225) extends from the upper edge (18, 39) of the front wall of the container body. 73. The container according to claim 67, characterised in that the product outlet opening (375) opens on the front side (18) of the container body. 74. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 67 to 73, characterised in that the transversal wall (17) for stiffening and/or covering is fixed to the front wall (18) of the container body at two container points (1817a, 1817b) or opposite side sections of the container body. 75. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 74, characterised in that there are stiffening means for the container in the closed condition. 76. The container according to claim 75, characterised in that the stiffening means for the container body in the closed condition comprise the lid when engaged with the container body. 77. The container according to claim 75 or 76, characterised in that the closing lid comprises a rear portion (28a) of the lid fixed to the container body and a front portion (28b) joined to the fixed portion (28a) of the container body. 78. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 59 to 77, characterised in that the connecting tabs (14, 16, 20, 22, 43, 51, 147, 149) extending from the outer walls are suitably shaped and/or positioned so that they do not interfere with the product coming out. 79. The container according to any of the foregoing claims from 44 to 78, characterised in that in the space in the stiffening walls forming the opening (25) there is an engagement and retaining tab (39) for a closing lid. 80. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that at least a first and a second wall, adjacent to one another, are positioned and connected in such a way as to form a “V” shape forming a lid guide for channeling the product. 81. The container according to any of the foregoing claims or according to the preamble to claim 1, characterised in that the container body has a wall (18) supporting the lid engagement means (39, 139), which is connected at to at least one side wall, forming an angle other than 90° with said wall. 82. The container according to claim 81, characterised in that the container body has a wall (18) supporting the lid engagement means (39, 139) (19, 139), which is connected at its longitudinal edges to corresponding side walls (16, 20) forming an obtuse angle, that is to say, an angle greater than 90° with it. 83. A pack consisting of a container according to any of the foregoing claims and an edible product in pieces, in particular in pieces which are disc-shaped. 84. Use of a container according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 83, to hold a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, especially consisting of pieces with a diameter or width substantially less than the internal diameter of the container body. 85. Use of a container according to any of the foregoing claims from 1 to 83, to hold a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, especially consisting of pieces which are disc-shaped with a diameter (dp) greater than the width of the side wall of the container body. 86. A blank for making a container consisting of a container body with an outlet opening through which the product contained in it comes out and a lid for closing the product outlet opening, the blank consisting of a flat sheet, preferably made of cardboard, comprising a plurality of panels (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) forming the outer walls of the container body, separated from one another by transversal pre-creasing or fold lines (1214, 1416, 1618, 1820, 2022), the blank also comprising a panel (28) extending from a transversal end of a side panel (12) to form a lid (26) upper closing wall; the blank being characterised in that the panel forming the lid (26) upper wall has a polygonal profile, having a first and a second outer edge (2832, 2834) on the side opposite that from which the panel forming the lid outer wall (12) extends; and also characterised in that there is a first and a second outer panel forming lid side walls (32, 34), the side panels (32, 34) extending from the side edges (2832, 2834) of the lid upper panel, on the side opposite the one on which the upper panel (28) is connected to the panel forming the outer wall (12) of the container body. 87. The blank according to claim 86, characterised in that the panel forming the lid upper closing wall (28) has a hexagonal profile. 88. The blank according to claim 87, characterised in that the panel forming the lid upper closing wall (28) has a hexagonal profile with regular sides. 89. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 88 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that it comprises another side panel (21, 121), which is glued to the rear panel (12) and which is used to join the rear panel (12) to the side panel (22) of the container body. 90. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 89 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that it comprises a panel (17, 117, 217) forming container body stiffening means which extends from a transversal end of an outer wall (18, 121) of the container body. 91. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 90 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that it comprises a panel forming a side or front longitudinal wall (30) of the lid, extending from the panel (28) forming the lid upper wall, through a pre-creasing or fold line (2830) on the side opposite that from which the panel (28) extends from the outer panel of the container body. 92. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 91 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that there is a first (35) and a second (37) panel forming a respective retaining tooth for holding the lid on the container body, the teeth each extending form a panel (32, 34) forming the lid front side walls, to which they are connected by fold or pre-creasing lines (3235, 3437). 93. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 92 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that there is a tab (39) extending from an upper edge or pre-creasing line (1839) of the outer wall (18) of the container body. 94. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 93 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that there are tabs (43, 47, 49, 51, 147, 149) extending, through pre-creasing or fold lines (1443, 1647, 2049, 2251), from rear and front side walls (14, 16, 20, 22), forming means for connecting the transversal stiffening wall (17, 117, 217) to the front side walls (16, 20) and to the rear side walls (14, 22) of the container body. 95. The blank according to any of the foregoing claims from 86 to 94 or according to the preamble to claim 86, characterised in that the stiffening panel (17, 117, 217) has a shaped edge (25′, 125′, 225′), in particular arched, forming opening means with predetermined extension.

BACKGROUND The present invention relates to a container for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates, comfits and the like. The present invention also relates to a blank for obtaining the container, and the use of the container, in particular for packaging a product in pieces, especially an edible product. A tubular container of the known type comprises a tube-shaped cardboard container body with a round base, with an outlet at one end through which the product comes out. The product consists of small disc-shaped comfits. The product outlet opening is closed by a separate cap made of plastic. However, this plastic cap has a disadvantage in that it may be ingested by a child, presenting a serious health risk, and can also easily be lost, that is to say, as often happens, it may go inwards, jamming inside the tubular body, and so preventing the container from being closed correctly. In particular, this known tubular container normally holds edible disc-shaped comfit products with a generally spherical upper and lower surface with a wide radius of curvature. In this type of known tubular container, the excessive speed with which the products come out of the container, and the excessive quantity of products at the outlet opening, cause a problem in terms of the consumption of these edible products, especially by children, who often put the tubular container directly to their mouths and tip it until the products begin to come out. When this is done, products come out extremely fast, as well as in large amounts, and the comfits, which are swallowed, risk causing the child problems, both in terms of pieces which go down the wrong way, blocking the respiratory tracts, and in terms of non-optimum digestion—classic stomach pains—due to eating too much confectionery. In practice, for the above reasons, the use of that type of pack for such edible products is not approved by parents, who prefer not to buy that type of pack, with consequent economic losses for the companies which make such confectionery. The Applicant has noticed that, in these known tubular packs, when the disc-shaped products or comfits are conveyed towards the open side where the products come out, they slide, many making contact with the inner surface of the tube only at their side and lower edges, thus creating little friction with the sliding surface of the tubular body, and so resulting in the products coming out of the pack too fast. Containers are also known for edible products in pieces, such as sweets, chewing gum and the like, the containers having a container body with a rectangular base with panels which form the front and rear walls. The latter are rather wide (the width of the front and rear walls is more than double the width of the side walls of the container body). This type of container has rather limited deformability. Moreover, the rectangular containers have a lid which has, on the inside of its front wall, a pair of teeth which engage by snapping onto a corresponding extended tooth which extends practically along the entire front wall of the container body, to form a snap closure, well-known in the sector, which allows the container to be opened and closed a number of times. In this type of container, known and not tubular, the upper product outlet opening, which is as wide as the side of the container it is made in, is too large. When the container is tipped a large and excessive number of products come out of the opening, haphazardly and not aligned, which cannot all be consumed and are often put back into the pack, this operation not being very hygienic. Moreover, in such known packs, the large retaining tooth, which makes contact with the inner surface of the front panel of the lid, like the sliding contact between the surfaces of the side panels of the container with the inner surface of the upper panels of the lid, hold the lid in the closed position, even when the snap closure has not actually been engaged. The result is easy opening and products coming out of such types of containers, especially when they are carried in handbags or the like, and when they are subject to continuous stresses, for example caused by the user walking about. Rectangular containers are also known in which there are front and rear walls, at the short sides of the container body, and which have a “flip-top” type lid, having, on the inside of its narrow front wall, a pair of teeth which engage by snapping onto a corresponding tooth or tab on the narrow front wall of the container body. Again in this type of non-tubular container, the sliding contact between the surfaces of the sides panels of the container with the inner surfaces of the side panels of the lid, causes the lid to be held in a substantially closed position, even when the snap closure has not actually been engaged. The result is easy opening and products coming out of this type of pack, especially when carried in handbags or the like, and when subject to continuous stresses. Moreover, in such known containers with a rectangular base, closing and/or opening of the flip-top lid is not optimum, the walls which support the parts that engage with one another being either too deformable or not deformable enough. In particular, in the case of rectangular packs with an opening on the short side of the pack, there is a supporting assembly for the snap-shut retaining means for the lid on the container body, which is too rigid, making it difficult to use or, sometimes, leading the engagement means to wear out rapidly. Moreover, it should be noticed how for these rectangular, non-tubular packs, to ensure that the container can be easily handled by the user, the geometrical dimensions of the container are reduced, with a corresponding disadvantageous reduction in the amount of products it can hold. As regards the rectangular packs with retaining means for closure along the long side, the excessive deformability of the long front wall necessitates the use of a retaining tab extending from this wall of the container body, which is long, extending sideways until it almost reaches the side edges of the front wall. However, this retaining assembly cannot always be securely operated. Hexagonal cardboard tubular containers are also known, which are used to hold chocolates, packaged in special bags, being flat and with a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter inscribable within the transversal profile of the inner surface of the container, the chocolates being removed, all together, with the single bag that contains them, from a completely open end of the tubular body. These tubular containers with a hexagonal base, with sides or walls of equal width, maintain the required stiffness thanks to the presence of the product held inside them. However, when this type of container is emptied, the container sags disagreeably or becomes too deformable. Moreover, these known hexagonal containers do not have suitable means for closing the opening through which the pieces of product come out, once opened, since the pieces of product easily remain in the container, thanks to the bag which contains them and, to a certain extent, thanks also to the friction between the outer edge of this bag and the inner edge of the container. SUMMARY A container is therefore provided for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates, comfits and the like; the container consists of a retaining body and comprises side product retaining means and at least one outlet opening through which the product comes out. The container is characterised in that the container body is a tubular body with a polygonal base; and in that in practice there are container closing means, consisting of a lid for closing the product outlet opening, the lid extending from the container body and being connected to it. This avoids the risk of losing the lid or of it being ingested by a child. Other advantageous aspects of the present container are described in the other claims. The other claims also describe an advantageous blank for obtaining the container, and an advantageous use of the container to package a product, in particular a product in pieces, especially an edible product, and an advantageous pack consisting of the container combined with the product inside it. Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the container, in the closed condition; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the upper part of the first preferred embodiment of the container, in the open condition; FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section according to line III-III illustrated in FIG. 1 of the upper part of the first preferred embodiment of the container; FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a blank sheet from which the first preferred embodiment of the container is made; FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the upper part of a second preferred embodiment of the container; FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the upper part of a third preferred embodiment of the container, in the open condition; FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a blank sheet from which the third preferred embodiment of the container is made; FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of the upper part of a fourth preferred embodiment of the container, in the open condition; FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a blank sheet from which the fourth preferred embodiment of the container is made; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper part of a fifth preferred embodiment of the container, in the open condition; FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a blank sheet from which the fifth preferred embodiment of the container is made; FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the upper part of a sixth preferred embodiment of the container, in the open condition; FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan view of piece of product packaged in the container; FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of a pack with the product packaged in it sliding towards the container outlet opening; FIG. 15 is a schematic side view of a pack with the product coming out of it. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a first preferred embodiment of a container for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates and the like. The container is intended in particular for holding pieces of product whose width or diameter is noticeably smaller than the diameter inscribable in the cross-section of the container. In practice, with the present embodiment of the container the products can easily be conveyed to the outlet opening, making them slide only against the walls of the container body at the outlet opening, described in more detail below. These walls therefore form an advantageous product guide channel. In more detail, the container 10 comprises a container body 11, with suitable product side retaining means consisting of a plurality of outer walls, forming a tubular container body which has a hexagonal base. The term tubular container body here refers to a container body which has a central axis or axis of substantial symmetry for the external walls of the container body. In particular, the accompanying drawings illustrate, with a dot-dash line, an axis of symmetry “X” of the tubular body, relative to which the tubular body extends with substantial radial specularity, preferably remaining inscribed within a corresponding virtual or imaginary circle (not illustrated in FIG. 3). However, it should be understood that the various advantageous aspects of the embodiments illustrated, although preferably and advantageously applied to tubular containers can also be imagined for other container packs, not necessarily tubular. Moreover, although this hexagonal shape is particularly preferred, a container with a general polygonal base shape may be imagined. The polygonal shape illustrated has regular sides, that is to say, sides which are equal in width. However, a container body with sides which have different widths may also be imagined, that is to say having sides with widths not too different from one another, or substantially equal. The preferred polygonal shape illustrated allows a container to be obtained which is suitable for occupying a limited space, in terms of width, and which can easily be gripped by the user. In particular, the present container body comprises a front wall 18, a rear wall 12—parallel with the front wall 18—a pair of front side walls 16 and 20, each extending from the side of the front wall 18, and a pair of rear side walls 14 and 22, each extending from the side of the rear wall 12 and joining, at the other edge, with the corresponding longitudinal edge of the respective front side wall 16, 20. As illustrated in the flat blank in FIG. 4, from which the present container is obtained by suitable folding and gluing, each outer wall is connected to the adjacent outer walls, by pre-creasing or fold lines 1214, 1416, 1618, 1820, 2022, which extend longitudinally. In the conventional way and to make it easy to describe, in FIG. 4 the letter L denotes a longitudinal reference axis, which defines the prevalent direction in which the blank extends, and the letter T denotes a transversal axis, at a right angle to the axis L. As illustrated in the blank in FIG. 4, the dashed lines illustrate fold or pre-creasing lines in the components of the blank, and the continuous lines illustrate cutting lines used to create the blank. Moreover, from the flat blank in FIG. 4, it can be seen how the number reference 21 denotes another outer panel which, when making up the present pack, is glued to the rear panel 12 and joins the rear panel 12 to the side panel 22 of the container body. As illustrated, the joining panel 12 is separated from the panel 22 by a longitudinal pre-creasing or fold line 2221. When the container has been made up, the joining panel 21 is glued, or joined, with its outer surface or face in contact with the inner surface or face of the rear panel 12. As illustrated, the container also comprises a base wall 24 for retaining the product held in the container from below, which may have any polygonal shape, but which is, as illustrated, preferably hexagonal. This base wall 24 consists of a transversal panel with a hexagonal edge, extending from one lower longitudinal pre-creasing or fold edge 1224 of the rear outer wall 12 of the container body, and, with the container made up, it is connected to corresponding side outer walls by means of lower tabs 23, 27, 29, 31, that are triangular or have any other required shape, extending, thanks to corresponding pre-creasing or fold lines 1423, 1627, 2029, 2231, from the outer walls 14, 16, 20, 22, of the container body and glued to the inside or upper side of an elongated quadrangular tab 33, in turn extending from the lower edge or pre-creasing line 1833 of the front wall 18 of the container body. This tab 33 also retains the transversal base wall 24, which is glued to the outer or lower face of the panel 33 and could have any other required shape, for example, a hexagonal profile. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at one upper end or side of the container there is a convenient product outlet opening 25, described in further detail below. Advantageously, there are also means 26 for closing the product outlet opening of the container, located at the end, or side, opposite the base of the container. The container closing means are, in particular, a lid 26 for closing the product outlet opening 25, which is suitably connected in a tilting fashion to the container body 11. The lid 26 comprises a flat transversal or perpendicular wall 28, with a polygonal profile, in particular hexagonal, whose outer edges are substantially on the extension of the upper side walls of the container body when the container is made up. As illustrated, the upper panel 28 of the lid extends with an outer profile at or substantially overlapping the upper profile formed by the outer walls of the container body. The lid also comprises a front longitudinal or side wall 30, designed, in the closed position, to partially overlap the corresponding front wall 18 of the container body at the upper end. The front outer wall 30 of the lid extends from the panel 28, forming the upper transversal wall of the lid, to which it is connected by means of a pre-creasing or fold line 2830, illustrated in FIG. 4. The lid also comprises a first and a second front side wall 32, 34. These outer walls 32, 34 of the lid extend from corresponding edges on the side of the upper panel 28 opposite the one joined to the outer wall 12 of the container body, and are designed, in the closed position, to partially overlap corresponding front side outer walls 16, 20 of the container body at the upper end. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 4, these front side walls of the lid extend from the panel 28 which forms the upper transversal wall of the lid, and are connected to it by pre-creasing lines 2832, 2834. There are also suitable connecting means between the lid 26 and the main body 11 of the container, comprising a connecting or pre-creasing line 1228, which forms a hinge for rotation of the lid relative to the rear outer wall 12 of the container body. In practice, the panel 28 is connected to the panel 12 forming the rear outer wall of the container body by the pre-creasing line 1228. There are also retaining means for holding the lid 26 closed, in particular located on the opposite side to the hinge or connection to the container body. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, these retaining means for holding the lid closed comprise engagement means, on the lid 26, comprising a first 35 and a second 37 tooth located, when the container is made up, at the inner face of the front outer wall 30 of the lid. Each of the teeth extend from the corresponding front side outer wall 32, 34 of the lid, to which they are connected by fold or pre-creasing lines 3235, 3437, and which extend from the side opposite that of connection to the rear wall 12. The teeth 35, 37 on the lid operate in conjunction with engagement means located on the container body 11 and comprising, in particular, a tab or tooth 39, located at the outer face of the corresponding front outer wall 18 of the container body. As illustrated, the tooth 39 extends from an upper edge or pre-creasing line 1839 of the outer wall 18 of the container body. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the teeth 35 and 37 on the lid (only tooth 37 is illustrated in the cross-section in FIG. 3) have, when engaged, their upper edge engaged with the lower end of the tooth 39 on the container body. In this condition, the tooth 39 is pointing downwards, substantially parallel with the front face 18 of the container body. Engagement between the lid retaining means on the lid and those on the container body occurs with a snap action when, after the user has forced the front part of the lid downwards, and the outer or front face of the tab 39—pointing downwards—slides over the inner face of the retaining teeth on the lid and, finally, impacts, with an elastic snap action, against the inner face 30′ of the front wall 30 of the lid, producing a characteristic contact noise, similar to a kind of “click”, with the lower end of the tooth 39 on the container body making contact with the upper edges of the teeth 35, 37 on the lid. Disengagement of the lid retaining means on the lid and those on the container body occurs, with a snap action—thanks to the user pushing or pulling the lid upwards—when, after forcing the front part of the lid upwards, by bending the tooth 39 upwards, the upper edges of the teeth 35, 37 on the lid disengage from the lower edge of the tooth 39. In this situation, to facilitate disengagement, the front wall flexes or moves slightly backwards. It should be noticed that, in the retaining condition, the position of the engagement teeth 35, 37, 39 is such that, to a certain degree, they force the lower surface of the upper wall 28 of the lid against the opposite parts of the container body 11, creating pack closing with a high level of “sealing”. These lid retaining means also comprise engagement means located on the lid 26 comprising a tab 36, extending from the lower edge of the front panel 30 of the lid, from which it is separated by a join line 3036. The tab 36 is designed to be inserted in a corresponding horizontal slot 38, in the upper part of the front wall of the container body. A second, vertical slot 40 extends from the middle of the slot 38, to facilitate insertion of the engagement tab 36 in the slot 38. Advantageously, there are also container body stiffening means. In particular, there are container stiffening means for the open container, located at the product outlet opening 25, at an upper end of the container body, consisting of container body twisting and bending stiffening means. These stiffening means comprise at least one transversal portion 17, connected to various points of the outer walls of the container and designed to counteract relative rotation between the walls connected. In particular, the stiffening means consist of a transversal panel 17 extending from one end of a longitudinal outer wall, in particular from the front outer wall 18 and connected, by suitable connecting means, to at least several of the other outer walls of the container. In particular, in this first preferred embodiment of the container, the transversal stiffening wall is connected to the front side walls 16, 20 and to the rear side walls 14, 22, by triangular tabs, which may have any other suitable shape, 43, 47, 49, 51, extending, by means of pre-creasing or fold lines 1443, 1647, 2049, 2251, from the side walls 14, 16, 20, 22, rear and front walls, to the top of which the transversal wall is fixed by special adhesive means preferably consisting of spots of glue. There are also means for covering the container body opening, extending from the upper edges of the side walls of the container body, in particular, from the rear side walls of the container body. The means for covering the container body opening consist of the transversal panel 17, forming the stiffening means, and allowing the zone at the rear side walls which is not protected by any lid longitudinal outer wall to be covered. This guarantees suitable protection for the product in the container. The transversal wall 17 also extends beyond the zone which is not protected by a lid side or longitudinal wall, at the upper edges of the front side walls. This guarantees a certain protective overlap in the zone between the zones that are not protected by the lid side walls and the zones that are protected by the lid front longitudinal walls 32 and 34. In the transversal closing wall there are opening means with predetermined extension suitable for allowing the passage of a predetermined number of pieces at a time, in particular a limited number of pieces, preferably one piece at a time, of the product in the container. Advantageously, the product outlet opening is made thanks to a notch formed by an edge 25′ in the transversal stiffening and/or covering wall, with rounded side linear sections 25a and 25b, having large curves, a linear section 25c transversal to the latter and parallel with the front wall of the container body. In this way, together with the upper edge of the outer walls of the container body it forms a suitable shape for the product outlet opening, suitable for the passage of pieces which are disc-shaped, round or the like. The opening extends, on the front of the corresponding transversal face, from the upper edge of the front wall of the container body. In a suitable way, the opening 25 has a profile with predetermined dimensions, to allow the passage of the required number of products each time. Therefore, the rear and the side of the opening 25 are formed by the edge 25′, which has an arched rear section joined to straight side sections of the edge 25′, at the front of the central portion of the upper edge of the container body front wall 18. In practice, the transversal stiffening and/or covering wall is fixed to the front wall 18 of the container body, at two container points or side pre-creasing sections 1817a and 1817b. In the transversal wall 17, in the space forming the opening 25, there is also the engagement and retaining tooth 39 for a lid. The tooth 39 extends from the upper edge 1839 of the front outer wall 18 and points forwards to form the lid engagement means. The tabs for connection to the transversal wall 17, extending from the outer walls are, appropriately, shaped in such a way that they do not interfere with the product coming out. The tabs 47 and 49, extending from the front side walls 16 and 20, have an asymmetrical edge 47a, 49a pointing towards the front part which is suitably shaped, having an angle smaller than the other edge 47b, 49b, pointing towards the rear of the lid. It may be seen how advantageously preparing a lid with only front side walls on the sides, it is possible to obtain secure, easy lid opening, without producing any interference with the side walls of the container body 11. According to a second preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 5, the lid comprises a rear portion 28a of the lid, which is fixed, preferably by glue, to the container body, preferably on the container body transversal panel 17, and a front portion 28b, with the side walls 30, 32, 34 and the engagement means, which is joined to the fixed portion 281 of the container body along a pre-creasing or fold line 28ab. This intermediate pre-creasing line 28ab on the transversal panel 28 of the lid is parallel with the container body rear wall 12 and at an intermediate zone between the upper point of the front longitudinal edge 1416 and 2022 of the rear side walls and the upper edge of the container body rear wall 12. In this case, the rear fixed part 28a of the lid can be used as another stiffening panel or an alternative to the stiffening panel 17, or, even, in the absence of the transversal panel 17, it can be used to form an opening with predetermined size for the product to come out of. As illustrated in FIG. 3, when closed, the lid, in particular its upper wall 28, is held in contact with the stiffening panel 17 below. According to another two preferred embodiments, illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 9, which, to avoid complicating the description, have the same number references for the same elements as in the first preferred embodiment described above, it may be seen how a transversal stiffening and closing wall can extend both from the front and rear side walls, or from the rear side walls only. In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, according to a third preferred embodiment 110, it may be seen how an upper stiffening or covering panel 117 may be connected to the rear side walls of the container body and to the front side walls, by means of tabs. The tabs 43 and 51 extend from the rear side walls 14 and 22 of the container body and are similar to those of the first preferred embodiment, whilst the tabs 147 and 149, extending from the front side walls 16 and 20 of the container body are again triangular, although smaller and only at the rear of the upper edge of the front side walls 16 and 20. These stiffening means comprise at least one transversal portion 117, connected to various points of the outer walls of the container and designed to counteract relative rotation between the walls connected and so, as a whole, between all of the walls of the container main body. In this third embodiment, the stiffening panel 117 forming the opening 125 extends from a panel 121 attached, preferably by glue, to the inner face of the rear wall 12. The front of the panel 117 separated from the joining panel 121 by a pre-creasing line 2117, forms an edge 125′, pointing towards the front of the container body, extending in a curve with the concave part towards the front of the container body. Number references 117c, 117e, 117d and 117f denote the edges of the stiffening panel which, with the container made up, coincide with or are on the extension of the corresponding rear and front side walls of the container body. There are stiffening means between each front side wall 16, 20 and the adjacent rear side wall 14, 22, thanks to the corresponding side portion 117a, 117a of the wall 117. There are also stiffening means between each rear side wall 14, 22 and the rear wall 12 of the container body, thanks to the corresponding rear portion 117b of the wall 117. There is a single stiffening panel between the rear and side (rear and front) walls, extending substantially in the plane formed by the upper edges of the container body outer walls to which it is connected. In this third embodiment, the lid retaining tooth 139, extending from the upper edge of the container body front wall, has a trapezoidal shape, with converging side edges, as clearly shown by the cardboard blank in FIG. 7. As shown by this embodiment, and similarly to the other embodiments illustrated, the retaining tooth 139 on the body has reduced width, slightly smaller than the width of the container body front wall. This gives a mouth or product outlet opening 125, the rear and rear side of which is formed by the arched section 125′, whilst the front is formed by the upper edge of the container body front wall 18, and the front side is formed by the front part of the upper edges of the side walls 16, 20, extending at an angle or obliquely relative to the container body front wall 18, diverging towards the rear of the container. In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, according to a fourth preferred embodiment 210, in which the elements common to the previous embodiments are labelled with the same number references as used in the others, it can be seen how there can be an upper stiffening or closing panel 217 connected only to the rear wall and to the rear side walls of the container body. In this fourth embodiment only the tabs 43 and 51 are present, extending from the container body rear side walls 14 and 22. In this fourth embodiment, the stiffening panel 217 which also forms the opening 125 has an edge 225′, facing the front of the container body, which extends in a curve towards the rear of the container body. Number references 217c and 217d denote the front edges of the stiffening panel, extending towards the inside of the container, from the point at the end or edge of the rear side walls, connected to the front side walls of the container body. These edges 217c, 217d extend substantially parallel with the front wall of the container body. There are also edges 217e and 217f which, when made up, are located on the extension of or substantially at the upper edges of the container body rear side walls. According to another preferred embodiment, not illustrated in the accompanying drawings, there may also be a product outlet opening contact channel, consisting only of a first and a second wall adjacent to one another and positioned in such a way as to form an angled or “V” shape, which advantageously guides or channels the product coming out of the container opening, in particular when a powder product or a product consisting of very small pieces is to be conveyed to the opening. The product outlet opening, therefore, has a “V”-shaped guide channel at a suitable end. The material used to make the present container is preferably cardboard. The container body disclosed by the present invention preferably has a hexagonal base. However, the container body base may be triangular, or may have five, eight or as many other sides as required, and it may have a quadrangular shape, in particular that of a square, a trapezium or other shape. In the container disclosed, the stiffness or deformability of the front wall of the present embodiment is optimum and so allows, in practice, a secure and effective container opening and closing action. This optimum stiffness or deformability for the walls supporting the snap engagement and disengagement means is achieved particularly thanks to the deformability of the set of oblique side walls, relative to the front wall, to which the wall supporting the engagement tooth is connected. Advantageously, these oblique side walls are at an obtuse angle, greater than 90° to the wall supporting the tooth. In the present preferred embodiments, when closed, the lid also advantageously forms means for stiffening the container while it is covered. A fifth preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, in which the same number references as for the previous preferred embodiments described above are used to avoid complicating the description. This fifth embodiment of the container illustrates another advantageous embodiment of the retaining means for holding the lid snapped shut on the container body. This fifth embodiment of the container comprises advantageous engagement means 335, 337 on the lid, at the inner face of the corresponding front side wall 32, 34 of the lid. These retaining means on the lid comprise a first and a second tooth or tab 335, 337, each extending sideways from the side edge of the front wall 30 of the lid. There are also engagement means on the container body, designed to operate in conjunction with the engagement means 335, 337 on the lid to hold the lid in place. The engagement means on the container body are a first and a second engagement tooth 339a and 339b, at a container body front side wall 16, 20, each extending from the front of the upper edge of the corresponding outer wall 16, 20. A sixth preferred embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 12, in which the same number references as for the previous preferred embodiments described above are used to avoid complicating the description. This sixth embodiment of the container comprises advantageous product outlet means, in particular in the form of a single product outlet opening 375, which opens close to the upper edge of the container body front wall 18. In this sixth embodiment, unlike the other embodiments of the container illustrated, the upper stiffening wall 367 has an external profile which substantially coincides with the outer profile of the container body, extending at the upper edges of the front, rear, front side and rear side walls. FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a piece 400 of a disc-shaped edible product, with a predetermined diameter, labelled “dp” in FIG. 13 and a height labelled “hp” in FIG. 14. The piece or comfit 400 has an upper surface 402 and a lower surface 404 which are substantially symmetrical relative to a middle plane. Each of the upper and lower surfaces 402 and 404 has a central portion 406, 408 with a rather large radius of curvature, and a side circumferential portion 410, 412, where it joins to the opposite lower or upper surface 404 or 402, with a narrower radius of curvature. The present pack, in particular, as illustrated in the third preferred embodiment 110, holds a large quantity of disc-shaped comfits or pieces, allowing them to come out easily, in particular using the channel made by the front wall and the angled side walls extending from the front wall. In practice, the comfits are preferably channeled one after another so that they come out of the product outlet mouth one at a time, as illustrated in FIG. 15. The comfit mainly slides with the lower surface 408 in contact with the inner surface of the front wall 18 of the pack and sometimes with a side portion 413, of the comfit 400, in contact with a side wall of the container, as illustrated in FIG. 14. This relatively reduces the product sliding speed towards the outlet opening and prevents the product from coming out too quickly, which is the case with known packs, thus avoiding suddenly filling the user's hand or mouth with a large quantity of products. Contact between the lower surface of the piece 400 with the large curvature 408 and the inner surface 18i of the front wall 18 creates significant friction compared with what happens with previously known packs for such products. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, this third preferred embodiment 110 of a pack advantageously has an opening 125 with a shape and dimensions which allow just one comfit 400 at a time to come out. With the present pack, which has diverging walls, it is possible to channel disc-shaped pieces with a diameter “dp” greater than the width “l” of the front guide wall. The pack disclosed is very manageable. It can easily be gripped (as illustrated in FIG. 15) by the user, for example a child, and can also hold a relatively large quantity of edible product. Therefore, with the pack disclosed it is possible to obtain a tubular body which is extremely effective in use and which is extremely easy to make, any work on machines required to produce it being very simple. This pack with a polygonal base has a comparatively large capacity and closure of the upper product outlet opening provides an especially “effective seal”, since the engagement and retaining means which hold the lid snapped shut on the body are located at the front wall which is opposite the rear where the rotation hinge which connects the lid to the container body is positioned. By preparing a lid with only front side walls, it is possible to achieve easy and secure lid opening, without substantial rubbing of the lid walls on the corresponding container body walls. The snap-shut retaining connection between the lid and the body is simply disengaged to allow, thanks to the elastic return action of the spring or rear fold connecting the lid to the body, natural opening without the side walls 32 and 34 of the lid interfering with the corresponding container body walls. In this case, although the retaining means which hold the lid snapped shut on the body are disengaged, there is no risk of the lid remaining incorrectly closed then opening inopportunely. The special shape of the container body gives the snap-shut retaining tab on the front wall optimum elasticity, so that, when the tab engages with the teeth on the lid, there is a clear, characteristic noise or “click”, which confirms that the snap-shut retaining means are closed or engaged. Moreover, a pack is obtained which can be made without using an excessive amount of material. According to the various embodiments of the present pack, a stiffener is used which advantageously consists of a single panel connecting corresponding side walls of the container body. With the various versions of the stiffening means extending perpendicularly to the X axis of the container lying in the plane in which the tabs or retaining teeth on the container body substantially extend, which—as illustrated—extend from the upper edge 1839 of the outer wall 18, it is possible to obtain a desired “stiffening” of the wall of the container body on which the retaining tab is located. In this way, the “stiffness” or “elasticity” of the connection between the tabs on the container body and the teeth on the lid can be “regulated” as required. The preferred material for production of the containers disclosed is cardboard, with suitable thickness and mechanical characteristics. However, any other suitable material, in particular which can be bent and folded as required but is sufficiently stiff, may be used. The invention described is suitable for evident industrial applications and may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the inventive concept. Moreover, all of the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>The present invention relates to a container for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates, comfits and the like. The present invention also relates to a blank for obtaining the container, and the use of the container, in particular for packaging a product in pieces, especially an edible product. A tubular container of the known type comprises a tube-shaped cardboard container body with a round base, with an outlet at one end through which the product comes out. The product consists of small disc-shaped comfits. The product outlet opening is closed by a separate cap made of plastic. However, this plastic cap has a disadvantage in that it may be ingested by a child, presenting a serious health risk, and can also easily be lost, that is to say, as often happens, it may go inwards, jamming inside the tubular body, and so preventing the container from being closed correctly. In particular, this known tubular container normally holds edible disc-shaped comfit products with a generally spherical upper and lower surface with a wide radius of curvature. In this type of known tubular container, the excessive speed with which the products come out of the container, and the excessive quantity of products at the outlet opening, cause a problem in terms of the consumption of these edible products, especially by children, who often put the tubular container directly to their mouths and tip it until the products begin to come out. When this is done, products come out extremely fast, as well as in large amounts, and the comfits, which are swallowed, risk causing the child problems, both in terms of pieces which go down the wrong way, blocking the respiratory tracts, and in terms of non-optimum digestion—classic stomach pains—due to eating too much confectionery. In practice, for the above reasons, the use of that type of pack for such edible products is not approved by parents, who prefer not to buy that type of pack, with consequent economic losses for the companies which make such confectionery. The Applicant has noticed that, in these known tubular packs, when the disc-shaped products or comfits are conveyed towards the open side where the products come out, they slide, many making contact with the inner surface of the tube only at their side and lower edges, thus creating little friction with the sliding surface of the tubular body, and so resulting in the products coming out of the pack too fast. Containers are also known for edible products in pieces, such as sweets, chewing gum and the like, the containers having a container body with a rectangular base with panels which form the front and rear walls. The latter are rather wide (the width of the front and rear walls is more than double the width of the side walls of the container body). This type of container has rather limited deformability. Moreover, the rectangular containers have a lid which has, on the inside of its front wall, a pair of teeth which engage by snapping onto a corresponding extended tooth which extends practically along the entire front wall of the container body, to form a snap closure, well-known in the sector, which allows the container to be opened and closed a number of times. In this type of container, known and not tubular, the upper product outlet opening, which is as wide as the side of the container it is made in, is too large. When the container is tipped a large and excessive number of products come out of the opening, haphazardly and not aligned, which cannot all be consumed and are often put back into the pack, this operation not being very hygienic. Moreover, in such known packs, the large retaining tooth, which makes contact with the inner surface of the front panel of the lid, like the sliding contact between the surfaces of the side panels of the container with the inner surface of the upper panels of the lid, hold the lid in the closed position, even when the snap closure has not actually been engaged. The result is easy opening and products coming out of such types of containers, especially when they are carried in handbags or the like, and when they are subject to continuous stresses, for example caused by the user walking about. Rectangular containers are also known in which there are front and rear walls, at the short sides of the container body, and which have a “flip-top” type lid, having, on the inside of its narrow front wall, a pair of teeth which engage by snapping onto a corresponding tooth or tab on the narrow front wall of the container body. Again in this type of non-tubular container, the sliding contact between the surfaces of the sides panels of the container with the inner surfaces of the side panels of the lid, causes the lid to be held in a substantially closed position, even when the snap closure has not actually been engaged. The result is easy opening and products coming out of this type of pack, especially when carried in handbags or the like, and when subject to continuous stresses. Moreover, in such known containers with a rectangular base, closing and/or opening of the flip-top lid is not optimum, the walls which support the parts that engage with one another being either too deformable or not deformable enough. In particular, in the case of rectangular packs with an opening on the short side of the pack, there is a supporting assembly for the snap-shut retaining means for the lid on the container body, which is too rigid, making it difficult to use or, sometimes, leading the engagement means to wear out rapidly. Moreover, it should be noticed how for these rectangular, non-tubular packs, to ensure that the container can be easily handled by the user, the geometrical dimensions of the container are reduced, with a corresponding disadvantageous reduction in the amount of products it can hold. As regards the rectangular packs with retaining means for closure along the long side, the excessive deformability of the long front wall necessitates the use of a retaining tab extending from this wall of the container body, which is long, extending sideways until it almost reaches the side edges of the front wall. However, this retaining assembly cannot always be securely operated. Hexagonal cardboard tubular containers are also known, which are used to hold chocolates, packaged in special bags, being flat and with a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter inscribable within the transversal profile of the inner surface of the container, the chocolates being removed, all together, with the single bag that contains them, from a completely open end of the tubular body. These tubular containers with a hexagonal base, with sides or walls of equal width, maintain the required stiffness thanks to the presence of the product held inside them. However, when this type of container is emptied, the container sags disagreeably or becomes too deformable. Moreover, these known hexagonal containers do not have suitable means for closing the opening through which the pieces of product come out, once opened, since the pieces of product easily remain in the container, thanks to the bag which contains them and, to a certain extent, thanks also to the friction between the outer edge of this bag and the inner edge of the container.

<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>A container is therefore provided for holding a product, preferably a product in pieces, in particular an edible product, such as sweets, chocolates, comfits and the like; the container consists of a retaining body and comprises side product retaining means and at least one outlet opening through which the product comes out. The container is characterised in that the container body is a tubular body with a polygonal base; and in that in practice there are container closing means, consisting of a lid for closing the product outlet opening, the lid extending from the container body and being connected to it. This avoids the risk of losing the lid or of it being ingested by a child. Other advantageous aspects of the present container are described in the other claims. The other claims also describe an advantageous blank for obtaining the container, and an advantageous use of the container to package a product, in particular a product in pieces, especially an edible product, and an advantageous pack consisting of the container combined with the product inside it. Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the figures.

20061120

20141104

20080605

97209.0

B65D566

DEMEREE, CHRISTOPHER R

Container for Piece Goods

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B65D

ACCEPTED

Modafinil synthesis process

The invention relates to a process for preparing modafinil having a defined granulometry which comprises the steps of: a) preparing a solution of DMSAM; b) contacting the solution obtained with NH3 at a predetermined temperature and a predetermined stirring; and c) isolating the modafinil formed, wherein said temperature and said stirring are predetermined in order to obtain said defined granulometry.

1. Process for preparing modafinil having a defined granulometry which comprises the steps of: a) preparing a solution of DMSAM in a solvent; b) contacting the solution obtained with NH3 at a predetermined temperature and under a predetermined stirring; and c) isolating the modafinil formed, wherein said temperature and said stirring are predetermined in order to obtain said defined granulometry. 2. Process according to claim 1, wherein the solvent is a protic polar solvent. 3. Process according to claim 2, wherein the solvent is an alcohol. 4. Process according to claim 3, wherein the solvent is methanol. 5. Process according to claim 4, wherein the solution of DMSAM has a concentration of DMSAM of between 1 and 1.25 mol L−1. 6. Process according to claim 1, wherein the temperature in step b) is held between 15 and 65° C. 7. Process according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined stirring speed in step b) is chosen such that the modafinil isolated in step c) has a granulometric median of between 2 and 60 μm, preferably between 15 and 45 μm. 8. Process according to claim 1, wherein in step b), the solution of DMSAM is contacted with 3 to 6 molar equivalent of NH3. 9. Process according to claim 8, wherein, in step b), the solution of DMSAM is contacted with 3.2 and 5 molar equivalent of NH3. 10. Process according to claim 1, wherein, in step b), the NH3 is introduced into the solution over a sufficient time to obtain a complete dissolution of NH3. 11. Process according to claim 10, wherein, in step b), the NH3 is introduced into the solution over a time of between 2 h and 6 h. 12. Process according to claim 11, wherein, in step b), the NH3 is introduced into the solution over a time of between 3 h and 4.5 h. 13. Process according to claim 1, wherein, in step b), the solution is contacted after the introduction of the NH3 for a contact time sufficient to allow the polymorphic transformation of form III to form I. 14. Process according to claim 13, wherein the contact time is between 8 and 12 h. 15. Process according to claim 1, wherein the solution obtained after step b) is further maintained at a temperature lower than the predetermined temperature of step b) for a time sufficient to obtain complete crystallization of modafinil. 16. Process according to claim 15, wherein the solution is further maintained at a temperature lower than the temperature of step b) for a time of from 1 h to 4 h. 17. Process according to claim 15, wherein the temperature is between −20° C. and 0° C. 18. Process according to claim 1, wherein the modafinil is isolated in step c) by filtration. 19. Process according to claim 1, wherein the solvent in step a) comprises water. 20. Process according to claim 19, wherein the solvent contains from 5% to 20% by volume of water. 21. Process according to claim 19, wherein the NH3 is introduced into the solution in step b) over a time of between 4 h and 5 h. 22. Process according to claim 19, wherein, in step b), the solution of DMSAM is contacted with 5 to 5.5 molar equivalent of NH3. 23. Process according to claim 1, which does not include a recrystallization step after step c). 24. Process according to claim 1, which does not include a grinding step after step c). 25. Process according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined temperature and stirring speed are chosen such that particles of modafinil form I of which at least: 50% have a diameter of less than 45 μm, and 80% have a diameter of less than 110 μm, and 95% have a diameter of less than 220 μm, are isolated in step c). 26. Process according to claim 1, wherein the modafinil isolated in step c) is modafinil form III. 27. Process according to claim 1, wherein the modafinil isolated in step c) is modafinil form I. 28. Process according to claim 1, wherein modafinil with a granulometric median of between 1 μm and 1 mm is isolated in step c). 29. Process according to claim 1, wherein the levorotary enantiomer of DMSAM is employed in step a). 30. Process according to claim 1, wherein the dextrorotary enantiomer of DMSAM is employed in step a). 31. A modafinil obtainable by the process according to claim 1.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a process for preparing modafinil having a defined granulometry. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modafinil (C15H15NO2S) of formula I, 2-(benzhydrylsulphinyl)-acetamide, is a synthetic acetamide derivative possessing wakefulness-promoting activity, whose structure has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,290 and whose racemic form has received the approval of the registration authorities for use in the treatment of narcolepsy. Example 1 (scheme 1) of U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,290 (Lafon) describes a process for preparing modafinil which comprises reacting benzhydrylthioacetic acid with thionyl chloride in a first step. The acid chloride obtained is then reacted with ammonia to give the corresponding acetamide. Finally, in a last step, the sulphur atom of this intermediate is oxidized in the presence of hydroperoxide in acetic acid to give modafinil. The drawback of this process is that the step of oxidizing the sulphur of the 2-[(diphenylmethyl)thio]acetamide intermediate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide is difficult to control and may lead to the formation of a sulphone by-product (II) which is difficult to separate from the modafinil. Patent application WO 02/10125 (TEVA) describes a process for preparing modafinil which takes the same kind of approach. In this application, however, the step of oxidizing the sulphur of the 2-[(diphenylmethyl)thio]acetamide is carried out using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a mineral acid such as H2SO4, HClO4 or H3PO4 and a linear, branched or cyclic alcohol or a phase transfer catalyst, optionally in an inert organic solvent. According to the authors these conditions are particularly suitable for the oxidation of sterically hindered sulphides such as modafinil and allow the oxidation step to be controlled and in particular the formation of the sulphone by-product (II) to be avoided. Example 1a of U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,290 (scheme 2) proposes a quite different approach for the industrial-scale preparation of modafinil. Thus the oxidation of the sulphur atom of benzhydrylthioacetic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide takes place in the first step. The intermediate obtained is then converted to the methyl ester, i.e. methyl diphenylmethylsulphinyl-acetate (DMSAM), by reaction with dimethyl sulphate. Finally, after gaseous ammonia has been bubbled into a methanolic solution of DMSAM for one hour, the reaction mixture is left in contact for four hours. The modafinil thus obtained is isolated and recrystallized in two stages. This preparation process, however, has drawbacks. In particular it involves a plurality of steps of recrystallization of the modafinil obtained, and presents a mediocre yield. U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,855 (Lafon) describes the synthesis of levorotary modafinil by reaction of a 0.3 mol·L−1 solution of (−)-DMSAM with ammonia at ambient temperature. Following recrystallization, however, the levorotary modafinil is obtained with a modest yield. Studies have shown, moreover, that the particle size of the modafinil has a great influence on the pharmacological efficacy of the compound. Thus, according to application WO 96/11001 (Cephalon), small modafinil particles induce an increase in the pharmacological efficacy of modafinil, probably by promoting its absorption as compared with larger particles. In that context the said application describes pharmaceutical compositions comprising a homogeneous mixture of modafinil particles of defined granulometry (mean (2 to 19 μm), median (2 to 60 μm)). These particles are obtained after grinding of the modafinil prepared by the conventional methods, in order to reduce the size of the particles or aggregates, followed by screening of the resultant particles to give a defined particle size distribution. Furthermore, racemic modafinil can be obtained in different polymorphic forms or in the form of a mixture of these polymorphs, depending on the operating conditions employed (WO 02/10125 (TEVA)). Since the various polymorphs of modafinil may present very different physical, pharmaceutical, physiological and biological properties it is important to have available a preparation process which allows one single polymorph to be obtained with simplicity and rapidity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a process which allows modafinil to be obtained directly in the form of particles of defined granulometry. Another aim of the present invention is to furnish a process which allows modafinil to be obtained in a single polymorph. This process makes it possible in particular to obtain selectively different polymorphs of modafinil. A further aim of the invention is to furnish a process which allows modafinil to be obtained directly, without a subsequent purification step, in a purity of more than 99.5% and with high yields. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The existence has now been found of two polymorphs in the process of crystallization of racemic modafinil. These two polymorphs, while being of identical chemical composition, possess different crystalline network energies and, consequently, different solubilities in a given crystallization solvent. More specifically it has been shown that one of the polymorphs has a high nucleation frequency and therefore crystallizes first, for reasons of kinetics. Under equilibrium conditions this kinetic polymorph tends to disappear to the benefit of a second polymorph which is thermodynamically more stable. It has also been found that the polymorphic transformation of the kinetic form to the thermodynamic form is accompanied by a change in the granulometry of the modafinil. The kinetic and thermodynamic forms of racemic modafinil will be referred to hereinbelow as forms III and I respectively. These forms are as identified in WO 2004/014846. It is form I which in fact corresponds to the modafinil polymorph which has received the approval of the registration authorities. In the course of studies aimed at optimizing the modafinil manufacturing process, the inventors discovered operating conditions which allow both the granulometry of the end product and its polymorphism to be controlled and hence obviate the subsequent processing steps of the synthesized modafinil. Thus, by mastering the operating parameters employed during the process the inventors have shown that it is possible to obtain modafinil particles of well-defined polymorphism and size. Specifically, there are three operating parameters which allow the particle size distribution of the end product to be controlled, and these are: the concentration of the DMSAM used as reactant; the reaction temperature; and the stirring speed. In practice, one of the three parameters, for example the concentration of the DMSAM solution, is fixed in a first phase and the two other parameters, i.e. the temperature and the stirring speed, are predetermined as a function of the desired granulometry of the modafinil. The particle size distribution in the sense of the present invention is defined by the granulometric mean, median, mode, and profile. All particle size measurement (granulometry) techniques operate on a large number of particles which make up what is called a “population”. The population is divided into size classes (on the abscissa) and their relative proportions are expressed as a frequency (on the coordinate). The term “granulometric mean” in the sense of the present description denotes the sum of the measured sizes of the measurable modafinil particle population divided by the total number of particles measured. For example, for five measurable particles found by measurement to have diameters respectively of 20 μm, 23 μm, 20 μm, 35 μm and 20 μm the mean diameter would be 23.6 μm. The “granulometric mode” denotes the most frequent particle size value in the distribution. For example, for the five particles listed above, the mode would be 20 μm. A distribution may have a single mode or several modes. Accordingly, a distribution which has a single granulometric mode is monomodal. A distribution possessing two granulometric modes is said to be bimodal. The “granulometric median” in the sense of the present description corresponds to the equivalent diameter for which the cumulative distribution value is 50%. In other words this signifies that 50% of the measurable particle population measured have a particle diameter lower than the median diameter defined and that approximately 50% of the measurable particle population measured have a diameter greater than the median diameter defined. For example, for the five particles listed above, the median diameter would be 20 μm. In the sense of the present description the “granulometric profile” relates to the distribution of the particle sizes as a function of their relative proportion and allows the number of populations of particles to be defined. The median measurement is generally considered as having greater importance compared to the mode or mean values in that the median value provides an indication of the distribution of the particles measured in a given population. In general terms, the inventors have shown that, for a given concentration and at constant temperature, a high stirring speed promotes the formation of two particle populations and tends to lower the granulometric median. Conversely, for a given concentration and a constant stirring speed, a high reaction temperature, greater in particular than 24° C., promotes a bimodal granulometric profile and brings about the growth of the population of particles which are greater in size and, consequently, an increase in the value of the granulometric median. A lower reaction temperature (T<24° C.), on the other hand, tends to promote a more uniform (monomodal) granulometric profile and a higher mode, which may be accompanied by an increase in the granulometric median. The inventors have in fact demonstrated that mastery of the temperature and stirring speed in the reaction of DMSAM with ammonia allows the polymorphic transformation, in this case the conversion of form III to form I, and the granulometric profile of the modafinil, to be controlled. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a process for preparing modafinil particles of defined and controlled granulometry and polymorphism, starting from DMSAM. As used herein, the term “having a defined granulometry”, when used in reference to modafinil, is understood as an homogeneous particle size distribution. While not necessarily a limitation but rather an indicator of the consistency of the population measured, the ratio of median:mean:mode would ideally be 1:1:1; however, a ratio of median to mean of 1:3 to 1:0.3 is acceptable, and a ratio of median to mode of 1:3 to 1:0.3 is acceptable. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for preparing modafinil which comprises the steps of: a) preparing a solution of DMSAM in a solvent; b) contacting the solution obtained with NH3 at a predetermined temperature and under a predetermined stirring; and c) isolating the modafinil formed, wherein said temperature and said stirring are predetermined in order to obtain said defined granulometry. The process of the invention is directed preferably to the preparation of racemic modafinil from racemic DMSAM. The concentration of the DMSAM solution exerts an influence over the granulometry of the modafinil obtained by this process. Generally speaking, for a given temperature and stirring speed, the greater the dilution of the medium, the higher the granulometric median of the modafinil obtained. Conversely, the greater the concentration of the medium, the more the granulometric median will tend to reduce. In practice, the concentration of the DMSAM solution is fixed at a level close to the saturation concentration of DMSAM in the solvent in question but not greater than that concentration, so as to prevent the reaction medium solidifying. In this context, the solution of DMSAM has a concentration of DMSAM of between 1 and 1.25 mol L−1. The reaction of the process claimed herein is carried out in a suitable solvent which may be readily selected by one skilled in the art, the suitable solvent generally being any solvent which is substantially non reactive with the starting materials, the intermediates and products at the temperature and pressure at which the reaction is carried out. The suitable solvent preferably better solubilises the reactants, DMSAM and NH3, than modafinil. Such solvents include notably polar protic solvents. Suitable polar protic solvents include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, i-butyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, pentanol, neopentyl alcohol, t-pentyl alcohol, cyclohexanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, phenol and glycerol, methanol being preferred. “NH3”, as used herein, may refer to gaseous or liquid ammonia, ammonium hydroxide and, by extension, to any compound capable of generating ammonia in the reaction mixture, gazeous ammonia being preferred. By virtue of the adjustment of the parameters of temperature and stirring speed in step b) the process of the invention makes it possible, for a fixed concentration, to obtain batches of modafinil of specific granulometry whose respective medians may vary between 1 μm et 1 mm, in particular between 1 and 900 μm, 1 and 700 μm, 1 and 500 μm, 1 and 300 μm, 1 and 200 μm, and preferably between 2 and 60 μm, more preferably between 15 and 45 μm. In practice, given the desired granulometry, the temperature can be set prior to the stirring speed and the stirring speed adapted accordingly, or conversely. Thus, temperature and stirring speed both determine the granulometry obtained. The temperature may vary from room temperature up to the higher temperature at which the formation of modafinil particles may still be observed in the solvent. In that respect, the inventors have evidenced that, in the given conditions of the reaction, there is a limit temperature above which the solubility of modafinil becomes too high for allowing particles formation. It is understood that this limit depends notably on the nature of the solvent. The temperature is chosen sufficiently high to promote the kinetic of the reaction of DMSAM with NH3, and not too high so that the modafinil has a poor solubility in the solvent. The temperature in step b) is preferably maintained between 15 and 65° C., more preferably between 20° and 30° C., and most preferably between 230 and 27° C. It should be noted that the stirring speed appropriate to the realization of the invention may vary in particular as a function of the geometry and size of the reactor and of the type of stirring element. It will therefore be appropriate for the person skilled in the art to determine the stirring speed as a function of the equipment employed (particularly as a function of the limits of the apparatus and the scale of operation) and of the desired granulometry, taking into account the indications provided by the present invention. In one particular embodiment, the stirring speed in step b) makes it possible to obtain particles of modafinil form I with a granulometric median ranging from 2 to 60 μm, more preferably from 15 to 45 μm. By way of example, in order to obtain batches of modafinil with a granulometric median of between 2 and 60 μm, for a DMSAM solution close to saturation and for a temperature of 25° C. with a reactor of type AE 100 (De Dietrich) with a capacity of 100 litres, equipped with a three-branched stirring element of the impeller type, preference will be given to a stirring speed of between 125 and 175 rpm, more preferably 150 rpm. The impeller stirrer here denotes a stirring element having three branches which is characterized by the following dimensionless parameters in turbulent regime: power number Np=0.5; flow number Nq=0.29; Nusselt constant A=0.36. In another example, with a reactor of type Simular (HEL: Hazard Evaluation Laboratory) having a capacity of one litre and for a DMSAM solution close to saturation and for a temperature of 25° C., it is preferred to operate with a stirring speed ranging from 300 to 400 rpm, more preferably 350 rpm, to give batches of modafinil particles whose granulometric median is between 2 and 60 μm. The solution of DMSAM is contacted with 3 to 6, more preferably 3.2 to 5, and most preferably close to 3.6 molar equivalent of NH3. Generally, the process is carried out with gaseous ammonia. This can be introduced in particular using conventional devices which allow the ammonia to be bubbled into the reaction medium. It has additionally been noted that, in the absence of mechanical stirring, bubbling alone does not have any effect on the granulometry of the modafinil. The NH3 is introduced into the solution in step b) over a time sufficient to obtain a complete dissolution of NH3, preferably of between 2 h and 6 h, more preferably of between 3 h and 4.5 h. As used herein, a “complete dissolution”, when used in reference to NH3, means a dissolution of 95% to 100% of the amount of ammonia gas introduced, more preferably superior than 98% and most preferably superior than 99%. Incomplete dissolution of the ammonia in the reaction medium is liable to have an adverse effect on the yield of the reaction and on the purity of the product obtained. Modafinil is then obtained in form III, in particular with a monomodal granulometric profile. The modafinil may optionally be isolated in this polymorphic form by proceeding to step c) directly. The process of the invention therefore allows the preparation of modafinil form III, monomodal in particular. In one preferred embodiment, following the introduction of the NH3, the solution in step b) is contacted at the predetermined temperature and at the predetermined stirring speed, for a time sufficient to allow the polymorphic transformation from form III to form I. It is preferred to employ a contact time of between 8 h and 12 h. The median is then lower in value than that obtained at the end of introduction of NH3. The process of the invention therefore allows the preparation of modafinil form I. In a preferred variant, the solution obtained after step b) is further maintained at a temperature lower than the temperature of step b), preferably between −20° C. and 0° C., for a period sufficient to obtain complete crystallization of modafinil, and preferably of from 1 h to 4 h. As used herein, a “complete crystallization” means when used in reference to modafinil, a crystallization of 85% to 100% of the amount of modafinil formed in solution, more preferably superior than 90% and most preferably superior than 92%. The modafinil particles are advantageously isolated from the solution by filtration in step c) and then are generally subjected to a drying step, preferably at a temperature of between 40 and 50° C. This process may also be implemented in the presence of water. Thus, in one particular embodiment, the polar solvent in step a) of the process comprises water, preferably from 5 to 20% by volume of water. In this context, the NH3 is introduced into the solution over a time preferably of between 4 h and 5 h in step b). In this particular variant, the DMSAM solution is preferably contacted with 5 to 5.5 molar equivalent of NH3. Specifically, the temperature and the stirring speed of the reaction medium in step b) have a much more sensitive influence on the granulometric median in the process with water. Advantageously, the process of the invention allows the granulometric profile of the modafinil obtained to be controlled by way of a mastered polymorphic transformation. Interestingly, the process of the invention makes it possible to obtain a single polymorph without the need to carry out a recrystallization following step c). Thus, the form III obtained as an intermediate at the outcome of step b) may either be isolated directly or maintained in contact with ammonia for a period sufficient to give form I, which is then isolated. Advantageously, the process of the invention makes it possible to obtain, without any subsequent step of either grinding or screening, particles having controlled granulometric medians, depending on the operating conditions employed. It is possible, of course, to carry out a subsequent grinding step in order to reduce still further the size of the particles obtained by the process of the invention and thus to obtain nanometer-sized particles. In particular, the process allows the simple and straightforward preparation of batches of particles of modafinil form I which have specific granulometric medians, preferably of between 2 and 60 μm, in particular between 15 and 45 μm. In one preferred embodiment, the predetermined stirring and temperature are chosen such that particles of modafinil of form I of which at least 50% have a diameter less than 45 μm, at least 80% have a diameter less than 110 μm and at least 95% have a diameter less than 220 μm, are isolated in step c). The process of the invention, illustrated in specific fashion in the foregoing text by the preparation of racemic modafinil, may also be applied to the preparation of levorotary modafinil. The latter is described in particular in U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,855, and has been identified as displaying the absolute configuration R. In this context, the DMSAM is employed in step a) in its levorotary enantiomeric form, which may be prepared in particular in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,855. The process of the invention may also be applied to the preparation of dextrorotary modafinil. In this context, the DMSAM is employed in step a) in its dextrorotary enantiomeric form, which may be prepared in particular in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,855. The invention is also directed to modafinil obtainable by this process, which has been showed to display characteristic and reproducible particle size distribution and impurity profile. EXAMPLES Apparatus and Methods Laser diffraction granulometer, Beckman-Coulter model LS 100: 0.4 μm to 800 μm in one analysis 72 particle size classes 126 detectors used dry I. Modafinil Synthesis Process with Water A. 1-Litre Scale Example 1 1-Litre Scale Procedure A 1-litre reactor of type SIMULAR (Hazard Evaluation Laboratory, HEL) equipped with an impeller stirrer and a gas introduction tube was charged with 150 g of DMSAM, 450 ml of methanol and 33 mL of water. The suspension was stirred at 100 rpm and 20° C. for 10 min and then heated to 35° C. to dissolve the solids. The solution was subsequently stirred at 200 rpm for 10 min, then cooled to 25° C. and stirred at 350 rpm and at this temperature for 20 min. 46.8 g of ammonia were then introduced over 4.5 h at 25° C. The reaction medium was left in contact for 10 h at 25° C. with stirring at 350 rpm before finally being cooled to −10° C. and then filtered over a frit of porosity 3. The moist product was then dried under vacuum at 45° C. Yield=89%, median=34.1 μm. Examples 2 to 5 Effect of temperature and Stirring Speed on Granulometry Example 2 Standard (Zero-Point) Experiment and Reproducibility Conditions of standard experiment were the same as those of example 1. The point at which the ammonia was injected, the jacket temperature, the cooling rate and the contact time at −10° C. were maintained constant during the various experiments, since these parameters had little or no influence on controlling the granulometry of the modafinil synthesized. A standard experiment was desired in order to obtain a final granulometric median which was situated in the range 15-45 μm and thus to constitute a zero point of comparison for the subsequent experiments. This search then culminates in the following conditions: reaction temperature T=25° C., stirring speed SS=350 rpm, ammonia introduction time t=4.5 h. Under these conditions the granulometric median obtained, G, was 34 μm. This standard experiment was then repeated in order to assess its reproducibility: that was, three experiments conducted at T=25° C. (including 2 experiments with regulation via the temperature of the mass and one experiment with regulation via the jacket temperature), SS=350 rpm, and t=4.5 h. Identical results were obtained within a 3 μm band and with similar granulometric profiles. Temperature Granulometric Experiment regulation median G 95% C.F. % < 220 μm H980503 Mass 34.14 μm 0-171 98.1 H980504 Jacket 34.09 μm 0-174 98.3 H980505 Mass 31.31 μm 0-160 98.9 CF: Confidence interval represented. These conditions therefore represented the standard experiment which could be used as a basis for any comparison. The reproducibility of the reaction system (apparatus+synthesis) was also assured. Furthermore, these experiments demonstrated the minor role of the choice of the control of temperature in this process: mastery of the crystallization exotherm was therefore not critical for the final granulometric result. Example 3 Study of the Effect of Stirring Speed This parameter was varied in order for its influence on the particle size distribution to be assessed. Two values situated on either side of the value found in the standard experiment were selected, the other parameters being kept at their standard value. The results obtained were as follows: Median Experiment Speed SS G Mean 95% C.F. % < 220 μm Standard 350 33.18 55-60.1 0 to 160-174 98.1-98.9 H980502 300 49.12 81.48 0 to 231.8 94.4 H980601 400 28.18 47.5 0 to 140.3 99.4 CF: Confidence interval. These results showed that the stirring speed had a considerable influence on the particle size distribution of the product obtained. The higher the speed, the lower the granulometric median. The particle size curve then showed a second, smaller population beyond 60 μm. Conversely, a lower stirring speed promoted the formation of large particles. Increasing the stirring speed therefore made it easier to obtain a low and uniform particle size. Example 4 Effect of Reaction Temperature This factor may be critical for effecting successful synthesis of modafinil and for the final granulometry, on a number of levels: effect on the chemical kinetics of the reaction between DMSAM and ammonia, effect on the nucleation kinetics of the crystals, by shifting the solubility curves and supersaturation curves of modafinil in methanol, effect on the growth kinetics of the crystals formed. As before, two experiments were carried out by varying the value of this factor on either side of its standard value, while keeping all of the other parameters the same. The results obtained were as follows: Temper- Median Experiment ature T G Mean 95% C.F. % < 220 μm Standard 25 33.18 55-60.1 0 to 160-174 98.1-98.9 H980506 23 33.04 50.69 0 to 139.8 99.8 H980507 27 42.64 69.71 0 to 191.4 97.3 CF: Confidence interval. At 23° C., although the value of the median was close to that obtained at 25° C., the granulometric profile was different: the second population beyond 60 μm was more attenuated, so making the distribution more Gaussian. Conversely, the results obtained at 27° C. featured both a higher granulometric median and a much larger second population. Reducing the reaction temperature therefore made it easier to obtain a low and uniform particle size. Example 5 Combination of the Effects The above experiments showed that the increase in the stirring rate and the decrease in the reaction temperature were two favourable parameters, in isolation, for obtaining particles of low size and uniform distribution. The combined influence of these two parameters on the final granulometry of the modafinil was studied. For this purpose a last experiment was conducted under the following conditions: reaction temperature T=23° C., stirring speed SS=400 rpm, ammonia introduction time t=4.5 h. The curve obtained showed the following characteristics: median=32.92 μm, mean=42.11 μm, 95% C.F.=0 to 106.6 μm, %<220 μm=100. The particle size distribution was highly uniform and the median is very satisfactory. Conclusions: These experiments demonstrated two critical operating parameters and their effects, namely: the reaction temperature T: decreasing it allows a low and uniform particle size to be obtained, the stirring speed SS: increasing it allows a low and uniform particle size to be obtained. These two parameters vary in isolation or combination to give batches of uniformly low, medium or high specific particle size. By way of example, batches whose median is between 2 and 60 μm, 60 and 120 μm, 120 and 200 μm, 200 and 300 μm, 300 and 500 μm, 500 and 700 μm, 700 and 900 μm can be prepared in this way. B. 100-Litre Scale Example 6 100-Litre Scale Procedure A pilot-scale reactor of type AE 100 (De Dietrich) with a capacity of 100 litres, equipped with an impeller stirrer (De Dietrich) and a gas introduction pipe, was charged with 15 kg of DMSAM, 45 litres of methanol and 33 mL of water. The suspension was stirred at 100 rpm and 20° C. for 10 min and then heated to 35° C. to dissolve the solids. The solution was subsequently stirred at 150 rpm for 15 min, then cooled to 25° C. and stirred at 150 rpm at this temperature for 30 min. 4.68 kg of ammonia were then introduced over 4.5 h at 25° C. The reaction medium was left in contact for 10 h at 25° C. with stirring at 150 rpm before finally being cooled to −10° C., and was then drained and clarified with 20 litres of ice-cold methanol. The moist product was then dried under vacuum at 45° C. Yield=87%, median=46.6 μm. Examples 7 to 9 Study of the Operating Parameters Example 7 Standard Experiment (Zero Point) and Reproducibility In order to assess the reproducibility of the process on the pilot scale, three experiments were carried out under identical conditions, which were defined as “standard” for the remainder of the study: T=25° C., SS=150 rpm, t=4.5 h, regulation via the temperature of the mass, D=12 m3/h. The results obtained were as follows: Granulometric Number of Most well- Experiment median populations defined mode P980907 46.6 μm 2 27.6 μm P981003 51.2 μm 2 22.28 μm P981004 49.9 μm 2 22.28 μm This gave the following definition of a standard experiment, on the basis of the calculated means: Standard 49.2 μm 2 24 μm The reproducibility of the process on the pilot scale (100 L) was therefore verified, since the results obtained were homogeneous. These conditions represented the standard experiment which served as a basis for any comparison in the remainder of the study. Example 8 Study of the Effect of Stirring Speed In order to verify the significance of this parameter, experiments were conducted at two different stirring speeds: 100 rpm and 150 rpm (standard value). The other parameters were held at their standard value. The results obtained were as follows: Number of Experiment Speed SS Median G populations Standard 150 49.2 μm 2 P980906 100 119.3 μm 2 The effect of this parameter on the granulometry of the end product was identical to that demonstrated at the 1-litre scale: increasing the stirring speed made it easier to obtain a lower median. Example 9 Study of the Effect of Reaction Temperature The reaction temperature was demonstrated to effect the results on the laboratory scale. In order to verify it on the pilot scale, three experiments were conducted by varying the value of this factor either side of its standard value, all of the other operating parameters being kept the same. The results obtained were as follows: Me- Number Most Temper- dian of popu- well-defined Experiment ature T G lations mode % < 220 μm P980908 23 48.9 1 47.2 99.1 P981006 24 52.9 2 22.8 90.3 Standard 25 49.2 2 24 89.8 P981001 26 70.1 2 24 81.5 These results were identical to those obtained on the laboratory scale (1 litre): increasing the reaction temperature gave rise to the growth of a second population of larger particles and, consequently, an increase in the value of the median. Conversely, a lower reaction temperature (T<24° C.) made it possible to obtain a more uniform granulometric profile. The granulometric mode, however, was then higher, which could have consequences for the median (where there was a possibility of increase since the median and the mode merge in the case of a perfectly Gaussian profile). In any case, in order to obtain a granulometric median in accordance with the specifications it would be necessary to raise the stirring speed to 175 rpm. As in the preceding example, on this pilot scale, the granulometry depended on the initial definition of two parameters: temperature and stirring speed. Batches of finished product with specific and uniformly low, medium or high particle size whose mean or median was centred on a value between the limits 1 μm and 1 mm could be obtained. Example 10 Additional Study on the Crystallization In order to complete the study on the control of the particle size distribution of the end product and in order to gain a better understanding of the crystallization phenomenon involved in this process, samples of the reaction medium were taken during various experiments. These samples, taken either at the end of the exotherm produced by the crystallization (and indexed (EX)) or at the end of the 10 hours of contact with ammonia, isolation and drying (and indexed EP for end product), were subjected to a particle size analysis and to a crystalline analysis by X-ray scattering. Number S Mode Median Mean of No. Entry T° C. (rpm) (μm) (μm) (μm) populations Polymorph 1 P980907 EX 25 150 211.6 143.9 144.4 1 III 2 P980907 EP 25 150 27.61* 46.65 69.94 2 I 3 P980908 EX 23 150 170.8 147.7 138.3 1 III 4 P980908 EP 23 150 47.19* 48.91 61.42 1 I 5 P981001 EX 26 150 235.6 222.1 215.4 1 III 6 P981001 EP 26 150 24* 70.13 111.5 2 I 7 P981002 EX 25 150 211.6 193.1 188.8 1 III 8 P981002 EP 25 150 22.3* 68.06 101.9 2 I 9 P981003 EX 25 150 262.3 243.1 233.3 1 III 10 P981003 EP 25 150 22.28* 51.23 101.2 2 I 11 P981004 EX 25 150 291.9 255.1 246.0 1 III 12 P981004 EP 25 150 22.3* 49.93 99.54 2 I 13 P981005 EX 25 150 190.1 180.3 176.5 1 III 14 P981005 EP 25 150 22.3* 48.56 94.80 2 I 15 P981006 EX 24 150 190.1 178.1 173.3 1 III 16 P981006 EP 24 150 22.8* 52.87 90.03 2 I 17 P981007 EX 25 150 190.1 189.9 183.9 1 III 18 P981007 EP 25 150 22.3* 46.90 98.63 2 I *Most well-defined mode These results showed that, at the end of the introduction of ammonia, which corresponds in fact to the end of the exotherm produced by the crystallization of the modafinil, the samples were characterized by: a high granulometric mode, greater than 170 μm; a single population; and a single polymorph (III), corresponding to the kinetic form of modafinil. The samples corresponding to the end product were characterized by: a much lower granulometric median (<60 μm); and a single polymorph I which in fact corresponds to the thermodynamic form of modafinil. It was verified, moreover, that the polymorph obtained at the end of the 10 hours of contact with ammonia was indeed identical to that of the end product EP. Complementary Analyses: A complementary analysis, to distinguish the particles and the agglomerates present in the samples, was carried out on the powders P981003/EX, P981003/02 (10 h contact) and P981003/PF. In the sample P981003/EX all the particles are larger than 63 μm. The analysis indicated form III. For the samples P981003/02 and P981003/PF, two analyses were carried out: on the fraction smaller than 40 μm (theoretically devoid of agglomerates), and on the fraction larger than 40 μm (theoretically containing a large proportion of agglomerates). The results showed that two fractions had the same crystalline structure and that there were no agglomerates. Sample P981004/EX was also assayed for traces of solvents in order to verify if the crystalline form III had come about as the result of the appearance of a solvate or hydrate. The results observed were as follows: Water content 0.105% m/m Methanol content 0.14% m/m The low content figures obtained in this analysis allowed the hypothesis of a solvated or hydrated form to be refuted. The polymorph III observed corresponded to a crystalline structure intrinsic to the product alone. The results obtained at the 100-litre scale provide qualitative confirmation of all the results obtained at the laboratory scale (1 L). C. 2500-Litre Scale Example 11 2500-Litre Scale A reactor of type BE 2500 (De Dietrich) with a capacity of 2500 litres, equipped with an impeller stirrer and a gas introduction pipe, was charged with 250 kg of DMSAM, 750 litres of methanol and 55 litres of water. The suspension was stirred at 100 rpm and 20° C. for 10 min and then heated to 35° C. to dissolve the solids. The solution was subsequently stirred at 100 rpm for 35 min, then cooled to 25° C. and stirred at 100 rpm at this temperature for 30 min. 78 kg of ammonia were then introduced over 4.5 h at 25° C. The reaction medium was left in contact for 10 h at 25° C. with stirring at 100 rpm before finally being cooled to −10° C., and then was drained and clarified with 40 litres of ice-cold methanol. The moist product was then dried under vacuum at 45° C. Yield=89.5%, median=27 μm. II. Modafinil Synthesis Process without Water A. 1-Litre Scale Example 12 1-Litre Scale Procedure A 1-litre automated reactor of type SIMULAR (Hazard Evaluation Laboratory, HEL) equipped with an impeller stirrer and a gas introduction tube was charged with 240 g of DMSAM and 720 ml of methanol. The suspension was stirred at 200 rpm and 20° C. for 10 min and then heated to 35° C. to dissolve the solids. The solution was subsequently stirred at 200 rpm for 15 min, then cooled to 25° C. and stirred at 350 rpm and at this temperature for 30 min. 50.9 g of ammonia were then introduced over 3 h 10 min at 25° C. The reaction medium was left in contact for 10 h at 25° C. with stirring at 350 rpm before finally being cooled to −10° C. and then filtered over a frit of porosity 3. The moist product was then dried under vacuum at 45° C. Yield=94.9%, median=33.9 μm. Advantageously it was possible to work with only 3.6 equivalents (and not 4.0) of NH3, added at the same flow rate, while retaining a granulometric median and a granulometric profile which were in accordance with specification. B. 100-Litre Scale Example 13 100-Litre Scale Procedure A reactor of type AE 100 (De Dietrich) with a capacity of 100 litres, equipped with an impeller stirrer (De Dietrich) and a gas introduction pipe, was charged with 24 kg of DMSAM and 72 litres of methanol. The suspension was stirred at 150 rpm and 20° C. for 10 min and then heated to 35° C. to dissolve the solids. The solution was subsequently stirred at 150 rpm for 15 min, then cooled to 25° C. and stirred at 150 rpm at this temperature for 30 min. 5.1 kg of ammonia were then introduced over 3 h 10 min at 25° C. The reaction medium was left in contact for 10 h at 25° C. with stirring at 150 rpm before finally being cooled to −10° C., and then was drained and clarified with 20 litres of ice-cold methanol. The moist product was then dried under vacuum at 45° C. Yield=91.6%, median=34.4 μm. Example 14 Effect of Stirring Speed Five experiments were carried out, three of them in accordance with the protocol conditions (stirring speed at 150 rpm; 3.6 eq. NH3 in 3 vol. MeOH). S (rpm) Median (μm) Mean (μm) P010702 EP 150 36.13 54.94 P010703 EP 150 34.41 57.51 P010706 EP 175 28.49 52.79 P010705 EP 125 39.34 88.99 P010704 150 24.55 49.23 The experiments carried out with the stirring speeds of 125 and 175 rpm showed that the slower stirring speed of 125 rpm results in a granulometric median which, although higher than that obtained at 150 rpm, was nevertheless still in accordance with specification. Little or no difference, on the other hand, was observed at 175 or 150 rpm. These experiments satisfied the acceptance criteria, namely: a yield greater than 90%; a granulometry: 15/45 μm & polymorph I; and a DMSAM content of less than 0.3%. C. 2500-Litre Scale Example 15 Procedure A reactor of type BE 2500 (De Dietrich) with a capacity of 2500 litres, equipped with an impeller stirrer and a gas introduction pipe, was charged with 500 kg of DMSAM and 1500 litres of methanol. The suspension was stirred at 100 rpm and 20° C. for 10 min and then heated to 35° C. to dissolve the solids. The solution was subsequently stirred at 100 rpm for 35 min, then cooled to 25° C. and stirred at 100 rpm at this temperature for 30 min. 106 kg of ammonia were then introduced over 3 h 10 min at 25° C. The reaction medium was left in contact for 10 h at 25° C. with stirring at 100 rpm before finally being cooled to −10° C., and then was drained and clarified with 80 litres of ice-cold methanol. The moist product was then dried under vacuum at 45° C. Yield=91%, median=23 μm.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Modafinil (C 15 H 15 NO 2 S) of formula I, 2-(benzhydrylsulphinyl)-acetamide, is a synthetic acetamide derivative possessing wakefulness-promoting activity, whose structure has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,290 and whose racemic form has received the approval of the registration authorities for use in the treatment of narcolepsy. Example 1 (scheme 1) of U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,290 (Lafon) describes a process for preparing modafinil which comprises reacting benzhydrylthioacetic acid with thionyl chloride in a first step. The acid chloride obtained is then reacted with ammonia to give the corresponding acetamide. Finally, in a last step, the sulphur atom of this intermediate is oxidized in the presence of hydroperoxide in acetic acid to give modafinil. The drawback of this process is that the step of oxidizing the sulphur of the 2-[(diphenylmethyl)thio]acetamide intermediate in the presence of hydrogen peroxide is difficult to control and may lead to the formation of a sulphone by-product (II) which is difficult to separate from the modafinil. Patent application WO 02/10125 (TEVA) describes a process for preparing modafinil which takes the same kind of approach. In this application, however, the step of oxidizing the sulphur of the 2-[(diphenylmethyl)thio]acetamide is carried out using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a mineral acid such as H 2 SO 4 , HClO 4 or H 3 PO 4 and a linear, branched or cyclic alcohol or a phase transfer catalyst, optionally in an inert organic solvent. According to the authors these conditions are particularly suitable for the oxidation of sterically hindered sulphides such as modafinil and allow the oxidation step to be controlled and in particular the formation of the sulphone by-product (II) to be avoided. Example 1a of U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,290 (scheme 2) proposes a quite different approach for the industrial-scale preparation of modafinil. Thus the oxidation of the sulphur atom of benzhydrylthioacetic acid in the presence of hydrogen peroxide takes place in the first step. The intermediate obtained is then converted to the methyl ester, i.e. methyl diphenylmethylsulphinyl-acetate (DMSAM), by reaction with dimethyl sulphate. Finally, after gaseous ammonia has been bubbled into a methanolic solution of DMSAM for one hour, the reaction mixture is left in contact for four hours. The modafinil thus obtained is isolated and recrystallized in two stages. This preparation process, however, has drawbacks. In particular it involves a plurality of steps of recrystallization of the modafinil obtained, and presents a mediocre yield. U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,855 (Lafon) describes the synthesis of levorotary modafinil by reaction of a 0.3 mol·L −1 solution of (−)-DMSAM with ammonia at ambient temperature. Following recrystallization, however, the levorotary modafinil is obtained with a modest yield. Studies have shown, moreover, that the particle size of the modafinil has a great influence on the pharmacological efficacy of the compound. Thus, according to application WO 96/11001 (Cephalon), small modafinil particles induce an increase in the pharmacological efficacy of modafinil, probably by promoting its absorption as compared with larger particles. In that context the said application describes pharmaceutical compositions comprising a homogeneous mixture of modafinil particles of defined granulometry (mean (2 to 19 μm), median (2 to 60 μm)). These particles are obtained after grinding of the modafinil prepared by the conventional methods, in order to reduce the size of the particles or aggregates, followed by screening of the resultant particles to give a defined particle size distribution. Furthermore, racemic modafinil can be obtained in different polymorphic forms or in the form of a mixture of these polymorphs, depending on the operating conditions employed (WO 02/10125 (TEVA)). Since the various polymorphs of modafinil may present very different physical, pharmaceutical, physiological and biological properties it is important to have available a preparation process which allows one single polymorph to be obtained with simplicity and rapidity.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a process which allows modafinil to be obtained directly in the form of particles of defined granulometry. Another aim of the present invention is to furnish a process which allows modafinil to be obtained in a single polymorph. This process makes it possible in particular to obtain selectively different polymorphs of modafinil. A further aim of the invention is to furnish a process which allows modafinil to be obtained directly, without a subsequent purification step, in a purity of more than 99.5% and with high yields. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060418

20090602

20070118

74217.0

A61K31165

O SULLIVAN, PETER G

MODAFINIL SYNTHESIS PROCESS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Plasma display device

The plasma display device comprises a plasma display panel forming discharge cells at intersections between data electrodes (D1-Dm) and both of scanning electrodes (SCN1-SCNn) and sustain electrodes (SUS1-SUSn), and a scanning electrode drive circuit for applying a specified voltage to the scanning electrodes (SCN1-SCNn), in which the scanning electrode drive circuit includes a scanning circuit connected to the scanning electrodes (SCN1-SCNn), an initializing circuit connected to the scanning circuit for generating an initializing waveform, and a sustain circuit connected to the scanning circuit for generating a sustain pulse, and is characterized by issuing a drive waveform in a lapse of specified time after turning on the power.

1. A plasma display device comprising a plasma display panel forming discharge cells at intersections between data electrodes and both of scanning electrodes and sustain electrodes, and a scanning electrode drive circuit for applying a specified voltage to the scanning electrodes, wherein the scanning electrode drive circuit is characterized by issuing a drive waveform in a lapse of specified time after turning on the power. 2. The plasma display device of claim 1, wherein the scanning electrode drive circuit includes a scanning circuit connected to the scanning electrodes, an initializing circuit connected to the scanning circuit for generating an initializing waveform, and a sustain circuit connected to the scanning circuit for generating a sustain pulse. 3. The plasma display device of claim 1, wherein the driving waveform issued by the scanning electrode drive circuit includes an initializing waveform to be applied to the scanning electrodes.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a plasma display device used in image display of television receiver, computer terminal, and others. BACKGROUND ART An alternating-current surface discharge type panel as a representative plasma display panel (PDP) has multiple discharge cells formed between oppositely disposed front board and rear board. The front board has a plurality of pairs of display electrodes consisting of a pair of scanning electrode and sustain electrode formed parallel to each other on a front glass substrate, and a dielectric layer and a protective layer are formed to cover these display electrodes. The rear board has a plurality of parallel data electrodes formed on a rear glass substrate, a dielectric layer to cover them, and a plurality of partition walls formed thereon parallel to the data electrodes, and a phosphor layer is formed on the surface of dielectric layer, and at the side of partition walls. The front board and rear board are oppositely disposed and sealed so that display electrodes and data electrodes may intersect three-dimensionally, and the inside discharge space is filled with discharge gas. Discharge cells are formed in the opposing parts of display electrodes and data electrodes. In the panel having such configuration, ultraviolet rays are generated in each discharge cell by gas discharge, and the phosphors of RGB colors are excited and illuminated by the ultraviolet rays, and a color display is achieved. A general method of driving the panel is sub-field method, in which one field period is divided into a plurality of sub-fields, and by combination of sub-fields to be illuminated, gradation display is made. In this method, by applying a writing pulse between the data electrode and scanning electrode, write discharge is conducted between the data electrode and scanning electrode. After selecting a discharge cell, by applying periodic sustain pulses inverting alternately between the scanning electrode and sustain electrode, sustain discharge is conducted between the scanning electrode and sustain electrode, and specified display is made. Such driving method of panel in conventional plasma display panel is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-109915. In such conventional plasma display device, however, initializing waveform may not be always issued right after turning on the power, and if the electric charge generated finally in the preceding time of power feed is left over in the discharge cells, these discharge cells are not initialized, and sustain discharge occurs by the first sustain operation after turning on the power, and undesired illumination may momentarily appear on the screen, which causes to lower the display quality. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The plasma display device of the invention comprises a plasma display panel forming discharge cells at intersections between data electrodes and both of scanning electrodes and sustain electrodes, and a scanning electrode drive circuit for applying a specified voltage to scanning electrodes. The scanning electrode drive circuit is characterized by issuing a drive waveform in a lapse of specified time after turning on the power. The scanning electrode drive circuit includes a scanning circuit connected to the scanning electrodes, an initializing circuit connected to the scanning circuit for generating an initializing waveform, and a sustain circuit connected to the scanning circuit for generating a sustain pulse. In this configuration, a specified period is provided from supply of power until output of driving waveform, and after output of initializing waveform, a sustain pulse is generated, and therefore the remaining electric charge in discharge cells is eliminated by the initializing operation, and undesired discharge does not occur in the subsequent sustain operation, so that the display quality in starting time can be enhanced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of plasma display device in a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a driving waveform diagram of the plasma display device in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of scanning electrode drive circuit of the plasma display device in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation sequence of the scanning electrode drive circuit in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of plasma display device of the invention is described below while referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of plasma display device in a preferred embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 1, a PDP 1 has a pair of transparent glass substrates disposed oppositely to form a discharge space between them, and has discharge cells (not shown) formed at intersections between data electrodes provided at the rear side substrate and both of scanning electrodes and sustain electrodes provided at the front side substrate. From data electrode D1 to Dm of the PDP 1, a writing circuit 2 is connected for applying a specified writing pulse voltage to these data electrodes D1 to Dm. From scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn, a scanning electrode drive circuit 50 composed of a scanning circuit 3 for applying a specified scanning voltage to these scanning electrodes SCN1 to SCNn, an initializing circuit 4, and a sustain circuit 5 is connected. From sustain electrode SUS1 to SUSn, a sustain electrode drive circuit composed of a sustain circuit 6 for applying a specified voltage to these sustain electrodes SUS1 to SUSn and an erasing circuit 7 is connected. The plasma display device shown in FIG. 1 is driven by a drive waveform as shown in FIG. 2. That is, first in the initializing period, by applying an initializing waveform 8 from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn, the wall charge in the panel is initialized to a state suited to write discharge. In the subsequent write period, by applying a writing pulse 9 from data electrode D1 to Dm, and applying a scanning pulse 10 from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn, write discharge is operated. In the subsequent sustain period, by applying a sustain pulse 11 alternately from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn, and from sustain electrode SUS1 to SUSn, sustain discharge is operated in discharge cells having operated write discharge, and display is illuminated. In the next erasing period, by applying an erasing waveform 12 from sustain electrode SUS1 to SUSn, sustain discharge is stopped. In FIG. 1, the scanning electrode drive circuit 50 is specifically composed as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the scanning circuit 3 connected from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn is composed of scanning driver 20, diodes D1, D2, and capacitors C1, C2. The initializing circuit 4 connected to the scanning circuit 3 is a circuit for generating an initializing waveform 8 shown in FIG. 2, and it is composed of half bridge driver 21, driver 22, FETs Q1 to Q3, diodes D3 to D5, capacitors C3 to C8, and resistors R1 and R2. The sustain circuit 5 connected to the scanning circuit 3 is a circuit for generating a sustain pulse 11 shown in FIG. 2 (sustain pulse applied from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn), and is composed of half bridge driver 23, power recovery circuit 24, FETs Q4, Q5, diode D6, and capacitors C9, C10. A logic power source 25 is to feed supply voltage for operation to scanning driver 20, half bridge drivers 21, 23, and driver 22. A scanning pulse power source 26 is to generate a scanning pulse 10. A sustain pulse power source 27 is to generate a sustain pulse 11. An initializing wave power source 28 is to generate an initializing waveform 8. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the scanning circuit 3 connected from the scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn is composed of scanning driver 20 for generating a scanning pulse, a bootstrap circuit for charging the capacitor C1 with the voltage of logic power source 25 through diode D2 and FET Q2, FET Q5, and a bootstrap circuit for charging the capacitor C2 with the voltage of scanning pulse power source 26 through diode D1 and FET Q2, FET Q5. The initializing circuit 4 of which output line is connected to a negative side power feed line 100 of the scanning circuit 3 is composed of a Miller integrating circuit having FET Q1, capacitor C5, and resistor R1 for generating an ascending gradient waveform of initializing waveform 8, FET Q2 for bringing down the initializing waveform 8, a half bridge driver 21 for driving the FETs Q1, Q2, a bootstrap circuit for charging the capacitor C4 with the voltage of logic power source 25 of this half bridge driver 21 through diode D3 and FET Q5, a bootstrap circuit for charging the capacitor C3 with the voltage of logic power source 25 through diode D3, diode D4, FET Q2 and FET Q5, a bootstrap circuit for charging the capacitor C6 with the voltage of initializing waveform power source 28 through diode D5 and FET Q5, a Miller integrating circuit having FET Q3, capacitor C8, and resistor R2 for generating a descending gradient waveform of initializing waveform 8, a driver 22 for driving the FET Q3, and a bypass capacitor C7 for logic power source 25 as power source for this driver 22. The sustain circuit 5 of which outline is connected to the source of the FET Q2 of initializing circuit 4 and the negative side power feed line 200 of half bridge driver 21 is composed of FET Q4 for supplying high level voltage of sustain pulse 11 and voltage of lower base portion of ascending gradient waveform of initializing waveform from sustain pulse power source 27, FET Q5 for supplying low level voltage of sustain pulse 11, half bridge driver 23 for driving the FETs Q4 and Q5, capacitor C10 for bypass of logic power source 25, bootstrap circuit for charging the capacitor C9 with voltage of logic power source 25 as power source of half bridge driver 23 through diode D6 and FET Q5, and power recovery circuit 24 for decreasing the switching loss by making use of LC resonance with electrode capacity of panel when switching the sustain pulse 11. In the half bridge drivers 21, 23 and driver 22, S1 is a control signal input terminal to FET Q4, S2 to FET Q5, S3 to FET Q1, S4 to FET Q2, and S5 to FET Q3. In the circuit having such configuration, circuits of which negative side power feed lines 100, 200 are connected to output of other circuits, that is, of the scanning circuit 3 and initializing circuit 4, a block composed of half bridge driver 21 and FETs Q1, Q2, and of the sustain circuit 5, a block composed of high side of half bridge driver 23 and FET Q4 are floating circuits. Power source of these floating circuits are voltage charged in the capacitors C2, C3, C4, C6, C7, C9 of the bootstrap circuit. FIG. 4 shows the operation sequence after supply of power in the circuit shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, when power is turned on at time t1, the logic power source 25 is turned on, and the voltage of capacitor C10 and voltage of capacitor C7 are turned on. At this time, an off logic is entered in control signals fed to the terminals S1, S2, S3, S4, S5. At time t2, an on logic is entered in the terminals S2, S4. At this time, the voltage of the capacitor C10 has been already turned on at time t1, the half bridge driver 23 sends an on signal to the FET Q5. As a result, the voltage of the capacitors C9, C6 is turned on. The voltage of the capacitor C4 is also turned on, and an on logic is entered in the terminal S4, and hence the half bridge driver 21 sends an on signal to the FET Q2. When the FET Q2 is turned on, the voltage of the capacitors C3, C1, C2 is turned on. At time t3, an off logic is entered in the terminals S2, S4. At time t4, an on logic is entered in the terminals S1, S3, and the voltages of the capacitors C9, C3 are turned on, and hence the half bridge drivers 21, 23 send an on signal to the FETs Q4, Q1. At this time, the voltage of the capacitor C6 has been already turned on. Therefore, the FET Q4 is turned on, and a Vsus voltage of initializing waveform 8 is applied from the scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn, the FET Q1 is turned on, and an ascending gradient waveform portion of initializing waveform 8 is applied from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn. At time t5, an off logic is entered in the terminals S1, S3, and an on logic is entered in the terminals S4, S5, and since the voltage of the capacitor C4 has been already turned on, the half bridge driver 21 sends an on signal to the FET Q2. Since the capacitor C7 has been already turned on, the driver 22 sends an on signal to the FET Q3, and a descending gradient waveform is issued. Thus, in the circuit in FIG. 3, after supply of power, period T0 is provided, as shown in FIG. 4, from floating circuit power starting time t2 until time t3, and after the lapse of period T0, initializing waveform 8 is issued. After output of initializing waveform 8, in the subsequent writing period, scanning pulse 10 is issued, and in the sustain period, sustain pulse 11 is issued, and these pulses are applied from scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn. Thus, in the plasma display device of the invention, in a specified time T0 after supply of power, driving waveforms are issued (such as initializing waveform 8, writing pulse 9, scanning pulse 10, sustain pulse 11, erasing waveform 12). As a result, initializing waveform 8 can be securely applied from the scanning electrode SCN1 to SCNn, and the electric charge remaining in the discharge cells can be completely eliminated by the initializing operation, and undesired discharge does not occur in the subsequent sustain operation, so that the display quality in start can be enhanced. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention presents a plasma display device capable of preventing occurrence of undesired discharge upon start, and further enhanced in the display quality.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>An alternating-current surface discharge type panel as a representative plasma display panel (PDP) has multiple discharge cells formed between oppositely disposed front board and rear board. The front board has a plurality of pairs of display electrodes consisting of a pair of scanning electrode and sustain electrode formed parallel to each other on a front glass substrate, and a dielectric layer and a protective layer are formed to cover these display electrodes. The rear board has a plurality of parallel data electrodes formed on a rear glass substrate, a dielectric layer to cover them, and a plurality of partition walls formed thereon parallel to the data electrodes, and a phosphor layer is formed on the surface of dielectric layer, and at the side of partition walls. The front board and rear board are oppositely disposed and sealed so that display electrodes and data electrodes may intersect three-dimensionally, and the inside discharge space is filled with discharge gas. Discharge cells are formed in the opposing parts of display electrodes and data electrodes. In the panel having such configuration, ultraviolet rays are generated in each discharge cell by gas discharge, and the phosphors of RGB colors are excited and illuminated by the ultraviolet rays, and a color display is achieved. A general method of driving the panel is sub-field method, in which one field period is divided into a plurality of sub-fields, and by combination of sub-fields to be illuminated, gradation display is made. In this method, by applying a writing pulse between the data electrode and scanning electrode, write discharge is conducted between the data electrode and scanning electrode. After selecting a discharge cell, by applying periodic sustain pulses inverting alternately between the scanning electrode and sustain electrode, sustain discharge is conducted between the scanning electrode and sustain electrode, and specified display is made. Such driving method of panel in conventional plasma display panel is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-109915. In such conventional plasma display device, however, initializing waveform may not be always issued right after turning on the power, and if the electric charge generated finally in the preceding time of power feed is left over in the discharge cells, these discharge cells are not initialized, and sustain discharge occurs by the first sustain operation after turning on the power, and undesired illumination may momentarily appear on the screen, which causes to lower the display quality.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram of plasma display device in a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a driving waveform diagram of the plasma display device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of scanning electrode drive circuit of the plasma display device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation sequence of the scanning electrode drive circuit in FIG. 3 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051116

20090609

20070208

92445.0

G09G328

SAID, MANSOUR M

PLASMA DISPLAY DEVICE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G09G

ACCEPTED

Suitcase comprising mounted pockets

Disclosed is a suitcase (1) comprising two metal or plastic shells (3, 5) that are hingedly connected to each other and can be locked on frame elements (9) by means of a locking device (7), said frame elements (9) being located on edges of the suitcase shells. At least one main area (11) of the suitcase shells (3, 5) is provided with an embedded cavity (13) inside which at least one pocket (15) is fixed via a base plate (17).

1. A suitcase (1) comprising two case shells (3, 5) of metal or plastics material hinged together, the case shells (3, 5) being adapted to be closed by means of a closing means (7) on frame elements (9) arranged at the edges of the case shells (3, 5), characterized in that at least one major surface (11) of the case shells (3, 5) comprises a countersunk recess (13) in which at least one pocket (15) is fastened through a base plate (17). 2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the at least one pocket (15) has a major surface facing the case shell (3), which surface is fastened to the outside of the base plate (17) through a base layer (19), and wherein the base layer (19) folds around the base plate (17) at the edges. 3. The suitcase of claim 2, wherein the base layer (19) is made of the same material as the at least one pocket (15) and/or is part of the pocket (15). 4. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the base plate (17) is part of the pocket (15). 5. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the pocket (15) is made of a textile material or flexible plastics. 6. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein at least two rollers (23) are fastened at the major standing surface (21). 7. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the suitcase is designed as a trolley case. 8. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the base plate (17) is glued into the recess (13) or is sewn or riveted to the case shell (3) in the recess (13), preferably together with the base layer (19) and/or the pocket (15). 9. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the case shell (3, 5) is made of aluminum, and aluminum alloy or polycarbonate. 10. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the frame elements (9) are made of plastics material or metal. 11. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the frame elements (9) are made of a rand ribbon sewn to the edge of the case shells (3, 5) together with a zipper as a closing means (7). 12. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the at least one pocket (15) has at least one opening that may be closed by means of at least one closing means (30), preferably a zipper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention refers to a suitcase as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Such shell suitcases, whose case shells are preferably made of plastic material or metal and which are hinged together at one edge of the case shells, are known. Frame elements are provided at the edges of the case shells, which have a closing means for closing the suitcase. Further, suitcases with two case shells are known that have a zipper as the closing means. The zipper may additionally be provided with a lock. Further, suitcases are known that are made of textile material. They may be provided with additional, easily accessible side pockets on their outside. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a suitcase of the type mentioned above which is made of strong shells and additionally has pockets attached on the sides. The object is achieved according to the invention by providing at least one major surface of the case shells with a countersunk trough-shaped recess in which at least one pocket is fastened over a base plate. The trough-shaped recess may be formed, for example, by deep drawing during the manufacture of the case shell. The invention advantageously allows to provide a strong shell suitcase having easily accessible pockets on the outside. Thus, it is possible to store e.g. travel documents or other travel implements in an easily accessible manner without having to open the complete suitcase. Preferably, it is provided that the at least one pocket has a major surface facing the case shell fastened on the outside of the base plate via a base layer. The base layer folds around the edges of the bas plate such that the edges of the base layer are invisible after the base plate is set into the recessed case shell. Thus, it is possible to fasten the pockets to the suitcase in a strong manner and to still give the suitcase an optically appealing exterior. The base layer may be of the same material as the at least one pocket and/or may be part of the pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the base plate may also be part of the pocket. Preferably, the pocket is made of a textile material or flexible plastics. Thus, the unfilled pocket is easy to compress and does not require too much space. At least two rollers are affixed to the major standing surface of the suitcase. Preferably, the suitcase is designed as a trolley. The base plate may be glued in the recess or sewn with the case shell in the recess, preferably together with the base layer and/or the pocket. This ensures a strong fastening of the pocket to the case shells, which moreover means little production effort. The case shells may be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy or polycarbonate. The frame elements of the suitcase may be made of plastics material or metal and may be designed as a rand ribbon sewn to the edge of the case shells together with a zipper as a closing means. Preferably, the at least one pocket has at least one pocket opening adapted to be closed with at least one closing means, preferably a zipper. Hereunder, embodiments of the invention will be detailed with reference to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the Figures: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suitcase according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a section through the case shell with an attached pocket. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates a suitcase 1 with two case shells 3, 5 hinged together at the bottom of the suitcase 1 so as to be able to open the shell case 3 illustrated as the front one in FIG. 1. The edge of the case shells 3, 5 is provided with a closing means 7 in the form of a zipper which is sewn to the edges of the case shells 3, 5 together with a frame element 9 formed by rand ribbons. The embodiment illustrates a suitcase 1 with shell parts 3, 5 of different sizes. The smaller case shell 3 has a countersunk recess 13 in its major surface, in which a base plate 17 is fastened. The outward directed face of the base plate 17 is covered by a base layer 19. The base layer 19 is folded around the edges of the base plate 17. In this embodiment, three pockets 15 are fastened on the base layer. In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the base layer 19 may be part of the pocket. It is also possible that the base plate 17 is a part of the pocket 15. At two neighboring corners of the major standing surface 21 of the suitcase 1, rollers 23 are provided such that the suitcase is adapted to trail behind a user pulling it. The embodiment illustrated illustrates the suitcase 1 designed as a trolley so that it stands upright on the major standing surface 21. It is self-understood that the suitcase may also be of another design. In the embodiment illustrated, the three pockets 15 each have at least one pocket opening that, when the suitcase 1 stands on the major standing surface 21, are located in the respective upper portions of the pockets 15. The openings can each be closed with a zipper 30. FIG. 1 illustrates a suitcase wherein the case shells 3, 5 have a groove structure perpendicular to the major standing surface 21, whereas the pockets 15 have a groove structure horizontal to the major standing surface 21. It is understood that the suitcase 1 may also have another groove structure or none at all. FIG. 2 is a cross section of the case shell 3 together with one of the pockets 15. The pocket 15 is sewn onto the base layer 19. The base layer 19 is fastened to the base plate 17 and folded around the edges of the base plate 17. Together with the base layer 19, the base plate 17 is glued into the recess 13 of the case shell 3. It is understood that the base plate 17 may also be riveted, sewn or otherwise fixed to the case shell 3.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention refers to a suitcase as defined in the preamble of claim 1 . Such shell suitcases, whose case shells are preferably made of plastic material or metal and which are hinged together at one edge of the case shells, are known. Frame elements are provided at the edges of the case shells, which have a closing means for closing the suitcase. Further, suitcases with two case shells are known that have a zipper as the closing means. The zipper may additionally be provided with a lock. Further, suitcases are known that are made of textile material. They may be provided with additional, easily accessible side pockets on their outside.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the invention to provide a suitcase of the type mentioned above which is made of strong shells and additionally has pockets attached on the sides. The object is achieved according to the invention by providing at least one major surface of the case shells with a countersunk trough-shaped recess in which at least one pocket is fastened over a base plate. The trough-shaped recess may be formed, for example, by deep drawing during the manufacture of the case shell. The invention advantageously allows to provide a strong shell suitcase having easily accessible pockets on the outside. Thus, it is possible to store e.g. travel documents or other travel implements in an easily accessible manner without having to open the complete suitcase. Preferably, it is provided that the at least one pocket has a major surface facing the case shell fastened on the outside of the base plate via a base layer. The base layer folds around the edges of the bas plate such that the edges of the base layer are invisible after the base plate is set into the recessed case shell. Thus, it is possible to fasten the pockets to the suitcase in a strong manner and to still give the suitcase an optically appealing exterior. The base layer may be of the same material as the at least one pocket and/or may be part of the pocket. In an alternative embodiment, the base plate may also be part of the pocket. Preferably, the pocket is made of a textile material or flexible plastics. Thus, the unfilled pocket is easy to compress and does not require too much space. At least two rollers are affixed to the major standing surface of the suitcase. Preferably, the suitcase is designed as a trolley. The base plate may be glued in the recess or sewn with the case shell in the recess, preferably together with the base layer and/or the pocket. This ensures a strong fastening of the pocket to the case shells, which moreover means little production effort. The case shells may be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy or polycarbonate. The frame elements of the suitcase may be made of plastics material or metal and may be designed as a rand ribbon sewn to the edge of the case shells together with a zipper as a closing means. Preferably, the at least one pocket has at least one pocket opening adapted to be closed with at least one closing means, preferably a zipper. Hereunder, embodiments of the invention will be detailed with reference to the drawings.

20051117

20080715

20061102

68222.0

A45C300

MAI, TRI M

SUITCASE COMPRISING MOUNTED POCKETS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A45C

ACCEPTED

Novel imidazole derivatives, their preparation and their use as medicaments

Novel imidazole compounds of the formula wherein the substituents are as defined in the application having antitumoral activity and use thereof.

1. A compound of the formula in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms wherein: X is at least one H or halo; Y is —O— or —S—; A is H or (C1-C6)alkyl; Z is selected from the group consisting of: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; aryl optionally substituted by at least one 5member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, —(CH2)n—NR3R4, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulfate, glycoside and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5—R6; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl; heteroaryl; Z1-Z′1; Z1 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—O—, —NRN—C(O)— and —C(O)—NRN—; Z′1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C10)alkyl; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, the aryl of which is optionally substituted by at least one halo; and (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, (C1 -C6)alkoxy, (C1 -C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; Z2 is selected from the group consisting from —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—NRN— and —NRN—; Z′2 is an aryl or heteroaryl, the aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, aryl-alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulfate, glycoside, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of H or (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl and (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, or R3 and R4 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heteroaryl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; R5 and R6 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; RA is the residue of an amino acid of the formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; RN is hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl; n is an integer from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof except compounds in which A is hydrogen and Z is -3-CF3 . 2. A compound of claim 1, wherein X is H or halo; Y is —O— or —S—; A is H or (C1-C6)alkyl; Z is selected from the group consisting of: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; aryl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, and (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; heteroaryl; Z1—Z′1; —NH—C(O)—Z′2; and Z2—Z′2; Z1 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —N—C(O)— and —C(O)—NH—; Z′1 is selected from the group consisting of (C4-C10)alkyl; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, the aryl of which is optionally substituted by at least one halo and (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; Z2 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)— or —C(O)—NH—; Z′2 is aryl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, and (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 3. A compound of claims 1 wherein A is H and Y is —O—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 4. A compound of claim 1 wherein X is H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 5. A compound of claim 4, wherein Z is at least one member, in meta and/or para position and selected from heteroaryl or Z2—Z′2; Z2 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)— and —C(O)—NH—; Z′2 is phenyl of naphthyl optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, and (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 6. A compound of claim 1, Z is selected from the group consisting of: heteroaryl; Z1-Z′1 wherein either Z1 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —NRN—C(O)— or —C(O)—NRN— and Z′1 benzyl; or Z1 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—O—, —NRN—C(O)— or —C(O)—NRN— and Z′1 is (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl; Z2—Z′2 wherein Z2 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—NRN— and —NRN—; Z′2 is phenyl or phenyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, aryl-alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of H or (C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl; R5 and R6 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; RA is the residue of an amino acid of the formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; RN is hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 7. A compound of claim 1, wherein Z is, —Z2—Z′2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 8. A compound of claim 7, wherein Z is in meta and/or para position; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 9. A compound of claim 7, wherein Z2 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —SO2— and —C(O)—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 10. A compound of claim 9, wherein Z2 is —O—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 11. A compound of claim 7, wherein Z2 is —NRN—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 12. A compound of claim 7, wherein Z′2 is phenyl or phenyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, benzyloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl and (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl: RN is hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl; R5 and R6 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; and RA is the residue of an amino acid of the formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 13. A compound of claim 7, wherein Z′2 is phenyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6)alkyl and (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl; R5 and R6 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 14. A compound of claim 13 wherein Z′2 is phenyl substituted by at least two members selected from the group consisting of: fluoro, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, —NH2 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R5 and R6 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 15. A compound of claim 7, wherein Z′2 is selected from the group consisting of pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, purinyl, triazinyl, pyrrazolo-pyrimidinyl, quinoxalinyl and indolyl, each of these radicals being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl and —NH2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 16. A compound of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of: 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole; 4-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)4-[4-phenylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H -imidazole trifluoroacetate; 4-[4-(4-bromophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole trifluoroacetate; 4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(4-hexylphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl) morpholine; 1-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imnidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl) piperidine hydrochloride; N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl) amine hydrochloride; 4-[4-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(4,4,4-trifluorobutoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-5-methyl-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-fluoro-N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}benzamide; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile; ethyl 4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzoate; ethyl 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzoate; 4-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; {4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}phenyl methanone trifluoroacetate; N-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzamide trifluoroacetate; 4-[4-(3 -nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymnethyl)-1H-imidazole; 3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; 4-{4-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenol; 4-[4-(3-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; N-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl) acetamide; 2-nitro-4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline trifluoroacetate; N-methyl-N-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl) amine; 3-{4-[2-(phenoxvmethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile; 4-[4-(2-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; 1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl) methanamine hydrochloride; 1-(3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl) methanamine hydrochloride; 4-[4-(3-bromophenoxy)phenvl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-fluoro-4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; 4-[4-(3-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(4-benzylphenyl)-2-(phenoxymnethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(3-methylphenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride; 4-[4-(2-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; N1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl) glycinamide hydrochloride; 4-[4-(2,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2,3-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2,6-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole. 17. A process for the preparation of a compound of claim 1 comprising reacting a compound of the formula wherein X and Y have the meaning of claim 1 with a base to form a compound of formula (II) in a salified form, then with the α-halogeno-ketone of the formula in which Z and A have the meaning of claim 1, in an inert solvent, then the keto-ester thus obtained is cyclized in the presence of an ammonium salt to produce the compound of claim 1. 18. A process for the preparation of a compound of claim 1 comprising reacting a compound of the formula II-iii wherein X and Y have the meaning of claim 1, and an α-halogeno-ketone of gel the formula in which Z and A are as defined in claim 1 by condensing under reflux in a polar inert solvent. 19. A pharmaceutical composition containing, as active ingredient, at least one compound of claim 1 with a pharmaceutically acceptable support. 20-23. (canceled) 24. A method of inhibiting tubular polymerization in warm-blooded animals comprising administering to warm-blooded animals in need thereof of an amount of a compound of claim 1 sufficient to inhibit tubular polymerization. 25. The method of claim 24 using a compound of the formula in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms, wherein X′ is H and halo; Y is —O— or —S—; A′ is H or (C1-C6)alkyl Z′ is a member selected from the group consisting of: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo; aryl optionally substituted by at least one halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally by at least one halo, —(CH2)n—NR3R4, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulfate, glycoside and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl; heteroaryl; —Z1—Z′1; —NRN—C(O)—Z′2; and —Z2—Z′2; Z1 is selected from the group consisting of —O—, —C(O)—O—, —NRN—C(O)— and —C(O)—NRN; Z′1 is selected from the group consisting of (C1-C10)alkyl; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, the aryl of which is optionally substituted by at least one halo; and (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; Z2 is selected from the group consisting from —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—NRN— and NRN—; Z′2 is aryl or heteroaryl, the aryl and heteroaryl being optionally substituted by at least one member selected from the group consisting of: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by at least one halo, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by at least one halo, aryl-alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulfate, glycoside, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 are, independently, selected from the group consisting of H or (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl and (C1-C6)alkyl-sulfonyl, or R3 and R4 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heteroaryl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; R5 and R6 are, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; RA is the residue of an amino acid of the formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; RN is hydrogen or (C1-C6)alkyl; n is an integer from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A subject of the present application is novel imidazole derivatives. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing these derivatives and their use for the preparation of a medicament. Imidazole derivatives according to the present invention have an anti-tumorous activity and in particular a tubulin polymerization-inhibiting activity. Target of several anticancer medicaments, tubulin is a small protein which, by polymerizing, produces microtubules of the achromatic spindle which allow cell division during mitosis. Vinca alkaloids inhibit its polymerization, whereas paclitaxel and docetaxel stabilize it excessively. In both cases, mitosis cannot take place normally, which hinders cell proliferation. Because of their anti-tumorous activity, the compounds according to the invention can be used for the treatment of tumors or cancers including cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, lung, colon, breast, cervix uteri, corpus endometrium, ovaries, prostate, testicles, bladder, kidneys, liver, pancreas, bone, connective tissues, skin, eyes, brain, melanomas and cancers of the central nervous system, as well as cancer of the thyroid, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, lymphomas other than Hodgkin's, multiple myelomas and others. Moreover these compounds could also be used to treat certain viral infections such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, hepatitis C as well as autoimmune diseases and certain degenerative diseases. A subject of the invention is therefore a compound of general formula (I) in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms and in which X represents one or more identical or different substituents chosen from H and halo; Y represents —O— or —S—; A represents H or (C1-C6)alkyl; Z represents one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; aryl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, —(CH2)n—NR3R4, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulphate, glycoside and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl; heteroaryl; —Z1—Z′1; —NRN—C(O)—Z′2; or —Z2—Z′2; Z1 represents —O—, —C(O)—O—, —NRN—C(O)— or —C(O)—NRN—; Z′1 represents a (C1-C10)alkyl radical; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl, the aryl radical of which is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; Z2 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—NRN— or —NRN—; Z′2 represents an aryl or heteroaryl radical, the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, aryl-alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulphate, glycoside, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 represent, independently, H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, or R3 and R4 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heteroaryl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; R5 and R6 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; RA represents the residue associated with the amino acid of formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; RN represents hydrogen or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; n represents an integer from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to the exclusion of compounds in which A represents the hydrogen atom and Z the -3-CF3 radical. The invention clearly covers all the tautomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) as defined above. In the definitions indicated above, the expression halo (halogeno) represents the fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo, preferably fluoro, chloro or bromo radical. The expression alkyl (unless otherwise specified), preferably represents a linear or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as the methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl and tert-butyl, pentyl or amyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, 2,2-dimethyl-propyl, hexyl, isohexyl or 1,2,2-trimethyl-propyl radicals. The term (C4-C10)alkyl designates a linear or branched alkyl radical having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, such as radicals containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms as defined above but also heptyl, octyl, 1,1,2,2-tetramethyl-propyl, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-butyl, nonyl or decyl. The term (C1-C20)alkyl designates an alkyl radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, linear or branched, such as the radicals containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms as defined above but also the radicals containing 11 to 20 carbon atoms such as undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl or eicosanyl. The expression alkyl-sulphonyl preferably represents a radical in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl. Similarly the expression alkyl-carbonyl preferably represents a radical in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example methylcarbonyl, ethylcarbonyl. The term (C1-C6)alkylthio designates radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example the methylthio, ethylthio radicals. The term (C1-C6)alkoxy designates the radicals in which the alkyl radical is as defined above such as for example the methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy or isopropyloxy radicals but also linear, secondary or tertiary butoxy, pentyloxy radicals. The term alkoxy-carbonyl preferably designates the radicals in which the alkoxy radical is as defined above such as for example methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl. The expression aryl represents an aromatic radical, constituted by a condensed ring or rings, such as for example the phenyl, naphthyl or fluorenyl radical. The expression heteroaryl designates an aromatic radical, constituted by a condensed ring or rings, with at least one ring containing one or more identical or different heteroatoms chosen from sulphur, nitrogen or oxygen. As an example of a heteroaryl radical, the pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, triazolyl, thiadiazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, quinoxalinyl, indolyl, benzoxadiazoyl, carbazolyl, purinyl, triazinyl, pyrrazolo-pyrimidyl but also thienyl, benzothienyl, furyl, benzofuryl or pyranyl radicals can be mentioned. The term aralkyl (arylalkyl) preferably designates the radicals in which the aryl and alkyl radicals are as defined above such as for example benzyl or phenethyl. The term arylalkoxy preferably designates the radicals in which the aryl and alkoxy radicals are as defined above such as for example benzyloxy or phenylethoxy. The expression heterocycloalkyl designates a condensed monocyclic or bicyclic saturated system containing 2 to 7 carbon atoms and at least one heteroatom. This radical can contain several identical or different heteroatoms. Preferably, the heteroatoms are chosen from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen. As examples of heterocycloalkyls containing at least one nitrogen atom, the pyrrolidine, imidazolidine, pyrrazolidine, isothiazolidine, thiazolidine, isoxazolidine, oxazolidine, piperidine, piperazine, azepane (azacycloheptane), azacyclooctane, diazepane, morpholine, decahydroisoquinoline (or decahydroquinoline) rings can be mentioned. The expression phosphate represents the radical of formula —OP(O)(ORp′)(ORp″) in which Rp′ and Rp″ designate, independently, a radical chosen from: H, linear and branched (C1-C20)alkyl, aryl and arylalkyl. The expression sulphate represents the radical of formula —OS(O)2(OR) in which R designates a radical chosen from: H, linear or branched (C1-C20)alkyl, aryl and arylalkyl. The expression glycoside represents radicals such as the glucosyl, maltosyl, glucuronyl radicals. In the present application, RA represents the residue associated with the amino acid of formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH. Preferably, RA represents the RAA radical associated with the natural amino acids of formula NH2—CH(RAA)—C(O)—OH which are glycine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, serine, threonine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, histidine, lysine, arginine, cysteine and proline. Also, in the present application, the (CH2)n radical represents a linear or branched hydrocarbon chain with n carbon atoms. Also, according to the present application, when a radical has the formula —B—D—E with D representing for example —C(O)—NH—, this signifies that the carbon atom of —C(O)—NH— is linked to B and the nitrogen atom to E. By pharmaceutically acceptable salt is meant in particular addition salts of inorganic acids such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, sulphate, phosphate, diphosphate and nitrate or organic acids such as acetate, maleate, fumarate, tartrate, succinate, citrate, lactate, methanesulphonate, benzenesulphonate, p-toluenesulphonate, pamoate and stearate. Also within the scope of the present invention, when they can be used, are the salts formed from bases such as sodium or potassium hydroxide. For other examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, reference can be made to “Salt selection for basic drugs”, Int. J. Pharm. (1986), 33, 201-217. Preferably, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that X represents one or more identical or different substituents chosen from H and halo; Y represents —O— or —S—; A represents H or (C1-C6)alkyl; Z represents one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; aryl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, and (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; heteroaryl; —Z1—Z′1; —NH—C(O)—Z′2; or —Z2—Z′2; Z1 represents —O—, —NH—C(O)— or —C(O)—NH—; Z′1 represents a (C4-C10)alkyl radical; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl the aryl radical of which is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by one or more substituients chosen from: halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; Z2 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)— or —C(O)—NH—; Z′2 represents an aryl radical optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, and (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that A represents H and Y represents —O—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that X represents H; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z represents one or more substituents, identical or different, in meta and/or para position and chosen from heteroaryl and —Z2—Z′2; Z2 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)— or —C(O)—NH—; Z′2 represents one of the phenyl or naphthyl radicals optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, and (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably also, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z represents a heteroaryl; —Z1—Z′1 in which either Z1 represents —O—, —NRN—C(O)— or —C(O)—NRN— and Z′1 represents the benzyl radical; or Z1 represents —O—, —C(O)—O—, —NRN—C(O)— or —C(O)—NRN— and Z′1 represents a (C1-C6)alkyl radical substituted by one or more substituents chosen from: halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl; —Z2—Z′2 in which Z2 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—NRN— or —NRN—; Z′2 represents a phenyl radical or phenyl substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, aryl-alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 represent, independently, H, (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl; R5 and R6 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; RA represents the residue associated with the amino acid of formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; RN represents hydrogen or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferably also, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z represents one or more substituents, identical or different, of formula —Z2—Z′2, and very preferentially Z is in meta and/or para position; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention very preferentially relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z2 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2— or —C(O)—, and more particularly —O—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention very preferentially relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z2 also preferentially represents —NRN—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferentially, Z′2 represents phenyl or phenyl substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, benzyloxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 represent, independently, H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl; RN represents hydrogen or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; R5 and R6 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; and RA represents the residue associated with the amino acid of formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH, and more particularly Z′2 represents phenyl substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 represent, independently, H, (C1-C6)alkyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl; R5 and R6 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also very preferentially relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z′2 represents phenyl substituted by at least two identical or different radicals chosen from: fluoro, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy, —NH2 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R5 and R6 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Preferentially also, the invention relates to a compound of formula (I) as defined above and characterized in that Z′2 represents the pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazolyl, furyl, thienyl, purinyl, triazinyl, pyrrazolo-pyrimidinyl, quinoxalinyl or indolyl radical, each of these radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl and —NH2; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. A subject of the invention is also compounds as illustrated in the experimental part and characterized in that they correspond to one of the following formulae: 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole; 4-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(phenylsulphonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazole trifluoroacetate; 4-[4-(4-bromophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole trifluoroacetate; 4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(4-hexylphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl)morpholine; 1-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl)piperidine hydrochloride; N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl)amine hydrochloride; 4-[4-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(4,4,4-trifluorobutoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-5-methyl-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-fluoro-N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}benzamide; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile; ethyl 4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzoate; ethyl 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzoate; 4-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[4-(methylsulphonyl)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; {4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}phenyl methanone trifluoroacetate; N-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzamide trifluoroacetate; 4-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; 4-{4-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenol; 4-[4-(3-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; N-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)acetamide; 2-nitro-4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline trifluoroacetate; N-methyl-N-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)amine; 3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile; 4-[4-(2-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; 1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)methanamine hydrochloride; 1-(3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)methanamine hydrochloride; 4-[4-(3-bromophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 2-fluoro-4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride; 4-[4-(3-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-(4-benzylphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(3-methylphenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride; 4-[4-(2-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; N1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)glycinamide hydrochloride; 4-[4-(2,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2,3-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole; 4-[4-(2,6-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole. A subject of the invention is also a process for the preparation of compounds according to the invention characterized in that a compound of formula in which X and Y have the meaning indicated above, is reacted with a base in order to form compound (II) in salified form, then with the α-halogeno-ketone of formula in which Z and A have the meaning indicated above, in an inert solvent, then the keto-ester thus obtained is cyclized in the presence of an ammonium salt in order to produce the compound of formula (I). The acid of general formula (II) is treated with a base such as Cs2CO3 in a solvent such as methanol or ethanol. The α-halogeno-ketone of general formula (II-ii) is added in an inert solvent such as dimethylformamide to the recovered cesium salt. The intermediate ketoester leads, by heating under reflux in an aprotic apolar solvent such as xylene (mixture of isomers) or toluene, in the presence of a large excess of ammonium salt such as ammonium acetate (15 or 20 equivalents for example) to the imidazole derivative of general formula (I) (the water formed being eliminated during the reaction). The α-halogeno-ketone of general formula (II-ii) can be prepared from the following ketone derivative: in which Z and A are as defined above. The ketone derivative of general formula (II-ii) is converted to the corresponding α-halogeno-ketone of general formula (II-ii). Preferably, the ketone derivative of general formula (II-i) is converted to α-bromo-ketone, by reaction with a bromination agent such as CuBr2 (J. Org. Chem. (1964), 29, 3459), bromine in ethanol or acetic acid (J. Het. Chem. (1988), 25, 337; J. Med Chem. (1988), 31(10), 1910-1918), N-bromosuccinimide (J. Amer. Chem. Soc. (1980), 102, 2838) in the presence of acetic acid in a solvent such as ethyl acetate or dichloromethane, HBr in ether (Biorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (1996), 6(3), 253-258; J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1999), 121, 24) or also using a bromination resin (J. Macromol. Sci. Chem. (1977), A11, (3) 507-514). The compounds (II-i) can be prepared according to the procedures known to a person skilled in the art (Schmid, C. R.; Sluka, J. P.; Duke, K. M. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 675-678; Hogenkamp, D. J.; Upasani, R.; Nguyen, P.; WO 00/57877. Chem. Abstr. 2000, 133, 28179). The compounds of general formula (I) can also be prepared by condensing under reflux in a polar inert solvent such as dimethylformamide, a starting compound of formula (II-iii) in which X and Y have the meaning indicated above and the α-halogeno-ketone of general formula (II-ii) in which Z and A are as defined above. A subject of the invention is therefore also a process for preparation of a compound according to the invention and characterized in that a compound of formula (II-iii) in which X and Y have the meaning indicated above, and the α-halogeno-ketone of general formula (II-ii) in which Z and A are as defined above is condensed under reflux in a polar inert solvent. The compounds of formula (I) of the present invention have useful pharmacological properties. It was thus that it was discovered that the compounds of formula (I) of the present invention possess an anti-tumorous activity and more particularly a tubulin polymerization-inhibiting activity. The compounds of the present invention can thus be used in different therapeutic applications. They can advantageously be used for the treatment of tumors or cancers as defined previously and preferably cancers of the colon, prostate, pancreas and melanomas. Hereafter, in the experimental part, an illustration will be found of the pharmacological properties of the compounds of the invention. A subject of the present application is also pharmaceutical compositions containing, as active ingredient, at least one compound of formula (I) as defined above, as well as the lo addition salts with pharmaceutically acceptable mineral or organic acids of said compound of formula I, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable support. A subject of the present application is also the use of a compound of formula (I) according to the present invention, for the preparation of an anti-tumorous medicament. A subject of the present application is also the use of a compound of formula (I) according to the present invention, for the preparation of a medicament intended to inhibit tubulin polymerization. Imidazole derivatives have been described in the application WO 01/44201 as antagonists of the Y5 receptors. A subject of the present application is therefore also the use of a compound of formula (I′) in racemic, enantiomeric form or any combinations of these forms, and in which X′ represents one or more identical or different substituents chosen from H and halo; Y′ represents —O— or —S—; A′ represents H or (C1-C6)alkyl; Z′ represents one or more identical or different substituents chosen from: (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; aryl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, —(CH2)n—NR3R4, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulphate, glycoside and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl; heteroaryl; —Z1—Z′1; —NRN—C(O)—Z′2; or —Z2—Z′2; Z1 represents —O—, —C(O)—O—, —NRN—C(O)— or —C(O)—NRN—; Z′1 represents a (C1-C10)alkyl radical; aryl-(C1-C6)alkyl the aryl radical of which is optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals; or (C1-C6)alkyl substituted by one or more substituents chosen from: halo, (C1-C6)alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkylthio and —NR1R2; R1 and R2 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl, or form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; Z2 represents —O—, —S—, —SO2—, —C(O)—, —C(O)—NRN— or —NRN—; Z′2 represents an aryl or heteroaryl radical, the aryl and heteroaryl radicals being optionally substituted by one or more identical or different radicals chosen from: halo, nitro, cyano, hydroxy, (C1-C6)alkyl optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, (C1-C6)alkyl-thio, (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, (C1-C6)alkoxy optionally substituted by one or more identical or different halo radicals, aryl-alkoxy, (C1-C6)alkoxy-carbonyl, phosphate, sulphate, glycoside, —(CH2)n—NR3R4 and —NH—C(O)—CH(RA)—NR5R6; R3 and R4 represent, independently, H, (C1-C6)alkyl, (C1-C6)alkyl-carbonyl or (C1-C6)alkyl-sulphonyl, or R3 and R4 form together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, a heteroaryl or a heterocycloalkyl optionally substituted by (C1-C6)alkyl; R5 and R6 represent, independently, H or (C1-C6)alkyl; RA represents the residue associated with the amino acid of formula NH2—CH(RA)—C(O)—OH; RN represents hydrogen or a (C1-C6)alkyl radical; n represents an integer from 0 to 3; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of these compounds, for the preparation of an anti-tumorous medicament. A subject of the present application is also the use of the compounds of formula (I′) as defined above, for the preparation of a medicament intended to inhibit tubulin polymerization. The compounds of the present invention can be administered alone or in combination with other agents with anti-tumorous activity. Among the agents with anti-tumorous activity, there can be mentioned: topoisomerase I inhibitors such as diflomotecan, irinotecan or topotecan; topoisomerase II inhibitors; alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide, phosphamides or melphalan; platinum derivatives such as cisplatin, carboplatin or oxaliplatin; antibiotic agents such as bleomycin or mitomycin; antimetabolites such as 5-fluorouracil; and hormonal agents. Administration of a composition according to the invention can also be combined with radiotherapy. The pharmaceutical composition can be in the form of a solid, for example, powders, granules, tablets, gelatin capsules. Appropriate solid supports can be, for example, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine and wax. The pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of the invention can also be presented in the form of a liquid, for example, solutions, emulsions, suspensions or syrups. Appropriate liquid supports can be, for example, water, organic solvents such as glycerol or the glycols, as well as their mixtures, in varying proportions, in water, to which oils or pharmaceutically acceptable fats have been added. The sterile liquid compositions can be used for intramuscular, intraperitoneal or sub-cutaneous injections and the sterile compositions can also be administered by intravenous route. All the technical and scientific terms used in the present text have the meaning known to a person skilled in the art. Moreover, all the patents (or patent applications) as well as the other bibliographical references are incorporated by way of reference. The examples are presented in order to illustrate the above procedures and should in no event be considered as a limit to the scope of the invention. EXPERIMENTAL PART EXAMPLE 1 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole 1.1) 1-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone 17.7 ml of 4-fluoroacetophone (0.145 mol), 17.84 g of 4-fluorophenol (0.16 mol) and potassium carbonate (50 g, 0.36 mol) in 220 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide are heated under reflux for 4 hours. The mixture is cooled down then 200 ml of ethyl acetate and 200 ml of water are added. After decantation, the organic phase is recovered, washed with a 2N soda solution then with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. The organic phase is then dried over Na2SO4 and the solvent is evaporated off. The residue is then retreated for 30 minutes under stirring in 50 ml of isopentane then filtered on frit. A beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.53 (s, 3H); 7.01-7.03 (d, 2H); 7.16-7.31 (m, 4H); 7.96-7.99 (d, 2H) Melting point: 70° C. 1.2) 2-bromo-1-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone A solution of 1-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone (17.7 g, 0.077 mol) in 220 ml of ethanol is cooled down to approximately 0° C. Bromine (4.8 ml, 0.096 mol) is added dropwise with a syringe. The temperature is allowed to return to ambient temperature, followed by stirring for 2 hours. After evaporation of the solvent then stirring for 10 hours in isopentane, the residue is filtered on frit and dried under a vacuum chamber bell jar. A beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.85 (s, 2H); 7.03-7.05 (d, 2H); 7.18-7.32 (m, 4H); 8.00-8.02 (d, 2H) Melting point: 56° C. 1.3) 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole A mixture containing phenoxyacetic acid (0.5 g, 3.3 mmol) and cesium carbonate (0.53 g, 1.65 mmol) in 10 ml of anhydrous methanol is stirred for one hour. This mixture is evaporated to dryness then diluted with 20 ml of dimethylformamide. 1 g of 2-bromo-l-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone (3.3 mmol) prepared previously is added then the resulting mixture is stirred for 2 hours. The solvent is evaporated off using a diaphragm pump. 30 ml of ethyl acetate are added and the cesium bromide is filtered on frit. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue is diluted with 50 ml of xylene then ammonium acetate (3.8 g, 0.066 mol) is added and the mixture, maintained by a Dean Stark apparatus, is heated under reflux for 2 hours, followed by pouring into iced water to which 50 ml of ethyl acetate is added. After decantation, the organic phase is washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. The organic phase is then dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent is evaporated off. The oil obtained crystallizes from isopropyl ether and a few drops of ethanol, followed by stirring then filtering on frit while rinsing with isopropyl ether and isopentane before drying under vacuum. The solid obtained is purified by chromatography on a silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 1-3). After evaporation of the solvent, the solid is washed in isopropyl ether then filtered on frit. A beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.08 (s, 2H); 6.94-7.79 (m, 14H); 12.38-12.72 (broad s, 1H) MH+ experimental=361.1; MH+ theoretical=360.39 % C, 73.32; % H, 4.75; % N, 7.77 (theoretical); % C, 73.17; % H, 4.78; % N, 7.63; (measured). Melting point: 188-190° C. EXAMPLE 2 4-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=343.10; MH+ theoretical=342.46 Melting point: 150-152° C. EXAMPLE 3 4-(1,1′-biphenyl-4-yl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=327.20; MH+ theoretical=326.40 Melting point: 185-187° C. EXAMPLE 4 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-[(phenylthio)methyl]-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=377.10; MH+ theoretical=376.45 Melting point: 108-110° C. EXAMPLE 5 2-[(4-fluorophenoxy)methyl]-4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=379.00; MH+ theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 193-195° C. EXAMPLE 6 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=359.10; MH+ theoretical=358.46 Melting point: 144-146° C. EXAMPLE 7 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(phenylsulphonyl)phenyl]-1H-imidazole A solution of hydrogen peroxide (1.3 ml of a 30 % solution in water) is added to 0.133 g (0.00037 mol) of 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(phenylthio)phenyl]-1H-imidazole dissolved in 1 ml of acetic acid followed by stirring for approximately 20 hours then evaporation to dryness. 20 ml of water and 30 ml of ethyl acetate are then added. The organic phase is extracted then dried over sodium sulphate. After evaporation of the solvent, the residue obtained is treated with a mixture of solvents such as isopentane-diethyl ether in a proportion of 1-1. After filtration on frit, the solid obtained is washed with diethyl ether then dried in order to obtain a pale yellow-coloured powder. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.09 (s, 2H); 6.95-8.02 (m, 15H); 12.38-12.72 (broad s, 1H) MH+ experimental=391.20; MH+ theoretical=390.46 Melting point: 192-194° C. EXAMPLE 8 4-{4-[(2-fluorobenzyl)oxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=375.00; MH+ theoretical=374.41 Melting point: 182-183° C. EXAMPLE 9 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-(4-phenoxyphenyl)-1H-imidazole trifluoroacetate This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=343.20; MH+ theoretical=342.40 Melting point: 112-114° C. EXAMPLE 10 4-[4-(4-bromophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole trifluoroacetate This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=421.10; MH+ theoretical=421.29 Melting point: 174-176° C. EXAMPLE 11 4-[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=317.20; MH+ theoretical=316.36 Melting point: 194-196° C. EXAMPLE 12 4-[4-(4-methoxyphenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=373.20; MH+ theoretical=373.42 Melting point: 132-134° C. EXAMPLE 13 4-(4-hexylphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=335.20; MH+ theoretical=334.46 Melting point: 151-153° C. EXAMPLE 14 4-(4-butoxyphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=323.20; MH+ theoretical=322.41 Melting point: 179-181 ° C. EXAMPLE 15 4-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=388.20; MH+ theoretical=387.39 Melting point: 187-189° C. EXAMPLE 16 4-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl) morpholine 16.1) 1-[4-(2-morpholin-4-yl ethoxy)phenyl]ethanone Sodium hydride (3.18 g; 0.0795 mol of a powder dispersed at 60%) is added at 23° C. to a solution containing 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine (9.40 g, 0.072 mol) in dimethylformamide (60 ml). Stirring is maintained for 30 minutes then the compound 4-fluoroacetophenone (5 g, 0.0362 mol) is added. The reaction medium is stirred for one hour at 23° C. then cooled down to 0° C. and water is added. After the addition of ethyl acetate then extraction, the organic phase is washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate then the solvent is evaporated off. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 6-1). An orange-coloured oil is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.34-2.54 (m, 7H); 2.66-2.71 (m, 2H); 3.57-3.71 (m, 4H); 4.16-4.19 (m, 2H); 6.97-7.07(d, 2H); 7.84-7.92 (d, 2H) 16.2) 2-bromo-1-[4-(2-morpholin-4-ylethoxy)phenyl]ethanone hydrochloride 1.02 ml of bromine (0.0205 mol) is added dropwise, under argon, to a solution cooled down to 0° C. of 1-[4-(2-morpholin-4-ylethoxy)phenyl]ethanone (4.09 g; 0.0164 mol) in ethanol (65 ml). The reaction medium is then stirred for 30 minutes at 23° C. then the solvent and the traces of bromine are evaporated in a rotary evaporator under vacuum. The residue is then stirred in diethyl ether with a few drops of ethanol. The solid obtained is filtered then dried. A beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.34-2.54 (m, 3H); 2.66-2.71 (m, 2H); 3.57-3.71 (m, 4H); 4.16-4.19 (m, 2H); 4.84 (s, 2H); 6.97-7.07 (d, 2H); 7.84-7.92 (d, 2H); 10 (narrow s, 1H) 16.3) 4-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl)morpholine The operating method is analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using as starting product 2-bromo-1-[4-(2-morpholin-4-ylethoxy)phenyl]ethanone hydrochloride described above and using one equivalent of caesium carbonate. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.46-2.50 (m, 4H); 2.66-2.69 (m, 2H); 3.56-3.58 (m, 4H); 4.06-4.09 (m, 2H); 5.04 (s, 2H); 6.90-7.68 (m, 10H); 12.50 (broad s, 1H) MH+ experimental=380.20; MH+ theoretical=379.46. Melting point: 144-146° C. EXAMPLE 17 1-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl)piperidine hydrochloride This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 16. MH+ experimental=378.30; MH+ theoretical=377.48 Melting point: 227-229° C. EXAMPLE 18 N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}ethyl) amine hydrochloride This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 16. MH+ experimental=338.30; MH+ theoretical=337.42 Melting point: 206-208° C. EXAMPLE 19 4-[4-(2-methoxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 16. MH+ experimental=325.20; MH+ theoretical=324.38 Melting point: 159-161° C. EXAMPLE 20 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(4,4,4-trifluorobutoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 16. MH+ experimental=377.20; MH+ theoretical=376.38 Melting point: 194-196° C. EXAMPLE 21 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-5-methyl-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole 21.1)1-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]propan-1-one This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.1. 21.2) 2-bromo-1-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]propan-1-one This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2. 21.3) 4-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-5-methyl-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole 620 mg of 2-phenoxyethanimidamide hydrochloride (0.00333 mol) are desalified in dichloromethane by the action of a 3N sodium hydroxide solution. After decantation and extraction of the aqueous phase by dichloromethane, the organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate then evaporated to dryness. The white powder obtained is solubilized in dimethylformamide (30 ml). 275 mg of 2-bromo-1-[4-(4-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]propan-1-one (0.000851 mol) is added. The mixture is heated at 50° C. for 20 hours then returned to 23° C. before adding 25 ml of water and 30 ml of ethyl acetate. After extraction with ethyl acetate, the organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate then evaporated in a rotary evaporator under vacuum. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 2-8). A pale yellow-coloured foam is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.37 (s, 3H); 5.00 (s, 2H); 6.93-7.65 (m, 13H); 12.19 (broad s, 1H) MH+ experimental=375.20; MH+ theoretical=374.41 Melting point: <40° C. EXAMPLE 22 4-fluoro-N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}benzamide 22.1) 4-(4-azidophenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is prepared in a manner analogous to the method described for Example 1.3 using as starting products phenoxyacetic acid (2 g; 0.01314 mol) and 4-azidophenacyl bromide (3.15 g, 0.01314 mol). A yellow-coloured powder is obtained. MH+ experimental=292.20; MH+ theoretical=291.31. 22.2) 4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]aniline In a 100 ml reactor, 549 mg of 4-(4-azidophenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole (0.00188 mol) are hydrogenated over 18 hours under a hydrogen pressure of 2.5 bars with a catalytic quantity of palladium adsorbed on carbon (10% by mass). After filtration on a millipore filter then rinsing with ethanol and concentration to dryness, the residue thus obtained is treated with diethyl ether. After stirring in diethyl ether, the solid is filtered. After drying a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3-4 (broad peak, 2H); 5.10 (s, 2H); 6.57-7.42 (m, 10H); 8-9 (broad s, 1H). 22.3) 4-fluoro-N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}benzamide 140 mg of 4-fluoro-benzoic acid (0.001 mol) is dissolved in dichloromethane (5 ml). Oxalyl chloride (0.13 ml, 0.0015 mol) is added followed by one drop of dimethylformamide. After stirring for thirty minutes, the reaction medium is evaporated to dryness. In a 25 ml flask, 265 mg of 4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]aniline (0.001 mol) is dissolved in dichloromethane (5 ml). 0.15 ml of triethylamine (0.0011 mol) then the acid chloride derivative (obtained previously) diluted in 3 ml of dichloromethane is added. After stirring for 20 hours at 23° C., the reaction medium is evaporated to dryness. 30 ml of water and 30 ml of ethyl acetate are added. After decantation, the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with a saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over sodium sulphate and the solvent is evaporated off. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 4-6). A cream-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.08 (s, 2H); 6.94-8.06 (m, 14H); 10.23 (s, 1H); 12.37 (broad s, 1H) MH+ experimental=388.20 M +H theoretical=387.41 Melting point: 224-225° C. EXAMPLE 23 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=368.20; MH+ theoretical=367.41 Melting point: 179-181 ° C. EXAMPLE 24 ethyl 4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzoate 24.1) ethyl 4-(bromoacetyl)benzoate This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2 using ethyl 4-acetylbenzoate (4 g, 0.020 mol) as starting compound. A cream-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 1.33 (t, 3H); 4.34 (q, 2H); 4.98 (s, 2H); 8.07-8.12 (m, 4H) 24.2) ethyl 4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzoate This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using ethyl 4-(bromoacetyl)benzoate (2 g, 0.0074 mol) and 2-phenoxyethanimidamide hydrochloride (1.6 g, 0.0086 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 1.32 (t, 3H); 4.31 (q, 2H); 5.27 (s, 2H); 7.00-7.36 (m, 5H); 7.93-8.07 (m, 5H) MH+ experimental=323.20; MH+ theoretical=322.36 Melting point: 133-135° C. EXAMPLE 25 ethyl 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzoate This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=415.20; MH+ theoretical=414.46 Melting point: 100-102° C. EXAMPLE 26 4-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=389.10; MH+ theoretical=388.49 Melting point: 122-124° C. EXAMPLE 27 4-{4-[4-(methylsulphonyl)phenoxylphenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole 27.1)1-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}ethanone This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.1 using 4-thiomethoxyphenol (10.35 g, 0.0725 mol) and 4-fluoroacetophenone (10 g, 0.0725 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.49 (s, 3H); 2.53 (s, 3H); 7.03 (d, 2H); 7.07 (d, 2H); 7.34 (d, 2H); 7.96 (d, 2H) 27.2) 2-bromo-1-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}ethanone This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2 using 1-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}ethanone (11.9 g, 0.046 mol) as starting compound; A white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.50 (s, 3H); 4.85 (s, 2H); 7.05 (d, 2H); 7.10 (d, 2H); 7.35 (d, 2H); 8.01 (d, 2H) 27.3) 4-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using phenoxyacetic acid (3.92 g, 0.0253 mol) and 2-bromo-1-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl}ethanone (8.53 g, 0.0253 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.46 (s, 3H); 5.07 (s, 2H); 6.94-7.07 (m, 7H); 7.28-7.77 (m, 8H) MH+ experimental=389.10; MH+ theoretical=388.48. 27.4) 4-{4-[4-(methylsulphonyl)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole 207 mg of 4-{4-[4-(methylthio)phenoxy]phenyl } -2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole (0.00053 mol) is solubilized in acetic acid. A solution of hydrogen peroxide (0.4 ml of a solution diluted to 30% in water) is added dropwise, followed by stirring for twenty hours at 23° C. then evaporation to dryness. The residue is taken up in water and ethyl acetate. After decantation, the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulphate then evaporated to dryness. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 2-1). A white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3.18 (s, 3H); 5.09 (s, 2H); 6.90-7.33 (m, 10H); 7.65-7.91 (m, 4H); 12.43 (narrow s, 1H) MH+ experimental=421.10; MH+ theoretical=420.49. Melting point: 143-145° C. EXAMPLE 28 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride 28.1) 2-bromo-1-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2 using 4-acetyl-4′ nitrodiphenyl ether (15 g, 0.0566 mol) as starting compound; a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.93 (s, 2H); 7.27-7.3.1 (m, 4H); 8.10 (d, 2H); 8.30 (d, 2H) 28.2) 4-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using phenoxyacetic acid (8.14 g, 0.053 mol) and 2-bromo-1-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone (18 g, 0.053 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. MH+ experimental=388.20; MH+ theoretical=387.39. 28.3) 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride In a 1 l reactor, 3.92 g of 4-[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole (0.0101 mol) is hydrogenated for 7 hours under a hydrogen pressure of 1.5 bars with a catalytic quantity of palladium adsorbed on carbon (10% by mass) in ethanol (50 ml) followed by filtration on a millipore filter then rinsing with ethanol. After concentration to dryness, the residue is triturated with diethyl ether and the mixture is stirred in diethyl ether then the solid is filtered. The product obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 5-5 to 7-3). A beige-coloured powder is obtained. MH+ experimental=358.20; MH+ theoretical=357.41. The solid obtained is suspended in 100 ml of ethanol. Hydrochloric acid diluted in diethyl ether (8.4 ml of a 1 N diethyl ether solution) is added to this mixture cooled down to 0° C. After stirring for an hour, the reaction medium is evaporated to dryness then taken up in diethyl ether and filtered. After drying, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3.7-4 (narrow s); 5.45 (s, 2H); 7.01-7.40 (m, 1H); 7.93 (d, 2H), 8.14 (s, 1H); 11-13 (broad peak, 2H) Melting point: >300° C. EXAMPLE 29 {4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}phenyl methanone trifluoroacetate 29.1) 1-(4-benzoylphenyl)ethanone A mixture containing 4-acetyl benzoic acid (6 g, 0.0365 mol), boronic acid (5.34 g, 0.044 mol), palladium acetate (245 mg, 0.001 mol), tricyclohexylphosphine (716 mg, 0.0025 mol) and pivalic anhydride (11.2 ml, 0.054 mol) in a volume of water-tetrahydrofuran solvents: 1.6 ml-1 30 ml is heated at 60° C. under argon for 20 hours. After concentration to dryness, the residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 9-1 to 8-2). A white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.65 (s, 3H); 7.56-8.11 (m, 9H) 29.2) 1-(4-benzoylphenyl)-2-bromoethanone This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2 using 1-(4-benzoylphenyl)ethanone (880 mg, 0.0039 mol) as starting compound ; a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.08 (s, 2H); 7.56-8.16 (m, 9H) 29.3) {4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}phenyl methanone trifluoroacetate This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 21.3 using the compound 2-phenoxyethanimidamide (400 mg, 0.00266 mol) and 1-(4-benzoylphenyl)-2-bromoethanone (685 mg, 0.00226 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment and passing the residue obtained over an RP18 silica column (eluent: acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid 0.1 N: 5-5), a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3-5 (very broad peak); 5.25 (s, 2H); 6.98-8.05 (m, 15H) MH+ experimental=355.20; MH+ theoretical=354.41 Melting point: <50° C. EXAMPLE 30 N-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzamide trifluoroacetate 30.1) 4-acetyl-N-(4-fluorophenyl)benzamide A mixture containing 4-acetyl-benzoic acid (4 g, 0.0243 mol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (5.13 g, 0.02673 mol), triethylamine (3.7 ml, 0.02673 mol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (3.62 g, 0.02673 mol) and 4-fluoroaniline (2.81 ml; 0.02916 mol) in 60 ml of tetrahydrofuran is stirred for 48 hours at 23° C. The reaction medium is filtered on frit and evaporated to dryness. The residue is taken up in a mixture of solvents : ethyl acetate-water: 50-50. The precipitate is filtered on frit, washed with isopropyl ether then isopentane. After drying, a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.72 (s, 3H); 7.17-7.22 (m, 2H); 7.77-7.81 (m, 2H); 8.05-8.09 (m, 4H); 10.46 (s, 1H) 30.2) 4-(bromoacetyl)-N-(4-fluorophenyl)benzamide 4-acetyl-N-(4-fluorophenyl)benzamide (1.5 g, 0.00583 mol) is dissolved in 100 ml of methanol. Pyridinium tribromide resin is added (4 g of resin to 2 mmol of Br3 per gram, 0.0081 mol) followed by heating for 4 hours at 40° C. The reaction medium is filtered on frit, rinsed with methanol and evaporated to dryness. A pale yellow-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.99 (s, 2H); 7.18-7.23 (m, 2H); 7.78-7.81 (m, 2H); 8.06-8.14 (m, 4H); 10.47 (s, 1H) 30.3) N-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]benzamide trifluoroacetate This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 21.3 using 2-phenoxyethanimidamide (225 mg, 0.0015 mol) and 4-(bromoacetyl)-N-(4-fluorophenyl)benzamide (426 mg, 0.00128 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment and passing the residue obtained over an RP18 silica column (eluent: acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid 0. 1N: 5-5), a yellow-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3-4 (broad peak); 5.28 (s, 2H); 7.01-7.37 (m, 7H); 7.78-8.02 (m, 7H); 10.30 (s, 1H) MH+ experimental=388.10; MH+ theoretical=387.41 Melting point: 198-200° C. EXAMPLE 31 4-14-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole 31.1) 1-nitro-3-phenoxybenzene This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.1 using 1-fluoro-3-nitro benzene (15.4 g, 0.106 mol) and phenol (10 g, 0.106 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, an orange-coloured oil is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 7.13-7.99 (m, 9H) 31.2) 1-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone The compound 1-nitro-3-phenoxybenzene (10.17 g, 0.0473 mol) is put into solution in carbon disulphide (70 ml). Aluminium chloride (10.06 g, 0.076 mol) is added by portions at ambient temperature. The reaction medium is cooled down to 0° C. then acetyl chloride (2.4 ml, 0.038 mol) is added dropwise. The reaction medium is left to return to 23° C. then stirring is maintained for 5 hours, followed by cooling down again to 0° C., then the careful addition of ethyl acetate, crushed ice and 3 N hydrochloric acid. After decantation, the medium is extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with water, with a saturated solution of sodium carbonate then with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. It is then dried over sodium sulphate then evaporated. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 1-4). After washing with diethyl ether, a yellow-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.57 (s, 3H); 7.20 (d, 2H); 7.50-8.04 (m, 6H) 31.3) 2-bromo-1-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2 using 1-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone (5.4 g, 0.021 mol) as starting compound ; a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.92 (s, 2H); 7.21-7.23 (m, 2H); 7.64-8.08 (m, 6H) 31.4) 4-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using phenoxyacetic acid (1.16 g, 0.0075 mol) and the compound 2-bromo-1-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone (2.46 g, 0.0075 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.08 (s, 2H); 6.94-7.87 (m, 14H); 12.45 (narrow s, 1H) MH+ experimental=388.20; MH+ theoretical=387.39. Melting point: 140-142° C. EXAMPLE 32 3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy)aniline hydrochloride In a 250 ml reactor, 4-[4-(3-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole (0.28 g, 0.00072 mol) is hydrogenated for 1 hour under a hydrogen pressure of 1.5 bars with a catalytic quantity of palladium adsorbed on carbon (10% by mass) in ethanol (70 ml). The reaction medium is filtered on a millipore filter then rinsed with ethanol. After concentration to dryness, the residue is triturated with diethyl ether, then stirred in a mixture of diethyl ether and isopentane (1:9) and finally the solid is filtered. After drying, a yellow-coloured powder is obtained which is purified by chromatography on an RP18 silica column (eluent: 0.1N acetonitrile-trifluoroacetic acid: 1-2). NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3-4 (narrow s); 5.30 (s, 2H); 6.21-6.26 (m, 2H); 6.39 (d, 1H); 7.01-7.09 (m, 6H); 7.33-7.37 (m, 2H); 7.76-7.78 (m, 2H); 7.92 (s, 1H) MH+ experimental=358.20; MH+ theoretical=357.41 The solid obtained in the preceding stage (0.07 g, 0.00020 mol) is stirred for 30 minutes in a mixture of ethyl acetate and a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, followed by decanting, then the organic phase is washed with a saturated solution of sodium carbonate, dried over sodium sulphate then evaporated. The residue is taken up in ethanol (7 ml) then, at 0° C., a 1 N hydrochloric acid solution in diethyl ether (0.43 ml, 0.00044 mol) is added. After stirring for 30 minutes, the reaction medium is evaporated to dryness then taken up in diethyl ether and filtered. After drying, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3-4 (narrow s); 5.44 (s, 2H); 6.67 (narrow s, 2H); 6.80 (narrow s, 1H); 7.02-7.38 (m, 8H) ; 7.89-7.91 (m, 2H); 8.14 (s, 1H) MH+ experimental=358.20; MH+ theoretical=357.41 Melting point: >300° C. EXAMPLE 33 4-{4-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxylphenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=449.20; MH+ theoretical=448.52 Melting point: 134-136° C. EXAMPLE 34 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenol 34.1) 4-{4-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using phenoxyacetic acid (1.82 g, 0.012 mol) and 1-{4-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-bromoethanone (4.76 g, 0.012 mol) as starting products. After treatment, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.07 (s, 4H); 6.89-7.75 (m, 19H); 12.38 (s, 1H) MH+ experimental=449.20; MH+ theoretical=448.5. 34.2) 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenol In a 100 ml reactor, 138 mg of 4-{4-[4-(benzyloxy)phenoxy]phenyl}-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole (0.0003 mol) in 10 ml of ethanol with a catalytic quantity of palladium adsorbed on carbon (10% by mass), are hydrogenated for 24 hours under a hydrogen pressure of 4 bars. The reaction medium is filtered on a millipore filter then rinsed with ethanol and evaporated to dryness. The residue is triturated with diethyl ether and the mixture is stirred in diethyl ether and the solid is filtered. The product obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 2-8 to 5-5). After washing with diethyl ether, a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 5.06 (s, 2H); 6.76-7.70 (m, 14H); 9.34 (s, 1H); 12.41 (narrow s, 1H) MH+ experimental=359.20; MH+ theoretical=358.39 Melting point: 211-213° C. EXAMPLE 35 4-[4-(3-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=361.20; MH+ theoretical=360.39 Melting point: 177-179° C. EXAMPLE 36 N-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxylphenyl) acetamide 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline (600 mg, 0.00168 mol), (prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 28) is suspended in ethanol (30 ml) at 0° C. Triethylamine (0.235 ml, 0.00168 mol) and methyl iodide (0.136 ml, 0.0022 mol) are added. The mixture is stirred for 20 hours then evaporated to dryness. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 4-6 to 5-5). After washing with diethyl ether and isopentane, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.66 (s, 3H); 5.06 (s, 2H); 5.54 (narrow s, 1H); 6.54-7.70 (m, 14H); 12.32 (narrow s, 1H) MH+ experimental=372.30; MH+ theoretical=371.44 Melting point: 176-177° C. EXAMPLE 37 2-nitro-4-14-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline trifluoroacetate This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=403.20; MH+ theoretical=402.41 Melting point: 178-180° C. EXAMPLE 38 N-methyl-N-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl) amine 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline (238 mg, 0.0066 mol), (prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 28) is suspended in dichloromethane (5 ml) at 23° C. Triethylamine (0.1 ml, 0.0079 mol) and acetic anhydride (0.062 ml, 0.0066 mol) are added. The mixture is then stirred for 20 hours then evaporated to dryness. The oil obtained is taken up with ethyl acetate and water. After decantation and extraction by ethyl acetate, the organic phase is washed with water then with a saturated solution of sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulphate then the solvent is evaporated off. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Biotage-type silica column (eluent: ethyl acetate-heptane: 7-3 to 9-1). After washing with diisopropyl ether and isopentane, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.03 (s, 3H); 5.08 (s, 2H); 6.94-7.74 (m, 14H); 9.92 (s, 1H); 12.32 (narrow s, 1H) MH+ experimental=400.30; MH+ theoretical=399.44 Melting point: 125-126° C. EXAMPLE 39 3-(4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=368.30; MH+ theoretical=367.41 Melting point: 161-163° C. EXAMPLE 40 4-[4-(2-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 31. MH+ experimental=388.20; MH+ theoretical=387.39 Melting point: 128-129° C. EXAMPLE 41 2-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 31. MH+ experimental=358.30; MH+ theoretical=357.41 Melting point: 88-89° C. EXAMPLE 42 1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)methanamine hydrochloride In a 100 ml reactor, 120 mg of 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}benzonitrile (0.00033 mol) (obtained according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1) in ethanol (10 ml) in the presence of evaporated hydrochloric acid (0.1 ml) and a catalytic quantity of palladium adsorbed on carbon (10% by mass), are hydrogenated for two days under a hydrogen pressure of 1.5 bars. The reaction medium is filtered on a millipore filter then rinsed with ethanol, evaporated to dryness and the residue is triturated with a mixture of solvents such as diethyl ether and ethanol in a proportion of 1-1. After drying a green-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.00 (m, 2H); 5.36 (s, 2H); 7.00-8.32 (m, 17H) MH+ experimental=372.30; MH+ theoretical=371.44 Melting point: >300° C. EXAMPLE 43 1-(3-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)methanamine hydrochloride This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 42. MH+ experimental=272.30; MH+ theoretical=271.44 Melting point: 200-202° C. EXAMPLE 44 4-[4-(3-bromophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=421.10; MH+ theoretical=421.29 Melting point: 133-135° C. EXAMPLE 45 2-fluoro-4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride 45.1) 4-amino-3-fluorophenol In a 1 l reactor, 10 g of 4-nitro-3-fluorophenol (0.0637 mol) with a catalytic quantity of palladium adsorbed on carbon (10% by mass) in ethanol (250 ml) is hydrogenated for 2 hours under a hydrogen pressure of 1.5 bars. The reaction medium is then filtered on a millipore filter then rinsed with ethanol, followed by evaporation to dryness and the residue is triturated with diethyl ether and the reaction medium stirred in a mixture of diisopropyl ether and isopentane (1:4). After filtration of the solid and drying, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.35 (s, 2H); 6.32-6.61 (m, 3H); 8.75 (s, 1H) 45.2) 1-[4-(4-amino-3-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]ethanone This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.1 using 4-amino-3-fluorophenol (7.68 g, 0.06 mol) and 4-fluoroacetophenone (8.34 g, 0.06 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a white-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 2.51 (s, 3H); 5.10 (s, 2H); 6.69-6.96 (m, 5H); 7.92 (d, 2H) 45.3) 1-[4-(4-amino-3-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-bromoethanone hydrochloride This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.2 using 1-[4-(4-amino-3-fluorophenoxy) phenyl]ethanone (4 g, 0.0163 mol) as starting compound; a pink-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 4.84 (s, 2H); 5-6 (broad peak); 6.99-7.13 (m, 5H); 7.93-8.02 (m, 2H) 45.4) 2-fluoro-4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline hydrochloride This compound is prepared according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1.3 using phenoxyacetic acid (1.6 g, 0.0106 mol), and 1-[4-(4-amino-3-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-bromoethanone hydrochloride (4.2 g, 0.0106 mol) and caesium carbonate (3.44 g, 0.0106 mol) as starting compounds. After treatment, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. MH+ experimental=376.20; MH+ theoretical=375.4 The solid obtained (0.06 g, 0.00016 mol) is suspended in 7 ml of ethanol. 0.35 ml of a 1 N hydrochloric acid solution in diethyl ether (0.00032 mol) is poured into this mixture cooled down to 0° C. After stirring for one hour at this temperature, the reaction medium is evaporated to dryness then taken up in diethyl ether and filtered. After drying, a pink-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3-5 (broad peak); 5.44 (s, 2H); 6.77-6.80 (m, 1H); 6.97-7.12 (m, 7H); 7.34-7.38 (m, 2H); 7.86 (d, 2H); 8.11 (s, 1H) Melting point: >300° C. EXAMPLE 46 4-[4-(3-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=377.20; MH+ theoretical=376.84 Melting point: 146-148° C. EXAMPLE 47 4-[4-(3,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=379.10; MH+ theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 160-161 ° C. EXAMPLE 48 4-(4-benzylphenyl)-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 31. MH+ experimental=341.20; MH+ theoretical=340.42 Melting point: 147-148° C. EXAMPLE 49 4-14-(3-methylphenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=357.20; MH+ theoretical=356.42 Melting point: 160-162° C. EXAMPLE 50 4-[4-(2-chlorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole hydrochloride This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=377.10; MH+ theoretical=376.84 Melting point: 158-160° C. EXAMPLE 51 4-[4-(2-fluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=361.10; MH+ theoretical=360.39 Melting point: 154-156° C. EXAMPLE 52 4-[4-(3,4-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+ experimental=379.1 0; MH+ theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 188-190° C. EXAMPLE 53 N1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)glycinamide hydrochloride 53.1) tert-butyl {2-oxo-2-[(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)amino]ethyl}carbamate A mixture containing terbutoxycarbonyl N-glycine acid (417 mg, 0.00238 mol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (1 g, 0.00524 mol), triethylamine (0.73 ml, 0.00524 mol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (354 mg, 0.00262 mol) and {4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}aniline (850 mg, 0.00238 mol, prepared according to Example 28) in 15 ml of dimethylformamide and 3 ml of dichloromethane is stirred for 24 hours at 23° C. The reaction medium is evaporated to dryness then the oil obtained is taken up in ethyl acetate and water. After decantation and extraction with ethyl acetate, the organic phase is washed with water then with a saturated solution of sodium chloride, dried over sodium sulphate then the solvent is evaporated off. The residue obtained is adsorbed on silica then purified by chromatography on a Merck-type silica column (eluent: dichloromethane-methanol: 98-2 to 95-5). After washing with diisopropyl ether and isopentane, an orange-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 1.38 (s, 9H); 3.69-3.71 (m, 2H); 5.07 (s, 2H); 6.94-7.45 (m, 15H); 9.92 (s, 1H); 12.3-12.4 (narrows, 1H) MH+ experimental=515.30; MH+ theoretical=514.56 53.2) N1-(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)glycinamide hydrochloride The compound tert-butyl {2-oxo-2-[(4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}phenyl)amino]ethyl}carbamate (331 mg, 0.00064 mol) in 6 ml of ethyl acetate is stirred for 2 hours at 23° C. then evaporated to dryness. After washing with ether and isopentane, after filtration and drying, a beige-coloured powder is obtained. NMR 1H (δ ppm, DMSO): 3.3-3.7 (narrow s, 3H); 3.74-3.80 (m, 2H); 5.43 (s, 2H); 7.01-8.26 (m, 16H); 10.84 (s, 1H) MH+experimental=415.20; MH+theoretical=414.46 Melting point: >250° C. EXAMPLE 54 4-[4-(2,5-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+experimental=379.20; MH+theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 128-130° C. EXAMPLE 55 4-[4-(2,4-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+experimental=379.20; MH+theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 131-133° C. EXAMPLE 56 4-[4-(2,3-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+experimental=379.00; MH+theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 127-129° C. EXAMPLE 57 4-[4-(2,6-difluorophenoxy)phenyl]-2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazole This compound is synthesized according to a method analogous to that described in Example 1. MH+experimental=379.00; MH+theoretical=378.38 Melting point: 143-145° C. According to a method analogous to that described in Examples 1 to 57, the following compounds can also be prepared: N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}pyridin-4-amine; 4-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenoxy}pyridine; 4-({4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}thio)pyridine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}-N-phenylamine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}pyrimidin-2-amine; 2-(phenoxymethyl)-4-[4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxy)phenyl]-1H-imidazole; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}-1H-indol-4-amine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}-1H-indol-6-amine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}pyrazin-2-amine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}furan-2-amine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}furan-3-amine; N-{4-[2-(phenoxymethyl)-1H-imidazol-4-yl]phenyl}-N-thien-2-ylamine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmacoloiical Study The affinity of the compounds of the present invention is determined by using the following experimental procedure: The different cell lines are incubated at 37° C. in an atmosphere containing 5% of CO2 (Format Scientifique incubators) in DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium) with 4.5 g/l of glucose to which 10% heat-inactivated calf serum, 50 U/ml of penicillin, 50 μg/ml of streptomycin and 2 mM of glutamine (Gibco) are added. The cell proliferation inhibition is measured by the colorimetric test with WST (tetrazolium salt, Boehringer Mannheim, Meylan, France). The cells are seeded in 96-well microplates (TPP) at a rate of 2000 cells per well for the HT29s, 1300 for the DU145s and 1200 for the MIA-Pa-Ca-2s in 95 μl of culture medium. 24 hours after seeding, 5 μl of drugs are added at different concentrations (the product is dissolved in 10−2M DMA then it is diluted in culture medium). The final concentrations range from 25 μM to 0.5 μM. After incubation for 72 hours, 10 μl of WST per well is added and determination of the absorbance is carried out at 450 nM 2 hours later (Victor, Perkin Elmer). Each experiment is carried out twice and is the result of the absorbance measurement of eight wells. For each product, measurement of the IC50 corresponding to the concentration of the product which leads to 50% inhibition of cell growth, is determined by a linear regression calculation (linear deviation, deviation of the linearity and difference between the experiments, TSAR calculation program) on the linear part of the sigmoid. The IC50 values obtained for the majority of the compounds vary from 1 μM to 10 nM.

20051116

20090519

20070322

74200.0

A61K3170

COPPINS, JANET L

NOVEL IMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES, THEIR PREPARATION AND THEIR USE AS MEDICAMENTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Auto distinction system

An auto distinction system images an assembled fiber band such as a filter tow which continuously moves on the front side of a background plate by a video camera, applies sync-separating to a video signal by a sync-separating circuit 5a, and clamps the video signal by a clamping circuit 5b. Based on the clamped image signal, the characteristic information containing the defect information concerning the thickness, width and/or stains of the assembled fiber band is detected, and the defect information is extracted from the detected characteristic information. Thus suitability of the assembled fiber band is discriminated. For example, the clamped image signal is supplied to a noise-eliminating circuit 6a and a defect signal concerning the thickness of the assembled fiber band is extracted. Based on the extracted signal and a reference signal with respect to the information, suitability of the defect information is discriminated by a distinction circuit 7. When the results of distinction are defective, the results are announced by an announcing circuit 8. Furthermore, the characteristic information can be used for process control by being supplied to an external computer. The present invention provides an auto distinction system and an auto distinction method with which suitability of the width, thickness, and stain of a continuously moving assembled fiber band can be accurately discriminated.

1-17. (canceled) 18. An auto distinction system for transmitting a characteristic information as time sequence fluctuation information to a computer, wherein the characteristic information includes a defect information, and corresponds to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a width, a thickness, and a stain of an assembled fiber band which continuously moves; the system comprises an imaging means for imaging an assembled fiber band which continuously moves, a sync-separating and clamping means for sync-separating and clamping a video signal from the imaging means, a detecting means for detecting a characteristic information including a defect information, with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a width, a thickness, and a stain of the assembled fiber band on the basis of a clamped image signal from the sync-separating and clamping means, an extracting means for extracting the defect information from the characteristic information detected by the detecting means, and a distinction means for discriminating suitability of the extracted information based on an extracted signal from the extracting means and a reference signal with respect to the characteristic or defect information; and at least one characteristic information selected from the group consisting of a width count data, a thickness clamped image signal, and a stain count data is transmittable to the computer. 19. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, which is free from a memory for storing a converted digital signal from the clamped image signal, and the characteristic information is supplied to the computer as a digital data. 20. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, wherein the clamped image signal is a clamped image signal of a predetermined scanning line across an imaging region or field, and the characteristic information including the time sequence fluctuating defect information is detected by the detecting means. 21. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, wherein the sync-separating and clamping means sync-separates and clamps a luminance signal in the video signal. 22. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, which comprises an extracting means for extracting a low frequency signal from the clamped image signal, and a distinction means for discriminating an amplitude width of the low frequency signal being within or without reference value range. 23. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, which comprises an extracting means for extracting the thickness clamped image signal from the clamped image signal at least by a high-frequency-noise-eliminating means, and a distinction means for discriminating an amplitude width of the thickness clamped image being within or without reference value range. 24. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, wherein the assembled fiber band comprises a plurality of yarns each of which is bundled and is adjacently arrayed each other. 25. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, wherein the assembled fiber band comprises a tow band in which yarns are adjacently arrayed each other and the arrayed yarns are overlapped into a plurality of layers. 26. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, further comprising an illuminating means which is disposed outside of a visual field of the imaging means and illuminates the assembled fiber band, and a background plate for forming the background against the assembled fiber band relative to the illuminating means. 27. The auto distinction system according to claim 26, wherein the background plate has a high contrast color to the color of the assembled fiber band, and the extracting means extracts the defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a width and a thickness of the assembled fiber band by using scanning lines of a video signal obtained from scanning the high contrast color region. 28. The auto distinction system according to claim 26, wherein the background plate has a color being similar or low-contrast against the color of the assembled fiber band, and the extracting means extracts the defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a stain and a thickness of the assembled fiber band by means of scanning lines of a video signal obtained from scanning the similar or low contrast color region. 29. The auto distinction system according to claim 26, wherein the assembled fiber band comprises a light transmittable band-shaped assembled fiber band, the background plate is larger than the moving width of the band-shaped assembled fiber band and has a color region being similar or low-contrast to the color of the band-shaped assembled fiber band, and the background plate forms high contrast zones crossing the moving direction of the assembled fiber band. 30. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, further comprising an announcing means wherein in the case where a distinction signal from the distinction means is out of a reference value with respect to defect information, the announcing means announces the defect information based on the distinction signal. 31. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, wherein the assembled fiber band is a filter tow, and the extracting means extracts defect information with respect to at least two characteristics selected from the group consisting of a width, a thickness, and a stain of the assembled fiber band. 32. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, comprising (a) a sync-separating means for separating sync signals from the video signal from the imaging means; (b) a clamping means for clamping the video signal in response to the sync signals from the sync-separating means; (c-1) an extracting means for extracting a thickness defect signal from the clamped image signal with respect to thickness of the assembled fiber band, and (c-2) a thickness distinction means for discriminating suitability of the thickness by comparing the extracted defect signal with a reference value with respect to thickness of the assembled fiber band; (d-1) an extracting means for extracting a width signal from the clamped image signal with respect to width of the assembled fiber band, and (d-2) a width distinction means for discriminating suitability of the width by comparing the extracted width signal with a reference value with respect to width of the assembled fiber band; and (e-1) an extracting means for extracting a stain signal from the clamped image signal with respect to a stain of the assembled fiber band, and (e-2) a stain distinction means for discriminating suitability of the stain by comparing the extracted stain signal with a reference value with respect to a stain of the assembled fiber band. 33. The auto distinction system according to claim 32, comprising (a) a thickness distinction means which eliminates at least high frequency noise from the clamped image signal of the assembled fiber band, and discriminates suitability of the thickness by comparing the noise-eliminated clamped image signal with a reference value with respect to a thickness of the assembled fiber band, (b-1) an extracting means which eliminates noise from a clamped image signal of the assembled fiber band, and generates a rectangular signal corresponding to the width of the assembled fiber band, (b-2) a counter means for counting rectangular portions of the clamped image signal by a clock means, and (b-3) a width distinction means for discriminating suitability of the width by comparing the count data of the counter means with a reference value with respect to a width of the assembled fiber band, and (c-1) a differentiating means for differentiating a clamped image signal of the assembled fiber band, (c-2) a comparing means for discriminating a large stain by comparing the differentiated clamped image signal and a reference value with respect to a stain of the assembled fiber band, and (c-3) a counter means for counting the number of stains on the basis of the defect information and the image-width information, in which the defect information relates to the stain from the comparing means and the image-width information relates to the image width from the imaging means, and (c-4) a stain distinction means for discriminating suitability of the stain by comparing the count data counted by the counter means with a reference value with respect to a stain of the assembled fiber band. 34. The auto distinction system according to claim 33, wherein the comparing means comprises a first comparing means for discriminating a larger stain of the assembled fiber band by comparing the differentiated clamped image signal with a first reference value with respect to stain largeness, and a second comparing means for discriminating a smaller stain of the assembled fiber band by comparing the differentiated clamped image signal with a second reference value with respect to stain smallness; the counter means comprises a first counter means for counting the number of large stains on the basis of both the defect information with respect to the stain from the first comparing means and the image width information from the imaging means, and a second counter means for counting the number of small stains on the basis of both the defect information with respect to the stain from the second comparing means and the image width information from the imaging means; and the stain distinction means discriminates acceptability of the stain by comparing the count data counted by the first counter means and a reference value with respect to a large stain of the assembled fiber band. 35. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, wherein the extracting means extracts defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a width, a thickness, and a stain of a crimped or non-crimped band-shaped filter tow which continuously moves and comprises a plurality of yarns. 36. The auto distinction system according to claim 18, further comprising a transmitting means for supplying at least one piece of characteristic information selected from the group consisting of a width count data, a thickness clamped image signal, and a stain count data to a process controlling computer. 37. The auto distinction system according to claim 36, wherein the transmitting means comprises an interface means for transmitting or transferring at least one piece of characteristic information selected from the group consisting of the width count data, the thickness clamped image signal, and the stain count data, and a trigger means for generating a trigger signal for adjusting the transferring timing of the characteristic information to the computer via the interface means. 38. An auto distinction method for transmitting a characteristic information as time sequence fluctuation information to a computer, wherein the characteristic information includes a defect information, and corresponds to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a width, a thickness, and a stain of an assembled fiber band which continuously moves; wherein the method comprises imaging a continuously moving assembled fiber band by an imaging means, sync-separating and clamping a video signal from the imaging means, detecting a characteristic information containing a defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the group consisting of a width, a thickness, and a stain of the assembled fiber band based on a clamped image signal, extracting a defect information with respect to the above-mentioned characteristic from the detected characteristic information, and discriminating suitability of the defect information based on the extracted signal and a reference signal with respect to the defect information; and at least one characteristic information selected from the group consisting of a width count data, a thickness clamped image signal, and a stain count data is transmittable to the computer.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an auto distinction system which detects a characteristic information including a defect information of a continuously moving assembled fiber band (for example, a fiber bundle or fiber assembly such as filter tow) and which is useful for quality control of the assembled fiber band on the basis of the defect information or time sequence (TSEQ) fluctuation information; and relates to an auto distinction method. A video signal from an imaging means is used for quality control and discriminating whether an inspection target is non-defective or defective. For example, the specification of Japanese Patent No. 3013903 discloses a defect-sensing device for detecting a defect of an edge of a flat glass having chamfered edges and seaming surfaces, in which the device detects on the edge of glass placed horizontally; wherein the device comprises a light source for irradiating the edge with light from upper diagonal and lower diagonal directions opposite side of the flat glass, and at least two cameras which are disposed outside of the extended ranges of light paths irradiated onto the glass edge; and the device images the edge via transparent portions of the flat glass from opposite sides of the light irradiation directions. The defect-sensing device finds a weathering or burn-in defect based on the level of a brightness signal of an image signal picked up by the cameras. However, this device requires a plurality of light sources and a plurality of imaging means. The specification of Japanese Patent No. 3025833 discloses an inspection system comprising a signal pattern generating unit, a threshold pattern generating means, and a comparing means. The generating unit generates at least one signal pattern selected from (a) a signal pattern where a maximum value is offset to become higher by an offset value in the video signal pattern and (b) a signal pattern where a minimum value is offset to become lower by an offset value in the video signal pattern, wherein the video signal patterns are obtained by imaging a non-defective product with an imaging means. The threshold pattern generating means generates threshold patterns from the offset signal patterns. The comparing means discriminates quality (or good or bad) of an inspection target by comparing a video signal obtained by imaging the inspection target with threshold patterns. The Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 122269/1996 (JP-A-H8-122269) discloses an image pickup type inspection system comprising an imaging means which outputs a video signal by imaging an inspection target, an inspection region setting means for setting an inspection region in the imaged field through the imaging means, an abnormal portion detecting means for detecting an abnormal portion on the basis of the video signal within the inspection region, and a non-defective/defective distinction signal output means for outputting a non-defective/defective distinction signal according to whether or not an abnormal portion has been detected, wherein these means are housed in one casing. This document also mentions that the image pickup type inspection system further comprises an announcing means for announcing the results of non-defective/defective distinction to the outside by means of light or sound. However, when these systems are applied to an assembled fiber band which continuously moves, it becomes difficult to accurately detect defects such as stains and unevenness of thick or thin portions, because not only does an inspection target continuously move, but also the width and thickness of the assembled fiber band fluctuate by continuous moving. In particular, when the systems are applied to a fiber bundle such as filter tow which comprises a plurality of yarns and moves at a high speed, not only does the degree of adjacency or overlapping of yarns fluctuates, but also these fluctuations further change every moment as the yarns move. Accordingly it becomes difficult to accurately detect defects (or uneven portions) of the assembled fiber band or fiber pieces. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an auto distinction system which is distinctable suitability of the assembled fiber band by accurately extracting defective portions or uneven portions of the assembled fiber band (or fiber assembly) even when the assembled fiber band continuously moves; and an auto distinction method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an auto distinction system which is distinctable suitability of an assembled fiber band by extracting or detecting a defect information (or a characteristic information including at least a defect information) concerning at least two characteristics selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain of the assembled fiber band; and an auto distinction method thereof. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system which efficiently detects fluctuations in a width, a thickness and a stain of an assembled fiber band even when the assembled fiber band is a band-shaped assembled fiber band such as filter tow which moves or runs at a high speed, and a method thereof. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an auto distinction system useful for process control and quality control at a production site, wherein a characteristic information of an assembled fiber band is accurately detected by the system even when the assembled fiber band continuously moves, and further the characteristic information (detection signal and/or data) is transferred to a computer (for example, a process controlling computer) and used as a time sequence fluctuation information (time-series fluctuation information); and an auto distinction method thereof. Patent Document 1: Specification of Patent Document No. 3013903 Patent Document 2: Specification of Patent Document No. 3025833 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 122269/1996 (JP-A-H8-122269) DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The inventors of the present invention did intensive investigation to accomplish the above objects, and finally found that, when (1) an assembled fiber band which continuously moves (or runs) is imaged by an imaging means and (2) a video signal from the imaging means is subjected to sync-separating and clamping, (3) on the basis of the clamped image signal (clamped image signal), a characteristic information including a defect information on the width, thickness and/or stain of the assembled fiber band is detected by a detecting means, and (4) the defect information is extracted from the characteristic information by an extracting means, (a) suitability of the assembled fiber band is accurately distinctable or can be properly discriminated by comparison with reference values with respect to the above information, (b) by using scanning lines with respect to the width, thickness, and/or stain of the assembled fiber band, the plurality of characteristics could be efficiently and accurately discriminated, and (c) use of time sequence or time-series fluctuations of the characteristic information was effective for process control and quality control. The present invention was accomplished based on the above finding. That is, the auto distinction system of the present invention comprises an imaging means (image pick up means) for imaging an assembled fiber band (arrayed fiber body or fiber assembly) which continuously moves, a sync-separating and clamping means for sync-separating and clamping a video signal from this imaging means, a detecting means for detecting a characteristic information including a defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain (refers to a defective or abnormal portion in some cases) of the assembled fiber band on the basis of the clamped image signal from this sync-separating and clamping means, an extracting means for extracting the defect information from the characteristic information detected by the detecting means, and a distinction means for discriminating suitability of the defect information on the basis of both the extracted signal from this extracting means and a reference signal with respect to the information (detected characteristic information or defect information). In this system, the characteristic information may be detected and the defect information may be extracted by using a luminance signal in the video signal. Namely, the sync-separating and clamping means (sync-separating/clamping means) may sync-separate and clamp a luminance signal in the video signal. In the above-mentioned system, since the video signal is subjected to sync-separating and clamping, the standard level can be fixed. Accordingly, the defect information with respect to the width, the thickness, and the stain of the assembled fiber band can be efficiently detected. Further, suitability of the assembled fiber band is accurately distinctable or capable of discriminated. Incidentally, with respect to sync-separating and clamping of the video signal, a synchronizing signal may be separated from a video signal by a sync-separating means, and in response to the synchronizing signal from the sync-separating means, the video signal may be clamped by the clamp means. In order to increase imaging contrast of the assembled fiber band by the imaging means as well as to enhance the accuracy of detection of the defective portion, the above-mentioned system may have an illuminating means that is disposed outside of a visual field (out-of-view) of the imaging means and is for illuminating the assembled fiber band, and a background plate for forming the background of the assembled fiber band for the illuminating means. This background plate may have a high contrast color to the assembled fiber band, or may have a color similar to that of the assembled fiber band, or a low contrast color (or substantially the same contrast color with that of the assembled fiber band). When the background plate has a high contrast color in comparison with the assembled fiber band, the extracting means can extract a defect information on at least one characteristic selected from a width and a thickness of the assembled fiber band by using scanning lines of a video signal obtained by scanning the region having the high contrast color. On the other hand, when the background plate has a color similar to that of the assembled fiber band or has a low contrast color in comparison with the assembled fiber band, the extracting means can extract a defect information on at least one characteristic between a stain and a thickness of the assembled fiber band by using scanning lines of a video signal obtained by scanning the similar color region. A thickness fluctuation (or defect information) of the assembled fiber band can be detected in both cases of low contrast and high contrast colors of the background plate as long as the background plate color is even. Incidentally, the assembled fiber band may be a band-shaped or ribbon shaped assembled fiber band (band-shaped tow band) comprising a plurality of yarns (or strands), for example, a plurality of yarns which are bundled and adjacently arrayed each other, or may be a band-shaped assembled fiber band (for example, filter tow (cigarette filter tow)) which comprises a plurality of yarns bundled, adjacently arrayed each other, and overlapped into a plurality of layers. Furthermore, the assembled fiber band may be usually an assembled fiber band through which a light ray transmits, or may be openable. Incidentally, as long as the illumination means exists out of visual field (out-of-view field) of the imaging means, the illuminating means may illuminate the assembled fiber band from the front side and/or the back side of the assembled fiber band, or the illuminating means may illuminate the assembled fiber band by transmitting a light beam through the assembled fiber band. The present invention is useful for extracting the characteristic information including a defect information on at least one characteristic selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain of a non-crimped or crimped band-shaped filter tow which continuously moves and comprises a plurality of yarns. Furthermore, by the extracting means, the defect information on one or single characteristic may be detected, or the defect information on at least two characteristics selected from the width, the thickness, and the stain of the assembled fiber band may be extracted. In the case of extracting the defect information on a plurality of characteristics, the background plate may have a width larger than the width of the moving assembled fiber band, and may have a region having a color similar or low-contrast to in comparison with the inspection target. Further, the background plate may form high contrast zones for detecting the width of the assembled fiber band in the direction across the moving direction of the assembled fiber band. Such a background plate ensures to obtain an information on a defective portion with respect to the width of an inspection target by using the scanning lines of the video signal obtained by scanning the high contrast zones in the imaging field of the imaging means, and ensures to obtain a defect information on a stain of the assembled fiber band by using the scanning lines of the video signal obtained by scanning the region having a color similar to that of the assembled fiber band. The defect information on the thickness of the assembled fiber band may be detected by using the scanning lines of the video signal obtained by scanning the region of the similar color or low contrast color of the background plate, or by using the scanning lines of the video signal obtained by scanning the high contrast zones. When a distinction signal from the distinction means becomes outside of reference values corresponding to an abnormal information, an announcing (alerting) means may announce the abnormal information or outlier information based on the distinction signal. Furthermore, the auto distinction system may comprise a sync-separating means for separating synchronizing signals from the video signal from the imaging means, a clamping means for clamping the image signal in response to the signal from this sync-separating means, an extracting means for extracting a defect signal with respect to thickness, width, and/or stain of the assembled fiber band from the generated clamped image signal, and a distinction means for discriminating suitability of the assembled fiber band by comparing the extracted defect signal with the reference signal corresponding to the above-mentioned characteristics. More specifically, the system may comprise an extracting means for extracting a thickness defect signal from the clamped image signal with respect to the thickness of the assembled fiber band, a thickness distinction means for discriminating suitability of the thickness by comparing the extracted defect signal with a reference value of the thickness of the assembled fiber band; an extracting means for extracting a width signal from the clamped image signal with respect to the width of the assembled fiber band, a width distinction means for discriminating suitability of the width by comparing the extracted width signal with a reference value concerning the width of the assembled fiber band; an extracting means for extracting a stain signal from the clamped image signal with respect to a stain of the assembled fiber band (for example, a differentiation means for differentiating the clamped image signal), and a stain distinction means for discriminating suitability or acceptability of the stain by comparing the extracted stain signal (for example, the differentiated clamped image signal) with a reference value concerning the stain of the assembled fiber band. Furthermore, the system of the present invention may comprise a thickness distinction means which eliminates noise from the clamped image signal with respect to the thickness of the assembled fiber band and discriminates suitability of the thickness by comparing the noise-eliminated clamped image signal (or a fluctuation value of the image signal) with reference values concerning the thickness of the assembled fiber band (for example, an upper limit reference value and a lower limit reference value by means of a window comparator); an extracting means which eliminates noise from the clamped image signal with respect to the width of the assembled fiber band and generates a rectangular signal corresponding to the width of the assembled fiber band, a counter means for counting rectangular sections of the clamped image signal on the basis of a clock means, a width distinction means for discriminating suitability of the width by comparing the count value obtained from the counter means with reference values concerning the width of the assembled fiber band; a differentiation means for differentiating the clamped scanning signal with respect to the stain of the assembled fiber band, a comparing means for discriminating a large stain by comparing the differentiated clamped signal with reference values with respect to the stain of the assembled fiber band, a counter means for counting the number of stains on the basis of both the defect information on the stain from this comparing means and the information on the image width from the imaging means, and a stain distinction means for discriminating suitability or acceptability of the stain by comparing the count data counted by the counter means with a reference value regarding the stain of the assembled fiber band. In this system, the comparing means may comprise a first comparing means for discriminating a larger stain by comparing the differentiated clamped image signal and a first reference value with respect to stain largeness of the assembled fiber band, and a second comparing means for discriminating a smaller stain by comparing the differentiated clamped image signal and a second reference value with respect to stain smallness of the assembled fiber band. Furthermore, the counter means may comprise a first counter means for counting the number of large stains on the basis of both the defect information on the stain from the first comparing means and the information on the image width from the imaging means, and a second counter means for counting the number of small stains on the basis of both the defect information on stains from the second comparing means and the information on the image width from the imaging means. Furthermore, the stain distinction means may discriminate suitability or acceptability of the stain by comparing the count data counted by the first counter means and reference values with respect to large stains of the assembled fiber band. Furthermore, the distinction system of the present invention may comprise a transmitting means for supplying the characteristic information [for example, at least one of characteristic information selected from a width count data (count data with respect to the width), a thickness clamped image signal (clamped image signal with respect to the thickness), and a stain count data (count data with respect to the stain)] to a process controlling computer (or an external computer through the interface means). As the stain count data, data on the above-mentioned stains (large stain count data and/or small stain count data) can be used. This transmitting means may comprise an interface means for transmitting or transferring the characteristic information (at least one of characteristic information selected from a width count data, a thickness clamped image signal, and a stain count data) to the computer, and a trigger means for generating a trigger signal announcing transferring timing of the characteristic information to the process controlling computer (or external computer). When such a transmitting or transferring means is provided, a characteristic information including a defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a thickness, a width, and a stain of the assembled fiber band can be used as a time sequence fluctuation information (time-series fluctuation information) and can be used for process control or quality control by a process control unit. The present invention also includes auto distinction method comprising imaging a continuously moving assembled fiber band by an imaging means, sync-separating and clamping a video signal from the imaging means, detecting a characteristic information containing a defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain of the assembled fiber band on the basis of a clamped image signal, extracting a defect information with respect to the characteristic from the detected characteristic information, and discriminating suitability of the defect information on the basis of the extracted signal and a reference signal with respect to the above-mentioned information (the detected characteristic information or defect information). In this specification, “characteristic information” is sometimes just referred to as “information”. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing still another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 7. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 10. FIG. 13 is a graph showing time sequence fluctuations of a characteristic information of a cigarette filter tow which continuously moves or runs. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of process control using the auto distinction system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 1. In this example, thickness (or uneven thickness) of filter tow (band-shaped tow) which continuously moves are detected. The filter tow (or tow band) comprises a plurality of yarns. Namely, the filter tow is formed of a plurality of yarns which are bundled, adjacently arrayed each other, and overlapped into a layer form. Therefore, the degrees of adjacency and overlapping of the yarns adjacent to each other fluctuate as yarns move, and unevenness in thickness of the filter tow easily generates a defective product. As shown in FIG. 2, on the foreside of a filter tow 1 which continuously moves from the lower side to the upper side, a video camera (imaging means) 2 is provided with a predetermined angle of view, and on the backside of the filter tow 1, a black background plate 3a is provided for increasing the contrast to the white tow. In an out-of-view field range of the video camera 2, an illumination unit 4 for illuminating the filter tow 1 from an oblique direction is provided on the backside of the filter tow 1. Namely, the illumination unit 4 is disposed so as to face the backside of the filter tow 1 from the background plate 3a, and illuminates (or permeably illuminates) the backside of the filter tow 1 with light beams. Therefore, by means of the difference of light transmittances in filter tow 1, namely high light transmittance in a thin region 1a and low light transmittance in a thick region, the thickness (or thinness) of the filter tow 1 can be imaged with high contrast and the evenness or unevenness in thickness thereof can be detected with high accuracy. A video signal from an image sensor (CCD, imaging tube or image pick up tube, etc.) of the video camera contains, in interlace scanning, signals of a horizontal blanking section (or period) and an image section forming one scanning line, a signal forming a vertical blanking section (or period) (vertical synchronizing signal (vertical sync pulse), serrated pulse, equalizing pulse, etc.). A signal forming the horizontal blanking section (or period) contains a front-porch region, a horizontal synchronizing signal, and a back-porch region, etc. Such a video signal (in particular, at least a luminance signal out of the video signal) is supplied to a sync-separating circuit 5a, and this sync-separating circuit separates various synchronizing signals (the horizontal synchronizing signal, the vertical synchronizing signal, a frame synchronizing signal, odd-number and even-number signals respectively corresponding to odd-number fields and even-number fields, and sync-clamping signals, etc.) from the video signal to generate the above-mentioned various synchronizing signals. The sync-clamping signals separated and generated from the video signal by the sync-separating circuit 5a are supplied to a clamping circuit 5b. This clamping circuit clamps the video signal in response to the sync-clamping signal, and makes the reference level constant. More specifically, since an AC-coupled video signal changes its amplitude depending on the size of the image signal section, the DC levels of the synchronizing signals are not constant, nor are the DC levels of the video signal superimposed on the synchronizing signals not constant. Therefore, a sync-clamping signal is generated by the sync-separating circuit 5a for separating synchronizing signals from the video signal, and by this signal, the video signal is clamped, the DC levels are regenerated and the reference level is made constant. The image signal (in particular, at least a luminance signal) from the video signal contains various information (characteristic information including defect information) with respect to the filter tow. Therefore, in order to extract the defect information with respect to the thickness from a predetermined scanning line (for example, an X-th scanning line across the imaging region or field) of the video signal, a clamped image signal (scanning signal) of the predetermined scanning line is supplied to an extraction circuit (or detection circuit). In this example, since the characteristic information with respect to the thickness of the tow is usually contained in a clamped image signal as a low frequency signal, the extraction circuit (or detection circuit) comprises a high-frequency noise-eliminating circuit (low-pass filter circuit) 6a. That is, the image signal that has been clamped (clamped image signal) contains noise within the suitable or acceptable thickness range due to fine unevenness of fibers (or filaments) or yarns. Therefore, the clamped image signal is supplied to the noise-eliminating circuit (low-pass filter circuit) 6a for noise elimination, and the clamped image signal from which noise has been eliminated is supplied to a thickness distinction circuit 7 for comparison with reference values (each of thresholds of the lower limit and the upper limit of the thickness) with respect to the thickness of the filter tow. This thickness distinction circuit 7 comprises a window comparator, and generates an announcing signal when the signal level of the image signal (fluctuation value) becomes outside of a set (predetermined) window width. Namely, in the thickness distinction circuit (window comparator) 7, the lower limit reference value (lower limit threshold) and the upper limit reference value (upper limit threshold) regarding the thickness are compared with the clamped image signal (fluctuation value). When the clamped image signal level is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, or equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, the distinction circuit 7 discriminates that the tow is defective. When the clamped image signal level is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold, or equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, the thickness distinction circuit 7 supplies an announcing signal to an announcing circuit 8 to announce that an abnormality or defect occurs in the thickness of the filter tow. Incidentally, the clamped image signal from which noise has been eliminated is amplified by an amplifier circuit 9 which forms an interface to the outside, and the amplified image signal is supplied to the process controlling computer (process control unit). That is, in response to various signals from the sync-separating circuit 5a, a timing circuit 10 generates various timing signals from the video signal, and supplies the timing signals to a thickness trigger circuit 44. The thickness trigger circuit 44 is used for transmitting or transferring (data taking-in) the characteristic information (the amplified clamped image signal) to the computer via a buffer circuit 47 which forms an interface to the outside in order to supply a trigger signal to the computer. Incidentally, the image signal (characteristic information signal) is analog-digital (A/D) converted and taken-in as a digital signal in the computer. Therefore, the time sequence fluctuation information (time-series fluctuation information) with respect to the thickness of the filter tow can be controlled by a computer, and can be utilized for process control and quality control in the manufacturing process of the filter tow. For example, on the basis of the level or scale of the defect information, statistical data processing (time sequence fluctuation trend, generation frequency of the defect information (including the level and scale) and so on), the information can be utilized for control of the manufacturing process of the filter tow. In the above-mentioned system, as shown in FIG. 3, when thickness measurement is started, a video signal is subjected to sync-separating in Step S1. The video image signal is clamped by a sync-clamping signal generated by sync-separating in Step S2, and high frequency noise is eliminated from the clamped image signal and the defect information with respect to the thickness is extracted in Step S3. The clamped image signal from which noise has been eliminated is discriminated in Step S4 whether or not the amplitude width (width information) of the image signal is within or without a set window width (reference value range), and when the amplitude width is within the window width range, the process returns to the above-mentioned Step S2 and continues the same operation. On the other hand, when the image amplitude width becomes outside of the set window width, it is informed by an announcing signal announces (alerts) that a thickness abnormality or defect has occurred in Step S5, and in Step S6, it is determined whether or not warning (announcing) is to be stopped, and unless the warning (announcing) is stopped, the warning (announcing) is continued, and announcing is ended by stopping the warning (announcing). The clamped image signal from which noise has been eliminated is amplified in Step S7. In Step S8, the amplified clamped image signal is transmitted to the computer, and in Step S9, a thickness trigger signal is supplied to the computer. In Step S10 for taking-in the clamped image signal into the computer, an analog signal is converted into a digital signal (A/D conversion), and in Step S11, the digitized clamped image signal is used as a time sequence (TSEQ) fluctuation information by the computer. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 4. In this example, width of a filter tow (band-shaped or ribbon-shaped tow) which continuously moves is detected. As shown in FIG. 5, in this example, a background plate 3a and a video camera 2 are disposed with respect to the filter tow 1 in the same manner as in FIG. 2 except that the illumination unit 4 is disposed on the side of the video camera 2 (that is, the front side of the filter tow 1). The video signal from the video camera 2 (in particular, at least a luminance signal in the video signal) is supplied to a sync-separating circuit 5a in the same manner as described above, and in response to a sync-clamping signal from this sync-separating circuit 5a, a clamping circuit 5b clamps the video signal to make the reference level constant. The synchronizing signals separated from the video signal are supplied to a timing circuit 10, and this timing circuit generates various timing signals in order to synchronize with an image signal corresponding to a predetermined scanning line. The characteristic information with respect to the width of the tow is included in the clamped image signal as a low frequency signal. Therefore, in order to eliminate noise from the video signal and the extract information with respect to the width of the tow, the video signal of a predetermined scanning line containing the characteristic information with respect to the width of the tow (the clamped image signal, in particular, at least the luminance signal) is supplied to an extraction circuit comprising a noise-eliminating circuit (or low-pass filter circuit) 6a for eliminating high frequency noise, and a slicing circuit 17. The noise-eliminating circuit 6a eliminates noise contained in the clamped image signal (that is, noise signals which are outside of the image signal, noise signals at the rising and lowering points of the image signal, and noise signals which are inside of the image signal), and generates an image signal from which noise has been eliminated. Furthermore, in order to extract a signal with respect to the width of the tow with higher accuracy, the image signal is supplied to a slicing circuit (or comparing circuit) 17 with predetermined thresholds set, and this slicing circuit 17 generates a rectangular signal sliced at a predetermined level corresponding to the width of the tow. The noise-eliminated and sliced rectangular signal is supplied to an AND circuit 18, and a reference clock signal (pulse signal) from a clock-generating circuit 19 is also supplied to this AND circuit. Therefore, the AND circuit 18 generates a clock signal (pulse signal) corresponding to the sliced rectangular wave field. The signal from the AND circuit 18 is supplied to a counter circuit 20, and the clock number (pulse number) corresponding to the width of the sliced rectangular wave is counted. For resetting the count data counted by the counter circuit 20 for each scanning of one image plane, that is, for each field scanning, the timing circuit 10 supplies a timing signal to a resetting circuit (not shown), and this resetting circuit resets the accumulated count data counted by the counter circuit 20 in response to the timing signal supplied from the timing circuit 10. The count signal from the counter circuit 20 is supplied to a width distinction circuit 21 for discriminating suitability of the width of the filter tow by comparing the count signal with reference values with respect to the width of the filter tow. Incidentally, as reference values with respect to the width of the filter tow, a lower limit reference value (lower limit threshold) and an upper limit reference value (upper limit threshold) can be used, and when the counter signal (count data) is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold or equal to or higher than the upper limit threshold, the width can be determined as defective and suitability of the width is discriminated. When the width of the filter tow is determined as defective, the width distinction circuit 21 supplies an announcing signal to an announcing circuit 22 to announce that an abnormality or defect with respect to the width of the filter tow has occurred. Incidentally, the signal from the counter circuit 20 is supplied to the computer (an external computer such as a process controlling computer) via a buffer circuit 48 which forms an interface to the outside. To this computer, a trigger signal for taking-in data is supplied. Namely, in response to various signals from the sync-separating circuit 5a, the timing circuit 10 generates various timing signals with respect to scanning lines of the video signal. The timing signals from the timing circuit 10 are supplied to a width trigger circuit 45, and the width trigger circuit supplies a trigger signal to the computer via a buffer circuit 49 forming an interface to the outside, and this trigger signal is used for transmission or transfer (data taking-in) of the characteristic information (count data) to the computer via the interface. That is, the time sequence fluctuation information (time-series fluctuation information) with respect to the width of the filter tow can be controlled by the computer, and can be used for process control and quality control in the manufacturing process of the filter tow. For example, based on fluctuation band with respect to the width, and statistical data processing (e.g., time-series fluctuation trend of width and generation frequency of the defect information), the information can be used for process control in the filter tow production. In this system, as shown in FIG. 6, when width measurement is started, in Step S21 a video signal is subjected to sync-separating, and a video image signal is clamped by a sync-clamping signal generated from sync-separating, in Step S22. In Step S23 high frequency noise is eliminated from the clamped image signal, and in Step S24 the image signal is sliced to extract the characteristic information on the width. The characteristic information (width of the sliced rectangular signal or rectangular wave) extracted in Step 24 is counted on the basis of a reference clock signal in Step S25, and it is discriminated in Step S26 whether or not the count data is within or without the range between reference values (upper limit and lower limit values). When the count data becomes outside of the range between reference values, in Step S27 it is informed with an announcing signal that an abnormality or defect in the width has occurred, and in Step S28 it is discriminated or judged whether or not the announcing is to be stopped. When the announcing is not stopped, the announcing is continued, and when the announcing is to be stopped, the announcing is ended. On the other hand, when the count data is within the range between the reference values, the count data is reset to zero in Step S29 and the process returns to the above-mentioned Step S22. Furthermore, in Step S30, the count data counted in the above-mentioned Step S25 is transmitted or transferred to the computer, and in Step S31, a width trigger signal is supplied to the computer. In response to this trigger signal, in Step S32, the computer monitors or analyzes the time sequence width fluctuation information (fluctuation information) based on the transmitted or transferred count data, and uses the count data for process control. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing still another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 7. In this example, a stain on a filter tow (band-shaped tow) which continuously moves is detected. As shown in FIG. 8, in this example, in order to efficiently extract a stain on the white filter tow 1 with preventing the stain extraction efficiency from lowering due to shadow, a video camera 2 and an illumination unit 4 are provided in the substantially same way with FIG. 5 except that a background plate 3b having a color similar to (color similar in brightness or white) the color of the filter tow 1 is used. The video signal (in particular, at least a luminance signal) from the video camera 2 is, as in the description given above, supplied to a sync-separating circuit 5a, and in response to a sync-clamping signal from this sync-separating circuit, a clamping circuit 5b clamps the video signal to make the reference level constant. Synchronizing signals separated from the video signal are supplied to a timing circuit 10 from the sync-separating circuit 5a, and the timing circuit generates various timing signals for synchronization with an image signal with respect to a scanning line. Stains of the tow are usually contained in the clamped image signal as a high frequency signal. Therefore, the clamped video signal (in particular, at least a luminance signal) is supplied to a differentiating circuit 26 comprising a low-pass filter for elimination of low frequency noise. In order to extract the defect information with respect to stains on the tow, the clamped image signal is supplied to an extraction circuit which comprises a differentiating circuit 26, a comparing circuit 27, and an AND circuit 29. Namely, in the differentiating circuit 26, the clamped image signal is differentiated to eliminate low frequency noise, and the defect information on the stain and others is also converted into a peak waveform. The differentiated signal generated from the differentiating circuit 26 is supplied to a high level stain comparing circuit (first comparing circuit) 27 for slicing or comparison at a slice level (or a threshold, first reference value) with respect to a high level stain, and a low level stain comparing circuit (second comparing circuit) 28 for slicing or comparison at a slice level (or a threshold, second reference value) with respect to a low level stain, and binarized signals are generated for stain detection. Incidentally the high level stain can be made to correspond to a value of a differentiated signal corresponding to an original stain of the filter tow, and the low level stain can be made to correspond to a value of a differentiated signal corresponding to a latent stain of the filter tow. The differentiated signal and the binarized signals from the differentiating circuit 26 sometimes contains binarized noise signals corresponding to shadows in both-side regions of the moving filter tow. Therefore, by generating a gate signal slightly narrower than the width of the moving filter tow, and by supplying this gate signal and the binarized signals to the AND circuits, noise signals can be eliminated. In order to eliminate the noise signals, the signal from the first comparing circuit 27 and a tow width window gate signal from a stain window gate circuit 36 as the information with respect to the image width are supplied to a first AND circuit 29, and the signal from the second comparing circuit 28 and the tow width window gate signal from the stain window gate circuit 36 are supplied to a second AND circuit 30. Then noise is eliminated which corresponds to shadows on both-side portions caused by the background plate and is selected from the differentiated signal and the binarized signals from the differentiating circuit 26. Incidentally in the stain window gate circuit 36, a window slightly narrower than the set window width (observation width) of the filter tow, namely, a width reference value with respect to window width which does not contain the noise, is set, and the window gate signal from the stain window gate circuit 36 is supplied to the AND circuits 29 and 30 at a predetermined timing from the timing circuit 10 which generates synchronizing signals (timing signals) with respect to scanning lines of the video signal. Binarized signals from the first and second AND circuits 29 and 30 are supplied to stain counter circuits 31 and 32, respectively, and the number of pulses or rectangular peaks corresponding to stains in the binarized signals is counted. Incidentally, a count signal from the second counter circuit 32 is used for control of latent stains of the filter tow. A count signal (signal with respect to the count data) from the first counter circuit 31 is supplied to a stain distinction circuit 33 for discriminating suitability or acceptability of the stain by comparison with predetermined reference values with respect to stains on the assembled fiber band, and when the degree of the stain (count number) becomes equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value, the stain distinction circuit 33 supplies an announcing signal to an announcing circuit 34 to announce that the stain on the filter tow is large. For resetting count data of the first stain counter circuit 31 and the second stain counter circuit 32 for each scanning one image plane, that is, for each field scanning, the timing circuit 10 supplies a timing signal to a resetting circuit 35, and the resetting circuit responds to the timing signal from the timing circuit so that the count data accumulated in the first and second counter circuits 31 and 32 is reset to zero. Furthermore, the count signals from the first counter circuit 31 and the second counter circuit 32 are supplied to the computer via buffer circuits 50 and 51, respectively, and the buffer circuits form interfaces to the outside. Accordingly, the count signals are used for displaying the degree of the stain on a display or for process control of the filter tow. Namely, in response to various signals from the sync-separating circuit 5a, the timing circuit 10 generates various timing signals with respect to scanning lines of the video signal, and supplies the timing signals to a stain trigger circuit 46. This stain trigger circuit supplies, in response to the timing signals, a trigger signal to the computer via a buffer circuit 52 which forms an interface to the outside, and this trigger signal is used for transmission or transfer (data taking-in) of the characteristic information (stain count data or count signals) to the computer via the interface. In the distinction system, as shown in FIG. 9, the video signal is subjected to sync-separating in Step S41 in response to a starting signal regarding stain measurement, and the video image signal is clamped by the sync-clamping signal generated by means of sync-separating in Step S42. The clamped image signal is differentiated in Step S43 for elimination of noise, and sliced and binarized in Step S44. In Step S45, the binarized image signals (pulses or rectangular peaks) are counted. It is discriminated whether or not the count signal (a signal with respect to the count data or count data) is within or without the range of reference values in Step S46, and when the count data becomes outside of the reference value range, generation of a stain abnormality or defect is announced in Step S47 by means of an announcing signal. In Step S48 it is discriminated whether or not the announcing (warning) is stopped, and if announcing is not stopped, announcing is continued, and if announcing (warning) is stopped, announcing is stopped or ended. On the other hand, when the count data is within the range of reference values, it is discriminated whether or not scanning was performed within or without one field in Step S49, and when scanning is not performed within one field the process returns to Step S45 for counting the binarized signals, and after scanning is performed within one field, the count data is reset to zero in Step S50. Furthermore, in Step S51, the count data counted in Step S45 is transmitted or transferred to the computer, and in Step S52, a stain trigger signal is supplied to the computer. In Step S53, in response to this trigger signal, the computer monitors or analyzes the time sequence stain fluctuation information (time sequence fluctuation information) based on the transmitted or transferred count data, and uses the count data for process control. Incidentally, in this flowchart, for the sake of convenience, slicings with respect to the high level stain and the low level stain are referred to as slicing in one Step S44, and counting of high level stains and counting of low level stains are referred to as counting of binarized signals in one Step S45. Therefore, processing after Step S46 is carried out for both the high level stain counting and the low level stain counting. Incidentally, in the above-mentioned example, a defect information (thickness, width, or stain) of the moving filter tow is detected and it is discriminated whether the filter tow is non-defective or defective. However, in the present invention also ensures to discriminate whether the filter tow is non-defective or defective by detecting the defect information with respect to at least two characteristics or all characteristics of the thickness, width, and stain of the filter tow. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 10. In this example, the thickness, width, and stain of a filter tow (band-shaped tow) which continuously moves are detected. As shown in FIG. 11, in this example, a background plate 3 disposed on the backside of the filter tow 1 has a white region 3b and black zones 3a. The white region 3b has a color (white) similar to the color of the filter tow 1 in order to increase the stain detection accuracy, and the black zones 3a which are formed with a predetermined width on the upper portion and lower portion of the background plate 3 and have high contrast to the filter tow 1 for detecting the width of the filter tow accurately. Incidentally, a video camera 2 and an illumination unit 4a are disposed in the same positional relationship as in the above-mentioned FIG. 5, and an illumination unit 4b is disposed in the same positional relationship as in the above-mentioned FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 12, in this system, in response to measurement start signal, mode selection is required for selecting the characteristics of the filter tow to be measured. That is, in Step S61 it is required to select whether or not a plurality of characteristics of the filter tow are to be measured, and when it is selected that a plurality of characteristics are to be measured, in Step S62, a distinction is required as to whether or not the background plate and the illuminations (or illumination units) have been properly disposed (for example, whether or not a two-colored background plate has been set and the front illumination and back illumination have been provided). When the background plate and the illumination units are not properly provided, it is required to set the background plate and the illumination units properly. When the background plate and illuminations are properly set, it is required in Step S63 to select a plurality of characteristics to be measured. When a plurality of characteristics are selected from a thickness, a width, and a stain of the filter tow, the process transfers to Step S1 shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 3, Step S21 shown in FIG. 6, and Step S41 shown in FIG. 9, and measurement of each characteristic is started. On the other hand, when measurement of a plurality of characteristics is not selected in the above-mentioned Step S61, it is required to select whether or not the width of the filter tow is to be measured in Step S64, and in Step S64, when the width measurement is selected, it is required to discriminate whether or not the background plate and illumination have been properly set (for example, whether or not the black background plate has been set and the front illumination has been provided), and when the background plate and the illuminations are not properly set, it is required to properly set the background plate and the illuminations. When the background plate and the illumination are properly set, the process transfers to Step S21 shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 6. On the other hand, when the width measurement is not selected in Step S64, it is required in Step S66 to select whether or not the thickness measurement of the filter tow is to be selected. When the width measurement is selected in Step S66, it is required to discriminate whether or not the background plate and illumination have been properly set (for example, whether or not the black background plate has been set and the back illumination has been provided). When the background plate and the illuminations are not properly set, it is required to set properly the background plate and the illuminations. When the background plate and the illuminations are properly set, the process transfers to Step S1 shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 3. Furthermore, when the thickness measurement is not selected in the above-mentioned Step S66, it is required in Step S68 to select whether or not the stain of the filter tow is to be measured. When the stain measurement of the filter tow is selected in Step S68, it is required in Step S69 to discriminate whether or not the background plate and the illuminations have been properly set (for example, whether or not a white back plate has been set and the front illumination has been provided). When the background plate and the illuminations are not properly set, it is required to set the background plate and the illuminations properly. When the background plate and the illuminations are properly set, the process transfers to Step S41 shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 9. Furthermore, when the stain measurement is not selected in Step S68, the measurement operation is stopped in Step S70. Incidentally, considering a case of erroneous inputs, it is possible to return to Step S61 again without stopping measurement in Step S70, or it is possible to provide a proper step for canceling the data which has been already input. Incidentally, when a plurality of characteristics are not measured, the measurement order of the thickness, width, and stain of the filter tow is not particularly limited to a specific one, and the measurement order of the characteristics may be arbitrary. Incidentally, it is preferred that, as a select mode, the width measurement mode is made to precede the thickness or stain measurement modes for the sake of disposition of the background plate and illuminations. As shown in FIG. 10, a video signal (in particular, at least a luminance signal) from the video camera 2 is supplied to the sync-separating circuit 5a as described above, and in response to a sync-clamping signal from this sync-separating circuit, the clamping circuit 5b clamps the video signal, regenerates the DC level of the image signal, and makes the reference level constant. Synchronizing signals (timing signals) with respect to scanning lines separated from the video signal by the sync-separating circuit 5a are supplied to the timing circuit 10, and this timing circuit generates various timing signals for synchronization with the image signal. A signal (clamped image signal) of a predetermined scanning line (for example, a Z-th scanning line across the black zone), which is generated from the clamping circuit 5b and is obtained from scanning the black zone 3a of the background plate 3, is supplied to the noise-eliminating circuit (low-pass filter circuit) 6a which forms an extraction circuit, and a clamped image signal from which noise has been eliminated is supplied to the thickness distinction circuit 7 for comparison with a lower limit reference value (lower limit threshold) and an upper limit reference value (upper limit threshold) with respect to the thickness, and this distinction circuit 7 discriminates the filter tow as defective when the clamped image signal is equal to or lower than the lower limit threshold or equal to or more than the upper limit threshold. Moreover, in order to discriminate suitability of the width of the filter tow 1, as in the construction shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 4, the signal (clamped image signal) of a predetermined scanning line (for example, a Z-th scanning line across the black zone), which is generated from the clamping circuit 5b and is obtained from scanning the black zone 3a of the background plate 3 is supplied to (1) an extraction circuit comprising a noise-eliminating circuit 6a and a slicing circuit 17, (2) an AND circuit 18 to which a clock signal (pulse signal) from the clock-generating circuit 19 is supplied, (3) a counter circuit 20 and (4) a width distinction circuit 21 for discriminating suitability of the width of the filter tow by comparison with reference values with respect to the width of the assembled fiber band. This distinction circuit supplies an announcing signal to an announcing circuit 22 for announcing that an abnormality or defect has occurred in the width of the filter tow when the count value from the counter circuit 20 is equal to or lower than the lower limit reference value (lower limit threshold) or equal to or more than the upper limit reference value (upper limit threshold) with respect to the width of the filter tow. Furthermore, a signal (clamped image signal) of a scanning line, which is generated from the clamping circuit 5b and is obtained from scanning the white region 3b of the background plate 3 is supplied to a detecting means similar to that of the above-mentioned FIG. 7 for detection of the stain of the filter tow 1. Namely, the clamped image signals of scanning lines from the clamping circuit 5b are supplied to (1) an extraction circuit which comprises a differentiating circuit 26 as a noise-eliminating circuit, a comparing circuit 27, and an AND circuit 29, (2) a high level stain comparing circuit (first comparing circuit) 27, a first AND circuit 29 and a first stain counter circuit 31 to which a tow width window gate signal is supplied from the stain window gate circuit 36, and (3) a low level stain comparing circuit (second comparing circuit) 28, a second AND circuit 30 and a second stain counter circuit 32 to which a tow width window gate signal is supplied from the stain window gate circuit 36; then (4) a stain distinction circuit 33 compares the count signal (signal with respect to the count data) from the first counter circuit 31 with a predetermined reference value with respect to a stain of the assembled fiber band in order to discriminate suitability or acceptability of the stain. When the degree (count number) of the stain is equal to or more than the predetermined reference value, the stain distinction circuit supplies an announcing signal to an announcing circuit 34. The count values accumulated in the first stain counter circuit 31 and the second stain counter circuit 32 are reset to zero by the resetting circuit 35 in response to a timing signal from the timing circuit 10. In response to various signals from the sync-separating circuit 5a, the timing circuit 10 supplies various necessary timing signals to the stain window gate circuit 36, the thickness trigger circuit 44, the width trigger circuit 45, the stain trigger circuit 46, and the resetting circuit 35. In interlace scanning, the timing circuit 10 includes a frame/field conversion circuit, an image region gate circuit for the field, and an image region gate circuit in one scanning line, and generates various control signals within the auto distinction system of the present invention. The frame/field conversion circuit is a circuit for converting a video signal into a field signal. The video signal is formed from an odd-number field and an even-number field in one frame, and the field signal is a signal without having any concept of frame, odd number and even number. The image region gate circuit in the field is a gate circuit for eliminating scanning lines which are included in one field and to which neither vertical synchronizing signals nor image signals for synchronization with a receiver have been added. Moreover, the image region gate circuit in one scanning line is a gate circuit for eliminating regions (the horizontal synchronizing region, the front porch region, and the back porch region, etc.) other than the image signal included in one scanning line. Such a system realizes distinction of suitability of the filter tow regardless of crimping of the filter tow, by efficient extraction of a plurality of characteristics with high accuracy. For example, in the case of a filter tow before being crimped, by using permeating illumination for illuminating the filter tow from the backside by an illuminating means, the suitability of both width and evenness in thickness of the tow can be discriminated. Moreover, in the case of the filter tow after being crimped, by using a background plate having the above-mentioned high contrast zones formed in a low contrast region, the suitability of both width and stain of the filter tow can be discriminated. In the present invention, the illumination unit is not always necessary, however, the illumination unit is useful for increasing the imaging contrast of the imaging means and the accuracy of detection of the defects of the assembled fiber band. The illuminating means may be disposed at a position outside of visual field (or out-of-view) of the imaging means so as to illuminate the assembled fiber band, and the position where the illuminating means is disposed can be arbitrarily selected. For example, the assembled fiber band may be illuminated from the front side and/or the back side (for example, both front and back sides) of the assembled fiber band, and the illuminating means may illuminate the assembled fiber band by permeation of light beams through the assembled fiber band. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the explanation is given by using the illumination unit 4 which illuminates the filter tow 1 from the back side, however, it is also possible that the illumination unit 4 is set on the foreside of the filter tow 1. Moreover, the filter tow may be also illuminated from both front and back sides of the filter tow by illumination units. Incidentally, a thickness defective portion of the assembled fiber band is usually detected by illuminating the assembled fiber band from the backside to the imaging means and using light permeating through the assembled fiber band. The background plate is not always necessary, either. The color and brightness of the background plate may be selected according to the type and color of the assembled fiber band or detection items, and the color of the background plate may be different in brightness and contrast from that of the assembled fiber band, or may have a brightness equivalent to or a color similar to that of the assembled fiber band (or may be a low-contrast color to that of the assembled fiber band). For example, for the characteristic information with respect to the thickness, the background plate 3a is not limited to the black background plate 3a described in the above-mentioned FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, and may be a color similar to that of the filter tow 1 (for example, a color having an equivalent brightness, or white). Incidentally, the background plate is usually formed to be larger than the moving width of the assembled fiber band. Moreover, in the case where a plurality of characteristics (width, thickness, and other characteristics) are detected or discriminated in the moving assembled fiber band, the background plate advantageously has a region (a similar color region, etc.) similar to the assembled fiber band (the above-mentioned assembled fiber band or the like) in brightness, or has a region low in contrast (a low contrast region). Further, the background plate forms high contrast zones (band-shaped regions such as black regions) in the direction across the moving direction of the assembled fiber band by using the high contrast zones, the width of the assembled fiber band can be effectively detected. Furthermore, in order to increase the detection efficiency of a defective portion from the assembled fiber band which continuously moves, if necessary, a filter (color filter or the like) may be interposed between the assembled fiber band and the imaging means or a filter may be attached to the imaging means. For example, a color filter may be used to detect a colored defective portion. As an imaging means, various means which generate video signals can be employed, and the video signal may be a color video signal or a monochrome video signal as long as the video signal contains a luminance signal. Incidentally, the color video signal (including a full color video signal) may be used upon eliminating color signals (or chromatic signals) by a filter circuit. As such an imaging means, for example, a digital camera (motion picture camera) which can generate video signals is available as well as a video camera (monochrome or color video camera). That is, the imaging means is not limited to a video camera, and may be a digital type imaging means (a digital camera, etc., which can image a motion picture) as long as the imaging means can image an assembled fiber band which continuously moves and can generate a video signal. An image (video) signal (NTSC video signal) from the imaging means comprises synchronizing signals for timing, a luminance signal showing the brightness of a picture, and color signals which are superposed on the luminance signal and express colors. In such a video signal (image signal), the luminance signal may be separated by using a separation circuit such as a filter, and may be used for detection of the characteristic information and/or extraction of the defect information. Incidentally, in the above-mentioned example, the explanation is given by using a predetermined scanning line, however, it is also possible that the characteristic information is detected by using a plurality or all of the scanning lines including the image signal or it is possible to discriminate suitability of the defect information (information on at least one selected from a thickness, a width, and a stain). Moreover, a stain usually comes out across a plurality of scanning lines, and therefore, by discriminating whether or not the count number is a predetermined number by the stain distinction circuit 33 based on the characteristic information (or defect information) from the plurality of scanning lines (in particular, scanning lines adjacent or in proximity to each other), erroneous detection due to instantaneous noise (or minute stain) can be prevented. For example, a circuit with the electrical construction shown in FIG. 7 (except for the announcing circuit) is formed corresponding to each of the plurality of scanning lines (in particular, scanning lines adjacent or in proximity to each other) including the characteristic information with respect to the stain. Further, a circuit is formed which comprises an AND circuit interposed between the plurality of stain distinction circuits 33 for each of the scanning lines and the single announcing circuit 34. Then, according to the flow of FIG. 9, for the characteristic information of the respective scanning lines, binarized signals are counted in Step S45, and it is discriminated whether or not the count signals (count data) are within or without the reference value range in Step S46, and when the count data becomes outside of the reference value range in Step S46, the count signals (or count data) corresponding to each of the scanning lines are supplied to the AND circuit, and a signal from the AND circuit is supplied to the announcing circuit 34. In this example, the distinction circuit comprises a plurality of stain distinction circuits 33 and the AND circuit. In this process, by using the distinction circuit comprising a plurality of stain distinction circuits 33 and the AND circuit, stain count signals are extracted from a plurality of scanning lines, and in the case where stain count signals have been extracted from each of the scanning lines, a stain is discriminated, so that stains can be detected with higher accuracy while effectively preventing erroneous detection. Furthermore, even when a stain information (stain defect information, count signals) is detected from each of the scanning lines adjacent or in proximity to each other, in some cases, it cannot be discriminated whether the stain information is derived from one stain or a plurality of stains. Therefore, when the stain information (stain defect information, stain count signals) is detected from the respective scanning lines adjacent or in proximity to each other, it can be discriminated whether the stain is singular or plural by determining whether or not the stain count signals in the horizontal direction of the scanning lines adjacent or in proximity to each other are at the same position. For example, with respect to a moving assembled fiber band, since a stain information spans a plurality of scanning lines in many cases, when the stain signals are detected at the same position in the horizontal direction of the scanning lines adjacent or in proximity to each other, the stain may be discriminated as a single stain. A video signal may be a signal of interlace scanning or may be a signal of non-interlace scanning. An extracting means for extracting defects or abnormal signals of the assembled fiber band from a clamped scanning signal (clamped image signal) is not particularly limited to a specific one, and may comprise various noise elimination means, for example, according to the type of a defect or an abnormal characteristic, the extracting means may comprise a differentiating means, an integration means, a means for comparison with thresholds, a waveform shaping means, and a slicing means by using thresholds, or may be formed by a combination of these means. Moreover, in the above-mentioned example, a large stain and a latent stain are detected in stain detection. However, it is not necessary to detect a latent stain, and at least a stain except for latent stains may be detected. In the signal with respect to a stain, a signal with respect to the degree of stain and a signal with respect to the size of a stain region are contained. Therefore, by using a combination of the differentiating circuit and the counter circuit and others, a signal with respect to a stain may be separated into a signal with respect to the degree of the stain and a signal with respect to a stain range, and the stain may be discriminated in the distinction circuit based on each of the signals. In addition, each of the signals may be accumulated (or added) and multiplied, and the stain may be discriminated by the distinction circuit. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned example, defect(s) with respect to the thickness, width and/or stain of the assembled fiber band are detected, however, at least one characteristic of defective portion may be discriminated. Furthermore, in the distinction means, it is also possible to discriminate quality of the assembled fiber band by multiplying the respective defective characteristics (thickness, width, and stain) by a weighting factor. The announcing means is not always necessary, however, in many cases, an announcing means (for example, light emission and sound generation means such as a buzzer) is provided for an announcing abnormal information on the basis of this distinction signal when the distinction signal from the distinction means becomes outside of a reference value with respect to the abnormal information. The present invention is effective for quality control as well as non-defective or defective distinction of an assembled fiber band which is continuously manufactured. That is, in the present invention, the assembled fiber band is not particularly limited to a specific one as long as it can continuously move. The assembled fiber band usually comprises yarns or strands formed by bundling a plurality of filaments (for example, about 100 to 10000 filaments, in particular, about 250 to 5000 filaments). The assembled fiber band may have a two-dimensional spreading form, for example, a band-shaped assembled fiber band or a bandage-shaped assembled fiber band. The assembled fiber band may be a band-shaped or strip-shaped assembled fiber band comprising a plurality of yarns or strands, for example, a band-shaped assembled fiber band (band-shaped tow band) comprising a plurality of yarns which are bundled and adjacently arrayed each other, or a band-shaped assembled fiber band comprising a tow band (for example, a filter tow (cigarette or tobacco filter tow, etc.) and the like) in which yarns are adjacently arrayed each other and overlapped into a plurality of layers. Yarns or strands adjacently arrayed each other may overlap one another, and in the band-shaped body in which the yarns or strands are overlapped into a plurality of layers, the yarns or strands may be overlapped at the same position in the width direction, or may be overlapped each other while shifting their positions. For extracting or detecting a defective portion of the assembled fiber band by using permeating light, the assembled fiber band may be a light transmittable assembled fiber band such as the filter tow (cigarette or tobacco filter tow or the like). Furthermore, the assembled fiber band such as tow may comprise non-crimped filaments (or non-crimped yarns or tow), or may comprise crimped filaments (or crimped yarns or tow). The present invention is effective for quality control, etc., in the manufacturing process of a filter tow for a cigarette or tobacco. Incidentally, the moving speed of the assembled fiber band is not particularly limited to a specific one, and may be, for example, about 0.1 to 100 m/sec, and preferably about 1 to 50 m/sec (for example, 5 to 30 m/sec). In the assembled fiber band, the degrees of proximity and overlapping of yarns adjacent to each other fluctuate depending on moving of the yarns, and thickness and fiber density (filamentation state) easily fluctuate. In the present invention, even in the case of an assembled fiber band which moves at a high speed (non-crimped or crimped band-shaped filter tow, etc., made of a plurality of yarns), various defective portions (the defect information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from the width, the thickness, and the stain) can be extracted or detected with high accuracy by detection or extracting means. Therefore, the present invention is useful for quality control of the assembled fiber band in the manufacturing and processing. Incidentally, in many cases of an assembled fiber band (filter tow, etc., before being crimped) made of non-crimped filament (or non-crimped yarns or tow), a characteristic information with respect to at least one of the thickness the width, and the stain is detected, and in most cases of an assembled fiber band (filter tow, etc., after being crimped) made of crimped filament (or crimped yarns or tow), the characteristic information with respect to at least one characteristic of the width and stain is detected. For example, in manufacturing of a crimped assembled fiber band (crimped filter tow, etc.), since overlapping states (evenness in thickness) of yarns (or bands) before and after being crimped can be discriminated, the discriminated state is effectively used for quality control of the assembled fiber band. Furthermore, defective portions (thickness uneven portions, etc.,) of the assembled fiber band which cannot be detected by visual check during moving can be extracted or detected. Further, it can be discriminated whether or not the overlapping state (thickness evenness) of yarns (or bands) before being crimped is the same as the initially set state, or whether or not the overlapping state is in an allowable range. Therefore, by using the thickness evenness as an index, the yarns (or bands) can be supplied for the crimping process while the yarns (or bands) are overlapped with predetermined evenness, whereby the entirety of the assembled fiber band can be crimped evenly. Furthermore, by controlling the width of the assembled fiber band, it can also be discriminated whether or not the center of the tow band before being crimped deviates from the center of a crimper. Therefore, the whole assembled fiber band can be evenly crimped by supplying the position (or placement) of the center axis of the tow band to the crimper as an index. Furthermore, by detecting stains of the assembled fiber band, finished products can be effectively prevented from mixture of stained portions. In the present invention, a transmitting means or transfer means supplies at least one of characteristic information selected from a width count data, a thickness clamped image signal, and a stain count data to a process controlling computer, so that the characteristic information can be used as a time sequence or time-series fluctuation information and can be effectively used for process control in the manufacturing process of the assembled fiber band and quality control of the assembled fiber band. As described above the transmitting means or transfer means usually comprises an interface means (interface circuit) for transmitting or transferring at least one of characteristic information selected from the width count data, the thickness clamped image signal, and the stain count data, and a trigger means (trigger circuit) which generates a trigger signal for transmitting or transferring the characteristic information to the computer via this interface means. The trigger signal is used for announcing the transferring timing of the characteristic information to the computer. FIG. 13 is a graph showing time sequence fluctuations of the characteristic information of a cigarette filter tow which continuously moves, and FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of process control using the auto distinction system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the characteristics with respect to width, thickness, and stain of a continuously moving filter tow (band-shaped tow) fluctuate with time. For example, the width of the filter tow becomes narrower or wider with time, the thickness of the filter tow also becomes thicker or thinner in time series, and the stains of the filter tow increase or decrease with time. From these information, the defect information is extracted, and when the extracted signal becomes outside of the reference value, an abnormality or defect is announced by an announcing means, and the portion or lot corresponding to the defect information of the filter tow are discriminated as defective. Therefore, the manufacturing operation rate and yield of the filter tow lower, and the planned production volume cannot be achieved, and at last, the manufacturing costs increase. On the other hand, the values of various characteristic information fluctuate within the thresholds (between the lower limit reference value and the upper limit reference value) even when the auto distinction system does not discriminate the values as defective, and the fluctuation information (time sequence fluctuation information) includes useful information. In FIG. 14, the filter tow 1 which moves on the foreside of the background plate 3 is imaged by a video camera 2, and a video signal is transmitted to an auto distinction system 60, and in this system, the defect information is extracted from the information with respect to at least one characteristic selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain as described above, and it is discriminated whether or not the extracted signal becomes outside of the reference values (the lower limit reference value and the upper limit reference value) by a distinction means. When a distinction signal becomes outside of reference values with respect to a defect information, based on this distinction signal, the defect information is announced as an abnormality. On the other hand, even when the defect information does not include an abnormality, the time-series characteristic information (fluctuation data) is data-transmitted to the computer 63 by the transmission or transfer means (transfer means comprising an interface unit (interface circuit) 61 and a trigger unit (trigger circuit) 62) inside the auto distinction system 60. In the computer 63, trend analysis with respect to various characteristic information is carried out based on the fluctuation data. According to the obtained trend, by using the correlation between the control target and the control amount obtained from factor analysis, process control can be conducted by automatically or manually operating the control target with the operation unit 64 in a production equipment. For example, even when the data value of the characteristic information (characteristic information on the thickness or width) is within the range between the lower limit reference value and the upper limit reference value, process control can be consistently made to maintain the data value of the characteristic information at the central reference value between the lower limit reference value and the upper limit reference value. By using a system comprising the auto distinction system and a separate computer (process controlling computer), occurrence of abnormal products or defective products can be prevented by process control, and quality control of the filter tow can be effectively performed. Furthermore, at least one characteristic information (processing condition) selected from the width, the thickness, and the stain of the filter tow (band-shaped tow) can be monitored in real time on the computer. According to the time sequence trend of the characteristic information, a subsequent condition can be estimated based on the time sequence trend of the characteristic information. Therefore, before the time sequence fluctuation value becomes outside of the lower limit reference value and the upper limit reference value, occurrence of defective products can be prevented by operating the operation unit of the production equipment. Incidentally, at least one of information selected from the count data with respect to the width, the clamped image signal with respect to the thickness, and the count data with respect to the stain may be transmitted or transferred to the computer, or a plurality of characteristic information (characteristic information of the width and thickness, the width and stain, the thickness and stain, or the width, thickness, and stain) may be transmitted or transferred to the computer. The characteristic information to be transmitted or transferred to the computer may be a defect information. The characteristic information may be utilized as a time sequence fluctuation information (time series fluctuation information) by being transmitted or transferred to the computer one by one, and if necessary, stored in a storage circuit of the computer. The characteristic information may be used as a time sequence fluctuation information by being stored in the storage circuit of the distinction system for each predetermined scanning line, and being transmitted or transferred a plurality of stored information to the computer. In the case where at least one piece of the characteristic information selected from the count data with respect to the width, the clamped image signal with respect to the thickness, and the count data with respect to the stain is used as a fluctuation information (time series fluctuation information) in the computer, all of the characteristic information contained in the predetermined scanning lines (for example, single or a plurality of scanning lines or all the scanning lines in one field) may be supplied to the computer, or the characteristic information of predetermined scanning lines may be averaged and supplied to the computer. Moreover, the characteristic information of predetermined scanning lines may be transmitted or transferred to the computer at a predetermined time interval. The interface circuit can employ various interfaces according to the characteristics of the characteristic information (in particular, depending on whether the information is analog or digital). For example, a buffer circuit or the like can be used for digital signals such as the width count data, the stain count data, and the trigger signal, and an amplifier circuit or the like can be used for the clamped image signal (thickness clamped image signal or the like). The trigger circuit informs the transferring timing of the information (data or image signal) to the computer. Therefore, the characteristic information transmitted or transferred to the computer via the interface circuit is synchronized with the trigger signal from the trigger circuit and taken into the computer in a predetermined timing. Incidentally, the distinction system may have an analog/digital (A/D) conversion circuit to transmit or transfer the characteristic information (characteristic image signal) to the computer as a digital signal. The computer may have an analog/digital (A/D) conversion circuit to take-in the characteristic information (characteristic image signal) from the distinction system as a digital signal. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY In the present invention, since a characteristic information (defect information) of an assembled fiber band can be efficiently extracted, even in a continuously moving assembled fiber band, the quality of the assembled fiber band can be accurately discriminated by precisely extracting defective portions or uneven portions of the assembled fiber band. Moreover the present invention ensures not only detection of a single characteristic of the assembled fiber band, but also discriminating a defect information with respect to at least two characteristics selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain. Furthermore, even in the case of a band-shaped assembled fiber band such as filter tow which moves at a high speed, fluctuations in width and thickness and stains can be efficiently detected. Furthermore, not only can defective portions be detected by the system by itself, but also the characteristic information is supplied to a computer (for example, a process controlling computer) and analyzed by the computer as a time sequence fluctuation information, whereby the information can be used for process control and quality control at a production site (point of production).

<SOH> TECHNICAL FIELD <EOH>The present invention relates to an auto distinction system which detects a characteristic information including a defect information of a continuously moving assembled fiber band (for example, a fiber bundle or fiber assembly such as filter tow) and which is useful for quality control of the assembled fiber band on the basis of the defect information or time sequence (TSEQ) fluctuation information; and relates to an auto distinction method. A video signal from an imaging means is used for quality control and discriminating whether an inspection target is non-defective or defective. For example, the specification of Japanese Patent No. 3013903 discloses a defect-sensing device for detecting a defect of an edge of a flat glass having chamfered edges and seaming surfaces, in which the device detects on the edge of glass placed horizontally; wherein the device comprises a light source for irradiating the edge with light from upper diagonal and lower diagonal directions opposite side of the flat glass, and at least two cameras which are disposed outside of the extended ranges of light paths irradiated onto the glass edge; and the device images the edge via transparent portions of the flat glass from opposite sides of the light irradiation directions. The defect-sensing device finds a weathering or burn-in defect based on the level of a brightness signal of an image signal picked up by the cameras. However, this device requires a plurality of light sources and a plurality of imaging means. The specification of Japanese Patent No. 3025833 discloses an inspection system comprising a signal pattern generating unit, a threshold pattern generating means, and a comparing means. The generating unit generates at least one signal pattern selected from (a) a signal pattern where a maximum value is offset to become higher by an offset value in the video signal pattern and (b) a signal pattern where a minimum value is offset to become lower by an offset value in the video signal pattern, wherein the video signal patterns are obtained by imaging a non-defective product with an imaging means. The threshold pattern generating means generates threshold patterns from the offset signal patterns. The comparing means discriminates quality (or good or bad) of an inspection target by comparing a video signal obtained by imaging the inspection target with threshold patterns. The Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 122269/1996 (JP-A-H8-122269) discloses an image pickup type inspection system comprising an imaging means which outputs a video signal by imaging an inspection target, an inspection region setting means for setting an inspection region in the imaged field through the imaging means, an abnormal portion detecting means for detecting an abnormal portion on the basis of the video signal within the inspection region, and a non-defective/defective distinction signal output means for outputting a non-defective/defective distinction signal according to whether or not an abnormal portion has been detected, wherein these means are housed in one casing. This document also mentions that the image pickup type inspection system further comprises an announcing means for announcing the results of non-defective/defective distinction to the outside by means of light or sound. However, when these systems are applied to an assembled fiber band which continuously moves, it becomes difficult to accurately detect defects such as stains and unevenness of thick or thin portions, because not only does an inspection target continuously move, but also the width and thickness of the assembled fiber band fluctuate by continuous moving. In particular, when the systems are applied to a fiber bundle such as filter tow which comprises a plurality of yarns and moves at a high speed, not only does the degree of adjacency or overlapping of yarns fluctuates, but also these fluctuations further change every moment as the yarns move. Accordingly it becomes difficult to accurately detect defects (or uneven portions) of the assembled fiber band or fiber pieces. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an auto distinction system which is distinctable suitability of the assembled fiber band by accurately extracting defective portions or uneven portions of the assembled fiber band (or fiber assembly) even when the assembled fiber band continuously moves; and an auto distinction method thereof. Another object of the present invention is to provide an auto distinction system which is distinctable suitability of an assembled fiber band by extracting or detecting a defect information (or a characteristic information including at least a defect information) concerning at least two characteristics selected from a width, a thickness, and a stain of the assembled fiber band; and an auto distinction method thereof. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system which efficiently detects fluctuations in a width, a thickness and a stain of an assembled fiber band even when the assembled fiber band is a band-shaped assembled fiber band such as filter tow which moves or runs at a high speed, and a method thereof. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an auto distinction system useful for process control and quality control at a production site, wherein a characteristic information of an assembled fiber band is accurately detected by the system even when the assembled fiber band continuously moves, and further the characteristic information (detection signal and/or data) is transferred to a computer (for example, a process controlling computer) and used as a time sequence fluctuation information (time-series fluctuation information); and an auto distinction method thereof. Patent Document 1: Specification of Patent Document No. 3013903 Patent Document 2: Specification of Patent Document No. 3025833 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 122269/1996 (JP-A-H8-122269)

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 4 . FIG. 6 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 4 . FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing still another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 7 . FIG. 9 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 7 . FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another example of the electrical construction of the system of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic layout drawing of the system of FIG. 10 . FIG. 12 is a flowchart for illustrating operations of the system of FIG. 10 . FIG. 13 is a graph showing time sequence fluctuations of a characteristic information of a cigarette filter tow which continuously moves or runs. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of process control using the auto distinction system of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051121

20071204

20070322

84356.0

G06K900

NGUYEN, TU T

AUTO DISTINCTION SYSTEM

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G06K

ACCEPTED

Signal integrity self-test architecture

A method suitable for testing an integrated circuit device is disclosed, the device comprising at least one module, wherein the at least one module incorporates at least one associated module monitor suitable for monitoring a device parameter such as temperature, supply noise, cross-talk etc. within the module.

1. A method of testing an integrated circuit device comprising a module (47), which incorporates a module monitor (49) operable to produce a measurement signal indicative of an operating parameter of the module (47) concerned, the method including receiving a measurement signal from a module monitor (49) and processing that received signal to produce a test result. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving the measurement signal includes receiving the measurement signal at a compare and reference circuit (43). 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein receiving the measurement signal includes receiving the measurement signal at a bondpad (42) of the integrated circuit device. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein processing the received signal includes comparing the received signal with a reference value. 5. A method as claimed in claim 4, further including generating a pass/fail signal in response to comparing the received measurement signal with the reference value. 6. A method of testing an integrated circuit device comprising a module (47), which incorporates a plurality of module monitors (49) operable to produce respective measurement signals indicative of respective operating parameters of the module (47) concerned, the method including receiving a measurement signal from a module monitor (49) and processing that received signal to produce a test result. 7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein receiving the measurement signal includes receiving the measurement signal at a compare and reference circuit (43). 8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein receiving the measurement signal includes receiving the measurement signal at a bondpad (42) of the integrated circuit device. 9. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein processing the received signal includes comparing the received signal with a reference value. 10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further including generating a pass/fail signal in response to comparing the received measurement signal with the reference value. 11. An integrated circuit device comprising a module (47), which incorporates a module monitor (49) operable to produce a measurement signal indicative of an operating parameter of the module (47). 12. An integrated circuit device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a monitor selection bus (39) operable to select respective monitors (49) in respective modules (47). 13. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a monitor control block (37) operable to control values on the monitor selection bus (39). 14. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a reference and compare circuit (43) connected to receive output signals from selected monitors (49). 15. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 11, wherein the module monitor (49) has a standard cell architecture. 16. An integrated circuit device comprising a module (47), which incorporates a plurality of module monitors (49) operable to produce respective measurement signals indicative of respective operating parameters of the module (47). 17. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a monitor selection bus (39) operable to select respective monitors (49) in respective modules (47). 18. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 17, further comprising a monitor control block (37) operable to control values on the monitor selection bus (39). 19. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a reference and compare circuit (43) connected to receive output signals from selected monitors (49). 20. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim 16, wherein a module monitor (49) has a standard cell architecture. 21. Apparatus for testing an integrated circuit device, the device comprising a module (47) which incorporates a module monitor (49) operable to produce a measurement signal indicative of an operating parameter of the module (47). 22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a monitor selection bus (39) operable to select respective monitors (49) in respective modules (47). 23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 22, further comprising a monitor control block (37) operable to control values on the monitor selection bus (39). 24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, further comprising a reference and compare circuit (43) connected to receive output signals from selected monitors (49). 25. Apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein the module monitor (49) has a standard cell architecture. 26. Apparatus for testing an integrated circuit device, the device comprising a module (47), which incorporates a plurality of module monitors (49) operable to produce respective measurement signals indicative of respective operating parameters of the module (47). 27. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a monitor selection bus (39) operable to select respective monitors (49) in respective modules (47). 28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27, further comprising a monitor control block (37) operable to control values on the monitor selection bus (39). 29. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, further comprising a reference and compare circuit (43) connected to receive output signals from selected monitors (49). 30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein a module monitor (49) has a standard cell architecture.

The invention relates generally to the field of integrated circuit architectures, and more specifically to the field of signal integrity self-test (SIST) architectures. Advances in manufacturing technology have enabled larger and denser circuits to be placed on single semiconductor devices. This is especially the case when the circuits are realized as regular/cellular structures. One example of such cellular structure is a random access memory (RAM) device. RAM devices have some of the highest circuit densities. A major problem associated with such high-density devices is that of testing. In order to maintain high reliability, device test procedures need to provide good coverage of the possible faults that may occur on the device. It is often the case that a device which is already installed and operating will need to be tested in order to ensure that it is operating properly. So-called ‘at-speed’ testing requires the use of high performance external ATE (automated test equipment). Such high performance ATE is specialized equipment and is therefore not common. In addition, it is often not convenient and, indeed, not possible to remove the device to be tested from its working place for testing it with external ATE. In the light of this drawback, various embedded test techniques have been employed. Such an embedded approach is commonly called “built-in self-test” (BIST). BIST usually makes use of one or more built-in linear feedback shift registers (LFSR) to generate test patterns and to analyze acquired signatures. There are many types of BIST architectures which may be embedded into a device. For example, the BILBO (Built-In Logic Block Observer) architecture uses two LFSR's, one for test generation, and another for signature analysis. A second example is called CSTP (Circular Self-Test Path), and uses a single LFSR for both generation and analysis. BIST methods may be performed ‘on-line’ or ‘off-line’. On-line testing is performed while the device under test is in normal operation, and may be subdivided further into two categories: concurrent, and non-concurrent. On-line concurrent testing operates simultaneously with the normal operation of the device under test, whilst online non-concurrent testing operates when the device under test is in an idle state. Off-line testing is performed when the device under test is in a separate, dedicated, test mode. Off-line testing can be categorized as functional, or structural off-line testing. Functional off-line testing is based upon a functional description of the device under test, whilst structural off-line testing is based upon the physical structure of the device under test. FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a known approach to off-line structural testing using a BIST test architecture. In Fig. 1, a test signal 3 is fed into an input generator 5. The input generator 5 will generate a (pseudo-random) combination of test inputs to be fed into the device under test 7. The results are passed to an output analyzer 9, which determines whether the device under test 7 has passed or failed that particular test. FIG. 2 illustrates the situation in which a device 16 comprises a number of individual circuits to be tested. A BIST controller 11 receives test information which is fed to a test-pattern generator 13. The test pattern generator 13 passes a test pattern to a distribution system 15 which in turn passes the test pattern to the circuits to be tested within the device 16. A collection system 17 passes the results of the tests to an output response analyzer 19 in order to determine if the result of the particular test corresponds to a pass or fail and for which circuits this result is applied. The BIST controller 11 controls the entire test process. There is, however, a growing discrepancy between test results, and the behavior of devices in situ. The continuous scaling of semiconductor feature sizes and voltages has caused dramatic trends in the robustness of integrated circuit (IC) designs. For example, the increase in the number of transistors and the increase in switching speed has dramatic effects on the timing and signal integrity by causing unacceptable levels of noise, such as for example cross-talk, supply noise, and substrate noise. FIG. 3 illustrates two parallel traces (interconnects) A-B and C-D which may be used, for example, in the device 7 of FIG. 1. A signal S(f) on a driven line 21 propagates from A to B. This signal is capacitively and inductively coupled to a second traceline 23. There is a mutual capacitive coupling signal, SC, caused by capacitive coupling between the two traces 21, 23 which travels along the second trace line 23 in both the forward (C->D) and reverse (D->C) directions with the same polarity. There is also a mutual inductive coupling signal, SL, caused by inductive coupling between the two traces 21, 23 which travels along the victim trace line 23 in the forward (C->D) direction with one polarity and in the reverse (D->C) direction with the opposite polarity. In homogeneous materials the mutual capacitance and mutual forward inductance are approximately equal and tend to cancel one another. They are, however, additive in the reverse direction, and cause significant problems in signal integrity. As the signal frequency, f, (or the frequency components of the harmonics of the underlying signal S(f)) increases, and the separation, x, between traces decreases, cross-talk increases, which leads to performance degradation of the device in question due to excessive signal delays. In addition to the above, the reduction of supply and threshold voltages causes a reduction in noise margins, leading to further difficulties in the test and operation of devices. In addition to built-in self-tests, boundary scan tests may also be performed on devices, using for example, the IEEE 1149.1 protocol. Boundary scan tests rely on embedded test circuitry at chip level which form a complete board-level test protocol. However, not every logic, memory and/or analogue block may have direct access to the pins of a design meaning that a complete functional test may not be performed. Scan tests may therefore show different switching activities than in a real application, meaning that the chip may operate correctly during the test and fail in the application, or vice-versa FIG. 4 shows the typical layout of a scan test in accordance with the IEEE 1149.1 test protocol. In a boundary scan device, each digital primary input signal and primary output signal is supplemented with a memory element called a boundary scan cell (e.g. 35 of FIG. 4). Cells on device primary inputs are referred to as input cells, and cells on device primary outputs are referred to as output cells. The collection of boundary scan cells is arranged into a parallel-in, parallel-out shift register as depicted in FIG. 4. A parallel load operation causes signal values on device input pins to be loaded into input cells, and signal values passing from the internal logic to device output pins are loaded into output cells. Data can be shifted around the shift register starting from a dedicated device input pin 25 called ‘Test Data In’ (TDI) and terminating at a dedicated device output pin 27 called ‘Test Data Out’ (TDO). FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic representation of a typical boundary scan cell 35. Each cell may capture data on its parallel input PI, update data onto its parallel output PO, serially scan data from SO to its neighbor SI, or behave transparently: PI passes to PO. For complex chip architectures, boundary scan cells may not have access to all of the internal functionality of an IC core. Therefore, as explained above, complete functional testing may not be possible using this method (or the BIST methodology), especially as chip architectures become more complex, and device features continue to become smaller. There therefore exists a need to obtain a way for the complete functional testing of devices whilst continuing to allow the scaling of semiconductor feature sizes and voltages. The present invention employs an architecture which allows the complete monitoring of important chip parameters or characteristics which affect signal integrity. The architecture allows any location on a chip to be monitored (e.g. every core), and the monitoring may take place at any time: during testing, debug, diagnosis and product engineering and whilst in application. According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of testing an integrated circuit device comprising at least one module, wherein the or each module incorporates a module monitor operable to produce a measurement signal indicative of an operating parameter of the module concerned, the method including receiving a measurement signal from a module monitor and processing that received signal to produce a test result. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of testing an integrated circuit device comprising at least one module, wherein the or each module incorporates a plurality of module monitors operable to produce respective measurement signals indicative of respective operating parameters of the module concerned, the method including receiving a measurement signal from a module monitor and processing that received signal to produce a test result. According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an integrated circuit device comprising a module, which incorporates a module monitor operable to produce a measurement signal indicative of an operating parameter of the module. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an integrated circuit device comprising a module, which incorporates a plurality of module monitors operable to produce respective measurement signals indicative of respective operating parameters of the module. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for testing an integrated circuit device, the device comprising a module, which incorporates a module monitor operable to produce a measurement signal indicative of an operating parameter of the module. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for testing an integrated circuit device, the device comprising a module, which incorporates a plurality of module monitors operable to produce respective measurement signals indicative of respective operating parameters of the module. It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical off-line BIST architecture; FIG. 2 is a further diagrammatic representation of a typical off-line BIST architecture; FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of two parallel tracelines; FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a typical boundary scan test architecture; FIG. 5 represents an element of a typical boundary scan test architecture; FIG. 6 diagrammatically represents an integrated circuit device embodied by the present invention; FIG. 7 diagrammatically represents an integrated circuit device embodied by the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a device core associated with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 represents an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device under test has a plurality of cores (or modules) 47. For simplicity, it has been assumed that all cores on the device under test have the same size. This results in a regular architecture as can be seen from FIG. 6. The cores 47 are functional blocks within the device under test. The cores 47 can have different functions, and be of different sizes to one another and the internal logic of each core 47 may be implemented from elements of a standard cell library for example. The FIG. 6 device is merely shown as an example to illustrate the invention. The FIG. 6 device includes a monitor selection bus 39 which is connected to respective monitors or groups of monitors in the cores 47 via a decoder 57 (FIG. 8). The cores 47 may be, for example, a memory module, or may be part of an analogue or digital module. An IC may comprise a large number of such cores. The monitors are not shown in FIG. 6 for the sake of clarity (see FIG. 8). It should also be appreciated that, particularly in the case where monitors have a similar architecture to the elements in a standard cell library from which the logic of a core 47 is built up (as mentioned above), monitors may easily be placed into the architecture of a core 47, and a core may contain significantly more monitors than as described herein. The monitors are connected to a monitoring signal line (or bus) 41 on which monitor signals are transmitted. A monitor control block 37 controls values of bits on the monitor selection bus 39 so as to select which monitor in which core 47 is connected to the monitoring signal line 41. The level of the signal on this line relates to the output of the selected monitor parameter in the selected core. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the signal is routed to a bond pad 42 for output from the device for processing. Alternatively, a reference and compare circuit 43 can be provided which contains (for each individual parameter) a reference value which is compared with the monitor output and generates a pass or fail signal. A reference and compare circuit 43 is depicted in FIG. 7. In this way, the chip may perform a signal integrity self-test. Monitoring signals in each core may include temperature, cross talk, supply noise and matching for example. FIG. 8 represents a more detailed view of the monitors 49, 51, 53, 53 in a core 47 of FIGS. 6 and 7. In this example, the core 47 has four monitors 49, 51, 53, 55. The number of monitors provided in each core is not important for the present invention. Different cores can have different numbers of monitors, and as mentioned above, the number may be significantly larger than that described herein. The logic within the core 47 may be implemented using logic elements from a standard cell library. In this case it is preferable that monitors are architecturally similar to the logic elements within the standard cell library. For instance, elements in a library may all have a set height and variable width. It is therefore preferable that monitors implemented in a core 47 built, for example, from such a library have the same height. In this way monitors may easily be implemented into a design built using elements from such standard cell libraries. The number of monitors in each core 47 will determine the number of bits required in the monitor selection bus 39. In the case of four monitors in a core, the monitor selection bus 39 would contain two bits per core in order to be able to select the appropriate monitor. The monitor selection bus 39 receives data from the monitor control block 37, and the decoder 57 (FIG. 8) decodes the data (which may be for example a binary identifier corresponding to the monitor to be selected). The decoder 57 selects the appropriate monitor 49, 51, 53, 55 based upon the data received from the monitor control block 37. The monitor control block 37 may be pre-programmed to automatically initiate a SIST under certain circumstances, or may receive an external prompt in order to initiate one. The prompt may include information on which monitors in which cores are to be selected, thereby allowing the monitor control block 37 to send the relevant information on the monitor selection bus 39 to a decoder 57. Each decoder 57 in each core 47 decodes the information sent on the monitor selection bus 39 by the monitor control block 37 in order to determine whether a monitor it controls is being requested to perform its monitoring function. Each monitor may be assigned to examine a specific chip (or core) parameter such as temperature, cross talk, supply noise or matching for example. Alternatively, the monitors may examine the same parameter across the chip (or core) in order to determine the effect of the particular parameter in relation to the dimensions of the core. A combination of the two approaches may be employed. So, for example and with reference to FIG. 8, a core 47 could have multiple monitors (49, 51, 53, 55) examining the temperature of the core at different positions therein, and/or multiple monitors each examining one of temperature, cross-talk, supply noise and matching for example, or a combination thereof. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any appropriate combination of core parameters may be examined by the architecture embodied by the present invention. Once a particular core parameter or characteristic has been examined, the results of the examination are passed by the monitor 49, 51, 53, 55 to the monitoring signal line (or bus) 41. This signal line/bus 41 may be a single line carrying a DC signal whose level is the value for the measured parameter (e.g. cross-talk, supply noise, activity, temperature etc.). It may also support differential signaling to prevent the monitoring signal in question becoming infected by on-chip noise. Alternatively, the measured parameter may be passed by binary coding its value directly after the monitor (sensor), and then sending the binary coded value through a bus. The results may then be processed accordingly, either off-chip via a bondpad 42 or on-chip via the reference and compare circuit 43. Any necessary action can then be taken with regard to the results of the processing. The results from the reference and compare circuit 43 may be passed to a bondpad 45 to enable further off-chip processing to be carried out. As mentioned above, there is a growing discrepancy between test results obtained using for example, BIST, and the behavior of devices in application. The signal integrity self-test (SIST) described above may advantageously complement BIST. For example, SIST may be used to provide information about various device parameters before, during and/or after a built-in self-test has been carried out.

20051122

20090113

20070405

99785.0

G01R3128

TRIMMINGS, JOHN P

SIGNAL INTEGRITY SELF-TEST ARCHITECTURE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G01R

ACCEPTED

Benzimidazole derivatives, compositions containing them, preparation therof and uses thereof

Compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Z are as defined in the specification as well as salts and pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds are prepared. They are useful in therapy, in particular in the management of pain.

1. A compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: wherein Z is selected from O═and S═; R1 is selected from C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, R5R6N—C1-6alkyl, R5O—C1-6alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2—C1-6alkyl, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)-; wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and —NR5R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, R5R6N—, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R5, R6 or R7 forms a portion of a ring; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from —H, —OH, amino, R8 and —O—R8, wherein R8 is independently selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R8 forms a portion of a ring, wherein R3 and R4 are not —H at the same time, and wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, or divalent C1-6group in defining R8 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR5R6; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring, wherein said ring is optionally substituted by one or more groupd selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR5R6. 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Z is O═; R1 is selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, R5R6N—C1-4alkyl, R5O—C1-4alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, phenyl-C-1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)-C1-4alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and R5R6N—; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, R5R6N—, phenyl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, phenyl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and R5R6N—; R3 and R4 are independently selected from —OH, amino, C1-6alkyl and C1-6alkoxy, or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring, wherein said ring is optionally substituted by a group selected from hydroxy, carboxy, methyl and ethyl; and R5 and R6 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl and C2-6alkenyl. 3. A compound as claimed claim 1, wherein Z is O═; R1 is selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, R5R6N-C1-4alkyl, R5O—C1-4alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, R5R6N—C1-4alkyl, R5O—C1-4alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, phenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and R5R6N—; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-6alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, R5R6N—, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl, C3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl wherein said C1-6alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl, C3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and R5R6N—; R5 and R6 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl and C2-6alkenyl; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from —OH, amino, C1-6alkyl and C1-6alkoxy; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring wherein said ring is optionally substituted by a group selected from hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl and ethyl. 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein Z is O═; R1 is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1-pyrrolylethyl, 1-morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluoro-cyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2-furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-1-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl); R2 is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-methoxy-2-propyl, and N-morpholinyl; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, methoxy and ethoxy; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a group selected from isoxazolidin-2-yl, 4-hydroxy-isoxazolidin-2-yl, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-isoxazolidin-2-yl, N-morpholinyl. 5. A compound selected from: 2-tert-Butyl-N,N-diethyl-1-{[(2R)-1-methylpiperidin-2-yl]methyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N,N-diethyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N-morpholin-4-yl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-5-(morpholin-4-ylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-5-[(2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)carbonyl]-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-5-{[(2R,6S)-2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl]carbonyl}-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole, 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-5-(isoxazolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole, (4R)-2-{[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol, (4S)-2-{[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methoxy-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-ethoxy-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-ethyl-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, (4R)-2-{[2-Tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}isoxazolidin-4-ol, (4S)-2-{[2-Tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}isoxazolidin-4-ol, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-5-(isoxazolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole, (4R)-2-{[2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol, (4S)-2-{[1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}isoxazolidin-4-ol, 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-ethoxy-N-ethyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 2-tert-Butyl-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, 2-tert-Butyl-5-(isoxazolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole, 2-tert-Butyl-1-[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. 6-7. (canceled) 8. A method for the therapy of anxiety disorders in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1. 9. A method for the therapy of cancer, multiple sclerosis. Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disorders in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1. 10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 11. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1. 12. A method for preparing a compound of formula II, comprising the step of reacting a compound of formula III, with a compound of R3NHOR8 to form the compound of formula II, wherein X is selected from Cl, Br, I and OH; R1 is selected from C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, R5R6N—C1-6alkyl, R5O—C1-6alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2—C1-6alkyl, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—, R5 l R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)-; wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and —NR5R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, R5R6N—, C3-8heteroaryl, C6-10aryl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and —NR5R6; wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R5, R6 or R7 forms a portion of a ring; R3 is selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with a divalent R8 forms a portion of a ring; and R8 is selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with a divalent R3 forms a portion of a ring. 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 2 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 3 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 15. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to claim 5 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 17. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 2. 18. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 3. 19. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 4. 20. A method for the therapy of pain in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 5. 21. A method for the therapy of cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiavascular disorders in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 2. 22. A method for the therapy of cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiavascular disorders in a warm-blooded animal, comprising the step of administering to said animal in need of such therapy a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 5.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention is related to therapeutic compounds which are CB1 receptor ligands, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, manufacturing processes thereof and uses thereof, and more particularly to compounds that are CB1 receptor agonists. More particularly, the present invention is related to compounds that may be effective in treating pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disorders. 2. Discussion of Relevant Technology Pain management has been an important field of study for many years. It has been well known that cannabinoid receptor (e.g., CB1 receptor, CB2 receptor) ligands including agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists produce relief of pain in a variety of animal models by interacting with CB1 and/or CB2 receptors. Generally, CB1 receptors are located predominately in the central nervous system, whereas CB2 receptors are located primarily in the periphery and are primarily restricted to the cells and tissues derived from the immune system. While CB1 receptor agonists, such as Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and anadamide, are useful in anti-nociception models in animals, they tend to exert undesired CNS side-effects, e.g., psychoactive side effects, the abuse potential, drug dependence and tolerance, etc. These undesired side effects are known to be mediated by the CB1 receptors located in CNS. There are lines of evidence, however, suggesting that CB1 agonists acting at peripheral sites or with limited CNS exposure can manage pain in humans or animals with much improved overall in vivo profile. Therefore, there is a need for new CB1 receptor ligands such as agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists that are useful in managing pain or treating other related symptoms or diseases with reduced or minimal undesirable CNS side-effects. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides CB1 receptor ligands which are useful in treating pain and other related symptoms or diseases. Definitions Unless specified otherwise within this specification, the nomenclature used in this specification generally follows the examples and rules stated in Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry, Sections A, B, C, D, E, F, and H, Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1979, which is incorporated by references herein for its exemplary chemical structure names and rules on naming chemical structures. Optionally, a name of a compound may be generated using a chemical naming program: ACD/ChemSketch, Version 5.09/September 2001, Advanced Chemistry Development, Inc., Toronto, Canada. “CB1/CB2 receptors” means CB1 and/or CB2 receptors. The term “Cm-n” or “Cm-n group” used alone or as a prefix, refers to any group having m to n carbon atoms, and having 0 to n multivalent heteroatoms selected from O, S, N and P, wherein m and n are 0 or positive integers, and n>m. For example, “C1-6” would refer to a chemical group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and having 0 to 6 multivalent heteroatoms selected from O, S, N and P. The term “hydrocarbon” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to any structure comprising only carbon and hydrogen atoms up to 14 carbon atoms. The term “hydrocarbon radical” or “hydrocarbyl” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to any structure as a result of removing one or more hydrogens from a hydrocarbon. The term “alkyl” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals comprising 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. Unless otherwise specified, “alkyl” general includes both saturated alkyl and unsaturated alkyl. The term “alkylene” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to divalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radicals comprising 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, which serves to links two structures together. The term “alkenyl” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and comprising at least 2 up to about 12 carbon atoms. The term “alkynyl” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and comprising at least 2 up to about 12 carbon atoms. The term “cycloalkyl,” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent ring-containing hydrocarbon radical comprising at least 3 up to about 12 carbon atoms. The term “cycloalkenyl” used alone or as suffx or prefix, refers to a monovalent ring-containing hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and comprising at least 3 up to about 12 carbon atoms. The term “cycloalkynyl” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent ring-containing hydrocarbon radical having at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and comprising about 7 up to about 12 carbon atoms. The term “aryl” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a monovalent hydrocarbon radical having one or more polyunsaturated carbon rings having aromatic character, (e.g., 4n+2 delocalized electrons) and comprising 5 up to about 14 carbon atoms, wherein the radical is located on a carbon of the aromatic ring. The term “non-aromatic group” or “non-aromatic” used alone, as suffix or as prefix, refers to a chemical group or radical that does not containing a ring having aromatic character (e.g., 4n+2 delocalized electrons). The term “arylene” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to a divalent hydrocarbon radical having one or more polyunsaturated carbon rings having aromatic character, (e.g., 4n+2 delocalized electrons) and comprising 5 up to about 14 carbon atoms, which serves to links two structures together. The term “heterocycle” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a ring-containing structure or molecule having one or more multivalent heteroatoms, independently selected from N, O, P and S, as a part of the ring structure and including at least 3 and up to about 20 atoms in the ring(s). Heterocycle may be saturated or unsaturated, containing one or more double bonds, and heterocycle may contain more than one ring. When a heterocycle contains more than one ring, the rings may be fused or unfused. Fused rings generally refer to at least two rings share two atoms therebetween. Heterocycle may have aromatic character or may not have aromatic character. The term “heteroalkyl” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a radical formed as a result of replacing one or more carbon atom of an alkyl with one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, P and S. The term “heteroaromatic” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a ring-containing structure or molecule having one or more multivalent heteroatoms, independently selected from N, O, P and S, as a part of the ring structure and including at least 3 and up to about 20 atoms in the ring(s), wherein the ring-containing structure or molecule has an aromatic character (e.g., 4n+2 delocalized electrons). The term “heterocyclic group,” “heterocyclic moiety,” “heterocyclic,” or “heterocyclo” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a radical derived from a heterocycle by removing one or more hydrogens therefrom. The term “heterocyclyl” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers a monovalent radical derived from a heterocycle by removing one hydrogen from a carbon of a ring of the heterocycle. The term “heterocyclylene” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a divalent radical derived from a heterocycle by removing two hydrogens therefrom, which serves to links two structures together. The term “heteroaryl” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclyl having aromatic character, wherein the radical of the heterocyclyl is located on a carbon of an aromatic ring of the heterocyclyl. The term “heterocylcoalkyl” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclyl that does not have aromatic character. The term “heteroarylene” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclylene having aromatic character. The term “heterocycloalkylene” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to a heterocyclylene that does not have aromatic character. The term “six-membered” used as prefix refers to a group having a ring that contains six ring atoms. The term “five-membered” used as prefix refers to a group having a ring that contains five ring atoms. A five-membered ring heteroaryl is a heteroaryl with a ring having five ring atoms wherein 1, 2 or 3 ring atoms are independently selected from N, O and S. Exemplary five-membered ring heteroaryls are thienyl, furyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, and 1,3,4- oxadiazolyl. A six-membered ring heteroaryl is a heteroaryl with a ring having six ring atoms wherein 1, 2 or 3 ring atoms are independently selected from N, O and S. Exemplary six-membered ring heteroaryls are pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, triazinyl and pyridazinyl. The term “substituted” used as a prefix refers to a structure, molecule or group, wherein one or more hydrogens are replaced with one or more C1-12hydrocarbon groups, or one or more chemical groups containing one or more heteroatoms selected from N, O, S, F, Cl, Br, I, and P. Exemplary chemical groups containing one or more heteroatoms include heterocyclyl, —NO2, —OR, —Cl, —Br, —I, —F, —CF3, —C(═O)R, —C(═O)OH, —NH2, —S, —NHR, —NR2, —SR, —SO3H, —SO2R, —S(═O)R, —CN, —OH, —C(═O)OR, —C(═O)NR2, —NRC(═O)R, oxo (═O), imino (═NR), thio (═S), and oximino (═N—OR), wherein each “R” is a C1-12hydrocarbyl. For example, substituted phenyl may refer to nitrophenyl, pyridylphenyl, methoxyphenyl, chlorophenyl, aminophenyl, etc., wherein the nitro, pyridyl, methoxy, chloro, and amino groups may replace any suitable hydrogen on the phenyl ring. The term “substituted” used as a suffix of a first structure, molecule or group, followed by one or more names of chemical groups refers to a second structure, molecule or group, which is a result of replacing one or more hydrogens of the first structure, molecule or group with the one or more named chemical groups. For example, a “phenyl substituted by nitro” refers to nitrophenyl. The term “optionally substituted” refers to both groups, structures, or molecules that are substituted and those that are not substituted. Heterocycle includes, for example, monocyclic heterocycles such as: aziridine, oxirane, thiirane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, imidazolidine, pyrazolidine, pyrazoline, dioxolane, sulfolane 2,3-dihydrofuran, 2,5-dihydrofuran tetrahydrofuran, thiophane, piperidine, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine, piperazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, pyran, thiopyran, 2,3-dihydropyran, tetrahydropyran, 1,4-dihydropyridine, 1,4-dioxane, 1,3-dioxane, dioxane, homopiperidine, 2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-azepine homopiperazine, 1,3-dioxepane, 4,7-dihydro-1,3-dioxepin, and hexamethylene oxide. In addition, heterocycle includes aromatic heterocycles, for example, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, thiophene, furan, furazan, pyrrole, imidazole, thiazole, oxazole, pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, 1,2,3-triazole, tetrazole, 1,2,3-thiadiazole, 1,2,3-oxadiazole, 1,2,4-triazole, 1,2,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-oxadiazole, 1,3,4-triazole, 1,3,4-thiadiazole, and 1,3,4- oxadiazole. Additionally, heterocycle encompass polycyclic heterocycles, for example, indole, indoline, isoindoline, quinoline, tetrahydroquinoline, isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, 1,4-benzodioxan, coumarin, dihydrocoumarin, benzofuran, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, isobenzofuran, chromene, chroman, isochroman, xanthene, phenoxathiin, thianthrene, indolizine, isoindole, indazole, purine, phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, phenanthridine, perimidine, phenanthroline, phenazine, phenothiazine, phenoxazine, 1,2-benzisoxazole, benzothiophene, benzoxazole, benzthiazole, benzimidazole, benztriazole, thioxanthine, carbazole, carboline, acridine, pyrolizidine, and quinolizidine. In addition to the polycyclic heterocycles described above, heterocycle includes polycyclic heterocycles wherein the ring fusion between two or more rings includes more than one bond common to both rings and more than two atoms common to both rings. Examples of such bridged heterocycles include quinuclidine, diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane and 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane. Heterocyclyl includes, for example, monocyclic heterocyclyls, such as: aziridinyl, oxiranyl, thiiranyl, azetidinyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrrolinyl, imidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, dioxolanyl, sulfolanyl, 2,3-dihydrofuranyl, 2,5-dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thiophanyl, piperidinyl, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyranyl, thiopyranyl, 2,3-dihydropyranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 1,4-dihydropyridinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, 1,3-dioxanyl, dioxanyl, homopiperidinyl, 2,3,4,7-tetrahydro-1H-azepinyl, homopiperazinyl, 1,3-dioxepanyl, 4,7-dihydro-1,3-dioxepinyl, and hexamethylene oxidyl. In addition, heterocyclyl includes aromatic heterocyclyls or heteroaryl, for example, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, thienyl, furyl, furazanyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, thiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, tetrazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, and 1,3,4oxadiazolyl. Additionally, heterocyclyl encompasses polycyclic heterocyclyls (including both aromatic or non-aromatic), for example, indolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, quinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, coumarinyl, dihydrocoumarinyl, benzofuranyl, 2,3-dihydrobenzofuranyl, isobenzofuranyl, chromenyl, chromanyl, isochromanyl, xanthenyl, phenoxathiinyl, thianthrenyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pteridinyl, phenanthridinyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, 1,2-benzisoxazolyl, benzothiophenyl, benzoxazolyl, benzthiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benztriazolyl, thioxanthinyl, carbazolyl, carbolinyl, acridinyl, pyrolizidinyl, and quinolizidinyl. In addition to the polycyclic heterocyclyls described above, heterocyclyl includes polycyclic heterocyclyls wherein the ring fusion between two or more rings includes more than one bond common to both rings and more than two atoms common to both rings. Examples of such bridged heterocycles include quinuclidinyl, diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl; and 7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl. The term “alkoxy” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula —O—R, wherein —R is selected from a hydrocarbon radical. Exemplary alkoxy includes methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, t-butoxy, isobutoxy, cyclopropylmethoxy, allyloxy, and propargyloxy. The term “aryloxy” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula —O—Ar, wherein —Ar is an aryl. The term “heteroaryloxy” used alone or as suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula —O—Ar′, wherein —Ar′ is a heteroaryl. The term “amine” or “amino” used alone or as a suffix or prefix, refers to radicals of the general formula —NRR′, wherein R and R′ are independently selected from hydrogen or a hydrocarbon radical. “Acyl” used alone, as a prefix or suffix, means —C(═O)—R, wherein —R is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, hydrogen, amino or alkoxy. Acyl groups include, for example, acetyl, propionyl, benzoyl, phenyl acetyl, carboethoxy, and dimethylcarbamoyl. Halogen includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. “Halogenated,” used as a prefix of a group, means one or more hydrogens on the group is replaced with one or more halogens. “RT” or “rt” means room temperature. A first ring group being “fused” with a second ring group means the first ring and the second ring share at least two atoms therebetween. “Link,” “linked,” or “linking,” unless otherwise specified, means covalently linked or bonded. When a first group, structure, or atom is “directly connected” to a second group, structure or atom, at least one atom of the first group, structure or atom forms a chemical bond with at least one atom of the second group, structure or atom. “Saturated carbon” means a carbon atom in a structure, molecule or group wherein all the bonds connected to this carbon atom are single bond. In other words, there is no double or triple bonds connected to this carbon atom and this carbon atom generally adopts an sp3 atomic orbital hybridization. “Unsaturated carbon” means a carbon atom in a structure, molecule or group wherein at least one bond connected to this carbon atom is not a single bond. In other words, there is at least one double or triple bond connected to this carbon atom and this carbon atom generally adopts a sp or sp2 atomic orbital hybridization. In the context of the present specification, the term “therapy” also includes “prophylaxis” unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The term “therapeutic” and “therapeutically” should be contrued accordingly. The term “therapy” within the context of the present invention further encompasses to administer an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, to mitigate either a pre-existing disease state, acute or chronic, or a recurring condition. This definition also encompasses prophylactic therapies for prevention of recurring conditions and continued therapy for chronic disorders. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention encompasses compounds in accord with formula I: wherein Z is selected from O═ and S═; R1 is selected from C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, R5R6N—C1-6alkyl, R5O—C1-6alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2—C1-6alkyl, R5CS(═O)2N(R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2NO7)—C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)-C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)-C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)-C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR3R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, R5R6N—, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R5, R6 or R7 form a portion of a ring; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from —H, —OH, amino, R8 and —O—R8, wherein R8 is independently selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R8 forms a portion of a ring, wherein R3 and R4 are not —H at the same time, and wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, or divalent C1-6group in defining R8 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR5R6; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring, wherein said ring is optionally substituted by one or more groupd selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR5R6. The invention also encompasses stereoisomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates or mixtures thereof, in-vivo-hydrolysable precursors and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of compounds of formula I, solvated or unsolvated forms of compounds of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations containing them, methods of using them to treat diseases and conditions either alone or in combination with other therapeutically-active compounds or substances, processes and intermediates used to prepare them, uses of them as medicaments, uses of them in the manufacture of medicaments and uses of them for diagnostic and analytic purposes. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In one aspect, the invention provides a compound of formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, diastereomers, enantiomers, or mixtures thereof: wherein Z is selected from O═and S═; R1 is selected from C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, R5R6N—C1-6alkyl, R5O—C1-6alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2—C1-6alkyl, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)-C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)-C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, R5R6N—, C3-6heteroaryl, C6-10aryl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R5, R6 or R7 form a portion of a ring; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from —H, —OH, amino, R8 and —O—R8, wherein R8 is independently selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R8 forms a portion of a ring, wherein R3 and R4 are not —H at the same time, and wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, or divalent C1-6group in defining R8 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR5R6; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring, wherein said ring is optionally substituted by one or more groupd selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR5R6. Particularly, the compounds of the present invention are those of formula I, wherein Z is O═; R1 is selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, R5R6N-C1-4alkyl, R5O—C1-4alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, R5R6N—, phenyl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl, C4-6heteroaryl, phenyl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and —NR5R6; R3 and R4 are independently selected from —OH, amino, C1-6alkyl and C1-6alkoxy, or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring, wherein said ring is optionally substituted by a group selected from hydroxy, carboxy, methyl and ethyl; and R5 and R6 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl and C2-6alkenyl. More particularly, the compounds of the present invention are those of formula I, Z is O═; R1 is selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, R5R6N—C1-4alkyl, R5O—C1-4alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, phenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, R5R6N—C1-4alkyl, R5O—C1-4alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C1-4alkyl, phenyl-C(═O)—C1-4alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C4-6cycloalkenyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)-C1-4alkyl, phenyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-6alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, R5R6N—, C3-6cycloallyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl, C3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl wherein said C1-6alkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl, C3-6cycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-4alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl, C3-5heteroaryl, and phenyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; R5 and R6 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl and C2-6alkenyl; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from —H, amino, C1-6alkyl and C1-6alkoxy; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring wherein said ring is optionally substituted by a group selected from hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl and ethyl. Most particularly, the compounds of the present invention are those of formula I, wherein Z is O═; R1 is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrahydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1-pyrrolylethyl, 1-morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluorocyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2-furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-1-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl); R2 is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, N-morpholinyl, and 2-methoxy-2-propyl; and R3 and R4 are independently selected from methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, methoxy and ethoxy; or R3 and R4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a group selected from isoxazolidin-2-yl, 4-hydroxy-isoxazolidin-2-yl, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-isoxazolidin-2-yl, N-morpholinyl. It will be understood that when compounds of the present invention contain one or more chiral centers, the compounds of the invention may exist in, and be isolated as, enantiomeric or diastereomeric forms, or as a racemic mixture. The present invention includes any possible enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates or mixtures thereof, of a compound of Formula I. The optically active forms of the compound of the invention may be prepared, for example, by chiral chromatographic separation of a racemate, by synthesis from optically active starting materials or by asymmetric synthesis based on the procedures described thereafter. It will also be appreciated that certain compounds of the present invention may exist as geometrical isomers, for example E and Z isomers of alkenes. The present invention includes any geometrical isomer of a compound of Formula I. It will further be understood that the present invention encompasses tautomers of the compounds of the formula I. It will also be understood that certain compounds of the present invention may exist in solvated, for example hydrated, as well as unsolvated forms. It will further be understood that the present invention encompasses all such solvated forms of the compounds of the formula I. Within the scope of the invention are also salts of the compounds of the formula I. Generally, pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compounds of the present invention may be obtained using standard procedures well known in the art, for example by reacting a sufficiently basic compound, for example an alkyl amine with a suitable acid, for example, HCl or acetic acid, to afford a physiologically acceptable anion. It may also be possible to make a corresponding alkali metal (such as sodium, potassium, or lithium) or an alkaline earth metal (such as a calcium) salt by treating a compound of the present invention having a suitably acidic proton, such as a carboxylic acid or a phenol with one equivalent of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or alkoxide (such as the ethoxide or methoxide), or a suitably basic organic amine (such as choline or meglumine) in an aqueous medium, followed by conventional purification techniques. In one embodiment, the compound of formula I above may be converted to a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, particularly, an acid addition salt such as a hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, acetate, fumarate, maleate, tartrate, citrate, methanesulphonate or ptoluenesulphonate. We have now found that the compounds of the invention have activity as pharmaceuticals, in particular as modulators or ligands such as agonists, partial agonists, inverse agonist or antagonists of CB1 receptors. More particularly, the compounds of the invention exhibit selective activity as agonist of the CB1 receptors and are useful in therapy, especially for relief of various pain conditions such as chronic pain, neuropathic pain, acute pain, cancer pain, pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, visceral pain etc. This list should however not be interpreted as exhaustive. Additionally, compounds of the present invention are useful in other disease states in which dysfunction of CB1 receptors is present or implicated. Furthermore, the compounds of the invention may be used to treat cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiavascular disorders. Compounds of the invention are useful as immunomodulators, especially for autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, for skin grafts, organ transplants and similar surgical needs, for collagen diseases, various allergies, for use as anti-tumour agents and anti viral agents. Compounds of the invention are useful in disease states where degeneration or dysfunction of cannabinoid receptors is present or implicated in that paradigm. This may involve the use of isotopically labelled versions of the compounds of the invention in diagnostic techniques and imaging applications such as positron emission tomography (PET). Compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment of diarrhoea, depression, anxiety and stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and obsessive compulsive disorder, urinary incontinence, premature ejaculation, various mental illnesses, cough, lung oedema, various gastro-intestinal disorders, e.g. constipation, functional gastrointestinal disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Dyspepsia, Parkinson's disease and other motor disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, cardioprotection following miocardial infarction, spinal injury and drug addiction, including the treatment of alcohol, nicotine, opioid and other drug abuse and for disorders of the sympathetic nervous system for example hypertension. Compounds of the invention are useful as an analgesic agent for use during general anaesthesia and monitored anaesthesia care. Combinations of agents with different properties are often used to achieve a balance of effects needed to maintain the anaesthetic state (e.g. amnesia, analgesia, muscle relaxation and sedation). Included in this combination are inhaled anaesthetics, hypnotics, anxiolytics, neuromuscular blockers and opioids. Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any of the compounds according to the formula I above, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of any of the conditions discussed above. A further aspect of the invention is a method for the treatment of a subject suffering from any of the conditions discussed above, whereby an effective amount of a compound according to the formula I above, is administered to a patient in need of such treatment. Thus, the invention provides a compound of formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined for use in therapy. In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as hereinbefore defined in the manufacture of a medicament for use in therapy. In the context of the present specification, the term “therapy” also includes “prophylaxis” unless there are specific indications to the contrary. The term “therapeutic” and “therapeutically” should be contrued accordingly. The term “therapy” within the context of the present invention further encompasses to administer an effective amount of a compound of the present invention, to mitigate either a pre-existing disease state, acute or chronic, or a recurring condition. This definition also encompasses prophylactic therapies for prevention of recurring conditions and continued therapy for chronic disorders. The compounds of the present invention are useful in therapy, especially for the therapy of various pain conditions including, but not limited to: acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, back pain, cancer pain, and visceral pain. In use for therapy in a warm-blooded animal such as a human, the compound of the invention may be administered in the form of a conventional pharmaceutical composition by any route including orally, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, topically, intranasally, intraperitoneally, intrathoracially, intravenously, epidurally, intrathecally, intracerebroventricularly and by injection into the joints. In one embodiment of the invention, the route of administration may be orally, intravenously or intramuscularly. The dosage will depend on the route of administration, the severity of the disease, age and weight of the patient and other factors normally considered by the attending physician, when determining the individual regimen and dosage level at the most appropriate for a particular patient. For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from the compounds of this invention, inert, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid and liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, dispersible granules, capsules, cachets, and suppositories. A solid carrier can be one or more substances, which may also act as diluents, flavoring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, or table disintegrating agents; it can also be an encapsulating material. In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is in a mixture with the finely divided compound of the invention, or the active component. In tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. For preparing suppository compositions, a low-melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides and cocoa butter is first melted and the active ingredient is dispersed therein by, for example, stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture in then poured into convenient sized moulds and allowed to cool and solidify. Suitable carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, lactose, sugar, pectin, dextrin, starch, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, a low-melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The term composition is also intended to include the formulation of the active component with encapsulating material as a carrier providing a capsule in which the active component (with or without other carriers) is surrounded by a carrier which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets are included. Tablets, powders, cachets, and capsules can be used as solid dosage forms suitable for oral administration. Liquid form compositions include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. For example, sterile water or water propylene glycol solutions of the active compounds may be liquid preparations suitable for parenteral administration. Liquid compositions can also be formulated in solution in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. Aqueous solutions for oral administration can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavoring agents, stabilizers, and thickening agents as desired. Aqueous suspensions for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water together with a viscous material such as natural synthetic gums, resins, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and other suspending agents known to the pharmaceutical formulation art. Depending on the mode of administration, the pharmaceutical composition will preferably include from 0.05% to 99% w (per cent by weight), more preferably from 0.10 to 50% w, of the compound of the invention, all percentages by weight being based on total composition. A therapeutically effective amount for the practice of the present invention may be determined, by the use of known criteria including the age, weight and response of the individual patient, and interpreted within the context of the disease which is being treated or which is being prevented, by one of ordinary skills in the art. Within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of formula I as defined above for the manufacture of a medicament. Also within the scope of the invention is the use of any compound of formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of pain. Additionally provided is the use of any compound according to Formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapy of various pain conditions including, but not limited to: acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, back pain, cancer pain, and visceral pain. A further aspect of the invention is a method for therapy of a subject suffering from any of the conditions discussed above, whereby an effective amount of a compound according to the formula I above, is administered to a patient in need of such therapy. Additionally, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Particularly, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for therapy, more particularly for therapy of pain. Further, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier use in any of the conditions discussed above. In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of preparing the compounds of the present invention. In one embodiment, the invention provides a process for preparing a compound of formula II, comprising of the step of reacting a compound of formula III, with a compound of R3NHOR8 to form the compound of formula II, wherein X is selected from Cl, Br, I and OH; R1 is selected from C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, R5R6N—C1-6alkyl, R5O—C1-6alkyl, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2—C1-6alkyl, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—C1-6alkyl, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, R5R6N—, R5O—, R5C(═O)N(—R6)—, R5R6NS(═O)2—, R5CS(═O)2N(—R6)—, R5R6NC(═O)N(—R7)—, R5R6NS(═O)2N(R7)—, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—, C3-10cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl and C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C6-10aryl-C1-6alkyl, C6-10aryl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C3-10cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)—C1-6alkyl, C1-10hydrocarbylamino, C6-10aryl, C6-10aryl-C(═O), C3-8cycloalkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-6heterocyclyl or C3-6heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR5R6; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-6heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, R5R6N—, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl and C3-6heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C1-10alkyl, C2-10alkenyl, C2-10alkynyl, C3-8cycloalkyl, C3-8cycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl-C1-6alkyl, C3-4heterocycloalkyl-C1-6alkyl, C4-8cycloalkenyl, C3-5heteroaryl, C6-10aryl or C3-6heterocycloalkyl used in defining R2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy and amino; wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with another divalent R5, R6 or R7 forms a portion of a ring; R3 is selected from C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with a divalent R8 forms a portion of a ring; and R8 is selected from —H, C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl, and a divalent C1-6group that together with a divalent R3 forms a portion of a ring. Particularly, the present invention provides a method of preparing a compound of formula II, wherein R1 is selected from cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, ethyl, propyl, adamantyl, adamantylmethyl, allyl, isopentyl, benzyl, methoxyethyl, tetrrhydropyranylmethyl, tetrahydrofuranylmethyl, cyclohexyloxy, cyclohexylamino, dimethylaminoethyl, 4-pyridylmethyl, 2-pyridylmethyl, 1-pyrrolylethyl, 1-morpholinoethyl, 4,4-difluorocyclohexylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 2-pyrrolidylmehtyl, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidylmethyl, 2-piperidylmethyl, N-methyl-2-piperidylmethyl, 3-thienylmethyl, (2-nitrothiophene-5-yl)-methyl, (1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-yl)methyl, (5-(acetoxymethyl)-2-furyl)methyl), (2,3-dihydro-1H-isoindole-1-yl)methyl, and 5-(2-methylthiazolyl); R2 is selected from t-butyl, n-butyl, 2-methyl-2-butyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, trifluoromethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl, N-piperidyl, dimethylamino, phenyl, pyridyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2-methoxy-2-propyl, and N-morpholinyl; and R3 and R8 are independently C1-6alkyl. Compounds of the present invention may be prepared according to the synthetic routes as depicted in Schemes 1-3 using one or more methods disclosed above. Biological Evaluation hCB1 and hCB2 Receptor Binding Human CB1 receptor from Receptor Biology (hCB1) or human CB2 receptor from BioSignal (hCB2) membranes are thawed at 37° C., passed 3 times through a 25-gauge blunt-end needle, diluted in the cannabinoid binding buffer (50 mM Tris, 2.5 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl2, and 0.5 mg/mL BSA fatty acid free, pH 7.4) and aliquots containing the appropriate amount of protein are distributed in 96-well plates. The IC50 of the compounds of the invention at hCB1 and hCB2 are evaluated from 10-point dose-response curves done with 3H-CP55,940 at 20000 to 25000 dpm per well (0.17-0.21 nM) in a final volume of 300 μl. The total and non-specific binding are determined in the absence and presence of 0.2 μM of HU210 respectively. The plates are vortexed and incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature, filtered through Unifilters GF/B (presoaked in 0.1% polyethyleneimine) with the Tomtec or Packard harvester using 3 mL of wash buffer (50 mM Tris, 5 mM MgCl2, 0.5 mg BSA pH 7.0). The filters are dried for 1 hour at 55° C. The radioactivity (cpm) is counted in a TopCount (Packard) after adding 65 μl/well of MS-20 scintillation liquid. hCB1 and hCB2 GTPγS Binding Human CB1 receptor from Receptor Biology (hCB1) or human CB2 receptor membranes (BioSignal) are thawed at 37° C., passed 3 times through a 25-gauge blunt-end needle and diluted in the GTPγS binding buffer (50 mM Hepes, 20 mM NaOH, 100 mM NaCl, 1 mM EDTA, 5 mM MgCl2, pH 7.4, 0.1% BSA). The EC50 and Emax of the compounds of the invention are evaluated from 10-point dose-response curves done in 300 μl with the appropriate amount of membrane protein and 100000-130000 dpm of GTPg35S per well (0.11-0.14 nM). The basal and maximal stimulated binding is determined in absence and presence of 1 μM (hCB2) or 10 μM (hCB1) Win 55,212-2 respectively. The membranes are pre-incubated for 5 minutes with 56.25 μM (hCB2) or 112.5 μM (hCB1) GDP prior to distribution in plates (15 μM (hCB2) or 30 μM (hCB1) GDP final). The plates are vortexed and incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature, filtered on Unifilters GF/B (presoaked in water) with the Tomtec or Packard harvester using 3 ml of wash buffer (50 mM Tris, 5 mM MgCl2, 50 mM NaCl, pH 7.0). The filters are dried for 1 hour at 55° C. The radioactivity (cpm) is counted in a TopCount (Packard) after adding 65 μl/well of MS-20 scintillation liquid. Antagonist reversal studies are done in the same way except that (a) an agonist dose-response curve is done in the presence of a constant concentration of antagonist, or (b) an antagonist dose-response curve is done in the presence of a constant concentration of agonist. Based on the above assays, the dissociation constant (Ki) for a particular compound of the invention towards a particular receptor is determined using the following equation: Ki=IC50/(1+[rad]/Kd), Wherein IC50 is the concentration of the compound of the invention at which 50% displacement has been observed; [rad] is a standard or reference radioactive ligand concentration at that moment; and Kd is the dissociation constant of the radioactive ligand towards the particular receptor. Using above-mentioned assays, the Ki towards human CB1 receptors for most compounds of the invention is measured to be in the range of 36-5700 nM. The Ki towards human CB2 receptors for most compounds of the invention is measured to be in the range of about 1.6-36 nM. Using the above described assays, the IC50 towards CB1 receptor for most of the compounds of the present invention is generally in the range of 16.2 nM-5655.7 nM. EXAMPLES The invention will further be described in more detail by the following Examples which describe methods whereby compounds of the present invention may be prepared, purified, analyzed and biologically tested, and which are not to be construed as limiting the invention. Example 1 2-tert-Butyl-N,N-diethyl-1-{[(2R)-1-methylpiperidin-2-yl]methyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Step A. 2-tert-Butyl-N,N-diethyl-1-{[(2R)-1-methylpiperidin-2-yl]methyl}-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide tert-Butyl (2R)-2-[({2-amino-4-[(diethylamino)carbonyl]phenyl}amino)methyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate (75 mg, 0.185 mmol) (for preparation, see the following steps B, C, and D) was dissolved in 3 mL of DCE containing TEA (0.058 mL, 0.277 mmol). Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.025 mL, 0.204 mmol) was added drop wise and the solution was stirred at RT for 1 h. Glacial acetic acid (1 mL) and a few drops of concentrated HCl were added and the solution was stirred at 75° C. for 24 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 2M NaOH, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The product was dissolved in 5 mL of THF containing a few drops of glacial AcOH. An excess of 37% HCHO/water (1 mL) was added followed by NaBH(OAc)3 (78 mg, 0.370 mmol). The solution was stirred at rt for 30 min. The solution was diluted with EtOAc and washed with 2 M NaOH, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 42 mg (46%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 1.12 (m, 3H), 1.25 (m, 3H), 1.36 (m, 2H), 1.65 (s, 9H), 1.79 (m, 2H), 1.87 (m, 1H), 3.15 (s, 3H), 3.31 (m, 3H), 3.57 (m, 3H), 4.01 (m, 1H), 4.85 (m, 1H), 5.18 (m, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J=1.56, 8.59 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (d J=0.98 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 385.3; Anal. Calcd for C23H36N4O+3.0 TFA: C, 47.94; H, 5.41; N, 7.71. Found: C, 48.06; H, 5.23; N, 7.85. Step B. N,N-Diethyl-4-fluoro-3-nitro-benzamide 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (5.0 g, 27.0 mmol) was refluxed in a 2:1 mixture of CH2Cl2/SOCl2 (150 mL) overnight The solvent was concentrated and the residue was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (50 mL). Another CH2Cl2 solution (50 mL) of diethylamine (3.35 mL, 32.4 mmol) and triethylamine (TEA) (7.5 mL, 54 mmol) was then added drop wise to the cold stirring solution (0° C.) of the acid chloride. The solution was stirred at rt for 3 h. The solution was then washed with 5% KHSO4 solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 1:1/hexanes:EtOAc on silica gel. Yield: 5.39 g (83%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.19 (b, 6 H), 3.24 (b, 2 H), 3.52 (b, 2 H), 7.33 (dd, J=10.45, 8.50 Hz, 1 H), 7.66 (m, 1 H), 8.09 (dd, J=7.03, 2.15 Hz, 1 H). Step C. tert-butyl-(2R)-2-[({4-[(diethylamino)carbonyl]-2-nitrophenyl}amino)methyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate N,N-Diethyl-4-fluoro-3-nitro-benzamide (210 mg, 0.874 mmol) and tert-butyl (2R)-2-(aminomethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (245 mg, 1.14 mmol) were stirred in 15 mL of EtOH containing TEA (0.185 mL, 1.31 mmol) at 75° C. overnight. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 5% KHSO4 solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 1:1/hexanes:EtOAc as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 380 mg (99%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.22 (m, 6 H), 1.47 (s, 9 H), 1.55 (m, 1 H), 1.63 (m, 1 H), 1.71 (d, J=12.89 Hz, 4 H), 2.79 (m, 1 H), 3.36 (dd, J=12.89, 6.25 Hz, 1 H), 3.43 (m, 4 H), 3.61 (m, 1 H), 4.07 (m, 1 H), 4.62 (m, 1 H), 7.00 (m, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H), 7.57 (dd, J=8.79, 1.76 Hz, 1 H), 8.28 (d, J=1.76 Hz, 2 H). Step D. tert-Butyl (2R)-2-[({2-amino-4-[(diethylamino)carbonyl]phenyl}amino)methyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate tert-Butyl-(2R)-2-[({4-[(diethylamino)carbonyl]-2-nitrophenyl}amino)methyl]piperidine-1-carboxylate (380 mg, 0.875 mmol) was dissolved in 35 mL of EtOAc containing a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C. The solution was shaken in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus under H2 atmosphere (40 psi) at RT overnight. The solution was filtered through Celite and the solvent was concentrated. The product was used directly for the next step without further purification. Yield: 355 mg (99%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.17 (t, J=6.74 Hz, 6 H), 1.46 (s, 9 H), 1.55 (d, J=11.72 Hz, 1 H), 1.65 (d, J=10.35 Hz, 2 H), 1.73 (m, 2 H), 2.81 (t, J=12.50 Hz, 1 H), 3.09 (d, J=9.76 Hz, 1 H), 3.31 (m, 2 H), 3.42 (m, 4 H), 3.52 (m, 2 H), 4.02 (m, 1 H), 4.59 (m, 1 H), 6.58 (d, J=8.01 Hz, 1 H), 6.78 (d, J=1.56 Hz, 1 H), 6.86 (m, 1 H), 7.26 (s, 1 H). Example 2 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N,N-diethyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Step A. 2-tert-Butyl-1cyclohexylmethyl)-N,N-diethyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide 3-Amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-N,N-diethylbenzamide (124 mg, 0.409 mmol) (for preparation, see the following steps B and C) was dissolved in 3 mL of DCE containing TEA (0.085 mL, 0.614 mmol). Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.055 mL, 0.450 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution was stirred at RT for 1 h. Glacial AcOH (1 mL) and a few drops of concentrated HCl were added and the solution was stirred at 75° C. for 48 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 2M aqueous NaOH, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt Yield: 64 mg (32%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 1.12 (m, 3H), 1.23 (m, 7H), 1.67 (m, 14H), 1.75 (m, 1H), 2.11 (m, 1H), 3.28 (m, 2H), 3.56 (m, 2H), 4.48 (d, J=7.42 Hz, 2H), 7.58 (dd, J=1.46, 8.69 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (s, 1H), 7.99 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 370.2; Anal. Calcd for C23H35N3O+2.1 TFA+0.9 H2O: C, 52.25; H, 6.27; N, 6.72. Found: C, 52.31; H, 6.24; N, 6.69. Step B. 4-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-N,N-diethyl-3-nitrobenzamide Following the same procedure in Example 1, step C, using N,N-Diethyl-4-fluoro-3-nitro-benzamide (105 mg, 0.437 mmol) and cyclohexylmethylamine (0.090 mL, 0.656 mmol) in 5 mL of EtOH containing TEA (0.135 mL, 0.655 mmol). The product was directly used for next step after regular washings. Yield: 144 mg (99%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.06 (m, 2 H) 1.22 (t, J=7.13 Hz, 7 H) 1.30 (m, 2 H) 1.71 (m, 2 H) 1.79 (m, 2 H) 1.86 (d, J=11.91 Hz, 2 H) 3.18 (m, 2 H) 3.45 (m, 4 H) 6.88 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H) 7.55 (dd, J=8.88, 2.05 Hz, 1 H) 8.28 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1 H) 8.31 (m, 1 H). Step C. 3-Amino-4[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-N,N-diethylbenzamide Following the same procedure in Example 1, step D, using 4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-N,N-diethyl-3-nitrobenzamide (140 mg, 0.420 mmol) and a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C in 15 mL of EtOAc. The solution was filtered through Celite and used directly for next step. Yield: 125 mg (99%). MS (ESI) (M+H)+: 304.2. Example 3 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Step A. 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (58 mg, 0.184 mmol) (for preparation, see the following Steps B to F), N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (25 mg, 0.276 mmol) and HATU (77 mg, 0.202 mmol) were stirred in 2 mL of DMF containing DIPEA (0.080 mL, 0.460 mmol) at RT for 3 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 29 mg (33%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4) δ 1.23 (m, 5 H), 1.62 (s, 2 H), 1.65 (s, 9 H), 1.75 (m, 2 H), 2.11 (m, 1 H), 3.38 (s, 3 H), 3.56 (s, 3 H), 4.45 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.82 (dd, J=8.69, 1.46 Hz, 1 H), 7.91 (m, 1 H), 8.03 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 358.2; Anal. Calcd for C21H31N3O2+1.2 TFA+0.3H2O: C, 56.24; H, 6.62; N, 8.41. Found: C, 56.28; H, 6.51; N, 8.48. Step B. Methyl 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoate 4-Fluoro-3-nitrobenzoic acid (500 mg, 2.70 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of a 5:1/toluene:MeOH mixture at 0° C. under nitrogen. Trimethylsilyl diazomethane (2M in hexanes) (1.6 mL, 3.24 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution stirred at rt for 30 min. The solvent was concentrated. The product was purified by flash chromatography using 4:1/hexanes:EtOAc as eluent on silica gel, to yield the desired title compound. Yield: 494 mg (92%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 3.98 (s, 3 H), 7.39 (dd, J10.06, 8.49 Hz, 1 H), 8.33 (ddd, J=8.69, 4.20, 2.15 Hz, 1 H), 8.75 (dd, J=7.23, 2.15 Hz, 1 H). Step C. Methyl 4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrobenzoate Following the same procedure in Example 1, step C, using methyl 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoate (225 mg, 1.13 mmol) and cyclohexylmethylamine (0.175 mL, 1.36 mmol) in 5 mL of EtOH containing TEA (0.235 mL, 1.70 mmol). The product was directly used for next step after the regular washings. Yield: 329 mg (99%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.06 (m 2H), 1.26 (m, 3H), 1.72 (m, 3H), 1.72 (m, 2H), 1.84 (m, 1H), 1.87 (m, 1H), 3.20 (dd, J=6.64, 5.47 Hz, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H), 6.86 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (ddd, J=9.03, 2.10, 0.78 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (s, 1H), 8.89 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1H). Step D. Methyl 3-amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]benzoate Following the same procedure in Example 1, step D, using methyl 4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitrobenzoate (325 mg, 1.11 mmol) in 25 mL of EtOAc. The mixture was filtered through Celite and used directly in Step A. Yield: 285 mg (98%). MS (ESI) (M+H)+: 263.0. Step E. Methyl 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate Methyl 3-amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]benzoate (285 mg, 1.09 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of DCM containing DMAP (33 mg, 0.272 mmol). Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.145 mL, 1.20 mmol) was added drop wise and the solution was stirred at RT for 2 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in 15 mL of glacial AcOH and stirred at 100° C. for 24 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and the solution was washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The product was purified by flash chromatography using 7:3/ hexanes:EtOAc as elute on silica gel. Yield: 170 mg (47%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D) δ 1.10 (m, 2H), 1.16 (m, 2H), 1.57 (s, 9H), 1.61 (m, 1H), 1.62 (m, 2H), 1.69 (m, 1H), 1.73 (m, 2H), 2.03 (m, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 4.15 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2H), 7.34 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (dd, J=8.59, 1.56 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=0.98 Hz, 1H). Step F. 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid Methyl 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (165 mg, 0.502 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of EtOH containing 2 mL of 1M LiOH. The solution was refluxed for 3 h. The solution was cooled to RT and the solvent was concentrated. The solution was neutralized with 1M HCl and extracted with DCM and EtOAc. The combined organic phases were washed with brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The organic phases were combined and concentrated to afford a crude desired title compound which was used directly in Step A. Yield: 140 mg (87%). MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 315.0. Example 4 1-Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Step A. 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using O,N-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (36.6 mg, 0.38 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (144 μL, 106.6 mg, 0.83 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (82.1 mg, 0.250 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) (for preparation, see the following Steps B, C, D and E) at 0° C., and later, HATU (114.1 mg, 0.30 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, added H2O (50 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The desired title compound was purified by reversed-phase HPLC (C-18 column) using 20-70% CH3CN/H2O to give 107.9 mg (89%) of a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD) δ 0.86 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.67 (m, 3 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.49 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 3.41 (s, 3 H), 3.59 (s, 3 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.81 Hz, 2 H), 7.90 (dd, J=8.79, 1.37 Hz, 1 H), 8.01 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H), 8.08 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=372.07. Step B. 4-(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitro-benzonitrile Cyclohexylmethylamine (3.12 mL, 2.72 g, 24.0 mmol) was added to a suspension of 4-fluoro-3-nitro-benzonitrile (3.22 g, 20.0 mmol) and sodium carbonate (4.66 g, 44.0 mmol) in EtOH (60 mL) at room temperature. The reaction mixture was stirred overnight, and diluted with H2O (800 mL). The yellow solid was precipitated out and collected to give the desired product (5.25 g, 100%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 1.07 (m, 2 H), 1.25 (m, 3 H), 1.75 (m, 6 H), 3.19 (dd, J=6.64, 5.47 Hz, 2 H), 6.91 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1 H), 7.59 (m, 1 H), 8.50 (s broad, 1 H), 8.51 (d, J=2.15 Hz, 1 H). Step C. 3amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-benzonitrile 4-[(Cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-3-nitro-benzonitrile (5.25 g, 20.0 mmol) was hydrogenated in ethyl acetate (200 mL) catalyzed by 10% Pd/C (0.8 g) at 20-30 psi H2 in Parr shaker for 2 h at room temperature. After the reaction was complete, the reaction mixture was filtered through celite. Removal of the solvent gave the desired title compound diamine (4.33 g, 94%) which was used in the next step without further purification. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3): δ 1.02 (m, 2 H), 1.24 (m, 3 H), 1.62 (m, 1 H), 1.76 (m, 5 H), 3.00 (m, 2 H), 3.27 (s broad, 2 H), 4.05 (s broad, 1 H), 6.56 (d, J=8.20 Hz, 1 H), 6.93 (d, J=1.76 Hz, 1 H), 7.16 (dd, J=8.20, 1.95 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=229.90 (M+1)+. Step D. 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carbonitrile 2,2-Dimethyl butyryl chloride (1.37 g, 10.18 mmol) was added dropwise to a stirring solution of 3-amino-4-[(cyclohexylmethyl)amino]-benzonitrile (1.83 g, 7.98 mmol) and DMAP (387.8 mg, 3.17 mmol) in dichloromethane (70 mL) at 0° C. The solution was stirred overnight at room temperature. After evaporation of the solvent, a crude product was obtained as a grey white solid (3.51 g, 100%). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=328.03. This crude product (773.9 mg, 1.76 mmol) was dissolved in 1,2-dichloroethane (5×5 mL) in five Teflon-capped test tubes. The vessels were irradiated by microwave for 2 h at 190° C., then, diluted with EtOAc (200 mL), washed with 2N NaOH (10 mL), sat. NaCl (2×10 mL) and dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. Upon filtration and concentration, the desired title compound was obtained as a white solid (623.1 mg, 100%). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=310.02. Step E. 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid A mixture 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carbonitrile (623.1 mg, 1.76 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (620.1 mg, 11.05 mmol) in 20 mL of EtOH-H2O (1:1) was heated for 24 h at reflux. Upon evaporation of ethanol, the aqueous solution was extracted with ether (2×50 mL) and then acidified with 2N HCl until pH=5-6. The desired title compound was obtained as a grey solid which was collected by filtration and drying in vacuo. Yield: 541.2 mg (94%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.85 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.65 (m, 3 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.78 (s, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.12 (m, 1 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.99 (m, 1 H), 8.24 (m, 1 H), 8.42 (d, J=0.98 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=329.02. Example 5 1-(Cycloheylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-N-morpholin-4-yl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using morpholin-4-amine (30.6 mg, 0.30 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (69.7 μL, 51.7 mg, 0.40 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (65.7 mg, 0.20 mmol) in DMF (5 mL) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) at 0° C., and later, HATU (91.3 mg, 0.24 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, added H2O (50 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The desired title compound was purified by reversed-phase HPLC (C-18 column) using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O to give 79.2 mg (75%) of a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.64 (m, 3 H), 1.70 (s, 6 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.49 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 2.96 (m, 4 H), 3.83 (m, 4 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 8.03 (m, 2 H), 8.22 (m, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=413.3 Anal. Calcd for C24H36N4O2+1.90 TFA+1.30 H2O+0.30 MeCN (664.96): C, 51.30; H, 6.28; N, 9.06. Found: C, 51.33; H, 6.21; N, 9.08. Example 6 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-5-(morpholin-4-ylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using morpholine (26.1 mg, 0.30 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (69.7 μL, 51.7 mg, 0.40 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (65.7 mg, 0.20 mmol)) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) in DMF (5 mL) at 0° C., and later, HATU (91.3 mg, 0.24 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, added H2O (50 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The desired title compound was purified by reversed-phase HPLC (C-18 column) using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O to give 82.1 mg (80%) of a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.42 Hz, 3 H), 1.27 (m, 5 H), 1.65 (m, 3 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.12 (m, 1 H), 3.47 (m, 2 H), 3.62 (m, 2 H), 3.79 (m, 4 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.66 (dd, J=8.69, 1.46 Hz, 1 H), 7.82 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H), 8.01 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=398.3. Anal. Calcd for C24H35N3O2+1.60 TFA+1.10 H2O+0.30 MeCN (612.14): C, 54.55; H, 6.54; N, 7.55. Found: C, 54.61; H, 6.53; N, 7.51. Example 7 1-(Cycloheylmethyl)-5-[(2,6-dimethylmorpholin-4-yl)carbonyl]-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2,6-dimethylmorpholine (34.6 mg, 0.30 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (69.7 μL, 51.7 mg, 0.40 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (66.8 mg, 0.203 mmol) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) in DMF (5 mL) at 0° C., and later, HATU (91.3 mg, 0.24 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, added H2O (50 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The desired title compound was purified by MPLC (hex/EtOAc 1:1 as eluent on silica gel) to give 76.0 mg (89%) of a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.04 (m, 3 H), 1.27 (m, 8 H), 1.66 (m, 2 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.71 (m, 1 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.55 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 2.63 (m, 1 H), 2.92 (m, 1 H), 3.59 (m, 3 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.81 Hz, 2 H), 4.54 (m, 1 H), 7.65 (dd, J=8.69, 1.46 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H), 8.01 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=426.2. Anal. Calcd for C26H39N3O2+1.70 TFA+0.20 H2O (623.06): C, 56.68; H, 6.65; N, 6.74. Found: C, 56.68; H, 6.59; N, 6.81. Example 8 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-5-{[(2R,6S)-2,6-dimethylmorpholinyl]carbonyl}-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using (2R,6S)-2,6-dimethylmorpholine (34.6 mg, 0.30 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (69.7 μL, 51.7 mg, 0.40 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (65.9 mg, 0.20 mmol) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) in DMF (5 mL) at 0° C., and later, HATU (91.3 mg, 0.24 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, added H2O (50 mL), extracted with EtOAc (3×50 mL). The desired title compound was purified by MPLC (hex/EtOAc 1:1 as eluent on silica gel) to give 75.7 mg (89%) of a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.04 (m, 3 H), 1.28 (m, 8 H), 1.66 (m, 2 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.71 (m, 1 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 2.63 (m, 1 H), 2.92 (m, 1 H), 3.58 (m, 3 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 4.55 (m, 1 H), 7.65 (dd, J=8.69, 1.46 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H), 8.01 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=426.2. Anal. Calcd for C26H39N3O2+1.60 TFA+0.30 H2O (613.46): C, 57.17; H, 6.77; N, 6.85. Found: C, 57.18; H, 6.69; N, 6.88. Example 9 1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-5-(isoxazolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using isoxazolidine hydrochoride (29.5 mg, 0.26 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (144 μL, 106.6 mg, 0.83 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (82.1 mg, 0.25 mmol) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) in DMF (5 mL) at 0° C., and later, HATU (114.0 mg, 0.30 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature, and quenched by adding H2O (5 mL). Upon evapoartion, the desired title compound was purified by reversed-phase HPLC (C-18 column) using 20-50% CH3CN/H2O to give 94.8 mg (76%) of a white solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.42 Hz, 3 H), 1.27 (m, 5 H), 1.66 (m, 3 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.49 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 2.43 (m, 2 H), 3.94 (m, 2 H), 4.07 (t, J=6.74 Hz, 2 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 8.00 (m, 2 H), 8.19 (s, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=384.2. Anal. Calcd for C23H33N3O2+1.40 TFA+1.30 H2O (566.59): C, 54.69; H, 6.58; N, 7.42. Found: C, 54.66; H, 6.50; N, 7.68. Example 10 (4R)-2-{[1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}-4methylisoxazolidin-4-ol Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using (4R)-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol hydrochoride (36.0 mg, 0.25 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (144 μL, 106.6 mg, 0.83 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (82.1 mg, 0.25 mmol) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) in DMF (5 mL) at 0° C., and later, HATU ( 14.0 mg, 0.30 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature, added H2O (5 mL). Upon evapoartion, the desired title compound was purified by reversed-phase HPLC (C-18 column) using 20-50% CH3CN/H2O to give 90.5 mg (69%) of a white solid. [a]D: +16.6° (c 0.15,EtOH). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.42 Hz, 3 H), 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.50 (s, 3 H), 1.66 (m, 3 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.49 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 3.82 (d, J=11.33 Hz, 1 H), 3.89 (d, J=8.40 Hz, 1 H), 3.97 (m, 2 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.81 Hz, 2 H), 7.99 (m,2 H), 8.19 (s, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=414.2. Anal. Calcd for C24H35N3O3+1.50 TFA+1.10 H2O (604.42): C, 53.65; H, 6.45; N, 6.95. Found: C, 53.55; H, 6.44; N, 7.18. Example 11 (4S)-2-{[1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using (4S)-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol hydrochoride (36.8 mg, 0.264 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (144 μL, 106.6 mg, 0.83 mmol) and a solution of 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (83.2 mg, 0.253 mmol) (for preparation, see in Example 4, Step E) in DMF (5 mL) at 0° C., and later, HATU (114.0 mg, 0.30 mmol). The mixture was stirred for 4 h at room temperature,and quenched by adding H2O (5 mL). Upon evapoartion, the desired title compound was purified by reversed-phase HPLC (C-18 column) using 20-50% CH3CN/H2O to give 74.9mg (56%) of a white solid. [a]D: −14.1° (c 0.17,EtOH). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CD3OD): δ 0.85 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.27 (m, 5 H), 1.50 (s, 3 H), 1.66 (m, 3 H), 1.69 (s, 6 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 3.82 (d, J=11.33 Hz, 1 H), 3.89 (d, J=8.40 Hz, 1 H), 3.97 (m, 2 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.99.(m, 2 H), 8.18 (s, 1 H). MS (ESI) (M+H)+=414.2. Anal. Calcd for C24H35N3O3+1.30 TFA+2.00 H2O (597.83): C, 53.44; H, 6.79; N, 7.03. Found: C, 53.39; H, 6.64; N, 7.22. Example 12 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-methoxy-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (50 mg, 0.159 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), methoxylamine hydrochloride (26 mg, 0.318 mmol), HATU (75 mg, 0.191 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.085 mL, 0.318 mmol) in 5 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt Yield: 56 mg (77%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.24 (m, 5 H), 1.62 (m, 2 H), 1.68 (s, 10 H), 1.76 (m, 2 H), 2.11 (m, 1 H), 3.83 (s, 3 H), 4.48 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.93 (dd, J=8.79, 1.56 Hz, 1 H), 7.98 (m, 1 H), 8.18 (dd, J=1.56, 0.78 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 344.3; Anal. Calcd for C20H29N3O2+1.6 TFA+0.6 H2O: C, 51.92; H, 5.97; N, 7.83. Found: C, 51.85; H, 6.02; N, 7.78. Example 13 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-ethoxy-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (TFA salt) (100 mg, 0.233 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), O-ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (35 mg, 0.350 mmol), HATU (110 mg, 0.280 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.145 mL, 0.816 mmol) in 5 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt Yield: 73 mg (66%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.25 (m, 5 H), 1.33 (t, J=7.03 Hz, 3 H), 1.64 (m, 2 H), 1.69 (s, 10 H), 1.78 (m, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 4.06 (q, J=7.03 Hz, 2 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.95 (dd, J=7.23, 1.56 Hz, 1 H), 8.00 (m, 1 H), 8.19 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 358.3; Anal. Calcd for C21H31N3O2+1.5 TFA+1.0 H2O: C, 52.74; H, 6.36; N, 7.69. Found: C, 52.74; H, 6.50; N, 7.54. Example 14 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-ethyl-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (TFA salt) (47 mg, 0.110 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), N-ethylmethylamine (0.015 mL, 0.165 mmol), HATU (50 mg, 0.132 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.030 mL, 0.165 mmol) in 5 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 45 mg (87%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.17 (t, J=6.93 Hz, 2 H), 1.26 (m, 8 H), 1.66 (m, 2 H), 1.70 (s, 9 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.14 (m, 1 H), 2.99 (s, 1 H), 3.12 (s, 1 H), 3.33 (d, J=7.03 Hz, 1 H), 3.63 (q, J=7.03 Hz, 1 H), 4.50 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.63 (t, J=8.01 Hz, 1 H), 7.79 (d, J=4.49 Hz, 1 H), 8.00 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 356.3; Anal. Calcd for C22H33N3O+1.2 TFA+0.5 H2O: C, 58.45; H, 7.08; N, 8.38. Found: C, 58.44; H, 7.09; N, 8.39. Example 15 (4R)-2-{[2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}isoxazolidin-4-ol Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (50 mg, 0.156 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), (4R)-isoxazolidin-4-ol hydrochloride (21 mg, 0.172 mmol), HATU (71 mg, 0.187 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.065 mL, 0.390 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt Yield: 56 mg (72%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.66 (m, 2 H), 1.70 (s, 10 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.14 (m, 1 H), 3.84 (d, J=11.91 Hz, 1 H), 4.00 (d, J=8.20 Hz, 1 H), 4.07 (m, 2 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 4.82 (m, 1 H), 8.00 (m, 2 H), 8.20 (s, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 386.2; Anal. Calcd for C22H31N3O3+1.5 TFA: C, 53.95; H, 5.89; N, 7.55. Found: C, 53.93; H, 5.74; N, 7.60. Example 16 (4S)-2-{[2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}isoxazolidin-4-ol Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (50 mg, 0.156 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), (4S)-isoxazolidin4-ol hydrochloride (21 mg, 0.172 mmol), HATU (71 mg, 0.187 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.065 mL, 0.390 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield:. 58 mg (740/%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.66 (m, 2 H), 1.70 (s, 10 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.15 (m, 1 H), 3.84 (d, J=12.11 Hz, 1 H), 3.99 (d, J=8.01 Hz, 1 H), 4.07 (m, 2 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 4.82 (m, 1 H), 8.00 (m, 2 H), 8.19 (m, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 386.2; Anal. Calcd for C22H31N3O3+1.3 TFA+0.8 H2O: C, 53.90; H, 6.23; N, 7.67. Found: C, 53.86; H, 6.30; N, 7.65. Example 17 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-5-(isoxazolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)-1H-benzimidazole Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (50 mg, 0.156 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), isoxazolidine hydrochloride (19 mg, 0.172 mmol), HATU (71 mg, 0.187 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.065 mL, 0.390 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 72 mg (95%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.65 (m, 1 H), 1.67 (m, 1 H), 1.70 (s, 9 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.14 (m, 1 H), 2.43 (m, 2 H), 3.93 (m, 2 H), 4.07 (t, J=6.74 Hz, 2 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 8.00 (m, 2 H), 8.19 (s, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+370.2; Anal. Calcd for C22H31N3O2+1.7 TFA+0.6 H2O: C, 53.14; H, 5.95; N, 7.32. Found: C, 53.19; H, 5.95; N, 7.41. Example 18 (4R)-2-{[2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (50 mg, 0.156 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B to F in Example 3), (4R)-4-methylisoxazolidin-4-ol hydrochloride (24 mg, 0.172 mmol), HATU (71 mg, 0.187 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.065 mL, 0.390 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 63 mg (79%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.50 (s, 3 H), 1.65 (m, 3 H), 1.70 (s, 9 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.14 (m, 1 H), 3.82 (d, J=11.33 Hz, 1 H), 3.89 (d, J=8.40 Hz, 1 H), 3.97 (m, 2 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.99 (m, 2 H), 8.19 (s, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 400.2; Anal. Calcd for C23H33N3O3+1.5 TFA+0.7 H2O: C, 53.55; H, 6.20; N, 7.21. Found: C, 53.51; H, 6.21; N, 7.29. Example 19 (4S)-2-{[1-(Cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazol-5-yl]carbonyl}isoxazolidin-4-ol Following the same procedure in Example 4, Step A, using 1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-2-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (50 mg, 0.152 mmol) (for preparation, see Steps B, C, D and E in Example 4) (4S)-isoxazolidin-4-ol hydrochloride (21 mg, 0.167 mmol), HATU (69 mg, 0.182 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.066 mL, 0.380 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 74 mg (95%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 0.86 (t, J=7.52 Hz, 3 H), 1.26 (m, 5 H), 1.65 (m, 2 H), 1.69 (s, 7 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.04 (q, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (m, 1 H), 3.84 (d, J=11.91 Hz, 1 H), 4.00 (d, J=8.01 Hz, 1 H), 4.07 (m, 2 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 4.82 (m, 1 H), 8.00 (m, 2 H), 8.20 (m, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 400.2; Anal. Calcd for C23H33N3O3+1.7 TFA+1.5 H2O: C, 51.11; H, 6.13; N, 6.77. Found: C, 51.12; H, 6.00; N, 7.03. Example 20 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-N-ethoxy-N-ethyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide 2-tert-Butyl-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (100 mg, 0.312 mmol) (for preparation, see example 3, Steps B to F), O-ethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (36 mg, 0.374 mmol), HATU (140 mg, 0.374 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.135 mL, 0.780 mmol) were stirred in 3 mL of DMF at RT for 2 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The crude product was dissolved in 4 mL of DMF and then added dropwise to a cold (0° C.) stirring DMF solution (1 mL) of NaH (60% dispersion in oil) (15 mg, 0.374 mmol). Ethyl iodide (0.050 mL, 0.624 mmol) was then added and the solution was stirred at rt overnight. The reaction was quenched at 0° C. by addition of saturated aqueous NH4Cl solution and the solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 20-80% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 68 mg (44%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.03 (t, J=7.03 Hz, 3 H), 1.27 (m, 5 H), 1.33 (t, J=7.13 Hz, 3 H), 1.66 (m, 2 H), 1.70 (s, 10 H), 1.79 (m, 2 H), 2.15 (m, 1 H), 3.84 (m, 4 H), 4.51 (d, J=7.62 Hz, 2 H), 7.88 (dd, J=8.79, 1.56 Hz, 1 H), 8.00 (dd, J=8.79, 0.59 Hz, 1 H), 8.06 (d, J=0.78 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 386.2; Anal. Calcd for C23H35N3O2+1.2 TFA+0.7 H2O: C, 57.03; H, 7.08; N, 7.85. Found: C, 56.99; H, 7.00; N, 7.80. Example 21 2-tert-Butyl-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Step A: 2-tert-Butyl-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide 2-tert-Butyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (for preparation refer to the following Steps B to E) (50 mg, 0.155 mmol), N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (17 mg, 0.171 mmol) and HATU (70 mg, 0.186 mmol) were stirred in 3 mL of DMF containing diisopropylethylamine (0.040 mL, 0.233 mmol) at RT for 2 h. The solvent was concentrated and the product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 55 mg (75%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.55 (m, 3 H), 1.61 (m, 1 H), 1.69 (s, 9 H), 2.40 (m, 1 H), 3.35 (m, 2 H), 3.40 (s, 3 H), 3.57 (s, 3 H), 3.92 (d, J=3.12 Hz, 1 H), 3.95 (m, 1 H), 4.56 (dd, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 7.88 (dd, J=8.79, 1.37 Hz, 1 H), 8.01 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H), 8.07 (m, J=1.37 Hz, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 360.3; Anal. Calcd for C20H29N3O3+1.6 TFA+1.1 H2O: C, 49.61; H, 5.89; N, 7.48. Found: C, 49.63; H, 5.89; N, 7.53. Step B: Methyl 3-nitro-4-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)amino]benzoate Methyl 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoate (400 mg, 2.01 mmol) (for preparation, see example 3, Step B) and 4-aminomethyltetrahydropyran (280 mg, 2.41 mmol) were stirred in 5 mL of EtOH containing triethylamine (0.420 mL, 3.02 mmol) at 75° C. for 4 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 5% KHSO4 solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 2:1/hexanes:EtOAc as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 545 mg (92%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D): δ 1.39-1.51 (m, 2 H, 1.74 (d, J=1.76 Hz, 1 H), 1.78 (d, J=1.95 Hz, 1 H), 1.93-2.03 (m, 1 H), 3.28 (dd, J=6.83, 5.66 Hz, 2 H), 3.43 (td, J=11.86, 2.05 Hz, 2 H), 3.91 (s, 3 H), 4.02 (d, J=3.91 Hz, 1 H), 4.05 (d, J=3.91 Hz, 1 H), 6.87 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1 H), 8.06 (ddd, J=9.08, 2.05, 0.78 Hz, 1 H), 8.42-8.49 (m, 1 H), 8.89 (d, J=2.15 Hz, 1 H). Step C: Methyl 3-amino-4-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)amino]benzoate Methyl 3-nitro-4-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)amino]benzoate (540 mg, 1.83 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of EtOAc containing a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C. The solution was shaken in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus under H2 atmosphere (45 psi) at RT for 6 h. The solution was filtered through celite and the solvent was concentrated. Yield: 455 mg (94%); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 264.93. Step D: Methyl 2-tert-butyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate Methyl 3-amino-4[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)amino]benzoate (455 mg, 1.72 mmol) and a catalytic amount of DMAP were dissolved in 25 mL of DCM. Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.230 mL, 1.89 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution was stirred at RT for 2 h. The solution was washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was divided in three portions and each sample was dissolved in 4 mL of glacial acetic acid in a sealed tube. Each solution was heated at 175° C. in a Smithsynthesizer (Personal Chemistry) microwave instrument for 1 h. The samples were pooled together and the solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 2:1/hexanes:acetone as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 237 mg (42%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D): δ 1.51 (m, 3 H), 1.55 (m, 1 H), 1.58 (s, 9 H), 2.29 (m, 1 H), 3.31 (m, 2 H), 3.93 (s,3 H), 3.96 (m, 1 H), 3.99 (t, J=3.03 Hz, 1 H), 4.23 (d, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 7.35 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H), 7.96 (dd, J=8.59, 1.56 Hz, 1 H), 8.47 (d, J=0.98 Hz, 1 H). Step E: 2-tert-Butyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid Methyl 2-tert-butyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (230 mg, 0.696 mmol) was dissolved in 5 mL of EtOH. 1M LiOH (0.765 mL, 0.766 mmol) was added and the solution was refluxed for 3 h. The solvent was concentrated and the product was isolated as the lithium salt and used directly for the next step. Yield: 240 mg (99%). MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 317.23. Example 22 2-tert-Butyl-5-(isoxazolidin-2-ylcarbonyl)-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole Following the same procedure in Example 3, Step A, using 2-tert-butyl-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (lithium salt) (50 mg, 0.156 mmol), isoxazolidine hydrochloride (19 mg, 0.172 mmol), HATU (70 mg, 0.187 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.040 mL, 0.233 mmol) in 3 mL of DMF. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 57 mg (76%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.55 (m, 3 H), 1.60 (m, 1 H), 1.69 (s, 9 H), 2.40 (m, 3 H), 3.34 (dt, J=11.67, 2.44 Hz, 2 H), 3.93 (m, 4 H), 4.05 (t, J=6.74 Hz, 2 H), 4.55 (d, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 7.98 (m, 2 H), 8.17 (m, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 372.3; Anal. Calcd for C21H29N3O3+1.4 TFA+0.8 H2O: C, 52.40; H, 5.91; N, 7.70. Found: C, 52.37; H, 5.97; N, 7.65. Example 23 2-tert-Butyl-1-[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Step A: 2-tert-Butyl-1-[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]-N-methoxy-N-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxamide Methyl 2-tert-butyl-1-[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate (33 mg, 0.0905 mmol) (for preparation see following Steps B to F) was refluxed in a 1:1 mixture of EtOH:H2O containing 1M LiOH (0.100 mL, 0.0996 mmol) for 3 h. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was then dissolved in 5 mL of DMF and HATU (41 mg, 0.0996 mmol), N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (11 mg, 0.109 mmol) and diisopropylethylamine (0.024 mL, 0.149 mmol) were added. The solution was stirred at RT for 1 h. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The product was purified by reversed-phase HPLC using 10-50% CH3CN/H2O on a C-18 column and then lyophilized affording the desired title compound as the corresponding TFA salt. Yield: 32 mg (70%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.54-1.65 (m, 2 H), 1.70 (s, 9 H), 1.74-1.84 (m, 4 H), 2.03-2.12 (m, 2 H), 2.24-2.34 (m, 1 H), 3.41 (s, 3 H), 3.58 (s, 3 H), 4.59 (d, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 7.90 (dd, J=8.79, 1.37 Hz, 1 H), 8.02 (d, J=8.79 Hz, 1 H), 8.08 (s, 1 H); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 394.2; Anal. Calcd for C21H29N3O2F2+1.2 TFA+0.7 H2O: C, 51.77; H, 5.87; N, 7.74. Found: C, 51.72; H, 5.63; N, 8.14. Step B: tert-Butyl [(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]carbamate 4-N-Boc-aminomethyl cyclohexanone (500 mg, 2.2 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of DCM at 0° C. under nitrogen. DAST (0.580 mL, 4.4 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution was stirred at rt for 2 h. The solution was washed with 5% KHSO4 solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 3:1/hexanes:EtOAc as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 221 mg (40%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D): δ 1.28 (m, 2 H), 1.44 (s, 9 H), 1.54 (m, 1 H), 1.68 (m, 1 H), 1.77 (m, 3 H), 2.09 (m, 2 H), 3.03 (t, J=6.54 Hz, 2 H), 4.62 (m, 1 H). Step C: [(4,4-Difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]amine hydrochloride tert-Butyl [(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]carbamate (215 mg, 0.862 mmol) was stirred in 3 mL of 1M HCl/AcOH at RT for 1 h. The solvent was concentrated and the residue was washed with ether and dried under vacuum. Yield: 135 mg (85%); 1H NMR (400 MHz, METHANOL-D4): δ 1.34 (m, 2 H), 1.76 (m, 2 H), 1.85 (m, 2 H), 1.88 (m, 2 H), 2.09 (m, 2 H), 2.86 (d, J=7.03 Hz, 2H). Step D: Methyl 4-{[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]amino}-3-nitrobenzoate Methyl 4-fluoro-3-nitrobenzoate (50 mg, 0.251 mmol) (for preparation, see example 3, Step B) and [(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]amine hydrochloride (55 mg, 0.301 mmol) were stirred in 3 mL of EtOH containing triethylamine (0.052 mL, 0.376 mmol) at 75° C. for 4 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with 5% KHSO4 solution, saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 4:1/hexanes:EtOAc as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 84 mg (99%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D): δ 1.43 (ddd, J=12.99, 12.64, 3.51 Hz, 2H), 1.67-1.75 (m, 1 H), 1.75-1.86 (m, 2 H), 1.91-1.95 (m, 1 H), 1.95-1.99 (m, 1 H), 2.12-2.22 (m, 2 H), 3.29 (dd, J=6.83, 5.66 Hz, 2 H), 3.91 (s, 3 H), 6.86 (d, J=8.98 Hz, 1 H), 8.07 (ddd, J=9.03, 2.00, 0.68 Hz, 1 H), 8.42-8.51 (m, 1 H), 8.90 (d, J=2.15 Hz, 1 H). Step E: Methyl 3-amino-4-{[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]amino}benzoate Methyl 4-{[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]amino}-3-nitrobenzoate (80 mg, 0.244 mmol) was dissolved in 20 mL of EtOAc containing a catalytic amount of 10% Pd/C. The solution was shaken in a Parr hydrogenation apparatus under H2 atmosphere (45 psi) at RT for 5 h. The solution was filtered through celite and the solvent was concentrated. Yield: 73 mg (99%); MS (ESI) (M+H)+ 299.21. Step F: Methyl 2-tert-butyl-1-[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]-1H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylate Methyl 3-amino-4-{[(4,4-difluorocyclohexyl)methyl]amino}benzoate (70 mg, 0.235 mmol) and DMAP (5 mg, 0.047 mmol) were dissolved in 5 mL of DCM. Trimethylacetyl chloride (0.031 mL, 0.259 mmol) was added dropwise and the solution was stirred at RT for 3 h. The solution was washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was divided dissolved in 3 mL of glacial acetic acid in a sealed tube. The solution was heated at 175° C. in a Smithsynthesizer (Personal Chemistry) microwave instrument for 4×1 h. The solvent was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with saturated NaHCO3 solution, brine and dried over anhydrous MgSO4. The crude product was purified by flash chromatography using 2:1/hexanes:EtOAc as eluent on silica gel to produce the desired title compound. Yield: 33 mg (39%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-D): δ 1.44-1.54 (m, 2 H), 1.56 (s, 9 H), 1.59-1.67 (m, 1 H), 1.66-1.73 (m, 3 H), 2.07-2.18 (m, 3 H), 3.92 (s, 3 H), 4.23 (d, J=7.42 Hz, 2 H), 7.31 (d, J=8.59 Hz, 1 H), 7.95 (dd, J=8.59, 1.56 Hz, 1 H), 8.48 (s, 1 H).

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The invention is related to therapeutic compounds which are CB 1 receptor ligands, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, manufacturing processes thereof and uses thereof, and more particularly to compounds that are CB 1 receptor agonists. More particularly, the present invention is related to compounds that may be effective in treating pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's chorea, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and cardiovascular disorders. 2. Discussion of Relevant Technology Pain management has been an important field of study for many years. It has been well known that cannabinoid receptor (e.g., CB 1 receptor, CB 2 receptor) ligands including agonists, antagonists and inverse agonists produce relief of pain in a variety of animal models by interacting with CB 1 and/or CB 2 receptors. Generally, CB 1 receptors are located predominately in the central nervous system, whereas CB 2 receptors are located primarily in the periphery and are primarily restricted to the cells and tissues derived from the immune system. While CB 1 receptor agonists, such as Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) and anadamide, are useful in anti-nociception models in animals, they tend to exert undesired CNS side-effects, e.g., psychoactive side effects, the abuse potential, drug dependence and tolerance, etc. These undesired side effects are known to be mediated by the CB 1 receptors located in CNS. There are lines of evidence, however, suggesting that CB1 agonists acting at peripheral sites or with limited CNS exposure can manage pain in humans or animals with much improved overall in vivo profile. Therefore, there is a need for new CB 1 receptor ligands such as agonists, antagonists or inverse agonists that are useful in managing pain or treating other related symptoms or diseases with reduced or minimal undesirable CNS side-effects.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This invention encompasses compounds in accord with formula I: wherein Z is selected from O═ and S═; R 1 is selected from C 1-10 alkyl, C 2-10 alkenyl, C 2-10 alkynyl, R 5 R 6 N—C 1-6 alkyl, R 5 O—C 1-6 alkyl, R 5 C(═O)N(—R 6 )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 5 R 6 NS(═O) 2 —C 1-6 alkyl, R 5 CS(═O) 2 N(R 6 )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 5 R 6 NC(═O)N(—R 7 )—C 1-6 alkyl, R 5 R 6 NS(═O) 2 NO 7 )—C 1-6 alkyl, C 6-10 aryl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 6-10 aryl-C(═O)-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-10 cycloalkyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 heterocyclyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 heterocyclyl-C(═O)-C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-10 hydrocarbylamino, R 5 R 6 N—, R 5 O—, R 5 C(═O)N(—R 6 )—, R 5 R 6 NS(═O) 2 —, R 5 CS(═O) 2 N(—R 6 )—, R 5 R 6 NC(═O)N(—R 7 )—, C 6-10 aryl, C 6-10 aryl-C(═O)—, C 3-10 cycloalkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl, C 3-6 heterocyclyl and C 3-6 heterocyclyl-C(═O)—; wherein said C 1-10 alkyl, C 2-10 alkenyl, C 2-10 alkynyl, C 6-10 aryl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 6-10 aryl-C(═O)—C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-10 cycloalkyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 heterocyclyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 heterocyclyl-C(═O)-C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-10 hydrocarbylamino, C 6-10 aryl, C 6-10 aryl-C(═O)—, C 3-10 cycloalkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl, C 3-6 heterocyclyl or C 3-6 heterocyclyl-C(═O)— used in defining R 1 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR 3 R 6 ; R 2 is selected from the group consisting of C 1-10 alkyl, C 2-10 alkenyl, C 2-10 alkynyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 heterocycloalkyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl, R 5 R 6 N—, C 3-5 heteroaryl, C 6-10 aryl and C 3-6 heterocycloalkyl, wherein said C 1-10 alkyl, C 2-10 alkenyl, C 2-10 alkynyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl, C 3-8 cycloalkyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 3-6 heterocycloalkyl-C 1-6 alkyl, C 4-8 cycloalkenyl, C 3-5 heteroaryl, C 6-10 aryl or C 3-6 heterocycloalkyl used in defining R 2 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, and —NR 5 R 6 ; wherein R 5 , R 6 and R 7 are independently selected from —H, C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, and a divalent C 1-6 group that together with another divalent R 5 , R 6 or R 7 form a portion of a ring; and R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from —H, —OH, amino, R 8 and —O—R 8 , wherein R 8 is independently selected from C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, and a divalent C 1-6 group that together with another divalent R 8 forms a portion of a ring, wherein R 3 and R 4 are not —H at the same time, and wherein said C 1-6 alkyl, C 2-6 alkenyl, C 2-6 alkynyl, or divalent C 1-6 group in defining R 8 is optionally substituted by one or more groups selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR 5 R 6 ; or R 3 and R 4 together with the nitrogen connected thereto form a portion of a 5- or 6-membered ring, wherein said ring is optionally substituted by one or more groupd selected from carboxy, halogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxy, carboxy and —NR 5 R 6 . The invention also encompasses stereoisomers, enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates or mixtures thereof, in-vivo-hydrolysable precursors and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts of compounds of formula I, solvated or unsolvated forms of compounds of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations containing them, methods of using them to treat diseases and conditions either alone or in combination with other therapeutically-active compounds or substances, processes and intermediates used to prepare them, uses of them as medicaments, uses of them in the manufacture of medicaments and uses of them for diagnostic and analytic purposes. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051122

20090414

20070315

75887.0

A61K315377

SHAMEEM, GOLAM M

BENZIMIDAZOLE DERIVATIVES, COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THEM, PREPARATION THEROF AND USES THEREOF

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Precursor for a door

A method comprises a) attaching a first skin to a first surface of an open cell foam to form a precursor for a door, window or panel; and b) attaching a second skin to the precursor in a separate step from step a). A precursor for a door, window, or panel, comprises a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam.

1. A method comprising a) attaching a first skin to a first surface of an open cell foam to form a precursor for a door, window or panel; and b) attaching a second skin to the precursor in a separate step from step a). 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second skin is attached to a second surface of the foam, the second being an opposing surface to the first surface. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive is used to attach the second skin to the precursor. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein, prior to attaching the second skin to the precursor, the precursor is modified. 5. A method according to claim 4, wherein, prior to attaching the second skin to the precursor, the precursor is shaped, trimmed, routed, drilled, varnished, coloured, or waxed. 6. A method according to claim 4, wherein, prior to attaching the second skin to the precursor, the precursor is adapted to receive one or more pieces of glazing. 7. A method according to claim 4, wherein, prior to attaching the second skin to the precursor, the precursor is adapted to receive one or more fittings for the door, window, or panel. 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the one or more fittings are selected from the group consisting of: a handle, a lock, a plate, a catch and a hinge. 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is performed at least one hour after step a). 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein step b) is performed at least 24 hours after step a). 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the second skin is attached to the precursor at a different location from the location at which the first skin is attached to the second skin. 12. A precursor for a door, window, or panel, comprising a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam. 13. A precursor according to claim 12, further comprising reinforcing means. 14. A precursor according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcing means is a mesh. 15. A precursor according to claim 12, further comprising a frame. 16. A precursor according to claim 15, wherein the frame is a wooden frame. 17. (canceled) 18. A method comprising attaching a first precursor to a second precursor, wherein each of the first and second precursors comprises a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam. 19. A kit comprising a precursor comprising a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam, and a second skin that is not attached to the precursor. 20. A kit comprising a first precursor and a second precursor, wherein each of the first and second precursors comprises a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam. 21. A kit according to claim 19, further comprising one or more of: a) an adhesive, b) a reinforcement means, c) glazing, d) a door, window or panel fitting, and e) a paint, varnish, lacquer, stain or wax. 22. (canceled) 23. (canceled) 24. A door, window or panel which includes a foam core which includes in the interior of the foam, a layer of adhesive generally in the plane of the door, window or panel. 25. A door, window or panel according to claim 24 which comprises a first precursor adhered to a second precursor, wherein the precursors comprise a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam. 26. (canceled)

The present invention relates to synthetic doors, windows and panels, to methods of making them and to precursors therefor. Doors, windows and panels have traditionally been made from wood, which may be glazed or unglazed. However, unless specially treated, wood can warp if exposed to changes in temperature and/or humidity. This can be disadvantageous aesthetically and can also lead to difficulties in opening and closing the doors, windows and partitions. The latter are particular problems in the light of modern building safety regulations, where warped doors, windows and panels can constitute a fire hazard. Furthermore, wood can be relatively expensive to obtain and there are major environmental concerns in respect of the use of certain types of wood. Over the last few decades there has therefore been a trend towards providing artificial doors, panels and windows. One type of artificial door is a moulded door. Moulded doors can be formed by a number of different methods. In one method two preformed skins are provided by vacuum forming in complementarily shaped moulds and are then secured to opposite sides of a frame, prior to injecting a foam into a cavity located between the skins. The foam acts as a filler and can assist in providing increased improved rigidity and insulation the door. The door can then be removed from the press and finished as appropriate. However, although this method can be effective, it is not always reliable. This is because the curing of foam and the filling of the cavity is difficult to control accurately. Furthermore, the rheological properties of the curing foam can be adversely affected by wire mesh reinforcements, which are often provided between the skins in order to strengthen the resultant product. Another method is to provide a preformed foam, which may be held within a frame, and to adhere first and second skins to opposing faces of the foam and/or frame. This is generally achieved by first forming a “sandwich” comprising the skins as outer layers and the foam (optionally within a frame) as an inner layer with adhesive applied to inner surfaces of the skins and then applying heat and pressure so that the components are laminated together. In both of the foregoing methods two skins are generally provided from a moulding company and then assembled into a door, window or panel in a workshop by a different company. Following lamination in the workshop a finishing process is required, which requires skilled labour. For example the door, window or panel comprising the two skins and foam interior may be shaped, trimmed, routed, drilled, or painted; one or more glazing panels, handles, locks, etc. may be added; or it may be prepared to receive such articles (e.g. by drilling appropriate holes, cutting out recesses/apertures, planing, etc.) The present invention represents a radical departure from such procedures. It provides a precursor in the form of a single skin that is already attached to a foam, preferably an open cell foam. One aspect of the present invention is a method comprising: a) attaching a first skin to a first surface of a foam, preferably an open cell foam to provide a precursor for a door, window or panel; and b) attaching a second skin to the precursor in a separate step from step a). Because steps a) and b) are separate, the precursor can be shaped or otherwise processed, prior to being supplied to a workshop and attached to the second skin which may, in accordance with a preferred aspect of this invention, be attached to foam as a second precursor. Much of the finishing of the article can therefore be achieved before the article is actually received by the workshop. This provides significant advantages in that the article can be assembled in the workshop much more rapidly than was previously the case. This greatly reduces the need for skilled labour in the workshop and can also greatly increase the turnover rate of finished articles. The precursor may optionally include reinforcing means, which may be provided within the open cell foam or elsewhere (e.g. adjacent to the open cell foam). The reinforcement means may for example be a mesh, such as a wire mesh. Furthermore, the precursor may also optionally include means, such as an alarm system, such that the resulting door, window or panel is a SMART door, window or panel. Indeed, this invention facilitates the placement of such means. The precursor may also, or alternatively, include a frame for holding the foam in place and/or for providing rigidity, although this is not essential. Typically the frame will be a wooden frame but other rigid frames may be used (e.g. metal or plastics frames). The precursor may be provided in a form that is already shaped, trimmed, routed, drilled, varnished, coloured, waxed or otherwise modified. For example, it may be provided with one or more apertures or recesses. It may therefore be adapted to receive (or may already include) one or more pieces of glazing and/fittings, prior to being attached to the second skin or precursor. Typical fittings include a handle, a lock, a plate, a catch and/or a hinge. It is envisaged that the workshop will frequently be at a different location and owned by a different company than the manufacturer of the precursor, which company may then sell on the finished door, window or panel to private customers and/or to the trade. There will usually be a significant period of time following manufacture of the precursor before it is attached to the second skin or precursor. This will generally be over 4 or over 12 such as 24 hours in order to allow for transportation, assembly, etc. More typically, it may, for example, be over 48 hours or over 1 week. During this time it is preferred that the precursor is stored under conditions of low humidity. For example it may be provided in a sealed package and a desiccant may be present in the package to remove any excess moisture. A precursor of the present invention when in storage represents a further aspect of the present invention. When the door, window or panel is being made in the workshop, the precursor is removed from any packaging and the second skin or precursor is attached directly or indirectly to it. If desired, a frame and/or reinforcing means may be added at this stage. Attachment of the second skin or precursor may, for example, be via the frame. More preferably, however, the second skin or precursor is attached to a second surface of the foam (whether or not the second skin is also attached to a frame). Normally the first and second surfaces will be opposing major surfaces of the foam. Desirably, an adhesive is used to attach the second skin or precursor to the precursor or first precursor, respectively, although other means may be used (e.g. thermal bonding, mechanical securing means, etc). The adhesive may be provided on an inner surface of the second skin or precursor, which may then be placed over the foam. Pressure and/or heat may then be applied to aid in securing the second skin or precursor to the precursor or first precursor. The precursor per se represents a further aspect of the present invention. Thus, in addition to the method of the present invention, there is provided a precursor for a door, window, or panel, comprising a skin attached to one face of an open cell foam, but not to an opposing face of the open cell foam. As indicated above, the precursor may include reinforcing means, a frame, one or more fittings and/or or glazing. If fittings or glazing are not provided on the precursor it may be adapted to receive them. It may be shaped, trimmed, routed, drilled, varnished, coloured, waxed or otherwise modified. The precursor may be provided as part of a kit, or may be provided separately. A kit of the present invention may include the precursor and a second skin that is not attached to the precursor. It may further include one or more of: an adhesive, a reinforcement means, alarm system, a fitting, a paint, a varnish, a lacquer, a stain or a wax. Typically the kit will be provided in a protective package, which may be sealed to prevent interference/loss of components. It may optionally further include instructions for assembling components of the kit together. It may include a desiccant. An alternative kit of the present invention comprises a first precursor and a second precursor, wherein each of the first and second precursors is a precursor of the present invention. The alternative kit may also comprise one or more of the components recited in the foregoing paragraph. The alternative kit can be for an alternative method of the present invention. The alternative method comprises attaching the first precursor to the second precursor. For example, an exposed foam surface of the first precursor can be attached to an exposed foam surface of the second precursor by using an adhesive, optionally under heat and pressure. The first and/or second precursors can be modified as desired prior to being attached to one another. The foregoing discussion in respect of modification applies here mutatis mutandis. Thus, for example, one or both of the precursors may be provided already shaped, trimmed, routed, drilled, varnished, coloured, or waxed. One or both of the precursors may be adapted to receive glazing and/or a fitting, or may already comprise glazing and/or a fitting. The various methods, precursors and kits of the present invention are all useful in producing windows, doors or panels. Thus the present invention includes within its scope windows, doors or panels produced using a precursor, kit or method of the present invention. Having described the invention in general terms, various terminology used herein will now be discussed in greater detail. Skin The term “skin” is well known to those skilled in the art of forming moulded doors, windows and panels. It is used to describe a relatively thin layer that covers an inner layer of foam fibreglass or other filling material. The skin may, for example be a vacuum formed thermoplastics material. Preferably it comprises a vinyl chloride polymer (e.g. PVC or UPVC) or GRP. The skin may be provided with a decorative surface. Thus it may comprise one or more panels, beads, coves, or other decorative features. It may be provided with a simulated wood grain surface. WO 95/12496 describes one method of producing such a surface, whereby a part of a mould is coated with at least one colorant having a colour which is different from the colour of a resin to be cured and then wiping the mould surface. This has the effect of concentrating colorant on the peaks and high points of the moulding and thus in the valleys of the resultant article to provide the simulated wood grain. Foam By a foam having frangible cell walls it is intended that under compression the foam crumbles by brittle fracture of the cell walls e.g. involving a clean fracture of the cell walls. Such a foam can retain a clear and substantially dimensionally accurate imprint in the crushed zone of an object through which the compressive force is applied. In general, it is preferred that the yield strength of the foam, which in this case means the minimum force required to cause the fracture of the cell walls and for the foam to crumble, is in the range of about 100 to 140 KPa (15 to 20 lbs/sq. in) more preferably at least 200 KPa (30 lbs/sq. in), since this provides useful impact resistance. In general, for a given foam composition, the greater the density, the greater the yield strength. By using a substantially rigid plastics foam with frangible cell walls, mouldings with depressed zones of moulding detail can be readily formed by applying a vacuum formed skin to the foam core with sufficient pressure to cause the cell walls of the foam in the areas behind the depressed zones of the skin to be fractured whereby the foam is caused to conform to the contours of the skin in those zones by controlled localised crushing. Thus, air gaps between the skins can be avoided and it is not necessary to preform the core pieces in the form of complicated shapes. This is particularly advantageous since the presence of such air gaps in prior art panels has contributed to their inability to resist changes in temperature. It is advantageous to use an open cell foam having frangible walls as pressing a skin having depressed regions into a conventional foamed core such as of polystyrene cannot be successfully achieved because the resilience of the foam will cause distortion of the skins when the pressure is released. Any suitable plastics foam may be used provided it is substantially open-cell and rigid. However, the foam is advantageously selected to be of a high density relative to the foamed polystyrene conventionally used, e.g. a density of 75 kg/m3 or above, since this gives a better feel to the panel and makes it sound and handle more like a conventional wooden panel. However, foams having lower densities may also be selected. Where a higher density is desirable, the foam may contain a filler, more preferably a finely divided inert and preferably inorganic solid. The filler may be selected such that it contributes to the panels ability to resist changes in temperature. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the filler is capable of absorbing moisture, e.g. as water of crystallisation. It is believed that in prior arrangements where a closed cell foam is employed, such as a polystyrene foam, any solvent employed or moisture present during the bonding of the foam core to the skin tends to be trapped between the core and the skin. Any volatilization and subsequent condensation of the solvent or moisture due to localised changes in temperature, for example as a result of exposure to strong sunlight and then darkness, cause high localised pressure variations which tend to lead to localised bubbling, or failure of the bond. The effect is even more marked where high temperatures are encountered. A closed cell foam may even contribute to the “bowing” because any air or solvent trapped in the core itself will expand when the core is heated causing the panel to bow. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the reduction of bowing is assisted by use of an open cell foam in the core since gas flow is possible which reduces the localised increases in pressure. As the foam is of an open cell configuration, as the gases in cells closest to the heat source expand they flow through open pathways to adjacent cells and by this means pressure is dissipated through the panel. Further, the open cell configuration reduces the rate at which heat is passed through the panel. Any suitable foam may be used for this aspect of the invention provided it is substantially open cell; for example, a polyurethane foam. A foam that has an open-cell configuration at production is particularly suitable but a foam that also has frangible cell walls is particularly preferred where the skin includes depressed areas, such as to provide a moulding effect. Where a foam of this type is used, the cell wall will fracture as pressure is placed on the foam by the application of the depressed areas of the skin. This localised increase in pressure will increase the pressure inside the cell, which will cause the gases to travel through the foam, and the cell to collapse thereby accommodating the depressed area of the skin. One suitable foam is a rigid filled phenolic foam. One particularly suitable foam is that produced by effecting a curing reaction between: (a) a liquid phenolic resole having a reactivity number (as defined below) of at least 1 and (b) a strong acid hardener for the resole, in the presence of: (c) a finely divided inert and insoluble particulate solid which is present in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the liquid resole and is substantially uniformly dispersed through the mixture containing resole and hardener, the temperature of the mixture containing resole and hardener due to applied heat not exceeding 85° C. and the said temperature and the concentration of the acid hardener being such that compounds generated as by-products of the curing reaction are volatilized within the mixture before the mixture sets whereby a foamed phenolic resin product is produced. By a phenolic resole is meant a solution in a suitable solvent of the acid-curable prepolymer composition obtained by condensing, usually in the presence of an alkaline catalyst such as sodium hydroxide, at least one phenolic compound with at least one aldehyde, in well-known manner. Examples of phenols that may be employed are phenol itself and substituted, usually alkyl substituted, derivatives thereof provided that the three positions on the phenolic benzene ring o- and p- to the phenolic hydroxyl group are unsubstituted. Mixtures of such phenols may also be used. Mixtures of one or more than one of such phenols with substituted phenols in which one of the ortho or para positions has been substituted may also be employed where an improvement in the flow characteristics of the resole is required but the cured products will be less highly cross-linked. However, in general, the phenol will be comprised mainly or entirely of phenol itself, for economic reasons. The aldehyde will generally be formaldehyde although the use of higher molecular weight aldehydes is not excluded. The phenol/aldehyde condensation product component of the resole is suitably formed by reaction of the phenol with at least 1 mole of formaldehyde per mole of the phenol, the formaldehyde being generally provided as a solution in water, e.g. as formalin. It is preferred to use a molar ratio of formaldehyde to phenol of at least 1.25 to 1 but ratios above 2.5 to 1 are preferably avoided. The most preferred range is 1.4 to 2.0 to 1. The mixture may also contain a compound having two active H atoms (dihydric compound) that will react with the phenol/aldehyde reaction product of the resole during the curing step to reduce the density of cross-linking. Preferred dihydric compounds are diols, especially alkylene diols or diols in which the chain of atoms between the OH groups contains not only methylene and/or alkyl-substituted methylene groups but also one or more hetero atoms, especially oxygen atoms, e.g. ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, propane-1,3-diol, butane-1,4-diol and neopentyl glycol. Particularly preferred diols are poly-, especially di-, (alkylene ether) diols e.g. diethylene glycol and, especially, dipropylene glycol. Preferably the dihydric compound is present in an amount of from 0 to 35% by weight, more preferably 0 to 25% by weight, based on the weight of phenol/aldehyde condensation product. Most preferably, the dihydric compound, when used, is present in an amount of from 5 to 15% by weight based on the weight of phenol/aldehyde condensation product. When such resoles containing dihydric compounds are employed in the present process, products having a particularly good combination of physical properties, especially strength, can be obtained. Suitably, the dihydric compound is added to the formed resole and preferably has 2-6 atoms between OH groups. The resole may comprise a solution of the phenol/aldehyde reaction product in water or in any other suitable solvent or in a solvent mixture, which may or may not include water. Where water is used as the sole solvent, it is preferred to be present in an amount of from 15 to 35% by weight of the resole, preferably 20 to 30%. Of course the water content may be substantially less if it is used in conjunction with a cosolvent. e.g. an alcohol or one of the above-mentioned dihydric compounds where one is used. As indicated above, the liquid resole (i.e. the solution of phenol/aldehyde product optionally containing dihydric compound) must have a reactivity number of at least 1. The reactivity number is 10/x where x is the time in minutes required to harden the resole using 10% by weight of the resole of a 66-67% aqueous solution of p-toluene sulfonic acid at 60° C. The test involves mixing about 5 ml of the resole with the stated amount of the p-toluene sulfonic acid solution in a test tube, immersing the test tube in a water bath heated to 60° C. and measuring the time required for the mixture to become hard to the touch. The resole should have a reactivity number of at least 1 for useful foamed products to be produced and preferably the resole has a reactivity number of at least 5, most preferably at least 10. The pH of the resole, which is generally alkaline, is preferably adjusted to about 7, if necessary, for use in the process, suitably by the addition of a weak organic acid such as lactic acid. Examples of strong acid hardeners are inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid, and strong organic acids such as aromatic sulphonic acids, e.g. toluene sulphonic acids, and trichloroacetic acid. Weak acids such as acetic acid and propionic acid are generally not suitable. The preferred hardeners for the process of the invention are the aromatic sulfonic acids, especially toluene sulfonic acids. The acid may be used as a solution in a suitable solvent such as water. When the mixture of resole, hardener and solid is to be poured, e.g. into a mould and in slush moulding applications, the amount of inert solid that can be added to the resole and hardener is determined by the viscosity of the mixture of resole and hardener in the absence of the solid. For these applications, it is preferred that the hardener is provided in a form, e.g. solution, such that when mixed with the resole in the required amount yields a liquid having an apparent viscosity not exceeding about 50 poises at the temperature at which the mixture is to be used, and the preferred range is 5-20 poises. Below 5 Poises, the amount of solvent present tends to present difficulties during the curing reaction. The curing reaction is exothermic and will therefore of itself cause the temperature of the mixture containing resole and acid hardener to be raised. The temperature of the mixture may also be raised by applied heat but the temperature to which said mixture may then be raised (that is, excluding the effect of any exotherm) must not exceed 85° C. If the temperature of the mixture exceeds 85° C. before addition of the hardener, it is difficult or impossible thereafter to properly disperse the hardener through the mixture because of incipient curing. On the other hand, it is difficult, if not impossible, to uniformly heat the mixture above 85° C. after addition of the hardener. Increasing the temperature towards 85° C. tends to lead to coarseness and non-uniformity of the texture of the foam but this can be offset at least to some extent at moderate temperatures by reducing the concentration of hardener. However at temperatures much above 75° C. even the minimum amount of hardener required to cause the composition to set is generally too much to avoid these disadvantages. Thus, temperatures above 75° C. are preferably avoided and preferred temperatures for most applications are from ambient temperature to about 75° C. The preferred temperature range appears to depend to some extent on the nature of the solid (c). For most solids it is from 25 to 65° C. but for some solids, in particular wood flour and grain flour, the preferred range is 25 to 75° C. The most preferred temperature range is 30 to 50° C. Temperatures below ambient, e.g. down to 10° C. can be used, if desired, but no advantage is gained thereby. In general, at temperatures up to 75° C., increase in temperature leads to decrease in the density of the foam and vice versa. The amount of hardener present also affects the nature of the product as well as the rate of hardening. Thus, increasing the amount of hardener not only has the effect of reducing the time required to harden the composition but above a certain level dependant on the temperature and nature of the resole it also tends to produce a less uniform cell structure. It also tends to increase the density of the foam because of the increase in the rate of hardening. In fact, if too high a concentration of hardener is used, the rate of hardening may be so rapid that no foaming occurs at all and under some conditions the reaction can become explosive because of the build up of gas inside a hardened shell of resin. The appropriate amount of hardener will depend primarily on the temperature of the mixture of resole and hardener prior to the commencement of the exothermic curing reaction and the reactivity number of the resole and will vary inversely with the chosen temperature and the reactivity number. The preferred range of hardener concentration is the equivalent of 2 to 20 parts by weight of p-toluene sulfonic acid per 100 parts by weight of phenol/aldehyde reaction product in the resole assuming that the resole has a substantially neutral reaction, i.e. a pH of about 7. By equivalent to p-toluene sulfonic acid, we mean the amount of chosen hardener required to give substantially the same setting time as the stated amount of p-toluene sulfonic acid. The most suitable amount for any given temperature and combination of resole and finely divided solid is readily determinable by simple experiment. Where the preferred temperature range is 25-75° C. and the resole has a reactivity number of at least 10, the best results are generally obtained with the use of hardener in amounts equivalent to 3 to 10 parts of p-toluene sulfonic acid per 100 parts by weight of the phenol/aldehyde reaction product For use with temperatures below 25° C. or resoles having a reactivity number below 10, it may be necessary to use more hardener. It may be necessary to make some adjustment of the hardener composition in accordance with the nature, especially shape and size, of the mould and this can be established by experiment. By suitable control of the temperature and of the hardener concentration, the time lapse between adding the hardener to the resole and the composition becoming hard (referred to herein as the setting time) can be varied at will from a few seconds to up to an hour or even more, without substantially affecting the density and cell structure of the product. Another factor that controls the amount of hardener required can be the nature of the inert solid. Very few are exactly neutral and if the solid has an alkaline reaction, even if only very slight, more hardener may be required because of the tendency of the filler to neutralize it. It is therefore to be understood that the preferred values for hardener concentration given above do not take into account any such effect of the solid. Any adjustment required because of the nature of the solid will depend on the amount of solid used and can be determined by simple experiment. The exothermic curing reaction of the resole and acid hardener leads to the formation of by-products, particularly aldehyde and water, which are at least partially volatilized. The curing reaction is effected in the presence of a finely divided inert and insoluble particulate solid which is substantially uniformly dispersed throughout the mixture of resole and hardener. By an inert solid we mean that in the quantity it is used it does not prevent the curing reaction. It is believed that the finely divided particulate solid provides nuclei for the gas bubbles formed by the volatilization of the small molecules, primarily CH2O and/or H2O, present in the resole and/or generated by the curing action, and provides sites at which bubble formation is promoted, thereby assisting uniformity of pore size. The presence of the finely divided solid may also promote stabilization of the individual bubbles and reduce the tendency of bubbles to agglomerate and eventually cause likelihood of bubble collapse prior to cure. The phenomenon may be similar to that of froth flotation employed in the concentration of low grade ores in metallurgy. In any event, the presence of the solid is essential to the formation of the product. To achieve the desired effect, the solid should be present in an amount of not less than 5% by weight based on the weight of the resole. Any finely divided particulate solid that is insoluble in the reaction mixture is suitable, provided it is inert. The fillers may be organic or inorganic (including metallic), and crystalline or amorphous. Even fibrous solids have been found to be effective, although not preferred. Examples include clays, clay minerals, talc, vermiculite, metal oxides, refractories, solid or hollow glass microspheres, fly ash, coal dust, wood flour, grain flour, nut shell flour, silica, mineral fibres such as finely chopped glass fibre and finely divided asbestos, chopped fibres, finely chopped natural or synthetic fibres, ground plastics and resins whether in the form of powder or fibres, e.g. reclaimed waste plastics and resins, pigments such as powdered paint and carbon black, and starches. Solids having more than a slightly alkaline reaction, e.g. silicates and carbonates of alkali metals, are preferably avoided because of their tendency to react with the acid hardener. Solids such as talc, however, which have a very mild alkaline reaction, in some cases because of contamination with more strongly alkaline materials such as magnesite, are acceptable. Some materials, especially fibrous materials such as wood flour, can be absorbent and it may therefore be necessary to use generally larger amounts of these materials than non-fibrous materials, to achieve valuable foamed products. The solids preferably have a particle size in the range 0.5 to 800 microns. If the particle size is too great, the cell structure of the foam tends to become undesirably coarse. On the other hand, at very small particle sizes, the foams obtained tend to be rather dense. The preferred range is 1 to 100 microns, most preferably 2 to 40 microns. Uniformity of cell structure appears to be encouraged by uniformity of particle size. Mixtures of solids may be used if desired. If desired, solids such as finely divided metal powders may be included which contribute to the volume of gas or vapour generated during the process. If used alone, however, it be understood that the residues they leave after the gas by decomposition or chemical reaction satisfy the requirements of the inert and insoluble finely divided particulate solid required by the process of the invention. Preferably, the finely divided solid has a density that is not greatly different from that of the resole, so as to reduce the possibility of the finely divided solid tending to accumulate towards the bottom of the mixture after mixing. One preferred class of solids is the hydraulic cements, e.g. gypsum and plaster, but not Portland cement because of its alkalinity. These solids will tend to react with water present in the reaction mixture to produce a hardened skeletal structure within the cured resin product. Moreover, the reaction with the water is also exothermic and assists in the foaming and curing reaction. Foamed products obtained using these materials have particularly valuable physical properties. Moreover, when exposed to flame even for long periods of time they tend to char to a brick-like consistency that is still strong and capable of supporting loads. The products also have excellent thermal insulation and energy absorption properties. The preferred amount of inert particulate solid is from 20 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of resole. Another class of solids that is preferred because its use yields products having properties similar to those obtained using hydraulic cements comprises talc and fly ash. The preferred amounts of these solids are also 20 to 200 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of resole. For the above classes of solid, the most preferred range is 50 to 150 parts per 100 parts of resole. Thixotropic foam-forming mixtures can be obtained if a very finely divided solid such as Aerosil (finely divided silica) is included. If a finely divided metal powder is included, electrically conducting properties can be obtained. The metal powder is preferably used in amounts of from 50 to 250 parts per 100 parts by weight of resole. In general, the maximum amount of solid that can be employed is controlled only by the physical problem of incorporating it into the mixture and handling the mixture. In general it is desired that the mixture is pourable but even at quite high solids concentrations, when the mixture is like a dough or paste and cannot be poured, foamed products with valuable properties can be obtained. In general, it is preferred to use the fibrous solids only in conjunction with a non-fibrous solid since otherwise the foam texture tends to be poorer. Other additives may be included in the foam-forming mixture; e.g. surfactants, such as anionic materials e.g. sodium salts of long chain alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, non-ionic materials such as those based on poly(ethylene oxide) or copolymers thereof, and cationic materials such as long chain quaternary ammonium compounds or those based on polyacrylamides; viscosity modifiers such as alkyl cellulose especially methyl cellulose, and colorants such as dyes or pigments. Plasticizers for phenolic resins may also be included provided the curing and foaming reactions are not suppressed thereby, and polyfunctional compounds other than the dihydric compounds referred to above may be included which take part in the cross-linking reaction which occurs in curing; e.g. di- or poly-amines, di- or poly-isocyanates, di- or poly-carboxylic acids and aminoalcohols. Polymerisable unsaturated compounds may also be included possibly together with free-radical polymerisation initiators that are activated during the curing action e.g. acrylic monomers, so-called urethane acrylates, styrene, maleic acid and derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof. Other resins may be included e.g. as prepolymers which are cured during the foaming and curing reaction or as powders, emulsions or dispersions. Examples are polyacetals such as polyvinyl acetals, vinyl polymers, olefin polymers, polyesters, acrylic polymers and styrene polymers, polyurethanes and prepolymers thereof and polyester prepolymers, as well as melamine resins, phenolic novolaks, etc. Conventional blowing agents may also be included to enhance the foaming reaction, e.g. low boiling organic compounds or compounds which decompose or react to produce gases. The foam-forming compositions may also contain dehydrators, if desired. A preferred method of forming the foam-forming composition comprises first mixing the resole and inert filler to obtain a substantially uniform dispersion of the filler in the resole, and thereafter adding the hardener. Uniform distribution of both the filler and the hardener throughout the composition is essential for the production of uniformly textured foam products and therefore thorough mixing is required. If it is desired that the composition is at elevated temperature prior to commencement of the exothermic reaction, this can be achieved by heating the resole or first mixing the resole and the solid and then heating the mixture. Preferably the solid is added to the resole just before the addition of the hardener. Alternatively, the mixture of resole, solid and hardener may be prepared and the whole mixture then heated, e.g. by short wave irradiation, preferably after it has been charged to a mould. A conventional radiant heat oven may also be used, if desired, but it is difficult to achieve uniform heating of the mixture by this means. Preferably, the foam has a density in the range 75 to 500 kg/m3, more preferably 100 to 400 kg/m3 and most preferably 100 to 250 kg/m3. Foam cell size is also important because up to a limit the larger the size of the cell for a given density, the thicker will be the walls and hence the greater the physical strength of the foam. However if the cell size is too large, the strength begins to suffer. Preferably, the cell size is in the range of 1 to 3 mm. Adhesive Any suitable adhesive may be used for bonding a skin to the foam core, including moisture-curing polyurethanes, two-pack polyurethanes, solvent based adhesives and, preferably, unsaturated polyester-based adhesives. Provided an open-cell foam is employed, excess solvent or moisture is not a problem as it can be absorbed into the foam. Frame To give improved rigidity, in the finished product (door, window or panel), in general the skins will be spaced not only by a foam core but also by a frame or frame members such as stiles, rails, and/or mullions. The frame members may be of wood, metal (for example, aluminium) or plastics (such as UPVC) or a combination of these, e.g. metal-reinforced plastics. The plastics material may contain filler, if desired, to improve hardness and/or rigidity. In a preferred embodiment, the foam core occupies substantially the entire volume or volumes within the frame; i.e. substantially the whole space within the panel defined by the skins and the components of the frame. It is also preferred that the foam is bonded to each skin over substantially the entire area of the foam core which is in contact with that skin, even when the skin includes one or more depressed zones, since this enhances the overall strength of the panel and the resistance to bowing. In one preferred embodiment, the core of rigid plastics foam is in the form of one or more rectangular blocks of said foam held in a frame, at least one of the skins includes one or more depressed zones and the portion of the block or blocks behind each said zone conforms to the contours of said zone as a result of selective controlled crushing of the foam in the area behind said zone. Door, Window and Panel The terms “door”, “window” and “panel” as used herein include not only completed doors and windows, but also include doors, windows and panels that are in the form of frames, prior to the addition of glazing. The terms “window and “door” are well understood. The term “panel” is used herein to include false walls, wall fascias, dividers, partitions and the like. The doors, windows and panels may be interior or exterior. They may be in an office, industrial or domestic use. If desired, they may be provided in weather resistant and/or heat resistant form. Glazing The term “glazing” is used herein broadly and without limitation. Thus, it covers single pane as well as double or triple glazing. The glazing material may be conventional silicate glass or toughened glass or it may be a plastics material such as polycarbonate. The glazing material may also be uncoated or coated; for example, coated with a shatter proof coating of PVB. Furthermore, the glass may be coated to be (at least partially) reflective; may be coloured or clear; and may be transparent or translucent. Glazing can be fitted by any appropriate method. For example, it may be fitted by the process described in WO 02/0966263 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference). WO 02/0966263 describes a process, whereby a foam core is provided with a continuous groove in register with the intended position of glazing and extending along at least three sides of an area to be glazed. The groove is then lined with a layer of synthetic polymer that is at least partially contiguous with a skin. A former is inserted into the groove and the door, window or panel is moulded under heat and pressure to bond the layer of synthetic polymer to the skin, whereby a continuous integral skin of synthetic polymer is formed about the at least three sides of the area to be glazed. The present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art method for forming a door in which a single step is used to laminate together a first skin, an open cell foam contained within a frame and a second skin. This figure is taken from WO99/35364, which discloses a method of providing a weather resistant panel comprising forming a laminate of an open-cell rigid foam core and first and seconds skins that are adhesively bonded to the core. The contents of WO99/35364 are incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 2 illustrates the present invention in which the precursors are fabricated into a reinforced door. The figures will now be described in greater detail. Turning to FIG. 1, a door in accordance with the prior art method is formed by first forming the skins. Using a suitable mould panel, skins 8, 10 are vacuum formed in known manner from uPVC sheets to resemble the faces of a conventional six panel door with a wood grain effect moulded into the face which is to provide the outer surface of the skin. The sheets may be self-coloured in a yellowy brown hue similar to oak. One of the skins 8 is placed face down on the platen 12 of a press, the platen having located thereon a mould jig 14 which matches the contours of the moulding, and a suitable adhesive, preferably an unsaturated polyester-based adhesive, is applied to the upturned face, which is the rear face, of the sheet. In a separate operation, not illustrated, the components of a softwood frame 16 comprising a pair of vertical stiles 18 and two or three horizontal rails 20 are located on a support surface and rectangular blocks 22 cut from a pre-formed slab of open cell foam, such as filled phenolic foam sold under the trade name ACELL by Acell Holdings Limited of appropriate dimensions are fitted to substantially fill the spaces between the stiles and rails, the thickness of the blocks being substantially the same as that of the stiles and rails, and the lengths and widths of the blocks being such that they just fill the spaces between the stiles and rails. The whole is then bonded together using a suitable adhesive. This preformed assembly is positioned on the adhesive-coated upturned face of the vacuum-formed skin 8. With the other vacuum formed skin 10 placed face down, its upper, or rear face, is coated with the adhesive and the skin is then turned over and located, with the adhesive-coated rear face facing downwards, on top of the assembly of stiles, rails (which together form the frame) and blocks of the open cell foam. The top platen 24 of the press, which carries a mould jig 26 that matches the contours of the moulding on the skin 10, is then lowered on to the assembly and pressure is applied. The pressure is such as to cause the foam blocks to be crushed locally between the depressed zones of the vacuum formed sheets as these areas are forced into the foam, whereby the assembly of blocks 22 and frame members 18,20 is firmly held between and in contact with the two skins. At the same time, some of the adhesive coated on the face of each of the vacuum formed skins is forced into the surface layers of the blocks. The pressure is maintained until the adhesive has cured and set and the skins, blocks and frame members are securely bonded together. Suitable pressures are of the order of 0.5 to 30 kg/cm2 but it will be understood that as the depressed zones of the skins are the first to come into contact with the foam blocks, the pressures applied locally in the depressed zones and which cause localised crushing of the foam are much higher, perhaps of the order of 5 to 100 kg/cm2 or more. Therefore foams may be used which are crush resistant up to this level of pressure, thereby considerably enhancing the impact resistance of the panels. If desired, several panels may be laminated at the same time by placing the assemblies one above the other in the press. Preferably, the assemblies are located within frames during pressing to prevent any distortion in a plane perpendicular to the direction of pressure. After removal of the panel from the press, its surface finish may be improved by applying a stain of different colour to the sheet and then removing the stain from the high points, e.g. by wiping, so that it is left substantially only in ingrained areas. Other finishing steps may be employed e.g. trimming, cutting, drilling, adding fixtures, glazing etc, as is well known in the art. The resultant panel bears an excellent resemblance to a conventional wooden panel with close reproduction of the contours of the paneling and a realistic grain effect. Despite the open-cell nature of the foam, its insulation properties are about the same as those of a conventional PVC panel with a polystyrene foam core. Because a rigid foam is used and the foam can substantially completely fill all the voids between the frame members, the panel is strong and resistant to warping and its impact strength is greater than that of conventional PVC panels with a polystyrene foam core. The percolation of the adhesive into the surface layers of the foam ensures an improved bond between the core and the skins, thereby reducing risk of delamination. Absorption of any trapped moisture or solvent into the open-cell foam reduces the risk of localised build-up of pressure and concomitant bubbling or failure of the adhesive bond. The use of a filled phenolic foam such as the foam available from Acell Holdings Limited in the core endows the panel not only with a substantial resistance to distortion, especially bowing, when exposed to temperature changes but also with a very desirable combination of flame resistance, heat and sound insulation, impact strength, rigidity and resistance to flexure. Referring now to FIG. 2, a method of the present invention is illustrated in which a first and second precursor are bonded, together with a frame and reinforcement means, to form a door. First precursor 300, reinforcing mesh 310, wooden frame 320 and second precursor 330 are shown prior to being adhesively secured together using a press (not shown). Precursor 300 comprises open cell foam 302 adhered to first skin 304. A major face 303 of the open cell foam 302 is shown exposed. Mesh 310 is placed over the major exposed face 303 of foam 302. Wooden frame 320 defines an aperture 325 allowing the frame 320 to be snugly fit around the foam 302, with mesh 310 sitting on top of the foam 302. Second precursor 330 can then be placed over the mesh 310, foam 302 and frame 320 with its adhered foam 332 also a snug fit in frame 320. It has a layer of adhesive on its lower surface (not shown). When the components are stacked as described above, they can be compressed in a press, which may also be heated to aid in forming a laminate structure. The adhesive present on the lower surface of the foam 332 of the second precursor 330 contacts the foam 302, mesh 310 and frame 320, thereby allowing a strong laminate to be formed when the adhesive is cured. The precursors 300 and 330 have previously been trimmed to shape and so that only minor finishing (if any) of the laminate described above is required. The precursors may already be coloured and have fittings or glazing attached to them, or may already be adapted to receive such fittings or glazing (not shown). They may be already provided with one or more apertures (not shown). The skins may be of different colour and/or design, as required. The first and second precursors may be provided to the workshop in modified form, as discussed herein, so that, as discussed herein, little (if any) skilled workmanship is needed in the workshop once the laminated article is removed from the press. In summary, this invention provides a precursor for a moulded door window or panel is formed by attaching a first skin to a first surface of an open cell foam. A second skin can then be attached to the precursor in a separate step, which may be performed at a different location. Alternatively, a first precursor may be attached to a second precursor. The precursors enable moulded doors, windows and panels to be finished more rapidly than was previously the case and reduce the need for skilled labour at the finishing stage.

20060823

20131126

20070524

92861.0

B21D4700

CHAPMAN, JEANETTE E

PRECURSOR FOR A DOOR

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B21D

ACCEPTED

Method for establishing anisotropic conductive connection and anisotropic conductive adhesive film

The invention ensures fluidity of an anisotropic conductive adhesive film during electrical connection of the connection terminals of circuit boards to the connection portions of electronic devices using the anisotropic conductive adhesive film, in such a manner that the conductive particles are effectively confined, that the pressure required for compression bonding is not increased, and that the temporary bonding of the circuit boards to the electronic devices is effected at sufficient strength. The method involves disposing on a circuit board 1 a photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 containing conductive particles 2; disposing on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 a exposure mask 5 having an exposure pattern corresponding to a connection terminal 1b of a circuit board 1; irradiating light onto the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 via the exposure mask 5 to cause an exposed area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 to undergo photopolymerization and to thereby increase the melt viscosity therein; removing the exposure mask 5; placing a connection portion 6a of an electronic device 6 on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 in alignment with the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1; and while the two components are closely held together, photopolymerizing the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 to connect the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1 to the connection portion 6a of the electronic device 6.

1. A method for anisotropically and conductively connecting a connection terminal of a circuit board to a connection portion of an electronic device, the method comprising the following steps (a) through (d): Step (a) of disposing on the circuit board an anisotropic conductive adhesive film composed of a photocurable insulative adhesive and conductive particles dispersed in the adhesive; Step (b) of disposing on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film an exposure mask having an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal of the circuit board; Step (c) of irradiating light onto the anisotropic conductive adhesive film via the exposure mask to cause an exposed area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film to undergo photopolymerization, thereby increasing the melt viscosity in the exposed area; and Step (d) of removing the exposure mask, then placing the connection portion of the electronic device on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film in alignment with the connection terminal of the circuit board, and then, with the two components closely held together, irradiating light onto the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film to cause the entire film to undergo photopolymerization, thereby connecting the connection terminal of the circuit board to the connection portion of the electronic device. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step (c), light is irradiated onto an area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the area being on or above the connection terminal of the circuit board. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step (c), light is irradiating onto the anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the area being on or above the periphery of the connection terminal of the circuit board. 4. A method for anisotropically and conductively connecting a connection terminal of a circuit board to a connection portion of an electronic device, the method comprising the following steps of (a′) through (d′): (Step (a′)) of disposing a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film on the circuit board, the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film having an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer comprising a photocurable insulative adhesive with conductive particles dispersed therein and a thermosetting adhesive layer disposed on at least one surface of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer; Step (b′) of disposing on the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film an exposure mask having an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal of the circuit board; Step (c′) of irradiating light onto the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film via the exposure mask to cause an exposed area of the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film to undergo photopolymerization, thereby increasing the melt viscosity in the exposed area; and Step (d′) of removing the exposure mask, then placing the connection portion of the electronic device on the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film in alignment with the connection terminal of the circuit board, and then, with the two components closely held together, curing at least the thermosetting adhesive layer, thereby connecting the connection terminal of the circuit board to the connection portion of the electronic device. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (c′), light is irradiated onto an area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the area being on or above the connection terminal of the circuit board. 6. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step (c′), light is irradiated onto an area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the area being on or above the periphery of the connection terminal of the circuit board. 7. An anisotropic conductive adhesive film comprising an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer formed of a photocurable insulative adhesive with conductive particles dispersed therein, wherein the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film includes areas having different melt viscosities in accordance with an anisotropic conductive connection pattern. 8. The anisotropic conductive adhesive film according to claim 7, wherein a thermosetting adhesive layer is deposited on at least one surface of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for electrically connecting connection terminals of a circuit board with connection portions of electronic devices, as well as to an anisotropic conductive adhesive film used in such a method. BACKGROUND ART Traditionally, connection terminals of circuit boards are connected to connection portions of other circuit boards or electronic devices, such as IC chips, via an anisotropic conductive adhesive film 43. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 43 is composed of a thermosetting resin 42 and conductive particles 41 dispersed in the thermosetting resin 42. To improve the connection reliability of such anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the conductive particles have been required to be effectively confined between the connection terminals of a circuit board and the connection portions of an electronic device in making anisotropic conductive connection. To this requirement, a thin film shown in FIG. 4(b) is proposed which contains a greater number of the conductive particles than the film of FIG. 4(a), or a conductive particle-free, thermosetting adhesive layer 44 is laminated to a thin film shown in FIG. 4(c), which contains the same number of the conductive particles as the film of FIG. 4(a) but at a higher density, to make an anisotropic conductive adhesive film 43. However, the constructions shown in FIG. 4 cannot effectively confine the conductive particles, and, thus, an attempt has been made to prevent the conductive particles from migrating from the connection area to the non-connection area during the thermocompression bonding for anisotropic connection. Specifically, this is done by making use of a technique described in Patent Document 1 for adjusting the melt viscosity of intercalated insulative adhesive-coated film. Using this technique, the resin composition of an entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film is adjusted to increase the melt viscosity of the film. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-104033 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, increasing the melt viscosity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film makes the entire film less fluid during anisotropic conductive connection. As a result, higher pressure must be applied upon compression bonding. This may cause damage in the circuit boards and electronic devices. In addition, the adhesion of the film may become insufficient to temporarily bond the circuit boards to the electronic devices before thermocompression bonding, causing peeling and displacement of the bonded elements. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to ensure fluidity of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film during anisotropic conductive connection of the connection terminals of circuit boards to the connection portions of electronic devices, in such a manner that the conductive particles are effectively confined, that the pressure required for compression bonding is not increased, and that the temporary bonding of the circuit boards to the electronic devices is effected at sufficient strength. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS The present inventors have discovered that by using a photocurable insulative resin as the insulative adhesive used in an anisotropic conductive adhesive film, and irradiating light onto an area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the area being on or above the connection terminal of a circuit board or the periphery of the connection terminal, the circuit board and the electronic device can be temporary bonded together at sufficient strength, the fluidity of the entire film can be ensured during anisotropic conductive connection, and the melt viscosity of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film can be increased in the area on or above the connection terminal or in the area on or above the periphery of the connection terminal, so that the conductive particles can be effectively confined in the anisotropic connection area without causing an increase in the pressure required for compression bonding. It is this discovery that led to the present invention. Thus, the present invention in a first aspect provides a method for anisotropically and conductively connecting a connection terminal of a circuit board to a connection portion of an electronic device, the method containing the following steps (a) through (d): Step (a) of disposing on the circuit board an anisotropic conductive adhesive film composed of a photocurable insulative adhesive and conductive particles dispersed in the adhesive; Step (b) of disposing on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film an exposure mask having an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal of the circuit board; Step (c) of irradiating light onto the anisotropic conductive adhesive film via the exposure mask to cause an exposed area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film to undergo photopolymerization, thereby increasing the melt viscosity in the exposed area; and Step (d) of removing the exposure mask, then placing the connection portion of the electronic device on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film in alignment with the connection terminal of the circuit board, and then, with the two components closely held together, irradiating light onto the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film to cause the entire film to undergo photopolymerization, thereby connecting the connection terminal of the circuit board to the connection portion of the electronic device. The present invention in a second aspect provides a method for anisotropically and conductively connecting a connection terminal of a circuit board to a connection portion of an electronic device, the method containing the following steps of (a′) through (d′): (Step (a′)) of disposing a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film on the circuit board, the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film having an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer comprising a photocurable insulative adhesive with conductive particles dispersed therein and a thermosetting adhesive layer disposed on at least one surface of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer; Step (b′) of disposing on the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film an exposure mask having an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal of the circuit board; Step (c′) of irradiating light onto the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film via the exposure mask to cause an exposed area of the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film to undergo photopolymerization, thereby increasing the melt viscosity in the exposed area; and Step (d′) of removing the exposure mask, then placing the connection portion of the electronic device on the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film in alignment with the connection terminal of the circuit board, and then, with the two components closely held together, curing at least the thermosetting adhesive layer, thereby connecting the connection terminal of the circuit board to the connection portion of the electronic device. Furthermore, the present invention in a third aspect provides an anisotropic conductive adhesive film having an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer formed of a photocurable insulative adhesive with conductive particles dispersed therein, wherein the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film includes areas having different melt viscosities in accordance with an anisotropic conductive connection pattern. ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION The present invention ensures fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive or the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film upon electrical connection of the connection terminals of circuit boards to the connection portions of electronic devices via the anisotropic conductive adhesive or the anisotropic conductive adhesive film, in such a manner that the conductive particles are effectively confined, that the pressure required for compression bonding is not increased, and that the bonding of the circuit boards to the electronic devices is effected at sufficient strength. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for anisotropic conductive connection of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another method for anisotropic conductive connection of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an anisotropic conductive adhesive film of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional anisotropic conductive adhesive film. DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 1, 21 Circuit board 1b, 21b Connection terminal 2, 22 Conductive particle 3, 33 Photocurable insulative adhesive 4, 26 Anisotropic conductive adhesive film 24 Photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 4a, 24a Exposed area 4b, 24b Unexposed area BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As a first aspect of the present invention, a method for anisotropically and conductively connecting the connection terminal of a circuit board to the connection portion of an electronic device is first described stepwise with reference to FIG. 1. Step (a) As shown in FIG. 1(a), an anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 is disposed on a circuit board 1. The anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 is composed of a photocurable insulative adhesive 3 and conductive particles 2 dispersed in the photocurable insulative adhesive 3. The circuit board 1 may be any known circuit board, including flexible printed circuit boards (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-013654), junction circuits for semiconductor devices (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 11-097101), bumped wiring circuit boards (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-303745), ceramic wiring circuit boards, multilayered wiring circuit boards using prepregs. However, it generally is a wiring board consisting of an insulative board 1a, such as polyimide film and aluminum plate, with a circuit pattern of metal foil, such as copper foil, formed on it (not shown). A connection terminal 1b is formed at the end portion of the wiring circuit to connect to other electronic devices (for example, flexible wiring boards, IC chips, antenna elements, capacitor elements, and resistance elements). A known insulative cover coat layer 1c may be deposited between the terminals. The conductive particles for forming the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 may be any known conductive particles used in anisotropic conductive adhesive films. Examples thereof include particles of metals and metal alloys, such as nickel, iron, copper, aluminum, tin, lead, chromium, cobalt, silver, and gold, metal-coated particles of metal oxides, carbon, graphite, glass, ceramics, and plastics, which may further be coated with an insulating thin film. The size and material of the conductive particles may be properly selected depending on the pitch and pattern of the wiring of the circuit boards to be connected and the thickness and material of the connection terminals. The photocurable insulative adhesive 3 for forming the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 may be any known photocurable adhesive that can undergo radical or cationic polymerization. Light to irradiate the adhesive film may be ultraviolet rays, electron beam, X rays, or other active energy rays. The adhesive component of the photocurable adhesive may be a photopolymerizable acrylic compound, preferably, an acrylic monomer or oligomer with a molecular weight (weight average molecular weight) of 10000 or less. Preferred examples of the adhesive component include alkyl (meth)acrylates, arylalkyl (meth)acrylates, urethane-modified acrylates, and epoxy-modified acrylates. These components may be used either individually or in combination of two or more. A known photopolymerization initiator commonly used in photocurable acrylic adhesives may be added to the photocurable insulative adhesive 3. Examples thereof include benzophenone-based photopolymerization initiators, acetophenone-based photopolymerization initiators, benzoin or benzoinalkylether-based photopolymerization initiators, benzyl, benzyldimethylketal, or acylphosphineoxide-based photopolymerization initiators, and thioxanthone-based photopolymerization initiators. These photopolymerization initiators may be used either individually or in combination of two or more. An aliphatic amine or aromatic amine may be added as a photopolymerization assistant. The amount of the photopolymerization initiator may vary depending on the type of the photocurable adhesive component used: when used with a polymerizable acrylic compound, the photopolymerization initiator is preferably used in an amount of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the polymerizable acrylic compound. In addition to the above-described components, the photocurable insulative adhesive 3 may further contain a thermoplastic resin, such as a phenoxy resin and an epoxy resin, a crosslinking agent, various rubber components, filler, a leveling agent, a viscosity modifier, an antioxidant, and other agents. The photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 can be prepared, for example, by uniformly mixing together the components of the photocurable insulative adhesive 3, the conductive particles, the photopolymerization initiator, and other additives and if necessary, a solvent such as toluene, applying the mixture to a release sheet such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheet, and drying the coating to form a film. Step (b) Next, an exposure mask 5 is disposed on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4, as shown in FIG. 1(b1) or (b2). The exposure mask 5 contains an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1. The exposure pattern of the exposure mask 5 is formed such that areas of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 on or above to the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1 are exposed to light (FIG. 1(b1)) or such that areas of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 above the periphery of the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1 are exposed to light (FIG. 1(b2)). As used herein, the term “periphery” of the connection terminal 1b refers not only to circular or square areas surrounding the connection terminal 1b, but also to areas of other shapes such as linear-shaped areas or L-shaped areas. The exposure mask 5 may be a known exposure mask that contains an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1. Step (c) Next, light is irradiated onto the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 via the exposure mask 5. This causes the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 to undergo photopolymerization in the exposed areas. As a result, the melt viscosity increases in the exposed areas. In the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 1(b1), the melt viscosity is increased in the exposed area 4a of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film on or above to the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1, as shown in FIG. 1(c1). As a result, the conductive particles are effectively confined in the exposed area 4a. Furthermore, the unexposed area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4, in which photopolymerization does not take place, enables the temporary bonding of the circuit board 1 and the electronic device at sufficient strength. This construction also ensures the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 during anisotropic conductive connection, so that it is not necessary to apply high pressure upon compression bonding. In the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 1(b2), the melt viscosity increases in the exposed area 4a of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film above the periphery of the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1, as shown in FIG. 1(c2). Thus, the melt viscosity is not high in the unexposed area 4b of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film on or above the connection terminal, so that the conductive particles 2 tend to escape from the area on or above the connection terminal 1b. This tendency, however, is counteracted by the presence of the surrounding area with high melt viscosity of the unexposed area 4b and, overall, the conductive particles are well confined in the unexposed area 4b. Furthermore, the unexposed area of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4, in which photopolymerization does not take place, enables the temporary bonding of the circuit board 1 and the electronic device at sufficient strength. This construction also ensures the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4, and the pressure required for compression bonding is further decreased as compared to the construction of FIG. 1(c1). For these reasons, this method is suitable when the components are bonded together by a relatively large area using bump bonding technique. Step (d) Next, the exposure mask 5 is removed, and the connection portion 6a of the electronic device 6 is placed on the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 4 in alignment with the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1. Then, with the two components closely held together, light is irradiated onto the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film to cause the entire film to undergo photopolymerization. In this manner, the connection terminal 1b of the circuit board 1 can be anisotropically and conductively connected to the connection portion of the electronic device with high connection reliability (FIG. 1(d)). The electronic device 6 may be a circuit board similar to the circuit board 1, flexible wiring board, IC chip, antenna element, capacitor element, or resistance element. The connection portion 6a may be a known bump or electrode pad structure. As a second aspect of the present invention, another anisotropic conductive connection method is now described stepwise with reference to FIG. 2. The anisotropic conductive connection of the second aspect differs from the anisotropic conductive connection of the first aspect in that the second aspect uses a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film that has a thermosetting adhesive layer deposited on at least one surface thereof. As described with reference to FIG. 4(c), the use of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film makes it possible to decrease the thickness of the layer containing the conductive particles and to thus increase the density of the conductive particles. As a result, high connection reliability can be achieved without increasing the amount of the conductive particles and, thus, the cost for anisotropic connection can be reduced. Step (a′) As shown in FIG. 2(A1) or FIG. 2(A2), a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 is first disposed on a circuit board 21. The multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 includes a photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 and a thermosetting adhesive layer 25 disposed on at least one surface of the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24. The photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 is composed of a photocurable insulative adhesive 23 and conductive particles 22 dispersed in the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 23. Although in FIG. 2(A1), the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 having the thermosetting adhesive layer 25 on one surface thereof is disposed on the circuit board 21 with the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 facing the circuit board 21, the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 may be arranged with the thermosetting adhesive layer 25 facing the circuit board 21. Alternatively, a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 with the thermosetting adhesive layer 25 disposed on each surface may be used as shown in FIG. 2(A2). The thermosetting resin for forming the thermosetting adhesive layer 25 may be an epoxy resin, urethane resin, or unsaturated polyester resin. Of these, an epoxy resin that forms a solid at room temperature is preferred. This type of epoxy resin may be used in conjunction with an epoxy resin that forms a liquid at room temperature. The proportions of the epoxy resin forming a solid at room temperature and the epoxy resin forming a liquid at room temperature are properly determined depending on the requirements for the anisotropic conductive adhesive film. For the purposes of increasing the flexibility of the film made of these epoxy resins forming a solid or a liquid at room temperature and thereby increasing the peel strength of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film, a flexible epoxy resin is preferably used in conjunction with these epoxy resins. The amount of the flexible epoxy resin in the thermosetting insulative adhesive is preferably in the range of 5 to 35 wt %, and more preferably in the range of 5 to 25 wt %, since too little of the flexible epoxy resin cannot provide the desired effect and too much of the flexible epoxy resin results in a decreased heat resistance. The circuit board 21, the conductive particles 22, and the photocurable insulative adhesive 23 may be the same as the circuit board 1, the conductive particles 2, and the photocurable insulative adhesive 3 described with reference to FIG. 1, respectively. For example, the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 can be prepared as follows: The components of the photocurable insulative adhesive 3, the conductive particles, the photopolymerization initiator and other additives and, if necessary, a solvent such as toluene are uniformly mixed together. The mixture is then applied to a release sheet such as PET sheet and the coating is dried to form a photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film. Meanwhile, the thermosetting resin is formed into a film by casting or die extrusion. Using a known lamination technique, the two films are laminated together. Step (b′) Next, an exposure mask 27 is disposed on the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 shown in FIG. 2(a1). The exposure mask 27 contains an exposure pattern corresponding to the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21. This step is the same as the step (b) of the aspect shown by FIG. 1. FIG. 2(b1) shows an exposure pattern of the exposure mask 27 formed such that areas of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 on or above the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21 are exposed to light. FIG. 2(B2) shows another exposure pattern of the exposure mask 5 formed such that areas of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 above the periphery of the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21 are exposed to light. The exposure mask 27 is also provided in the construction shown in FIG. 2(A2) in a similar manner to the construction shown in FIG. 2(A1) (not shown). Step (c′) Next, light is irradiated onto the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 via the exposure mask 27. This causes the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 of the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 to undergo photopolymerization in exposed areas 24a. As a result, the melt viscosity increases in the exposed areas 24a. In the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 2(B1), the melt viscosity is increased in the exposed area 24a of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 on or above the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21, as shown in FIG. 2(C1). As a result, the conductive particles are effectively confined in the exposed area 24a. Furthermore, the unexposed area 24b of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26, in which photopolymerization does not take place, enables the temporary bonding of the circuit board 21 and the electronic device at sufficient strength. This construction also ensures the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26, so that it is not necessary to apply high pressure upon compression bonding of the film. In the exposure pattern shown in FIG. 2(B2), the melt viscosity increases in the exposed area 24a of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 above the periphery of the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21, as shown in FIG. 2(c2). Thus, the melt viscosity is not high in the unexposed area 24b of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 on or above the connection terminal 21b, so that upon compression bonding, the conductive particles 22 tend to escape from the area on or above the connection terminal 21b due to the melt viscosity. This tendency, however, is counteracted by the presence of the surrounding area (dam) with high melt viscosity of the unexposed area and, overall, the conductive particles 22 are well confined in the unexposed area 24b. Furthermore, the unexposed area 24b of the anisotropic conductive adhesive layer 24 of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26, in which photopolymerization does not take place, enables the temporary bonding of the circuit board 21 and the electronic device at sufficient strength. This construction also ensures the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 during anisotropic conductive connection, and the pressure required for compression bonding is further decreased as compared to the construction of FIG. 1(c1). For these reasons, this method is suitable when the components are bonded together by a relatively large area using bump bonding technique. Step (d′) Next, the exposure mask 27 is removed, and the connection portion 28a of the electronic device 28 is placed on the multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film 26 in alignment with the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21. Then, with the two components closely held together, at least the thermosetting adhesive layer 25 is cured by application of heat to connect the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21 to the connection portion 28a of the electronic device 28. Alternatively, light may be irradiated to cure the photocurable anisotropic adhesive layer 24. In this manner, the connection terminal 21b of the circuit board 21 can be anisotropically and conductively connected to the connection portion 28a of the electronic device 28 with high connection reliability (FIG. 2(D)). The electronic device 28 may be the same as the electronic device 6 described with reference to FIG. 1(d). Referring now to FIG. 3(a), an anisotropic conductive adhesive film 31 for use in the method for anisotropic conductive connection provided according to the first and second aspects of the present invention comprises an anisotropic conductive adhesive layer formed of a photocurable insulative adhesive 33 and conductive particles 32 dispersed in the photocurable insulative adhesive 33. According to the pattern of anisotropic conductive connection, the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 31 includes regions with different melt viscosities: the region X with relatively high melt viscosity and the region Y with relatively low melt viscosity. When the anisotropic conductive connection is established via the region X, the region X corresponds to the exposed area as described with reference to FIG. 1(b1) and FIG. 2(B1), which is irradiated with light to cause photopolymerization and thus increase the melt viscosity in the region. Thus, the conductive particles are effectively confined in the region X, as described with reference to FIG. 1(c1) and FIG. 2(C1). In addition, the temporary bonding of the circuit board and the electronic device is effected at sufficient strength. This construction also ensures the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film during anisotropic conductive connection, so that it is not necessary to apply high pressure upon compression bonding of the film. When the anisotropic conductive connection is established via the region Y, the region Y is an area surrounded by the region X above the periphery of the anisotropic conductive connection region with high melt viscosity, as described with reference to FIG. 1(b2) and FIG. 2(B2). Thus, the conductive particles are effectively confined in the region Y, as described with reference to FIG. 1(c1) and FIG. 2(C1). This construction enables the temporary bonding of the circuit board and the electronic device at sufficient strength and also ensures the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film during anisotropic conductive connection. Furthermore, the pressure required for compression bonding is further decreased as compared to the construction of FIG. 1(c1). For these reasons, this construction is suitable when the components are bonded together by a relatively large area using bump bonding technique. The anisotropic conductive adhesive film 31 may have the thermosetting adhesive layer 34 disposed on one surface (FIG. 3(b)) or both surfaces thereof. The conductive particles 32, the photocurable insulative adhesive 33 and the thermosetting adhesive layer 34 may be the same as the above-described conductive particles 2, the photocurable insulative adhesive 3, and the thermosetting adhesive layer 25, respectively. EXAMPLES Examples 1 through 3 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 The components shown in Table 1 were uniformly mixed in a mixed solvent of toluene and ethyl acetate (1:1 by weight) such that the solution contains a 60 wt % solid content. This gave a UV-curable adhesive composition. The composition was applied to a release agent-treated polyethylene terephthalate film to a dry thickness of 20 μm or 40 μn, and the coated film was dried at 80° C. for 5 min to make a photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film. Using a rheometer RS150 (Haake), the melt viscosity of this film was determined to be 6.0×106 mPa·S(80° C.) before UV irradiation and 3.0×108 mPa·S(80° C.) after UV irradiation (200 mJ/cm2(320-390 nm)). Also, the components shown in Table 2 were uniformly mixed in a mixed solvent of toluene and ethyl acetate (1:1 by weight) such that the solution contains a 60 wt % solid content. This gave a thermosetting adhesive composition. The composition was applied to a release agent-treated polyethylene terephthalate film to a dry thickness of 10 μm, 20 μm or 40 μm, and the coated film was dried at 80° C. for 5 min to make a thermosetting adhesive film. Using a rheometer RS150 (Haake), the melt viscosity of the film was determined to be 6.0×106 mPa·S(80° C.). The 40 μm-thick single-layered photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film was designated as a photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 1. The 20 μm-thick photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film having the 20 μm-thick thermosetting adhesive film laminated on one surface thereof was designated as a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Examples 2 and 3. The 20 μm-thick photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive film having the 10 μm-thick thermosetting adhesive film laminated on both surfaces thereof was designated as a multilayered anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 3. In addition, the components shown in Table 3 were uniformly mixed in a mixed solvent of toluene and ethyl acetate (1:1 by weight) such that the solution contains a 60 wt % solid content. This gave a thermosetting adhesive composition. The composition was applied to a release agent-treated polyethylene terephthalate film to a dry thickness of 40 μm, and the coated film was dried at 80° C. for 5 min to make a thermosetting adhesive film. This film was designated as a thermosetting anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Comparative Example 1. Using a rheometer RS150 (Haake), the melt viscosity of the film was determined to be 6.0×106 mPa·S(80° C.). Furthermore, the components shown in Table 4 were uniformly mixed in a mixed solvent of toluene and ethyl acetate (1:1 by weight) such that the solution contains a 60 wt % solid content. This gave a thermosetting adhesive composition. The composition was applied to a release agent-treated polyethylene terephthalate film to a dry thickness of 40 μm, and the coated film was dried at 80° C. for 5 min to make a thermosetting adhesive film. This film was designated as a thermosetting anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Comparative Example 2. Using a rheometer RS150 (Haake), the melt viscosity of the film was determined to be 9.0×107 mPa·S(80° C.). TABLE 1 Weight Component parts Phenoxy resin (YP50, Toto Kagaku) 10 Epoxy resin (HP7200H, Dai Nippon Ink and 10 Chemicals) Epoxy group-containing epoxyacrylate oligomer 10 (EB3605, Union Carbide) Epoxy resin (HX3941HP, Dai Nippon Ink and 10 Chemicals) Photopolymerization initiator (TPO, BASF) 1 Conductive particles (Ni/Au plated resin 9 particles (3.2 μm), Nippon Chemical Industrial) TABLE 2 Weight Component parts Phenoxy resin (YP50, Toto Kagaku) 10 Epoxy resin (HP4032D, epoxy equivalents 136- 20 150 g/eq, Dai Nippon Ink and Chemicals) Epoxy-dispersed imidazole-based curing agent 15 (HX3941HP, Asahi Kasei Epoxy) TABLE 3 Weight Component parts Phenoxy resin (YP50, Toto Kagaku) 10 Epoxy resin (HP4032D, epoxy equivalents 136- 20 150 g/eq, Dai Nippon Ink and Chemicals) Epoxy-dispersed imidazole-based curing agent 15 (HX3941HP, Asahi Kasei Epoxy) Conductive particles (Ni/Au plated resin 10 particles (3.2 μm), Nippon Chemical Industrial) TABLE 4 Weight Component parts Phenoxy resin (YP50, Toto Kagaku) 20 Epoxy resin (HP4032D, epoxy equivalents 136- 10 150 g/eq, Dai Nippon Ink and Chemicals) Epoxy-dispersed imidazole-based curing agent 15 (HX3941HP, Asahi Kasei Epoxy) Conductive particles (Ni/Au plated resin 10 particles (3.2 μm), Nippon Chemical Industrial) The anisotropic conductive adhesive films of Examples and Comparative Examples so obtained were evaluated for the tackiness in the manner described below. Each of the anisotropic conductive adhesive films of Examples and Comparative Examples was also used to anisotropically and conductively connect a test circuit board to a test transparent liquid crystal board and the number of the confined particles were determined in the manner described below. The results are shown in Table 5. The anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 1 was placed on the test transparent liquid crystal board and light (320 to 390 nm) was irradiated onto the film at 200 mJ/cm2 in the area on or above the connection terminal. Subsequently, while the transparent liquid crystal board and the test circuit board were aligned and held together, the two boards were thermally bonded together at 170° C., 80 Mpa for 10 sec. The anisotropic conductive adhesive films of Examples 2 and 3 were each placed on the test transparent liquid crystal board and light (320 to 390 nm) was irradiated onto the film at 200 mJ/cm2 in the area on or above the connection terminal. Subsequently, while the test transparent liquid crystal board and the test circuit board were aligned and held together, the two boards were thermally bonded together. The anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 2 was placed on the test transparent liquid crystal board such that the back side of the photocurable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer of the anisotropic conductive adhesive film faces the test transparent liquid crystal board. The thermosetting anisotropic conductive adhesive films of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were each placed on the test transparent liquid crystal board. Subsequently, while the transparent liquid crystal board and the test circuit board were aligned and held together, the two boards were thermally bonded together at 170° C., 80 Mpa for 10 sec. Tackiness Using a hot press, each ACF (anisotropic conductive adhesive film)/release agent-treated PET (polyethylene terephthalate) was thermally bonded to a glass plate at 40° C., 0.5 Mpa for 2 sec. Subsequently, the release agent-treated PET was removed and the exposed ACF was observed. (Evaluation Criteria) The tackiness was rated as follows: “G”: ACF was transferred to the glass surface; and “NG”: ACF was not transferred to the glass surface. Number of Confined Particles The number of conductive particles present on the bumps of the compression bonded IC (surface area of each bump=2500 μm2) was counted using a microscope and the average was determined. TABLE 5 Comparative Example Example Properties Evaluated 1 2 3 1 2 Tackiness G G G G NG Number of confined 25 24 22 16 19 conductive particles (particles/2500 μm2) As can be seen from Table 5, the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 1 comprising a single layer of UV-curable anisotropic conductive adhesive had an increased melt viscosity of the adhesive in the area on or above the connection terminal and thus showed a high tackiness. The conductive particles were effectively confined in this example. As in Example 1, the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 2 had an increased melt viscosity of the adhesive in the area on or above the connection terminal. Unlike the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 1, however, the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 2 included the thermosetting adhesive layer on one surface, and the UV-curable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer was half as thick. It turned out that the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 2 had a high tackiness and, despite the UV-curable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer that was half as thick, the decrease in the number of the confined conductive particles was kept at a practically acceptable level of 4%. As in Example 1, the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 3 had an increased melt viscosity of the adhesive in the area on or above the connection terminal. Unlike the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 1, however, the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 3 included the thermosetting adhesive layer on both surfaces, and the UV-curable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer was half as thick. It turned out that the anisotropic conductive adhesive film of Example 3 had a high tackiness and, despite the UV-curable anisotropic conductive adhesive layer that was half as thick, the decrease in the number of the confined conductive particles was kept at a practically acceptable level of 12%. In comparison, the conductive particles were not effectively confined in the anisotropic conductive adhesive films of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, which each included the single layer of the thermosetting anisotropic conductive adhesive. The tackiness was insufficient in Comparative Example 2. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the method of the present invention intended for electrically connecting the connection terminals of circuit boards to the connection portions of electronic devices by the use of an anisotropic conductive adhesive or anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the fluidity of the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive or the entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film during the connection method is ensured, in such a manner that the conductive particles are effectively confined, that the pressure required for compression bonding is not increased, and that the bonding of the circuit boards to the electronic devices is effected at sufficient strength. Therefore, the method of the present invention is suitable for connecting a variety of circuit boards to electronic devices.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Traditionally, connection terminals of circuit boards are connected to connection portions of other circuit boards or electronic devices, such as IC chips, via an anisotropic conductive adhesive film 43 . As shown in FIG. 4 ( a ), the anisotropic conductive adhesive film 43 is composed of a thermosetting resin 42 and conductive particles 41 dispersed in the thermosetting resin 42 . To improve the connection reliability of such anisotropic conductive adhesive film, the conductive particles have been required to be effectively confined between the connection terminals of a circuit board and the connection portions of an electronic device in making anisotropic conductive connection. To this requirement, a thin film shown in FIG. 4 ( b ) is proposed which contains a greater number of the conductive particles than the film of FIG. 4 ( a ), or a conductive particle-free, thermosetting adhesive layer 44 is laminated to a thin film shown in FIG. 4 ( c ), which contains the same number of the conductive particles as the film of FIG. 4 ( a ) but at a higher density, to make an anisotropic conductive adhesive film 43 . However, the constructions shown in FIG. 4 cannot effectively confine the conductive particles, and, thus, an attempt has been made to prevent the conductive particles from migrating from the connection area to the non-connection area during the thermocompression bonding for anisotropic connection. Specifically, this is done by making use of a technique described in Patent Document 1 for adjusting the melt viscosity of intercalated insulative adhesive-coated film. Using this technique, the resin composition of an entire anisotropic conductive adhesive film is adjusted to increase the melt viscosity of the film. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-104033

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for anisotropic conductive connection of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating another method for anisotropic conductive connection of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an anisotropic conductive adhesive film of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional anisotropic conductive adhesive film. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051122

20100202

20070329

78098.0

B32B3712

MCNALLY, DANIEL

METHOD FOR ESTABLISHING ANISOTROPIC CONDUCTIVE CONNECTION AND ANISOTROPIC CONDUCTIVE ADHESIVE FILM

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B32B

ACCEPTED

Monitoring and controlling power consumption

The present invention relates to an electronic circuit, apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling power consumption. Accordingly, there is provided an electronic circuit, apparatus and method that includes one or more sequential logic elements (12) that are capable of receiving a clock signal (CLK) and an input signal (I) and providing an output signal (O). The sequential logic element (12) further comprises circuitry (20) for monitoring the input and output signals (I, O), and providing a control signal (CS) in response to the input and output signals (I, O), wherein the IC's power consumption is operatively controllable in response to the control signal.

1. An electronic circuit that includes at least one sequential logic element (12) that comprises: at least one clock terminal for receiving a clock signal (CLK); at least one input terminal (D) for receiving an input signal (I); at least one output terminal (Q) for providing an output signal (O); characterized in that said electronic circuit further comprises: circuitry (20) for monitoring said input and output signals (I, O) to provide a control signal (CS) in response to said input and output signals (I, O); and means for controlling a power consumption of the electronic circuit in response to said control signal (CS). 2. An electronic circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it is capable of being controlled at a rate determined by the clock signal (CLK). 3. An electronic circuit as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that it is capable of providing information relating to future power consumption. 4. An electronic circuit as claimed in claim 1, characterized by its ability of having future power consumption being controllable in advance based upon past logical events. 5. An apparatus that includes an electronic circuit as claimed in claim 1. 6. A method of controlling power consumption of an electronic circuit that includes at least one sequential logic element (12) that comprises: at least one clock terminal for receiving a clock signal (CLK); at least one input terminal (D) for receiving an input signal (I); at least one output terminal (Q) for providing an output signal (O); characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: monitoring said input and output signals (I, O); providing a control signal (CS) in response to the input and output signals (I, O); and operatively controlling the power consumption in response to the control signal.

The present invention relates to an electronic circuit that includes at least one sequential logic element that comprises: at least one clock terminal for receiving a clock signal; at least one input terminal for receiving an input signal; at least one output terminal for providing an output signal. The present invention also relates to: an apparatus that includes an electronic circuit having the features recited above; and a method of controlling power consumption of such an electronic circuit. WO 01/48584 A1 “Microprocessor with digital power throttle” describes a scheme for digitally monitoring the power consumption of a microprocessor. It is generally known in the art that the power consumption and dissipation requirements and criteria of modem electronic circuitry, such as an integrated circuit (IC) for example, is becoming more and more critical as their performance requirements, i.e. functionality, complexity, die size, clock speed etc., increase. Furthermore, the issue of power consumption is an extremely important factor in the design and operation of apparatus such as, for example, battery powered computers, multimedia devices and mobile communications. Furthermore, it is well understood in the art that an IC that operates at high clock rates, and that has substantial portions of active electronic circuitry, generates substantial quantities of heat. This heat must somehow be removed away from the IC, and associated apparatus, in the quickest, most efficient and cost effective manner possible. The removal of this heat can, in some cases, become very complex and expensive, which again is well understood in the art. Various techniques, circuitry and systems are known to those skilled in the art for manipulating the power consumption/dissipation of an IC. Many research efforts have been oriented to the design of circuits and techniques that achieve the desired performance criteria at acceptable power consumption levels. Since power consumption depends upon a number of different factors such as, for example: supply voltage; clock frequency; switching capacitance; and circuit switching activity, many different solutions have been proposed that try to minimize power consumption by reducing either one or a combination of such factors. Furthermore, leakage currents are becoming more of a factor in the power consumption budgets of ICs due to physical effects being experienced as changes occur in IC process technologies. As a direct result, solutions such as back biasing an IC's substrate or the use of MTCMOS technology have been proposed as efficient ways to control these leakage currents so as to manage an IC's power consumption. Most of the effort in reducing IC power consumption is applied during the ICs design phase, where information on the power consumption of the IC is collected from simulations and statistical data. There are commercially available software based power consumption simulators that have gone some way to assist in the design of optimal circuits from the point of view of power consumption. But, these power consumption simulators optimize the power resources according to a series of fixed conditions, which is clearly disadvantageous. In WO 01/48584 A1 a microprocessor is divided into various functional units that each has its own fixed ‘power weight’ that is encoded in a digital word: the power weight has to be determined by a calibration process. When the microprocessor runs a given program, the state of each functional unit is digitally monitored, i.e. it is either active or inactive, and this information is passed on to a special monitoring unit. This monitoring unit neglects the power weights associated with the inactive functional units, but adds the power weights of the active functional units and compares the sum with a threshold that represents the expected maximum power consumption. If the sum is greater than the threshold, the instruction execution rate is decreased by lowering the clock frequency or by introducing bubbles in the instruction pipeline. If the sum is lower than the threshold, then no action is taken. Some other examples of power consumption manipulation techniques involve: adjusting the frequency of a system clock to its optimum rate depending upon, among others, the data processing task(s) to be undertaken; adjusting the power supply in response to a given set of circumstances; or removing the supply of power altogether. Some of the many and varied methods and apparatus for dissipating the heat produced by an IC that are known to those skilled in the art include, for example: heatsinks and liquid cooling. Such methods and techniques can very often be elaborate and expensive, both in monetary and spatial terms. The scheme disclosed in WO 01/48584 A1 has some exemplary disadvantages. One such disadvantage is in that power consumption is monitored digitally. Further disadvantages are that: the power consumed by each of the functional units is not well represented by a ‘fixed weight’ solution, since power consumption is very much dependent upon the quantity and type of input data; and each of the functional units has to be calibrated so as to define their appropriate power weights. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved reduction of power consumption. The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependant claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention. The object is realized in that said electronic circuit further comprises: circuitry for monitoring the input and output signals to provide a control signal in response to the input and output signals, wherein the electronic circuit's power consumption is operatively controllable in response to the control signal. According to one embodiment of a circuit of the present invention, the electronic circuit is capable of being controlled at a rate determined by the clock signal. Such an embodiment has the advantage that any changes in the clock rate are applied throughout the electronic circuit. Therefore, when power is required to be saved it can be carried out quickly and substantially. According to another embodiment of a circuit of the present invention, the electronic circuit is capable of providing information relating to future power consumption. Knowing or predicting what future power consumption will, or is likely to, be can have obvious benefits when actively controlling power consumption. Decisions can be taken in advance of a known or likely ‘about to happen’ event that would, under normal circumstances, lead to increased power consumption. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of a circuit of the present invention, the electronic circuit has the ability of having future power consumption being controllable in advance based upon past logical events. Knowing or predicting what future power consumption will, or is likely to, be based upon past events can also have obvious benefits when actively controlling power consumption. Once again, important, advance, power saving decisions can be taken relating to a known, or likely, ‘about to happen’ event. Other features and advantages of the electronic circuit, apparatus and method of the present invention are capable of being elucidated by and from the accompanying exemplary drawings and description that follows. In the drawings, which are intended as non-limiting examples of the principle of the present invention: FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary state-of-the-art digital circuitry; FIG. 2 illustrates a generic embodiment of electronic circuitry according to the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of electronic circuitry according to the present invention; FIG. 4 illustrates yet another embodiment of electronic circuitry according to the present invention; FIG. 5 illustrates the digital circuitry of FIG. 1 with the incorporation of electronic circuitry according to the present invention; FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate prior art transconductors; FIG. 7 illustrates a basic system block diagram of electronic circuitry according to the present invention; FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of electronic circuitry used for voltage control according to the present invention; FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of electronic circuitry used for the frequency control according to the present invention; and FIG. 10 illustrates a generic block diagram of electronic circuitry used for the control of power consumption according to the present invention. While the circuit of the present invention is described in reference to ICs, and in particular CMOS process technology ICs, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that its underlying principles are also applicable to other electronic circuits and IC process technologies. The power consumption of digital ICs can be divided into two separate categories. The first category being, dynamic power consumption, and the second being, static power consumption. Dynamic power consumption occurs during the logic state changes that take place within the digital circuitry of an IC. Static power consumption, on the other hand, occurs when the digital circuitry is in a steady, or quiescent, state. Dynamic power consumption is the dominant factor in the power consumption of charge controlled circuitry, such as CMOS, and occurs when the nodes of the various elements, which form the circuitry, change state due to an appropriate input stimulus. In the interest of brevity, the use of the term “power” herein includes either actual power or a value, such as for example, current, voltage or another measurement that is proportional to, or indicative of, actual power. Referring to FIG. 1, this particular example of digital circuitry 10 comprises a series of D-type data latches, sometimes referred to as flip-flops or sequential logic, 12a-12e and two combinational logic blocks 14, 16. It should be noted that for the purposes of describing the present invention, D-type flip-flops have been described and illustrated. However, the objects and advantages of the present invention, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, can also be achieved by the use of other types of logic, sequential or otherwise, such as, for example, J-K or S-R type flip-flops. Furthermore, the combinational logic blocks 14, 16 are intended as non-exhaustive illustrations of, for example, a processing logic block and a data path logic block. Referring to FIG. 1, flip-flop 12a receives an input signal I1 and produces an appropriate output signal O1, which acts as a first input signal to the first logic block 14. Flip-flop 12b receives an input signal I2, which is a first output signal from the first logic block 14, and produces an appropriate output signal O2, which acts as a first input signal to the second logic block 16. Flip-flop 12c receives an input signal I3, which is a first output signal from the second logic block 16, and produces an appropriate output signal O3. Flip-flop 12d receives an input signal I4, which is a second output signal from the first logic block 14, and produces an appropriate output signal O4, which acts as a second input signal to the first logic block 14. Flip-flop 12e receives an input signal I5, which is a second output signal from the second logic block 16, and produces an appropriate output signal O5, which acts as a second input signal to the second logic block 16. Each of the flip-flops 12a-12e also receives a clock signal CLK, which is used to operatively gate input and output signals. If the data contents of any of the flip-flops 12a-12e does not change, then the dynamic power consumption of the illustrated circuitry in FIG. 1, ignoring for the purposes of this illustration the clock signal CLK, will be zero, since there are no logic state changes. If however a state change does occur within one or more of the flip-flops 12a-12e and either one or both of the logic blocks 14, 16, or a respective portion thereof, due to an appropriate stimulus, then this state change propagates through the circuitry 10. Such propagation generates a certain amount of dynamic power consumption within the circuitry 10. Therefore, for a given clock cycle, power is consumed at a rate proportional to the number of state changes that takes place within the elements that comprise the circuitry 10. On average, the greater the number of elements that change state, i.e. the greater the ‘activity’ of the circuitry, the greater the power consumption. Therefore, knowing the number of elements that change state in a given clock cycle provides a direct correlation to the power consumption for that particular clock cycle. It should be noted that modem digital IC design methodologies and tools allow designers to know in advance, and with a great deal of certainty, what state changes are taking place, in response to input stimuli, and where such changes take place. Such advance knowledge is advantageous, as will be apparent from the following description. If the power consumption, that is to say the activity, of a circuit is known in real time, it is then possible from this knowledge to operatively control the operation, and hence subsequent power consumption, of the circuitry 10 accordingly. Such control can include for example: a state change within elements of the circuitry 10; adjustment of the power supply voltage; adjustment of the IC's back-bias, i.e. substrate voltage; or adjustment of the frequency of the clock signal. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the aforementioned illustrative control techniques, in addition to others, can be used in many varying degrees and combinations so as to reduce power consumption and performance. Thus, having the ability to monitor the activity of the circuitry 10 so as to enable the power consumption to be established is advantageous for increasing the overall performance of integrated circuits, as will be apparent from the following exemplary description and illustrations of the present invention. If, in response to appropriate input stimuli, any of the flip-flops' 12 content changes, such changes will propagate through the circuitry 10 generating a certain amount of dynamic power consumption. Thereafter, but some time before the next clock CLK edge, the new logic state values 11-I5 at the inputs of the flip-flops 12 settle, thus preparing the flip-flops 12 for a new activity cycle. Accordingly, the power consumption of the circuitry 10 depends upon the number of flip-flops 12 that change state in each clock cycle. Thus, by operatively monitoring the activity at appropriate switching nodes, i.e. flip-flop input and output terminals, respectively D and Q, during each clock cycle, the power consumption of the circuitry 10 can be established. Appropriate switching nodes can readily be determined as part of the IC's design cycle. As mentioned earlier, modem design methodologies and tools allow designers to determine what data paths, and hence circuitry, will be active for known input stimuli. This advance knowledge can be used to strategically deploy monitors at the most appropriate nodes within the circuitry. This is especially advantageous when for example the characteristics of a logic block, for example, are known since the number of monitors can be kept to a minimum, thus reducing power and area otherwise taken up by monitors. According to the present invention, electronic circuitry is added to the circuitry 10 so as to monitor, i.e. determine, its activity. Essentially, this monitoring is achieved by adding some extra circuitry to either all the flip-flops 12 or a certain portion thereof in order to monitor the activity of the circuitry 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the activity monitor 20 is the basic building block used for the purpose of monitoring the activity, and subsequent power consumption, of circuitry according to the present invention. The flip-flop, or logic stage 12 has, in this particular example, an associated two input, one output, activity monitor 20. A first input of the activity monitor 20 is connected to the input D of the flip-flop 12 and a second input of the activity monitor 20 is connected to the output Q of the flip-flop 12. The activity monitor 20 produces an output signal CS which is determined by the state of the input and output signals I, O on the respective D and Q terminals of the flip-flop 12. Referring to FIG. 3, one method of determining power consumption, as indicated by the number of switching flip-flops 12, would be to connect a two input XOR logic gate 30 between the input and output terminals D, Q, of each respective flip-flop 12 that is required to be monitored. In this particular embodiment, the flip-flop 12 only changes state when the value of the input signal I on the input terminal D of the flip-flop 12 does not equal the value of the output signal O on its corresponding output terminal Q. Table 1 is a logic table that illustrates the state input and output values associated with the XOR logic gate activity monitor of FIG. 3. TABLE 1 I (D) O (Q) CS 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 In the case where the logic states at the input and output terminals D, Q of the flip-flop 12 change such that they are not equal, i.e. I≠O, then the output signal CS from the XOR gate 30 is a logic ‘high’ or ‘1’ state, which indicates a state change of the flip-flop 12 and hence circuit switching activity. Therefore, by counting the number of XOR output signals CS that have changed to a logic ‘1’ state in each clock cycle provides the necessary information regarding the circuitry's switching activity. Since it is desirable to obtain this result in one clock cycle, the aforementioned counting would have to be carried out by adder circuitry, not illustrated. However, for circuitry with N flip-flops 12, where N is an integer, such an implementation based upon the illustration in FIG. 3 would require N two input XOR gates 30 and a digital adder, not illustrated, that has N one-bit inputs and log2N outputs. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, where N may be large, this solution may not be as attractive as other solutions, such as will be described below. Referring to FIG. 4, the activity monitor 20 comprises two PMOS transistors P1, P2 and two NMOS transistors N1, N2. The source terminals of transistors P1 and P2 are both connected to the positive power supply VDD while the source terminals of transistors N1 and N2 are both connected together to form the output terminal 40 of the activity monitor 20. In this particular exemplary illustration, the gate terminals of transistors P1 and N1 are both connected to the input terminal D of the flip-flop 12, while the gate terminals of transistors P2 and N2 are both connected to a corresponding output terminal Q of the flip-flop 12. The respective drain terminals of each of the four transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 are all connected together. In order for this activity monitor 20 to detect a state change in the flip-flop 12, the respective arrangement of the transistors P1, P2, N1, N2 has to be differential in nature. Table 2 is a logic table that illustrates both the input and output logic states associated with the activity monitor of FIG. 4 and the conduction state of each of its four transistors. TABLE 2 I (D) O (Q) CS P1 P2 N1 N2 0 0 0 On On Off Off 0 1 1 On Off Off On 1 0 1 Off On On Off 1 1 0 Off Off On On As can be seen, the arrangement and control of the transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 illustrated in FIG. 4 and Table 2 is therefore a differential current source that is capable of detecting any logic state change, i.e. activity, of the flip-flop 12. Therefore, when the input signals I, O to the flip-flop 12 are not equal, i.e. I≠O, only then will a pair of transistors, either P1 and N2 or P2 and N1, be conducting current. Conversely, when the input signals I, O to the flip-flop 12 are equal, i.e. I≠O, none of the transistor pairs P1, N2 or P2, N1 will be conducting and in such a case, the output terminal 40 of the activity monitor 20 exhibits a high output impedance and therefore no current is supplied. Referring to FIG. 5, each of the flip-flops 12a-12e have respective associated activity monitors 20a-20e operatively connected between their respective input and output terminals D, Q. Summing the currents produced by the individual activity monitors 20a-20e can be achieved by connecting their respective output terminals 40 together so as to produce a common output terminal 50, if so required. Again, if a state change occurs within one or more of the flip-flops 12a-12e and either one or both of the logic blocks 14, 16, or a portion thereof, due to an appropriate input stimulus, then this state change will propagate through the circuitry 10. When any of the flip-flops 12a-12e change state, its respective activity monitor 20a-20e, due to its differential mode of operation, produces a respective current. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the amount of current produced by each activity monitor 20a-20e in response to a state change of an associated flip-flop 12a-20e is capable of being independently set and/or controlled to suit a particular application or need. One method of setting the amount of current produced by an activity monitor 20 is by means of the aspect ratios, i.e. the ratio of gate width W to length L, of the transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 which are determined during the design and fabrication stage. Therefore, if a particular activity monitor is expected to indicate the consumption of a relatively large amount of power, because it is associated with monitoring a large portion of circuitry, then it is possible to increase the amount of the current delivered by this activity monitor by adjusting the aspect ratio, typically just the width W, of one or more of its transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2. One possible application where ‘wider’ transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 could be employed would be in connection with the monitoring the switching activity of the clock signal CLK. This can be achieved by adding a dummy flip-flop, not illustrated, whose nQ output, i.e. its inverse logic Q output, is connected to its D input and then monitoring its switching activity, i.e. power consumption, which one would typically expect to be high. One method of controlling the amount of current produced by an activity monitor 20 is by operatively switching in or out additional transistors, not illustrated, that are connected in parallel with the principal transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many techniques may be employed to set and/or control the current produced by individual, or groups of, transistors, P1, P2, N1 and N2. Having the ability to set and/or control the current produced by an activity monitor 20 has advantages. One such advantage is that an activity monitor can have its current output weighted to, for example, the: functionality; size; and/or power consumption, etc; of an associated logic block. Another advantage is that the current from an activity monitor 20 can be set/controlled to overcome parasitic effects associated with its output path 50. The speed of operation/response of an activity monitor 20 is only limited by the time required for its output current to charge any capacitance, parasitic or otherwise, associated with the current path. If such a capacitance is large, due, for example to the length of the current path then one or more current mirrors, not illustrated, may be operatively deployed so as to counteract such a capacitance and hence increase speed/response of operation. This alternative method of overcoming parasitic, i.e. predominantly capacitive, effects can be used either instead of or in addition to the methods of setting and/or controlling the current from an activity monitor 20. One advantage of using an amplifier, such as a current mirror, instead of controlling the current from a series of activity monitors 20, is that the aspect ratios of all the transistors P1, P2, N1 and N2 can be kept to a minimum. On a flip-flop by flip-flop basis, this helps to conserve area and power consumption and dissipation. An advantage, according to the present invention, of constructing an activity monitor using four minimum size transistors can be highlighted as follows. Typically, each D-Type flip-flop is itself constructed from approximately 30 transistors. The area overhead of including a four-transistor activity monitor 20 into a typical D-type flip-flop is therefore 4/30=13.3%, which in itself is not too much of a burden. However, the number of extra transistors included in the majority of applications of an IC design in which activity monitors 20 would typically be used would be in the order of a fraction of the total number of transistors that make up the IC. Having produced a current from one or more of the activity monitors 20a-20e in response to switching activity, it is now possible to convert it to a voltage, if desired, by the use of a current-to-voltage, I/V, transducer. Referring to FIG. 6a, the output terminal 50 of the circuitry 10 is connected to the negative supply rail GND via a resistive element such as a resistor 60, as illustrated, or alternatively an NMOS transistor operating in its linear region, not illustrated. Current flows to the negative supply rail GND via the resistor 60 which produces an output voltage Va across the resistor 60 that is proportional to the current from the activity monitors 20a-20e. Referring now to FIG. 6b, the output terminal 50 of the circuitry 10 is connected to the negative supply rail GND via a capacitor 62. Also illustrated in FIG. 6b is an NMOS transistor N3 that is connected in parallel with the capacitor 62. This transistor N3 acts as a switch that is operatively controlled to discharge, i.e. to reset or initialize, the capacitor 62. Assuming the switch N3 is open, current flowing from the activity monitors 20a-20e integrates and charges the capacitor 62, which results in an output voltage Va across the capacitor 62 that is proportional to the total amount of current sourced from the activity monitors 20a-20e. As soon as the switch N3 is operatively closed, both terminals of the capacitor 62 are connected to the negative supply rail GND, thus discharging the capacitor 62 and typically this event would occur at the beginning of integration, which is usually at the beginning of each clock cycle. When the switch N3 operatively reopens and current flows from the activity monitors 20a-20e, the capacitor 62 again begins to charge up and produces an output voltage Va proportional to the current sourced by the activity monitors 20a-20e. The peak value of the output voltage Va reflects the energy consumed by the circuitry 10 during a given integration time, i.e. during the charging period of the capacitor 62. Transistor N3 may, for example, have its gate terminal connected so as to receive the clock signal CLK. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is desirable to ensure that the output voltage Va is kept below a value which ensures that the transistors P1, P2, N1, N2 are, when conducting, operating in their respective saturation regions. Such operating conditions will be readily appreciated, and can therefore be subsequently tailored to a particular application, by those skilled in the art. Referring now to FIG. 5, the outputs of the activity monitors 20a-20e perform an analog calculation of the Hamming distance between the present logic state of the circuitry 10 and its next logic state. As is known by those skilled in the art, this Hamming distance is correlated with the average power consumption of the circuitry 10. One further advantage of the present invention is that the activity monitors 20a-20e also produce a current in response to switching transients that may occur at the terminals of the flip-flops 12. Therefore, the waveform of the resultant voltage Va at the output terminal 50 of the circuitry 10 also more accurately reflects its transient power consumption on a clock-by-clock basis. The circuitry 10, as illustrated in FIG. 7, has for the purposes of ease of explanation and brevity been broken down into two distinct parts: logic 70 and activity monitor 72. The logic 70 respectively represents all of the exemplary flip-flops 12 and combinational logic 14, 16 within the respective previous figures while the activity monitor 72 respectively represents all of the exemplar individual monitors 20 within the respective previous figures. Also illustrated in FIG. 7 is a controller 74. The controller 74 receives the output voltage Va from the activity monitor 72 and in response, operatively controls the logic 70, either in whole or in part, by altering, whether alone or the various combinations, for example, its: supply voltage; clock frequency; and/or threshold voltage(s). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 7 could, in the case of a large IC, be replicated and distributed throughout various zones of the IC. For example, the logic 70 could have three distinct elements: processing; memory; input/output, wherein each of these three elements could have its own dedicated logic, activity monitor and/or controller. Having disclosed such a variation, other such combinations are easily imaginable and can therefore be adapted to meet the individual specific needs as required. Other advantages of the present invention that will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art relate to power consumption forecasting. Due to the operation of the flip-flops 12, the output signal Va of each of the respective activity monitors 20 gives a measure of a circuit's real power consumption for each clock period. Each output signal Va contains two pieces of useful information. Firstly, it provides information regarding the past, i.e. how many state changes in the associated flip-flops have occurred in the present clock period and secondly, it provides information regarding the future, i.e. how many state changes in the associated flip-flops will be produced in the next clock period. Therefore, the output signal Va of the activity monitor actually predicts the future power consumption, i.e. switching activity, of its associated circuitry before it occurs. Furthermore, situations where a predetermined power level is, is likely to, or has, been exceeded can be detected. From such predictions it is possible to react in advance and initiate some form of strategy in order to increase performance. Another advantage associated with the present invention stems from the fact that the output signal Va of an activity monitor 20 provides a waveform profile, or signature, of the power consumption, including glitching activity, for a given stream of input data. Although not illustrated, such a waveform profile or signature may then be analyzed, either in real time or otherwise, so as to determine for example any abnormalities which do not change the logic behavior of the circuitry in question but that can be potentially dangerous. Furthermore, by recording the output signal Va of an activity monitor such as, for example, the execution of given instructions or a routines, and averaging this data, a measure of the average power consumption associated with this event can be established. This information can then be used by a high level controller 74, for example, to control the circuitry either with hardware and/or software according to the circumstances. Hardware control could typically take the form of switching in and/or out different circuits, or portions thereof. Software control could typically take the form of executing alternative instructions or routines. Referring to FIG. 8, the block diagram illustrates a buffer 80; an activity monitor 72; a sample and hold amplifier 82; a voltage regulator 84; and logic 70. The input data is buffered in a FIFO memory 80, which has operative connections to the activity monitor 72 and the logic 70. The FIFO memory receives input data streams before they are applied to the logic circuitry 70. In this embodiment, the purpose of the FIFO memory 80 is to adapt the average rate of input data to the processing speed of the logic 70. Although not illustrated, each flip-flop, i.e. shift register, in the FIFO memory 80 could also include its own activity monitor 20, so that, by monitoring the FIFO memory 80 activity, information can be obtained regarding the future activity of the logic 70, which for controlling and monitoring power consumption, is advantageous. During each clock period, the output signal Va from the activity monitor 72 is sampled and rescaled to a more appropriate value by a sample and hold amplifier 82. The output signal Vc of the amplifier 82 is applied to the power supply regulator 84, which in response, operatively increases or reduces the supply voltage VDD of the logic 70 in accordance with the signal Vc. The block diagram of FIG. 9 comprises: a microprocessor 90; a summing circuit 92; a comparator 94 and a frequency regulator 96. The microprocessor further comprises a series of functional units FU1-FUN, where N is an integer. These functional units represent for example an ALU; a multiplier; a shifter; a decoder etc., and each of these functional units has, in this particular example, its own corresponding activity monitor AM1-AMN. The output signals of each of the activity monitors AM1-AMN, which is a measure of activity of each of its corresponding functional units over a given period of time, are fed into the summing circuit 92. The summing circuit 92 produces an output signal Va that corresponds to the sum of all of the input signals from the activity monitors. The comparator receives a ‘threshold’ reference signal together with the output signal Va of the summing circuit and the output signal Va from the summing circuit 92 is compared the threshold reference signal. If the accumulated activity, represented by the voltage Va, during N, for example, clock cycles is greater than the threshold voltage signal then the comparators output voltage signal Vb changes state. This state change in the comparator 94 is detected by the frequency regulator 96, which correspondingly regulates the clock signal CLK′ to the microprocessor in an operative manner so as to respond to the output signals of the activity monitors AM1-AMN. The block diagram of FIG. 10 illustrates a buffer 80; an activity monitor 72; an analogue-to-digital converter, including a look-up-table, 100; three switches S1-S3; and logic 70. The input data is buffered in a FIFO memory 80, which has operative connections to the activity monitor 72 and the logic 70. The output signal Va from the activity monitor 72 is fed into an analogue-to-digital converter 100, which also includes a look-up-table, and converted into a digital word. This digital word is then input to the look-up-table which determines the best possible state condition of each of the switches S1, S2 and S3. In this particular illustrative example, each switch S1, S2 and S3 respectively feeds the logic 70 with two possible values: transistor threshold voltage high VtH or transistor threshold voltage low VtL; clock frequency high FH or clock frequency low FL; and supply voltage high VDDH or supply voltage low VDDL. Therefore, according to the measured activity level Va and the contents of the look-up-table, the best combination of supply voltage, transistor threshold voltage and/or clock frequency can be selected via the switches S1-S3. Clearly, it will be apparent from the above description that any or all of the switches S1-S3 could have more than two discrete levels as illustrated. In summary, the activity monitor disclosed in the present invention can be useful in applications where, for example, it is not convenient, or possible, to fix the electronic circuit's working conditions for average power consumption, which can be largely determined from simulation and/or statistical analysis. In such a case, the subject matter of the present invention, which uses a control scheme to adapt these conditions to the changing consumption, becomes advantageous. Furthermore, power consumption and the computational needs of the circuitry often strongly depends on the input data or on the algorithm being executed, and in such a case, some type of trade between speed and power is also advantageous. According to the present invention, the activity monitor's output signal provides information relating to the power consumption during every clock cycle or N, where N is an integer, clock cycles. The information that can be obtained is twofold in certain circumstances. Due to the nature of sequential logic, information can be gathered from the past and towards the future. From the past, such information relates to the number of logic state changes in the flip-flop inputs that have been produced during the present clock cycle, or past N clock cycles. Such information is useful and advantageous since it allows a prediction to be made regarding future power consumption. To the future, such information relates to the number of logic state changes at the flip-flop outputs will be produced during the next clock period. This ability to be able to prediction future logic changes is advantageous when improving power consumption, performance or both. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be capable of designing many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising”, “comprises”, and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

20051123

20081125

20061102

80813.0

G06F100

BAE, JI H

MONITORING AND CONTROLLING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A SEQUENTIAL LOGIC CIRCUIT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G06F

ACCEPTED

Portable communications device

A portable communications device (1) for wearing by a person and for use in conjunction with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone (3) for communicating a signal indicative of the existence of an emergency to a base station comprises a pendant shaped housing (5) within which is located a first interface circuit (12) which comprises a pair of activating switches (14) operable by panic buttons (15) for facilitating inputting a signal to the device (1) indicative of the existence of an emergency. A microprocessor (18) reads signals from the first interface circuit (12) and reads the last determined position of the device from a GPS positioning circuit (8) in the housing (5), and also reads the identity of the device (1), a phone number of the base station to which a message indicative of the emergency is to be communicated and a message indicative of the emergency from a programmable memory (10). The microprocessor (18) prepares an activating signal which comprises the identity and position of the device (1), the phone number of the base station and the message, which is transmitted with a time label through a Bluetooth transmitter/receiver (20) to the mobile phone (3). The activating signal activates the mobile phone (3) to relay the data contained in the activating signal to the base station.

1-59. (canceled) 60. A portable communications device for wearing on a person for communicating a signal indicative of the location of the person to a predetermined location, characterised in that the communications device is operable in conjunction with a wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device for communicating the signal indicative of the location of the person to the predetermined location, and the portable communications device comprises a position determining circuit for communicating with an external electronic positioning system for determining the location of the device, an input interface for receiving an input signal, a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal from the device to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device via a wireless communications link, a microprocessor responsive to an input signal entered through the input interface for reading a signal indicative of the location of the device from the position determining circuit, and for operating the wireless transmitter for transmitting an activating signal to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, the activating signal comprising a signal indicative of the identity of the device and the signal indicative of the location of the device, the activating signal being provided for activating the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device for communicating the signals indicative of the identity and location of the device to the predetermined location via a telecommunications network. 61. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the input interface comprises an activating switch for facilitating inputting of an input signal, and the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal. 62. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 61 characterised in that the activating switch is a bi-state activating switch, and is operable from one of the states to the other for facilitating the inputting of the input signal, and preferably, the bi-state activating switch is stable in one state, and the input signal is inputted through the activating switch by operating the switch from the stable state to the other state, and advantageously, the activating switch is a button operated activating switch. 63. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the input interface comprises a voice signal interface circuit for receiving a voice input signal, the microprocessor being responsive to the voice input signal, and preferably, the voice signal interface circuit comprises a microphone, and advantageously, the voice signal interface circuit comprises a loudspeaker for facilitating bidirectional voice communication with the portable communications device. 64. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that a storing means is provided for storing the identity of the device, and the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal for reading the identity of the device from the storing means, and preferably, the storing means is adapted for storing at least one message for transmission in the activating signal through the wireless transmitter under the control of the microprocessor, and advantageously, the storing means is adapted for storing a plurality of selectable messages, and the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal for selecting at least one of the stored messages for transmission in the activating signal through the wireless transmitter under the control of the microprocessor, and preferably, one of the selectable messages stored in the storing means is an alerting message indicative of an emergency status event. 65. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 64 characterised in that one of the messages stored in the storing means is a message indicative of the nature of the emergency. 66. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 64 characterised in that the storing means is programmable for permitting storing of the messages, and preferably, an input means is provided for inputting data and messages to the storing means, and advantageously, the storing means is adapted for storing data indicative of the destination of the predetermined location, and preferably, the storing means is adapted for storing data indicative of a plurality of predetermined locations. 67. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 66 characterised in that the data indicative of at least one of the predetermined locations which is stored in the storing means is a telephone number of the location. 68. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 66 characterised in that the data indicative of at least one of the predetermined locations which is stored in the storing means is a Uniform Resource Locator of the location, and preferably, the data indicative of at least one of the predetermined locations which is stored in the storing means is an IP address of the location, and advantageously, the wireless transmitter is adapted for facilitating voice communication between the portable communications device and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and preferably, the input interface comprises a wireless receiver for receiving a signal from the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device via a wireless communication link for facilitating reception of an input signal received via the telecommunications network by the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and advantageously, the wireless transmitter and receiver co-operate for facilitating bidirectional communication between the portable communications device and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and preferably, the wireless receiver is adapted for facilitating voice communication between the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device and the portable communications device. 69. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 68 characterised in that data and messages to be stored in the storing means are inputted through the wireless receiver, and the microprocessor is responsive to signals received through the wireless receiver for storing data and messages. 70. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 68 characterised in that the microprocessor is responsive to an interrogation signal received through the wireless receiver for transmitting the signals indicative of the identity and location of the device through the wireless transmitter, and preferably, the wireless receiver is a radio frequency receiver, and advantageously, the wireless transmitter is adapted to communicate with the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device using Bluetooth standard. 71. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the input interface comprises a data interface for acquiring data signals from a patient monitoring device worn by the person, and the microprocessor is responsive to data signals acquired through the data interface, and preferably, the microprocessor time labels at least some of the transmissions through the wireless transmitter with the current time of the transmission, and advantageously, the microprocessor time labels each of the transmissions through the wireless transmitter with the current time of the transmission, and preferably, a visual display means is provided on the portable communications device for displaying data, and advantageously, at least some of the messages to be transmitted are displayed on the visual display means, and preferably, each message to be transmitted is displayed on the visual display means, and advantageously, the microprocessor is responsive to a message received through the wireless receiver for displaying the message on the visual display means, and preferably, the microprocessor is responsive to an input signal received through the input interface for displaying data inputted through the input interface, and advantageously, the visual display means comprises a visual display screen. 72. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the microprocessor controls the telecommunications terminal equipment device for displaying data on a visual display means of the telecommunications terminal equipment device, and preferably, the wireless transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter, and advantageously, the wireless receiver is adapted to communicate with the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device using Bluetooth standard, and preferably, the position determining circuit for communicating with an external electronic positioning system is adapted for communicating with a satellite positioning system for determining the position of the device, and preferably, the position determining circuit for communicating with an external electronic positioning system is adapted for communicating with a terrestrial positioning system for determining the position of the device. 73. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the position determining circuit is adapted for determining the position of the portable communications device from a satellite system with or without supplemental transmissions from a terrestrial positioning system. 74. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the microprocessor is initially responsive to the input signal for operating the wireless transmitter for transmitting a preliminary activating signal to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, the preliminary activating signal comprising a signal indicative of the identity of the device, the activating signal being provided for activating the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device for communicating the signal indicative of the identity of the device to the predetermined location via the telecommunications network, and preferably, the preliminary activating signal comprises the emergency message. 75. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal for operating the wireless transmitter for outputting a homing signal containing the identity of the device for facilitating location of the device. 76. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 75 characterised in that the strength of the homing signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter is stronger than the strength of the activating signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter, and preferably, the homing signal is transmitted under the Bluetooth standard, and preferably, the homing signal is transmitted for a predetermined time period, and advantageously, the homing signal is transmitted at predetermined intervals. 77. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the input interface is adapted for receiving signals from a digital, still or moving camera, optical scanner, fingerprint reader, barcode reader, smart card reader or an environment sensor, and the microprocessor is responsive to input signals received from such devices for transmitting an appropriate message through the wireless transmitter to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and preferably, an audible alarm is provided, and the microprocessor is responsive to an input signal received through the input interface for activating the audible alarm in the event of an input signal indicating the existence of an emergency, and advantageously, the range of the wireless transmitter of the portable communications device lies in the range of 0 metres to 100 metres, and preferably, the range of the wireless transmitter of the portable communications device is approximately 10 metres. 78. A portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 characterised in that the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device with which the portable communications device is adapted to communicate is a mobile phone carried on the person, and preferably, the portable communications device is housed within a housing, and preferably, the housing is a pendant type housing, and the portable communications device is adapted for wearing as a pendant around the neck of a person, wrist, ankle or other convenient location on or in proximity to the person. 79. In combination a portable communications device as claimed in claim 60 and a wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device being adapted for communicating with the portable communications device, and being responsive to an activating signal from the portable communications device for communicating a signal received from the portable communications device to a predetermined location via a telecommunications network, and preferably, the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device is a mobile phone.

The present invention relates to a portable communications device, and in particular, to a portable wireless communications device for location-based telemetry, and personal security applications. Portable communications devices for allowing an individual to summon help in the event of an emergency are well known. Typically, such devices are provided to be worn by a person, and may comprise, for example, a pendant device which can be worn around the neck of the individual. In the event of an emergency, an individual by pressing a button of a button operated switch activates the device for outputting an alarm. The alarm may be an audible alarm, a visual alarm, and in more sophisticated communications devices, the communications device may be adapted for transmitting an alerting signal by means of a radio transmission. More recently the combination of a radio transmitter and a co-located GPS satellite receiver has enabled the precise location of an individual to be determined and to be transmitted by means of a radio signal. However, the functionality of such devices is limited. Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that such devices must communicate over relatively large distances, up to 15 km and greater, it is necessary that a radio frequency transmitter capable of transmitting over such large distances is provided in the device. Additionally, where bidirectional communication is required between the portable communications device and, for example, a base station, a radio frequency receiver is also required, which also must have a capability of receiving transmitted radio signals over a similar distance. Such radio frequency transmitters and receivers tend to be relatively complex and also relatively expensive. Furthermore, such radio frequency transmitters and receivers have a relatively large energy demand, and thus, must be powered by an appropriately sized battery. Thus, such portable communication devices tend to be relatively bulky, and due to the battery requirements tend to be relatively heavy, and are thus, in general, unsuitable for wearing by a person. There is therefore a need for a portable communications device which overcomes the problems of known prior art devices. The present invention is directed towards providing such a portable communications device. According to the invention there is provided a portable communications device for wearing on a person for communicating a signal indicative of the location of the person to a predetermined location, wherein the communications device is operable in conjunction with a wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device for communicating the signal indicative of the location of the person to the predetermined location, and the portable communications device comprises a position determining circuit for communicating with an external electronic positioning system for determining the location of the device, an input interface for receiving an input signal, a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal from the device to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device via a wireless communications link, a microprocessor responsive to an input signal entered through the input interface, for reading a signal indicative of the location of the device from the position determining circuit, and for operating the wireless transmitter for transmitting an activating signal to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, the activating signal comprising a signal indicative of the identity of the device and the signal indicative of the location of the device, the activating signal being provided for activating the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device for communicating the signals indicative of the identity and location of the device to the predetermined location via a telecommunications network. Preferably, the input interface comprises an activating switch for facilitating inputting of an input signal, and the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal. Advantageously, the activating switch is a bi-state activating switch, and is operable from one of the states to the other for facilitating the inputting of the input signal. Ideally, the bi-state activating switch is stable in one state, and the input signal is inputted through the activating switch by operating the switch from the stable state to the other state, and preferably, the activating switch is a button operated activating switch. In another embodiment of the invention the input interface comprises a voice signal interface circuit for receiving a voice input signal, the microprocessor being responsive to the voice input signal. Preferably, the voice signal interface circuit comprises a microphone. Advantageously, the voice signal interface circuit comprises a loudspeaker for facilitating bidirectional voice communication with the portable communications device. In a further embodiment of the invention a storing means is provided for storing the identity of the device, and the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal for reading the identity of the device from the storing means. Preferably, the storing means is adapted for storing at least one message for transmission in the activating signal through the wireless transmitter under the control of the microprocessor. Advantageously, the storing means is adapted for storing a plurality of selectable messages, and the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal for selecting at least one of the stored messages for transmission in the activating signal through the wireless transmitter under the control of the microprocessor. In one embodiment of the invention one of the selectable messages stored in the storing means is an alerting message indicative of an emergency status event. In another embodiment of the invention one of the messages stored in the storing means is a message indicative of the nature of the emergency. In a further embodiment of the invention the storing means is programmable for permitting storing of the messages. Preferably, an input means is provided for inputting data and messages to the storing means. In one embodiment of the invention the storing means is adapted for storing data indicative of the destination of the predetermined location, and preferably, the storing means is adapted for storing data indicative of a plurality of predetermined locations. In one embodiment of the invention the data indicative of at least one of the predetermined locations which is stored in the storing means is a telephone number of the location. In another embodiment of the invention the data indicative of at least one of the predetermined locations which is stored in the storing means is a Uniform Resource Locator of the location. In a further embodiment of the invention the data indicative of at least one of the predetermined locations which is stored in the storing means is an IP address of the location. In one embodiment of the invention the wireless transmitter is adapted for facilitating voice communication between the portable communications device and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device. In another embodiment of the invention the input interface comprises a wireless receiver for receiving a signal from the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device via a wireless communication link for facilitating reception of an input signal received via the telecommunications network by the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device. In another embodiment of the invention the wireless transmitter and receiver co-operate for facilitating bidirectional communication between the portable communications device and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device. In a further embodiment of the invention the wireless receiver is adapted for facilitating voice communication between the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device and the portable communications device. In another embodiment of the invention data and messages to be stored in the storing means are inputted through the wireless receiver, and the microprocessor is responsive to signals received through the wireless receiver for storing data and messages. Preferably, the microprocessor is responsive to an interrogation signal received through the wireless receiver for transmitting the signals indicative of the identity and location of the device through the wireless transmitter. In one embodiment of the invention the wireless receiver is a radio frequency, receiver. In another embodiment of the invention the wireless transmitter is adapted to communicate with the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device using Bluetooth standard. In one embodiment of the invention the input interface comprises a data interface for acquiring data signals from a patient monitoring device worn by the person, and the microprocessor is responsive to data signals acquired through the data interface. Preferably, the microprocessor time labels at least some of the transmissions through the wireless transmitter with the current time of the transmission. Advantageously, the microprocessor time labels each of the transmissions through the wireless transmitter with the current time of the transmission. In another embodiment of the invention a visual display means is provided on the portable communications device for displaying data. Preferably, at least some of the messages to be transmitted are displayed on the visual display means. Advantageously, each message to be transmitted is displayed on the visual display means. In one embodiment of the invention the microprocessor is responsive to a message received through the wireless receiver for displaying the message on the visual display means. Preferably, the microprocessor is responsive to an input signal received through the input interface for displaying data inputted through the input interface. In one embodiment of the invention the visual display means comprises a visual display screen. In another embodiment of the invention the microprocessor controls the telecommunications terminal equipment device for displaying data on a visual display means of the telecommunications terminal equipment device. In another embodiment of the invention the wireless transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter. In a further embodiment of the invention the wireless receiver is adapted to communicate with the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device using Bluetooth standard. In one embodiment of the invention the position determining circuit for communicating with an external electronic positioning system is adapted for communicating with a satellite positioning system for determining the position of the device. In another embodiment of the invention the position determining circuit for communicating with an external electronic positioning system is adapted for communicating with a terrestrial positioning system for determining the position of the device. In a further embodiment of the invention the position determining circuit is adapted for determining the position of the portable communications device from. a satellite GPS system with or without supplemental transmissions from a terrestrial positioning system. In one embodiment of the invention the microprocessor is initially responsive to the input signal for operating the wireless transmitter for transmitting a preliminary activating signal to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, the preliminary activating signal comprising a signal indicative of the identity of the device, the activating signal being provided for activating the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device for communicating the signal indicative of the identity of the device to the predetermined location via the telecommunications network. Preferably, the preliminary activating signal comprises the emergency message. In another embodiment of the invention the microprocessor is responsive to the input signal for operating the wireless transmitter for outputting a homing signal containing the identity of the device for facilitating location of the device. Preferably, the strength of the homing signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter is stronger than the strength of the activating signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter. Advantageously, the homing signal is transmitted under the Bluetooth standard. In one embodiment of the invention the homing signal is transmitted for a predetermined time period, and the homing signal is transmitted at predetermined intervals. In a still further embodiment of the invention the input interface is adapted for receiving signals from a digital, still or moving camera, optical scanner, fingerprint reader, barcode reader, smart card reader or an environment sensor, and the microprocessor is responsive to input signals received from such devices for transmitting an appropriate message through the wireless transmitter to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device. In one embodiment of the invention an audible alarm is provided, and the microprocessor is responsive to an input signal received through the input interface for activating the audible alarm in the event of an input signal indicating the existence of an emergency. Preferably, the range of the wireless transmitter of the portable communications device lies in the range of 0 metres to 100 metres. Advantageously, the range of the wireless transmitter of the portable communications device is approximately 10 metres. In one embodiment of the invention the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device with which the portable communications device is adapted to communicate is a mobile phone carried on the person. In another embodiment of the invention the portable communications device is housed within a housing. Preferably, the housing is a pendant type housing, and the portable communications device is adapted for wearing as a pendant around the neck of a person, wrist, ankle or other convenient location on or in proximity to the person. The invention also provides in combination a portable communications device according to the invention, and a wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device being adapted for communicating with the portable communications device, and being responsive to an activating signal from the portable communications device for communicating a signal received from the portable communications device to a predetermined location via a telecommunications network. In one embodiment of the invention the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device is a mobile phone. The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that the portable communications device according to the invention can be provided as a relatively small, neat and lightweight device, which is particularly suitable for being produced as a pendant, typically of the type which can be worn around the neck of a person. This advantage of the portable communications device according to the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that the portable communications device communicates with a wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and therefore signals, messages and data to be transmitted by the portable communications device over relatively large distances are transmitted over the relatively large distances by the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device. Thus, the portable communications device according to the invention only requires a relatively small, inexpensive, lightweight transmitter suitable for wireless communication between the portable communications device and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device. Since both the portable communications device can be worn or carried on the person; and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device can be a mobile phone, and thus carried by the person, the distance over which the wireless communication is carried out is relatively short, and typically, would not be greater than a few metres, and in general, the wireless communication distance would be less than one metre, and more typically of the order of a half a metre. This, thus, permits the transmitter of the portable communications device to be relatively inexpensive, small and non-complex. Additionally, the energy requirement of such a transmitter is relatively low, thus permitting the portable communications device according to the invention to be powered by a relatively low capacity lightweight battery, thereby permitting the portable communications device to be miniaturised, and provided as a lightweight device. Similarly, where the portable communications device is suitable for bi-directional communication with the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, a relatively inexpensive low power consumption radio frequency receiver can be provided, thus also minimising the energy requirement, size and weight of the portable communications device. Since nowadays the majority of people, including children, carry mobile phones, the portable communications device according to the invention permits a person to be readily easily equipped with a location based telemetry device for personal security applications. A further advantage of the invention is provided when the input interface is provided by an activating switch, and in particular, by a button operated activating switch, since all that is required of an individual in the event of encountering an emergency is to activate the switch by the activating button. Once the switch has been activated, the microprocessor transmits the activating signal which comprises the identity and location of the device to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and where the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device is provided by a mobile phone, either the mobile phone or the portable communications device may include the telephone number of the predetermined location to which the identity and location of the device is to be communicated. This, thus, permits virtually instant communication of an alerting signal to a remotely located base station alerting to the existence and location of the emergency. Initially, it is envisaged that the portable communications device need only output, a signal indicative of the identity of the device and an alerting message indicative of an emergency status event. Such a signal is of intrinsic value, as it will indicate the occurrence of an emergency and the identity of the device corresponding to the person experiencing the emergency. Although, once the initial message containing the identity of the device and the alerting message indicative of an emergency status event being transmitted, the portable communications device would then transmit its identity and location in a separate message to the base station. The advantage of initially transmitting the identity of the device and a message indicative of an emergency status event before transmitting the location of the device is that it would avoid delays in obtaining the location of the device, and would give the base station or other telephone number to whom the message is to be sent prior warning of the existence of an emergency existing, as well as the identity of the device with which the emergency is associated. This would allow the base station to prepare appropriate emergency services and in many cases dispatch the emergency services prior to the actual location of the device being received, since in many cases, the base station would have a rough idea of the location of the device. In its simplest, the portable communications device need only output its identity and location, since the base station would know that the identity and location of the portable communications device would not be transmitted without an emergency existing. However, where the portable communications device is provided with a storing means for storing one or more selectable messages, a person wearing the device can select the message to be transmitted in the event of an emergency or indeed, an incident of another status arising. The provision of the portable communications device according to the invention with a wireless receiver provides the added advantage that the portable communications device can be in bidirectional communication with the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, and in turn with a base station. Thereby, the base station can periodically interrogate the portable communications device as to its current location, in order to monitor the movement of a person wearing the device. Additionally, where the portable communications device is provided with a storing means, the identity of a plurality of predetermined locations to which one or more selectable stored messages are to be communicated can be stored, and thus, in the event of an emergency or an event of another status arising, the activating signal transmitted by the portable communications device to the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device can comprise the identity, for example, the one or more telephone numbers of the predetermined locations to which the message is to be communicated, and the wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device on receiving the activating signal can thus communicate the message or messages to the appropriate locations via the telecommunications network. The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block representation of a portable communications device according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the portable communications device of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the portable communications device of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the portable communications device in use, FIG. 5 is a block representation of a portable communications device according to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the portable communications device of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the portable communications device of FIG. 5, and FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate a flow chart of a sub-routine of a computer programme under which the operation of the portable communications device of FIG. 5 is controlled. Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 to 4, there is illustrated a portable communications device according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, which is provided in the form of a pendant 2, which is suitable for wearing around the neck, wrist, ankle or any other convenient location on a person. The portable communications device 1 is operable in conjunction with a wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device, in this embodiment of the invention a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone 3, for communicating a signal, which in this case is a message to one or more predetermined locations, one of which is a remote base station (not shown) over a telecommunications network through which the mobile phone 3 is adapted to communicate. As will be described below, the portable communications device 1 is adapted for bidirectional wireless communication with the mobile phone 3, and in this case the bidirectional wireless communication between the portable communications device 1 and the mobile phone 3 is in accordance with the Bluetooth standard. The message typically is a message indicating the existence of an emergency, and indicating that the person wearing the device requires assistance. Typically, the base station would be appropriately manned, and would arrange for appropriate assistance to be dispatched to the person. The particulars contained in the message outputted by the portable communications device 1 through the mobile phone 3 will be described below, however, as a minimum, each message includes the identity of the portable communications device 1 or the individual wearing the device, and the current or last determined location of the device 1 with a time label. The portable communications device 1 comprises a housing 5 of plastics material and of pendant shape. An eye bracket 7 extending from the housing 5 accommodates a chain (not shown) or other ligature for facilitating wearing of the portable communications device 1 by a person. Referring now in particular to FIG. 1, the portable communications device 1 comprises a position determining circuit, in this embodiment of the invention a GPS positioning circuit 8 which receives signals through a GPS antenna 9 from a GPS satellite navigation system for determining the location of the device 1. The GPS positioning circuit 8 also receives signals from a terrestrial positioning system for determining the location of the portable communications device 1. The GPS positioning circuit 8 periodically determines the position of the device 1 from the signals received from the GPS satellite navigation system and the terrestrial positioning system. The GPS positioning circuit 8 stores the last determined position of the portable communications device 1 until the next position has been determined. A programmable memory 10 stores a plurality of selectable messages in digital format which may be selected for transmission to the mobile phone 3 for subsequent communication to the base station. The messages may be any desired message, but typically, would be indicative of an emergency and other events in which a person wearing the portable communications device 1 is likely to find himself or herself, so that the appropriate message can be selected. One type of message may, for example, be a message indicative of the existence of an emergency, and another type of message may be indicative of the nature of the emergency. In this embodiment of the invention the programmable memory 10 is programmable through the mobile phone 3 as will be described below. The programmable memory 10 also stores the identity of one or more of the predetermined locations to which a message or messages are to be communicated by the mobile phone 3 via the telecommunications network. The identity of the locations, including that of the base station are stored as telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and/or Uniform Resource Locator or IP addresses. The identity of the portable communications device I is also stored in the programmable memory 10. The identity of the programmable communications device 1 may be a unique code suitable for identifying the portable communications device 1, or it may be the identity of the person who is wearing the device 1, and may be stored for reproduction as a text message or a voice message. An input interface through which input signals are inputted into the portable communications device 1 comprises four interface circuits. One of the interface circuits is a first interface circuit 12 which is responsive to an input signal inputted through either one or both of a pair of activating bi-state switches 14 which are button operated by a pair of corresponding panic buttons 15 located in the housing 5. Each bi-state switch 14 is stable in an open circuit state, and on the corresponding panic button 15 being depressed into the housing 5, the corresponding activating switch 14 is operated from its stable open circuit state to an unstable closed circuit state for providing the input signal to the first interface circuit 12 from a battery 17 of the portable communications device 1. A microprocessor 18 is responsive to an input signal from either one or both of the activating switches 14 through the first interface circuit 12 for transmitting an activating signal to the mobile phone 3 for communicating a message or messages to the base station as will be described below. The activating signal comprises the data which is to be communicated to the base station, the telephone number of the base station and a signal to initiate the setting up of a phone call by the mobile phone to base station. A time label is also attached to each activating signal. A Bluetooth transmitter/receiver 20 with a transmission and receiving range of approximately ten metres is operable under the control of the microprocessor 18 for providing bidirectional wireless communication between the device 1 and the mobile phone 3. The transmitter/receiver 20 comprises a transmitter 21, which operates to the Bluetooth standard and a receiver 22 which also operates to the Bluetooth standard. In response to an input signal being inputted through one or both of the activating switches 14, the microprocessor reads the identity of the portable communications device 1 from the programmable memory 10, the telephone number of the base station from the programmable memory 10 and the message to be transmitted from the programmable memory 10. The microprocessor 18 also reads the current or last determined position of the portable communications device 1 from the GPS positioning circuit 8. The microprocessor 18 assembles the identity of the device 1, the telephone number of the base station, the message to be communicated to the base station and the current or last determined position of the device 1 into an activating signal, which is also time labelled, which is then under the control of the microprocessor 18 transmitted to the mobile phone 3 through the transmitter 21. The mobile phone 3 is responsive to the activating signal received from the portable communications device 1 for transmitting the data embedded in the activating signal, namely, the identity and location of the portable communications device 1, the message and the time label to the base station. The mobile phone 3 on receipt of the activating signal dials the number of the base station to which the data is to be communicated; to establish a phone call. On the phone call being established, the data is communicated from the mobile phone 3 to the base station. The receiver 22 of the transmitter/receiver 20 as well as facilitating bidirectional communication between the portable communications device 1 and the mobile phone 3, also acts as an input interface, in other words, a second interface for facilitating inputting of an input signal to the portable communications device 1 received through the mobile phone 3. In this embodiment of the invention one input signal which may be inputted through the receiver 22 is an interrogation signal from the base station for requesting the current location of the device 1. The interrogation signal is communicated over the telecommunications network to the mobile phone 3, and in turn transmitted via a Bluetooth communications link by the mobile phone 3 to the device 1 for reception by the receiver 22. The microprocessor 18 is responsive to an interrogation signal from the base station for reading the signal indicative of the last determined position of the portable communications device 1 from the GPS positioning circuit 8, and the identity of the device 1 from the programmable memory 10, transmitting a signal to the mobile phone 3 indicative of the identity and location of the portable communications device 1 with a time label through the transmitter 21, for relaying by the mobile phone 3 to the base station. The input interface in this embodiment of the invention also comprises a third interface circuit 23 and a microphone/loudspeaker 24 for facilitating entry of a voice input signal to the portable communications device 1. The microprocessor 18 is responsive to a voice input signal, for example, a scream or a shout from the person wearing the portable communications device 1, in the same way as it is responsive to inputting of an input signal through one or both of the activating switches 14. By entering an appropriate input signal through the activating switches 14, bi-directional voice communication through the microphone/loudspeaker 24 and the third interface circuit 23 can be established via the transmitter/receiver 20 under the control of the microprocessor 18 for facilitating bidirectional voice communication through the mobile phone 3 with the base station or another location with which a telephone call has been established by the mobile phone 3. For example, by operating the activating switches 14 in an appropriate sequence, bi-directional voice communication through the portable communications device 1 and the mobile phone 3 with the base station or other location could be established. Additionally, bi-directional communication may be established with the portable communications device 1 by the base station or another location through the mobile phone 3. Additionally, in this embodiment of the invention the input interface comprises a fourth interface circuit 25 and a corresponding I/O port 27 for facilitating acquisition of data from another electronic device such as a patient monitoring device (not shown) to the portable communications device 1. Such data may, for example, be digital or analogue data from the patient monitoring device, which, for example, may monitor the heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar level and the like of the person wearing the portable communications device. Typically, the patient monitoring device (not shown) may be of the type which would output an alerting signal in the event of the parameter of the person being monitored exceeding an upper predetermined level or falling below a lower predetermined level, and the microprocessor 18 would be programmed to be responsive to such a signal for transmitting an activating signal to the mobile phone 3 similar to that transmitted in response to the input signal entered through one or both of the activating switches 14; However, in this case a message or messages would be read by the microprocessor 18 from the programmable memory 10 corresponding to the relevant parameter for transmission with the activating signal to the mobile phone. Where the portable communications device 1 is to be used in conjunction with a patient monitoring device, appropriate messages would be stored in the programmable memory 10. The microprocessor 18 may also be programmed for periodically polling the patient monitoring device for reading data therefrom, and the microprocessor 18 would compare the read data with corresponding predetermined upper and lower levels for the parameters being monitored by the patient monitoring device. Such predetermined upper and lower levels would be stored in the programmable memory 10. In the event of a signal read from the patient monitoring device indicative of a particular parameter falling outside the predetermined upper and lower levels, the microprocessor 18 would read an appropriate message, the identity of the device 1 and the telephone number of the base station from the programmable memory 10, read a signal indicative of the last determined position of the device i from the GPS positioning circuit 8 and prepare an activating signal for transmission to the mobile phone 3. The microprocessor 18 would then transmit the activating signal to the mobile phone 3 containing the identity and location of the device 1, the message read from the programmable memory 10, the telephone number of the base station and a time label for communication to the base station. It is also envisaged that if the patient monitoring device was provided with the capability of communicating under the Bluetooth standard, communications between the portable communications device 1 and the patient monitoring device could be through the transmitter/receiver 20 of the portable communications device 1. A visual display means, namely, a visual display screen 28 is provided in the housing 5 for facilitating displaying data which may be data inputted by the individual through one or both of the activating switches 14 for communicating through the mobile phone 3 to the base station or other location. Additionally, the data displayed on the visual display screen 28 may be data from the patient monitoring device (not shown). The data displayed on the visual display screen 28 may also be a message from the base station to the person wearing the device. In this embodiment of the invention, the microprocessor 18 is programmed to be responsive to a particular sequence of operation of the activating switches 14 for scrolling the messages stored in the programmable memory 10 on the visual display screen 28, so that a message could be selected by operating one or both of the activating switches 14 at an appropriate time while the message is displayed on the screen. The selected message would then be transmitted with an activating signal under the control of the microprocessor 18 to the mobile phone 3 for communication to the base station or other selected location. Additionally, by appropriately operating the activating switches 14, data in the form of text may be inputted through the first interface circuit 12 which would be displayed on the visual display screen 28 prior to being transmitted under the control of the microprocessor 18 through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3 for communication over the telecommunications network to the base station or other selected location. The battery 17 as well as providing power for the input signals inputted through the activating switches 14 also powers the portable communications device 1 and its circuitry and components. A battery test button operated switch 30 located in the housing 5 co-operates with the microprocessor 18 and the battery 17 for testing the current state of the battery 17. A cancel button operated switch 31 also provided in the housing 5 co-operates with the first interface circuit 12 and the microprocessor 18 for cancelling inadvertently entered input signals through the first and third interface circuits 12 and 23. In use, the portable communications device 1 is operable under the control of the microprocessor 18. Initially, messages which are to be transmitted by the portable communications device 1, if they are not already stored in the programmable memory 10, are entered into the programmable memory 10 through a mobile phone. Bluetooth communication is set up between the mobile phone 3 and the portable communications device 1 through the transmitter/receiver 20, and the microprocessor 18 is operated in a mode for storing messages transferred from the mobile phone 3 through the transmitter/receiver 20 in the programmable memory 10. The identity of the device 1 or that of the person who will wear the device 1 is also entered through the mobile phone and stored in the programmable memory 10. The identity of the device 1 may be stored as an identity code, and if the identity of a person is being stored, the name, address and telephone number of the person may be stored. The telephone number of the base station, and any other locations to which messages from the portable communications device 1 are to be communicated are also entered through the mobile phone and stored in the programmable memory 10. Once the messages, identity of the device 1 or the person who would be wearing the device 1, and the telephone number of the base station, and any other telephone numbers to which messages are to be communicated have been stored in the programmable memory 10, the portable communications device 1 is ready for use. A person wishing to use the portable communications device 1 wears the portable communications device 1 on their person, for example, by wearing it on a chain around their neck, and also carrying a mobile phone 3 which is switched on. Once powered up, the GPS positioning circuit 8 at the predetermined intervals reads and stores its position from a GPS satellite navigation system and/or a terrestrial positioning system. The microprocessor 18 reads the first, third and fourth interface circuits 12, 23 and 25 and on receipt of an input from any one of the three interface circuits, appropriate action is taken. In the event of the person wearing the portable communications device 1 finding themselves in an emergency situation, the person depresses one or both of the panic buttons 15 of the activating switches 14. If the signal inputted through one or both of the activating switches 14 is a single pulse switch without giving an indication of the nature of the emergency, the microprocessor 18 reads one of the stored messages from the programmable memory 10 which merely indicates the presence of an emergency without identifying the type of emergency. The microprocessor 18 also reads the identity of the portable communications device 1 and the telephone number of the base station and the telephone number or numbers of any other locations to which the emergency message is to be transmitted from the programmable memory 10. The microprocessor 18 also reads the last determined position of the portable communications device 1 from the GPS positioning circuit 8. The microprocessor 18 then prepares an activating signal which comprises the identity of the portable communications device 1, the message and the telephone number or telephone numbers to which the message is to be transmitted, which have been read from the programmable memory 10. The activating signal also contains the last determined position of the device read from the GPS positioning circuit 8. The microprocessor 18 then transmits the activating signal with a time label through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3. On receipt of the activating signal, the mobile phone 3 dials the number or numbers to which the data contained in the activating signal is to be communicated over the telecommunications network, and transmits the data. The message indicating the existence of the emergency read from the programmable memory 10 may be a voice message or a text message. Similarly, the identity of the portable communications device 1 may be stored in voice or text form. On the other hand, if by virtue of the sequence in which the activating switches 14 are operated by the panic buttons 15 to indicate the nature of the emergency, the microprocessor 18 reads the appropriate message from the programmable memory 10. Thereafter the microprocessor 18 operates in similar fashion as has just been described and transmits an activating signal through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3, which contains the identity and location of the portable communications device 1, the message read from the programmable memory 10 and the telephone number or numbers to which the data is to be communicated by the mobile phone 3. In the event that the signal received by the third interface circuit 23 is indicative of a scream or a shout having been detected, the microprocessor 18 prepares and transmits an activating signal to the mobile phone 3 which contains data similar to that already described, including the identity and location of the device, an appropriate message, which in this case, would be a message which would only indicate the existence of an emergency without identifying the nature of the emergency, and the telephone number or telephone numbers to which the data in the activating signal is to be transmitted, and the activating signal would be time labelled. If a patient monitoring device is coupled to the portable communications device 1 through the I/O port 27, depending on the type of patient monitoring device, the s microprocessor 18 will read signals from the patient monitoring device, and in the event of the patient monitoring device indicating that a parameter being monitored is outside the predetermined levels, the microprocessor 18 prepares an appropriate activating signal which is transmitted to the mobile phone 3 through the transmitter/receiver 20. If the portable communications device 1 is coupled to a patient monitoring device, in general, appropriate messages which would be required to be transmitted in the event of a monitored parameter falling outside the predetermined levels would be stored in the programmable memory 10. Thus, in the event of a signal from the patient monitoring device being received by the microprocessor 18, the microprocessor 18 assembles an activating message similar to those already described, which would include the identity and location of the device 1, a message read from the programmable memory 10 indicating the nature of the parameter which is outside the predetermined levels and the telephone number or numbers to which the message is to be relayed by the mobile phone 3. The activating signal would then be transmitted through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3. Alternatively, if the microprocessor 18 is programmed to compare signals read from the patient monitoring device with upper and lower predetermined levels, at predetermined intervals the microprocessor 18 would read signals from the patient monitoring device which would then be compared by the microprocessor 18 with the predetermined upper and lower levels stored in the programmable memory 10. If any read parameter fell outside the appropriate predetermined upper and lower levels, the microprocessor 18 would assemble an appropriate activating signal which would be transmitted through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3. The activating signal would include the identity and location of the portable communications device 1, the message read from the programmable memory 10 and the phone number or phone numbers to which the data is to be relayed by the mobile phone 3. The activating signal would be time labelled. If appropriate, in the event that signals received from the patient monitoring device do not represent a situation for which the immediate transmission of a message to the base station or to other locations is appropriate, the signals read from the patient monitoring device are stored by the microprocessor 18 in the programmable memory 10 for subsequent onward transmission, for example, when the portable communications device 1 is polled by the base station for the data from the patient monitoring device. On being activated in response to an emergency signal inputted through the first, third or fourth interface circuits, the microprocessor 18 at predetermined intervals outputs activating signals to the mobile phone 3 through the transmitter/receiver 20, each of which contains the identity and last determined position of the device, the emergency message, the phone number of the base station or other phone numbers to which the data is to be communicated, and a time label, so that the movement of the device, and in turn the person wearing the device can be monitored by the base station. Additionally, the base station at predetermined intervals polls the portable communications device 1 through the mobile phone 3 with an interrogation signal interrogating the portable communications device 1 as to its current position. On receipt of an interrogation signal, the microprocessor 18 reads the last determined position from the GPS positioning circuit 8 and also reads its identity from the programmable memory 10, and transmits its identity and location along with a time label through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3 for relaying to the base station. If desired, bi-directional communication may be established between the portable communications device 1 and the base station or other locations, and the bi-directional communication is established by the microprocessor 18 in response to the operation of the activating switches 14 by the panic buttons 15 in a predetermined sequence. Bi-directional communication may be via voice through the microphone/loudspeaker 24, or via text messaging. However, since the portable communications device 1 is not provided with a keypad, the text messages which would be transmitted by the portable communications device 1 would be those stored in the programmable memory 10, and an appropriate message would be selected by operating the microprocessor 18 through an appropriate sequence of operation of the activating switches 14 to scroll the messages stored in the programmable memory 10 on the visual display screen 28. The appropriate message would be selected by the activating switches 14 for transmission through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3. Text messages received from the base station or elsewhere through the mobile phone 3 and the transmitter/receiver 20 would be displayed under the control of the microprocessor 18 on the visual display screen 28. Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, there is illustrated a portable communications device according to another embodiment of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 40, for use in conjunction with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, similar to the mobile phone 3 for communicating a signal indicative of the existence of an emergency to a base station. The portable communications device 40 is also adapted for receiving polling interrogation signals from the base station and responding thereto. The portable communications device 40 is substantially similar to the portable communications device 1 and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. However, in this embodiment of the invention the portable communications device 40 is not provided with third and fourth interface circuits. The position determining circuit is a positioning circuit 8, which establishes the position of the device 1 by interrogating the GPS or other in-built positioning circuitry of the mobile phone 3. In the event of the mobile phone 3 not having suitable in-built circuitry for determining its current location, the positioning circuit 8 establishes the position of the device 40 by interrogating the telecommunications network with which the mobile phone 3 is in communication, through the mobile phone 3. The programmable memory 10 in this embodiment of the invention stores the identity of the device, and two messages. One of the messages is indicative of the existence of an emergency, and typically, would include appropriate words, for example, “help”, “an emergency exists” or the like, and a test message for testing that the device 40 is operational. Additionally, the programmable memory 10 stores a plurality of telephone numbers of the destination of locations to which the emergency message is to be transmitted. Typically, not more than three telephone numbers will be stored in the programmable memory. The first telephone number will be that of either the national emergency service or a base station, and in some cases both the national emergency service and the base station telephone numbers may be stored. However, where both are stored, the national emergency service will always be stored first and will always be the first telephone number to be retrieved, and the base station telephone number will be the next telephone number to be retrieved. The next telephone number will be the next most important number, for example, the home of the individual or the telephone number of the most important contact person for the person wearing the device 40, and perhaps one further telephone number may be stored, for example, that of a friend. However, for ease of description, it will be assumed that the telephone numbers stored in the programmable memory 10 are those of the base station, the home of the person wearing the device and a friend, and the telephone numbers are stored in that order and will be retrieved in that order by the microprocessor 18. The first interface circuit 12 comprises two activating switches 14, which are similar to the activating switches 14 of the device 1, and which are operable by the corresponding pair of panic buttons 15. However, in this embodiment of the invention the operation of the activating switches 14 for inputting an input signal for alerting to the existence of an emergency is different to that of the activating switches 14 of the device 1. To guard against false alarms, in this embodiment of the invention the first interface circuit 12 is only responsive to the two activating switches 14 being in the closed circuit state simultaneously for providing the input signal to the microprocessor 18 indicative of an emergency. Additionally, the interface circuit is responsive to the duration for which the two activating switches 14 are held in the closed circuit state for providing the input signal. For so long as the two activating switches 14 are held in the closed circuit state, the first interface circuit 12 provides the input signal to the microprocessor 18. The microprocessor 18 is responsive to the duration of the input signal. If the input signal is a long duration signal, typically, of duration greater than six seconds, the microprocessor 18 interprets this signal as indicating an emergency of top priority status. If the input signal provided by the first interface circuit 12 is a short duration signal, typically of duration of three seconds or less, the microprocessor 18 interprets this signal as being of an emergency of lesser status than the top priority status emergency indicated by the long duration input signal. On the operation of the activating switches resulting in a short duration input signal, indicating a lesser status emergency, the microprocessor 18 is responsive to the shorter duration input signal for preparing the activating signal to include the identity and location of the device and the emergency message, and for transmitting the activating signal to the mobile phone, for communicating the data in the activating signal to all the telephone numbers in the programmable memory 10, with the exception of the first stored number, namely, the telephone number of the base station. However, in this embodiment of the invention, as will be described with reference to FIG. 8, instead of sending one activating signal to the mobile phone containing all the telephone numbers, the microprocessor 18 includes one telephone number in each activating signal, and retransmits the activating signal with the telephone number in each retransmission changed to the next telephone number until the data in the activating signal has been communicated to all the telephone numbers to which the data should be communicated. This is described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 8. Alternatively, if the input signal read by the microprocessor 18 is a long duration signal, the microprocessor 18 includes the first stored telephone number in the programmable memory 10, namely, the number of the base station as well as all the other numbers in the list of telephone numbers to which the identity and location of the device and the emergency message are to be communicated. The telephone s number of the base station heads the list of telephone numbers, so that the data in the activating signal is first communicated to the base station and then subsequently to the remaining telephone numbers in the order in which they are stored in the programmable memory 10. However, in this embodiment of the invention prior to preparing the activating signals which include the identity and location of the device and the emergency message and the respective telephone numbers, the microprocessor 18 initially prepares preliminary activating signals which include the identity of the device and the emergency message as well as the respective telephone numbers to which the emergency message is to be communicated by the mobile phone, and the preliminary activating signals are transmitted to the mobile phone 3 through the transmitter 21 of the transmitter/receiver 20. While the data embedded in the preliminary activating signals is being communicated by the mobile phone 3 to the respective numbers to which it is to be communicated, the microprocessor 18 reads the last determined location of the device from the positioning circuit 8, and if the last stored position is not a recently stored position, the microprocessor activates the positioning circuit 8 in order to determine the current location of the device 40. On the current or the last determined location of the device 40 being read from the positioning circuit 8, the microprocessor 18 then commences to prepare the activating signals which include the identity and location of the device and the emergency message, as well as the respective telephone numbers to which the data in the activating signal is to be communicated by the mobile phone 3. Activating signals are sequentially prepared by the microprocessor 18 each with the next telephone number to which the message is to be communicated by the mobile phone 3. The advantage of programming the microprocessor 18 to prepare preliminary activating signals which include the identity of the device and the emergency message and transmitting these preliminary activating signals to the mobile phone 3 prior to preparing the activating signals which comprise the identity and location of the device as well as the emergency message is that an indication can be quickly s given to the base station if appropriate, and the other mobile phone numbers that an emergency exists, so that those receiving the message can prepare to take appropriate action as soon as the location of the device has been confirmed by the data in the activating signals. Thus, delays which may occur in determining the precise location of the device 40 from the positioning circuit 8 will not, in general, delay implementation of the necessary action to deal with the emergency, since, in general, the approximate location of the person wearing the device 40 should be known. Each preliminary activating signal and each activating signal transmitted by the device 40 is time labelled by the microprocessor 18. Additionally, in order to facilitate the emergency services homing in on the device 40, and in turn the person, at predetermined intervals once the activating signals have been transmitted by the device 40, the microprocessor 18 operates the transmitter 21 of the transmitter/receiver 20 to operate at a higher power level to transmit a homing signal for predetermined periods at predetermined intervals for facilitating homing in on the device 40. The homing signal is transmitted for a duration between the time the last of the activating signals has been transmitted and the time the device is about to transmit the next set of activating signals. In other words, the homing signals are transmitted during time periods B, which are described below with reference to block 88 of FIG. 8. The transmitter 21 is operated at a sufficient power level to provide reception of the homing signal within a radius of approximately 100 metres. The homing signal is transmitted as a Bluetooth signal and includes the identity of the device, so that the rescue services with appropriate equipment can receive the signal, and thus can home in on the homing signal which includes the identity of the device, and thus can home in on the device 40. Instead of a visual display screen, a light emitting diode 43 is provided in the housing 5 of the device 40 for indicating the success or otherwise of the mobile phone 3 in sending the data embedded in the preliminary activating signals and the activating signals. Referring now to FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) a flow chart of a sub-routine of a computer programme which controls the microprocessor 18 in response to the two activating switches 14 being operated in the closed position simultaneously as a result of an emergency existing will now be described. Block 60 starts the sub-routine, and the sub-routine moves to block 61, which checks if the two activating switches 14 are simultaneously in the closed state, and the time duration for which the two activating switches 14 are in the closed state. If it is determined that the input signal is a long duration signal resulting from the two activating switches 14 being in the closed state for the long duration period, which indicates a top priority emergency, the sub-routine moves to block 62. Block 62 reads the identity of the device and the emergency message as well as the telephone number of the base station stored in the programmable memory 10 and prepares a preliminary activating signal which includes the identity of the device 40, the emergency message and the telephone number of the base station. The sub-routine then moves to block 63, which transmits the prepared preliminary activating signal through the transmitter 21 of the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone 3. Block 63 also checks with the mobile phone 3 if the data in the preliminary activating signal has been sent to the base station, and if so, block 63 causes the microprocessor 18 to power the light emitting diode 43 to indicate that the data has been sent to the base station, and the sub-routine moves to block 64, which will be described below. On the other hand, should block 63 determine from the mobile phone 3 that the data was not successfully transmitted by the mobile phone 3, the sub-routine moves to block 65, which determines an error message, and causes the microprocessor 18 to pulse the light emitting diode 43 to indicate failure of the transmission of the data by the mobile phone 3. The sub-routine then moves to block 64. On the other hand, if block 61 determines that the input signal is a short duration signal resulting from the activating switches 14 being simultaneously in the closed state for the short duration time period only, which indicates a lesser status emergency, the sub-routine moves to block 68. Block 68 reads the identity of the device and the emergency message from the programmable memory 10 and prepares part of the preliminary activating signal to be transmitted. However, block 68 does not read the telephone number of the base station from the programmable memory 10. After the activating signal has been partly prepared by block 68 to include the identity of the device and the emergency message, the sub-routine moves to block 64. Block 64 checks if a predetermined time period, typically, ten seconds has elapsed since the activating switches 14 were first activated, and also checks if the cancel button operated switch 31 has been activated. If so, the sub-routine deems that the alarm was a false alarm, and returns to block 60. On the other hand, if block 64 determines that the cancel button operated switch 31 has not been activated, the sub-routine moves to block 70. Block 70 reads the next telephone number from the programmable memory 10, which if this is the first pass of the sub-routine is the telephone number immediately after that of the base station, and would be that of the home of the person. The telephone number read from the programmable memory 10 by block 70 is incorporated in the preliminary activating signal by block 70, and block 70 also operates the transmitter 21 of the transmitter/receiver 20 for transmitting the preliminary activating signal to the mobile phone 3. Block 71 checks with the mobile phone 3 to ascertain if the data in the preliminary activating signal has been sent to the number in the preliminary activating signal, and if so, the microprocessor 18 is operated to power the light emitting diode 43 for a predetermined period of time, to indicate that the data was sent. The sub-routine is then moved to block 72, which will be described below. On the other hand, should block 71 determine from the mobile phone 3 that the data was not sent by the mobile phone 3, the sub-routine moves to block 74, which determines an error message, and causes the microprocessor 18 to pulse the light emitting diode 43 to indicate failure of the transmission of the data by the mobile phone 3. The sub-routine then moves to block 72. Block 72 checks if either the preliminary activating signals or the activating signals, as the case may be, which are being transmitted, have been transmitted by the device 40, and if so, the sub-routine moves to block 75. In other words, block 72 checks if either the preliminary activating signal or the activating signal, as the case may be, has been sent to the last telephone number stored in the programmable memory 10. If block 72 determines that the preliminary activating signal or the activating signal, as the case may be, has not been sent to the last of the telephone numbers stored in the programmable memory 10, the sub-routine is returned to block 64. Block 75 checks if this is the first pass of the sub-routine, and if so, the sub-routine moves to block 76. Block 76 operates the microprocessor 18 to read the co-ordinates of the last determined position of the device 40 from the positioning circuit 8, and moves to block 77. Block 77 checks if the co-ordinates read from the positioning circuit 8 are up to date co-ordinates, and if so, the sub-routine moves to block 78, which prepares the activating signal, which contains the identity of the device 40, the co-ordinates of the location of the device 40 and the emergency message. The sub-routine is then moved to block 83. Block 83 again checks if the original input signal was a long duration input signal or a short duration input signal, and if the input signal was a long duration signal, the sub-routine is returned to block 63. Otherwise, the sub-routine is returned to block 64. Block 63 transmits the prepared activating signal to the base station, and proceeds as already described. Block 64 also proceeds as already described, and the sub-routine then moves to block 70, which incorporates the next telephone number stored in the programmable memory 10 into the prepared activating signal, and proceeds as already described. On the other hand, if block 77 determines that the co-ordinates obtained by block 76 are not the up to date co-ordinates, the sub-routine moves to block 79, which interrogates the mobile phone 3 in order to obtain the up to date co-ordinates of the position of the mobile phone 3 from the position determining circuitry of the mobile phone 3, if the mobile phone 3 is provided with such position determining circuitry. The sub-routine then moves to block 80, which checks if block 79 has obtained the up to date co-ordinates of the location of the mobile phone 3. If so, the sub-routine moves to block 78, which has already been described. On the other hand, if block 80 determines that block 79 has not obtained the up to date co-ordinates from the mobile phone 3, the sub-routine moves to block 81 which operates the positioning circuit 8 to interrogate the terrestrial system of the communications network through the mobile phone 3 to obtain the up to date co-ordinates of the location of the mobile phone 3, and in turn the location of the device 40. The sub-routine then moves to block 82. Block 82 checks if block 81 has obtained the up to date co-ordinates of the location of the mobile phone 3, and if so, the sub-routine moves to block 78, which has already been described. Otherwise, the sub-routine moves to block 83, which has already been described. On the other hand, should block 75 determine that this is not the first pass of the sub-routine resulting from this present emergency, the sub-routine moves to block 85. Block 85 checks if the cancel button operated switch 31 has been activated to indicate a false alarm, and if so, the sub-routine returns to block 60. Otherwise, the sub-routine is moved to block 86. Block 86 operates the microprocessor 18 to output the homing signal which includes the identity of the device 40 through the transmitter 21 of the transmitter/receiver 20, and to operate the transmitter 20 in a high power mode in order that the range of the homing signal is maximised, and preferably, can be picked up from the device 40 within a range of approximately 100 metres. This facilitates the rescue services, who would have appropriate receiving equipment to receive the homing signal which identifies the device 40 and to home in on the device 40. After the homing signal has been transmitted for the predetermined time period, the sub-routine moves to block 87. Block 87 checks if a time period A has elapsed. The time period A would be a total time period from the time the activating switches 14 have been operated into the closed state for the first time, during which the device 40 would operate in this sub-routine in the event of an emergency, and typically, would be approximately three hours. It is anticipated that any emergency arising would be dealt with within a three-hour time period from the time the activating switches 14 are first operated into the closed state. If block 87 determines that the time period A has elapsed, the sub-routine is returned to block 60. On the other hand, if block 87 determines that the time period A has not elapsed, the sub-routine moves to block 88, which checks if a time period B has elapsed since the last activating signal was transmitted. The time period B may be any time period, but typically, would be in the order of half an hour, although it may be considerably less. If block 88 determines that the time period B has elapsed, the sub-routine is returned to block 76, which reads the co-ordinates of the location of the device from the positioning circuit 8 and proceeds as appropriate through blocks 77 to 78 and in turn to block 83, and so on for transmitting again the identity of the device, the co-ordinates of the location of the device and the emergency message to each of the phone numbers to which this data should be transmitted, in order to update the individuals who are to receive the message of the current position of the device, in order to help track the movement of the device 40. On the other hand, if block 88 determines that the time period B has not elapsed since the last transmission of the activating signals to the telephone numbers, the sub-routine returns to block 85, which has already been described. Additionally, the device 40 is also responsive to being polled by the base station, and on being polled by the base station, the microprocessor 18 reads the last determined position of the device 40 from the positioning circuit 8 and reads the identity of the device 40 from the programmable memory 10, and transmits the identity and location of the portable communications device 40 with a time label to the mobile phone 3, which in turn communicates the data to the base station via the telecommunications network. While the portable communications device of FIGS. 1 to 4 has been described as comprising a position determining circuit which is a GPS positioning circuit which also has a facility for utilising a terrestrial positioning system for determining the position of the device, any other suitable position determining circuit may be provided. Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that a position determining circuit which would rely solely on one or more terrestrial positioning systems may be used. It will also be appreciated that the position determining circuit may rely on other satellite positioning systems besides a GPS satellite navigation system, or may rely solely on a satellite positioning system for determining the position of the device. Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the portable communications devices have been described as being communicable with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, the portable communications devices may be communicable with any other type of wireless enabled mobile phones, or indeed, any other wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device besides a mobile phone, and such other wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment devices may be Bluetooth enabled or otherwise wireless enabled. It will also be appreciated that while the portable communications devices have been described as being communicable with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone carried on the person, it is envisaged in certain cases that the portable communications devices according to the invention may be communicable with a mobile phone or mobile phones, other than that carried on a person. For example, in the event of an emergency, it is envisaged that the portable communications devices may output an activating signal using the Bluetooth or other wireless standard which would be receivable by any Bluetooth or other appropriately wireless enabled mobile phone or other Bluetooth or appropriately wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device in the near vicinity, and which would activate each and every Bluetooth or otherwise appropriately wireless enabled telecommunications terminal equipment device which received the activating signal to transmit the data in the activating signal via a telecommunications network to the base station, the number of which would be contained in the activating signal. Additionally, while the identity of the locations to which the messages are to be communicated have been described as being stored in the programmable memory of the device as telephone numbers, the identity of the locations could be stored in any other suitable form, for example, as e-mail addresses, URL or IP addresses. Further, it will be appreciated that the identity of the device and the messages may be stored in any suitable form, and may be stored for reproduction as voice data or text data, or in any other suitable form. It is also envisaged that the portable communications devices according to the invention may be provided with an audible alarm, which would be activated under the control of the microprocessor in response to an input signal received through the first, third, or indeed fourth interface circuits. It is also envisaged that the first interface circuit may comprise a sensor which would be responsive to any significant environmental change, for example, but not limited to, a significant temperature change, a significant humidity change, a pH change, immersion in a liquid, for example, for marine applications, the device would be activated on coming in contact with water, to detect an event of “man overboard”, and in which case, on the sensor detecting any such significant changes or immersion in liquid, the interface circuit would output a signal to the microprocessor 18, which would assemble an appropriate activating signal for transmission through the transmitter/receiver 20 to the mobile phone as already described. It is also envisaged that the transmitter/receiver 20 may be adapted for transmitting at predetermined times a Bluetooth signal for positioning determining to a range in excess of 100 metres. While the portable communications devices have been described as communicating according to the Bluetooth standard, the portable communications devices may communicate using any other wireless communications standards, which may include any of the following standards: IEEE802.11 Standard 121.5 MHz Search & Rescue Transponder Standard (e.g., GMDSS) 406 MHz Search & Rescue Transponder Standard (e.g., GMDSS) GSM, UMTS, CDMA, 3G or other mobile radio standard Optical, Ultrasonic or other non-radio standards or any other evolution, update or improvement to any of the above standards, or indeed, any other wireless communications standard.

20060831

20110315

20070412

64856.0

H04M1104

DOAN, KIET M

PORTABLE COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE

SMALL

ACCEPTED

H04M

ACCEPTED

Use of diphenylmethane derivatives as tyrosinase inhibitors

Novel uses of compounds of the Formula 1 or mixtures of substances that contain one more compounds of the Formula 1, are described. The said compounds are suitable as agents against skin and hair browning, for combating age spots and for the inhibition of the undesired browning of foods.

1. A tyrosinase inhibitor comprising a compound of the Formula 1 in an amount effective for skin lightening in humans, hair lightening in humans. combating age spots in human skin, or inhibiting browning in foods: where: R1 is hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-4 C atoms, OH or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, R3 is methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, and R4 and R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, OH or halogen. 2. A tyrosinase inhibitor comprising styrylresorcinol in an amount effective for lightening human skin and/or hair, combating age spots in human skin, and/or inhibiting in foods. 3. Fragrance composition, comprising (a) a fragrance in an amount that has a sensory effect, (b) one or more compounds of the Formula 1 in an amount that has the effect of inhibiting tyrosinase where: R1 is hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-4 C atoms, OH or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, R3 is methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, and R4 and R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, OH or halogen. 4. Cosmetic formulation, comprising one or more compounds for the care and/or cleansing of (a) skin and/or (b) hair and one or more compounds of the Formula 1 in an amount that has the effect of inhibiting tyrosinase where: R1 is hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-4 C atoms, OH or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, R3 is methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, and R4 and R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, OH or halogen. 5. Sunscreen formulation, comprising an effective amount of a UV filter, so that the protection factor of the sunscreen formulation is greater than 2, and one or more compounds of the Formula 1 in an amount that has the effect of inhibiting tyrosinase where: R1 is hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-4 C atoms, OH or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, R3 is methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, and R4 and R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, methyl, straightchain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, OH or halogen. 6. Use ef Preparing an agent (a) against skin and hair brownin, (b) for combating age spots and/or (c) for the inhibition of the undesired browning of foods by adding thereto a compound of the Formula 1 where: R1 is hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-4 C atoms, OH or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, R3 is methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, and R4 and R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, OH or halogen .

The present invention relates to the use of diphenylmethane derivatives of the following Formula 1 as tyrosinase inhibitors, where: R1 is hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-4 C atoms OH or halogen, R2 is hydrogen, methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, R3 is methyl or straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms, and R4 and R5 independently of one another are hydrogen, methyl, straight-chain or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-5 C atoms OH or halogen. In this formula the substituents OH, R1, R4 and R5 can in each case, (as is shown in the drawing) assume an arbitrary position on the aromatic ring concerned (ortho, meta or para with respect to the bridge between the rings). In the field of the cosmetics industry there is an increasing need for agents for lightening skin and hair and for agents for combating age spots. In this context, cosmetics for lightening skin and hair and for combating age spots play a major role in particular in Asiatic countries with a dark skinned/haired population, but agents for such cosmetic treatments are gaining in importance in the central European area and in the USA as well. The skin and hair colour of people is essentially determined via the melanocyte count, by the melanin concentration and the intensity of the melanin biosynthesis, in which context, on the one hand, intrinsic factors such as the genetic make-up of an individual and, on the other hand, extrinsic factors such as, in particular, the intensity and frequency of exposure to UV exert a significant influence on the skin and hair colour. Skin-lightening active compounds usually intervene in the melanin metabolism or catabolism. The melanin pigments, which as a rule are brown to black in colour, are formed in the melanocytes of the skin, transferred into the keratinocytes and give rise to the colouration of the skin or the hair. In mammals, the brown-black eumelanins are formed mainly from hydroxy-substituted aromatic amino acids such as L-tyrosine and L-DOPA and the yellow to red pheomelanins are additionally formed from sulphur-containing molecules (Cosmetics & Toiletries 1996, 111 (5), 43-51). Starting from L-tyrosine, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) is formed by the copper-containing key enzyme tyrosinase, which L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, in turn, is converted by tyrosinase to dopachrome. The latter is oxidised to melanin via several steps catalysed by various enzymes. Skin-lightening agents are used for various reasons: if the melanin-forming melanocytes in the human skin are not uniformly distributed for whatever reason, pigment spots are produced that are either lighter or darker than the surrounding areas of the skin. In order to eliminate this problem, lightening agents are used that help at least partially to even out such pigment spots. In addition, for many people there is a need to lighten their naturally dark skin colour or to prevent skin pigmentation. Very reliable and effective skin and hair lightening agents are needed for this purpose. Many skin and hair lightening agents contain tyrosinase inhibitors that are more or less powerful. However, this is only one possible route for skin and hair lightening. Occasionally, UV-absorbing substances are also used for protection against the increase in skin pigmentation induced by UV light. However, this is an effect of purely physical origin and thus differs from the biological action of skin lightening agents on the cellular melanin formation, which is detectable even in the absence of UV light. Specifically, only the UV-induced browning of the skin can be prevented by UV filters, in contrast to which a lightening of the skin can also be produced by biologically active skin lighteners, which intervene in the melanin biosynthesis. Hydroquinone, hydroquinone derivatives, such as, for example, arbutin, vitamin C, derivatives of ascorbic acid, such as, for example, ascorbyl palmitate, kojic acid and derivatives of kojic acid, such as, for example, kojic acid dipalmitate, are used in particular in commercially available skin and hair lightening agents. One of the skin and hair lightening agents most frequently used is hydroquinone. However, the substance has a cytotoxic effect on melanocytes and acts as an irritant on the skin. Therefore, for example in Europe, Japan and South Africa, such preparations are no longer permissible for cosmetic applications. Moreover, hydroquinone is highly sensitive to oxidation and can be stabilised in cosmetic formulations only with difficulty. Vitamin C and ascorbic acid derivatives have only an inadequate action on the skin. Moreover, they do not act directly as tyrosinase inhibitors, but reduce the coloured intermediates in the melanin biosynthesis. Kojic acid (5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyranone) is a tyrosinase inhibitor that inhibits the catalytic action thereof via chelation of the copper atoms of the enzyme; it is used in commercial skin and hair lightening agents, but has a high sensitising potential and causes contact allergies. In the search for novel agents that have a skin and hair lightening action and/or are active against age spots, the aim is, accordingly, quite generally to find substances that inhibit the enzyme tyrosinase in as low a concentration as possible, it furthermore having to be taken into account that these substances used in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical products, in addition to having a high activity at concentrations that are as low as possible, must also be toxicologically acceptable, readily tolerated by the skin and in particular not sensitising and not irritant, stable (in particular in the customary cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical formulations), preferably odourless and able to be produced inexpensively (that is to say using standard methods and/or starting from standard precursors). The search for suitable (active) substances that have one or more of the said properties to an adequate degree is made more difficult for the person skilled in the art because there is no clear dependence between the chemical structure of a substance, on the one hand, and its biological activity and its stability, on the other hand. Furthermore, there is no predictable relationship between the skin lightening effect, the toxicological acceptability, the tolerance by the skin and/or the stability of potential active compounds. Furthermore, a particular prerequisite for the use of an active substance in practice is its stability to chemical substances which are customarily used as accompanying constituents in cosmetics and to light. The primary aim of the present invention was, therefore (in accordance with the general requirements, see above), to indicate an active substance which (a) has a good skin lightening effect (that is to say, for example, a powerful tyrosinase-inhibiting action in specific cell-free or cellular in vitro test systems, cellular in vitro test systems being preferred because of the better transference to the human in vivo situation), (b) can be prepared in a highly pure form, (c) is dermatologically and toxicologically acceptable and (d) in addition shows good stability to the effects of light. The Applicant's own research now showed that diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 achieve these aims and thus can be used preferentially as tyrosinase-inhibiting agents. In this context, diphenylmethane derivatives that can be used according to the invention, such as, for example, styrylresorcinol (Formula 4; CARN:85-27-8; 4-(1-phenylethyl)-1,3-dihydroxybenzene), that is described in more detail below, can be prepared without any problem in accordance with methods known from the literature. To perform activity studies, the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 were prepared by Friedel-Crafts alkylation in accordance with methods known from the literature, such as in T. Yamamura et al. (Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. Vol. 68, S.2955-2960; 1995). The Applicant's own research now showed that diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1, and here in particular styrylresorcinol of the Formula 4, have a more powerful tyrosinase-inhibiting activity than hexylresorcinol that is used, inter alia, in the food industry as a browning inhibitor (see below, Example 1, Table 2: Comparison of styrylresorcinol (Formula 4) and 4-hexylresorcinol: CARN: 136-77-6). In addition, the fact that compounds of the Formula 1, and here in particular styrylresorcinol (Formula 4), have a more powerful tyrosinase-inhibiting activity compared with the known skin- and hair-lightening active compound kojic acid was particularly surprising, as a result of which they can be used in particularly low, and thus toxicologically and dermatologically acceptable, concentration in cosmetic products; styrylresorcinol has a tyrosinase-inhibiting action that is more powerful by a factor of approximately 215 than that of kojic acid. The Applicant's activity studies with synthetic styrylresorcinol (Formula 4; CARN:85-27-8; 4-(1-phenylethyl)-1,3-dihydroxybenzene) prepared in accordance with methods known from the literature confirm, for example, that the compounds of the Formula 1 (diphenylmethane derivatives) and also mixtures of substances that contain one or more compounds of the Formula 1, where the groups R1 to R5 in each case have the abovementioned meaning, have a powerful tyrosinase-inhibiting action and thus are outstandingly suitable for use as skin lightening agents and as agents for combating age spots. In this context, because of their high stability to light, they are outstandingly suitable for use as skin lighteners in cosmetic products and the like, as alternatives for or as supplements to known skin-lightening active compounds (such as, for example, hydroquinone, arbutin or ascorbic acid). The compound of the Formula 4 and the further compounds of the Formula 1, in which the OH groups are in the meta- or para-position with respect to one another, are, moreover, very stable to oxygen. Tyrosinase inhibition usually takes place for cosmetic reasons, but in exceptional cases can also have a therapeutic character. Furthermore, the compounds of the Formula 1 can also be used in the food industry or in the aroma industry as browning-inhibiting additives; in this context see below. The compounds of the Formula 1, in particular insofar as they are used as agents for skin and hair lightening or as agents for combating age spots, are as a rule applied topically in the form of solutions, creams, lotions, gels, sprays or the like. Important fields of application in this context are cosmetic, in particular dermatological and/or keratinological formulations, which (apart from the presence of compounds of the Formula 1) are of customary composition, and serve for cosmetic, in particular dermatological and/or keratinological, sunscreening, for the treatment, the care and the cleansing of the skin and/or the hair or as a make-up product in decorative cosmetics. Correspondingly, such formulations, depending on their composition, can be used, for example, as skin protection cream, cleansing milk, cleansing soap, sunscreen lotion, nutrient cream, day cream or night cream, deodorant, antiperspirant, shampoo, hair care agent, hair conditioner or hair colourant and, in this context, are preferably in the form of an emulsion, lotion, milk, cream, hydrodispersion gel, balm, spray, foam, liquid soap, bar of soap, hair(sic), roll-on, stick or make-up. Furthermore, the diphenylmethane derivatives according to the invention can also be used in foods. Particularly preferred product categories here are in particular those foods that, because of their naturally occurring content of phenolic compounds, tend to spontaneous browning reactions under the influence of endogenous polyphenol oxidases when processing. These include, in particular, fruit and vegetable products, in particular apples, pears or potatoes, or crustaceans, such as, in particular, crabs, langustines or shrimps, in which context this list must, of course, not be regarded as complete and can be expanded as desired. The concentration of the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 in formulations (in particular formulations to be applied topically) is preferably in the range of 0.0001 to 20% (m/m), preferentially in the range of 0.001 to 5% (m/m) and particularly preferentially in the range of 0.01 to 1% (m/m). In these formulations the tyrosinase-inhibiting active compound can be used (a) prophylactically or (b) as needed. The concentration of the amount of active compound that is, for example, to be applied daily differs and depends on the physiological condition of the test person and on parameters specific to the individual, such as age or body weight. Diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can be used on their own, as mixtures or also in combination with further tyrosinase-inhibiting substances. The compounds of the Formula 1 (where R1 to R5 have the meanings indicated above and what has been stated above also applies in respect of the preferred meanings of R1 to R5) can also be used as a constituent of cosmetic agents and fragrance compositions (perfume compositions) and, for example, can impart a tyrosinase-inhibiting action to a perfumed (for example cosmetic) end product. A particularly preferred fragrance composition comprises (a) a fragrance in an amount that has a sensory action, (b) one or more compounds of the Formula 1 (where R1 to R5 can have the meanings indicated above) in an amount that has a tyrosinase-inhibiting action and optionally (c) one or more excipients and/or additives. Since the perfume content in a cosmetic end product is frequently in the range of approximately 1% (m/m), a perfume which contains a compound of the Formula 1 will preferably consist to approximately 5 to 50% (m/m) of one or more compounds of the Formula 1. It has proved particularly advantageous that the substances of the Formula 1 have only a weak odour of their own, or are completely odourless since this property predestines them for use in a fragrance composition. In a preferred method for cosmetic and/or therapeutic skin lightening and for the treatment (combating) of age spots, the concentration in which the synergistically active mixtures according to the invention is used is also in the range between 0.0001 to 20% (m/m), preferably in the range between 0.001 to 5% (m/m) and particularly preferentially in the range of 0.01 to 1% (m/m), in each case based on the total mass of the cosmetic or pharmaceutical product which contains the mixture. In this context, the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can be used (a) prophylactically or (b) as needed. It is pointed out that, in the context of the present text, the term diphenylmethane derivatives in the case of the derivatives of the Formula 1 that have differently substituted phenyl radicals and for which, at the same time, R2 and R3 differ, also comprises the pure S-configured enantiomers, the R-configured enantiomers and arbitrary mixtures of S- and R-configured enantiomers. It is true that for commercial reasons it is particularly advantageous in these cases to use mixtures of racemates of the particular diphenylmethane derivatives for skin lightening and/or for combating age spots since these mixtures are particularly easily accessible by synthesis; however, the pure enantiomers or non-racemic mixtures of these enantiomers are also suitable for the purposes according to the invention. The diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 used according to the invention can be incorporated without difficulty in conventional cosmetic or dermatological formulations such as, inter alia, pump sprays, aerosol sprays, creams, ointments, tinctures, lotions, nail care products (for example nail varnishes, nail varnish removers, nail balsams) and the like. In this context it is also possible, and in some cases advantageous, to combine the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 used according to the invention with further active compounds, for example with other substances that have a skin and hair lightening action or are active against age spots. In this context the cosmetic and/or dermatological/keratological formulations containing the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can otherwise be of customary composition and serve for treatment of the skin and/or the hair in the sense of a dermatological or keratological treatment or of a treatment in the sense of care cosmetics. However, they can also be used in make-up products in decorative cosmetics. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can also contain further active compounds having a skin lightening action. In this context all skin lightening active compounds that are suitable or customary for cosmetic and/or dermatological applications can be used according to the invention. Advantageous skin lightening active compounds are, to this extent, kojic acid (5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4-pyranone (sic), kojic acid derivatives such as, for example, kojic acid dipalmitate, arbutin, ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid derivatives, hydroquinone, hydroquinone derivatives, resorcinol, sulphur-containing molecules, such as, for example, glutathione or cysteine [lacuna] alpha-hydroxy acids (for example citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid) and the derivatives thereof, cycloalkanones, methylenedioxyphenyl alkanols, vinyl- and ethyl-gujacol (sic), inhibitors of the nitrogen oxide synthesis, such as, for example, L-nitroarginine and the derivatives thereof, 2,7-dinitroindazole or thiocitrulline, metal chelating agents (for example α-hydroxy fatty acids, palmitic acid, phytic acid, lactoferrin, humic acid, bile acid, bile extracts, bilirubin, biliverdin, EDTA, EGTA and derivatives thereof), flavonoids, retinoids, soya milk, serin protease inhibitors or lipoic acid or other synthetic or natural active compounds for skin and hair lightening, it being possible for the latter also to be used in the form of an extract from plants, such as, for example, bearberry extract, rice extract, liquorice root extract or constituents enriched therefrom, such as glabridin or licochalkon A, artocarpus extract, extract from Rumex and Ramulus species, extracts from pine species (Pinus) and extracts from Vitis species or stilbene derivatives enriched therefrom. In numerous cases the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can be used in combination with preservatives. Preferably, preservatives such as benzoic acid, the esters and salts thereof, propionic acid and salts thereof, salicylic acid and salts thereof, 2,4-hexanoic acid (sorbic acid) and salts thereof, formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde, 2-hydroxybiphenyl ether and salts thereof, 2-zincsulphidopyridine-N-oxide, inorganic sulphites and bisulphites, sodium iodate, chlorobutanolum, 4-ethylmercury-(II)5-amino-1,3-bis(2-hydroxybenzoic (sic) acid, salts and esters thereof, dehydratcetic (sic) acid, formic acid, 1,6-bis(4-amidino-2-bromophenoxy)-n-hexane and salts thereof, the sodium salt of ethylmercury-(II)-thiosalicylic acid, phenylmercury and salts thereof, 10-undecylenic acid and salts thereof, 5-amino-1,3-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-5-methyl-hexahydropyrimidine, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-dioxane, 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N′-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-urea, 4-chloro-m-cresol, 2,4,4′-trichloro-2′-hydroxy-diphenyl ether, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol, 1,1′-methylene-bis(3-(1-hydroxymethyl-2,4-dioximidazolidin-5-yl)urea), poly-(hexamethylene diguanide) hydrochloride, 2-phenoxyethanol, hexamethylentetramine, 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3,5,7-triaza-1-azonia-adamantane chloride, 1 (4-chlorphenoxy)-1(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3,3-dimethyl-2-butanone, 1,3-bis-(hydroxy-methyl)-5,5-dimethyl-2,4-imidazolidinedione, benzyl alcohol, Octopirox, 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, 2,2′-methylene-bis(6-bromo-4-chloro-phenol), bromo-chlorophene, mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-3(2H)-isothiazolinone and 2-methyl-3(2H)isothiazlinone (sic) with magnesium chloride and magnesium nitrate, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2-chloracetamide, chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, 1-phenoxy-propan-2-ol, N-alkyl(C12-C22)trimethylammonium bromide and chloride, 4,4-dimethyl-1,3-oxazolidine, N-hydroxymethyl-N-(1,3-di(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxoimidazolidin-4-yl)-N′-hydroxy-methyl urea, 1,6-bis(4-amidino-phenoxy)-n-hexane and salts thereof, glutaraldehyde 5-ethyl-1-aza-3,7-dioxabicyclo(3.3.0)octane, 3-(4-chlorphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, hyamine, alkyl-(C8-C18)-dimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chloride, alkyl-(C8-C18)-dimethyl-benzyl ammonium bromide, alkyl-(C8-C18)-dimethyl-benzylammonium saccharinate, benzyl-hemiformal, 3-iodo-2-propinyl-butyl carbamate, sodium hydroxymethyl-aminoacetate or sodium hydroxymethyl-aminoacetate (sic) are preferably chosen here. In various cases it can also be advantageous to use the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 in combination with substances that are used mainly for the inhibition of the growth of undesired microorganisms on or in animal organisms. In addition to conventional preservatives, further active compounds that are worthy of mention in this regard are, in addition to the large group of conventional antibiotics, in particular the products relevant for cosmetics, such as triclosan, climbazol, octoxyglycerol, Octopirox (1-hydroxy-4-methyl-6-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-2(1 H)-pyridone, 2-aminoethanol), chitosan, farnesol, glycerol monolaurate or combinations of the said substances, which, inter alia, are used against underarm odour, foot odour or dandruff. In addition, the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can also be used particularly advantageously in combination with perspiration-inhibiting active compounds (antiperspirants) for controlling body odour. Perspiration-inhibiting active compounds used are, in particular, aluminium salts, such as aluminium chloride, aluminium chlorohydrate, nitrate, sulphate, acetate etc. In addition, however, the use of zinc, magnesium and zirconium compounds can also be advantageous. Essentially the aluminium salts and—to a somewhat lesser extent—aluminium/zirconium salt combinations have proved their worth for use in cosmetic and dermatological antiperspirants. The partially neutralised aluminium hydroxychlorides, which are thus better tolerated by the skin but are not quite as effective, are also worthy of mention. In addition to aluminium salts, further substances can also be used, such as, for example, a) protein-precipitating substances such as, inter alia, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, natural and synthetic tanning agents and also trichloroacetic acid, which give rise to surface closure of the sweat glands, b) local anaesthetics (inter alia dilute solutions of, for example, lidocaine, prilocaine or mixtures of such substances) that switch off the sympathetic supply of the sweat glands by blocking the peripheral nerve paths, c) zeolites of the X, A or Y type, which in addition to reducing sweat secretion also act as adsorbents for bad odours, and d) botulinus toxin (toxin of the bacterium Chlostridium botulinum), which is also used in the case of hyperhidrosis, a pathologically increased sweat secretion, and the action of which is based on an irreversible blockage of the release of the transmitter substance acetylcholine relevant for sweat secretion. In some cases a combination with (metal) chelating agents can also be advantageous. In this context, (metal) chelating agents that are preferably to be used are, inter alia, α-hydroxy fatty acids, phytic acid, lactoferrin, α-hydroxy acids, such as, inter alia, citric acid, lactic acid and malic acid, as well as humic acids, bile acids, bile extracts, bilirubin, biliverdin or EDTA, EGTA and derivatives thereof. For use, the cosmetic and/or dermatologically active diphenymethane derivatives of the Formula 1 are applied to the skin and/or the hair in an adequate amount in the manner customary for cosmetics and dermatological products. In this context cosmetic and dermatological formulations that contain a mixture according to the invention and additionally act as a sunscreen offer particular advantages. Advantageously, these formulations contain at least one UVA filter and/or at least one UVB filter and/or at least one inorganic pigment. In this context the formulations can be in various forms, such as are, for example, customarily employed for sunscreen formulations. Thus, they can be, for example, a solution, an emulsion of the water-in-oil (W/O) type or of the oil-in-water (O/W) type or a multiple emulsion, for example of the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/N) type, a gel, a hydrodispersion, a solid stick or also an aerosol. As mentioned, formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can particularly advantageously be combined with substances that absorb UV radiation, the total amount of the filter substances being, for example, 0.01% (m/m) to 40% (m/m), preferably 0.1% to 10% (m/m), in particular 1.0 to 5.0% (m/m), based on the total weight of the formulations, in order to make available cosmetic formulations that protect the hair and/or the skin against ultraviolet radiation. Advantageously these formulations contain at least one UVA filter and/or at least one UVB filter and/or at least one inorganic pigment, so that a protection factor of at least >2 (preferably >5) is achieved. In this context, these formulations according to the invention can be in various forms, such as are customarily used, for example for sunscreen formulations. Thus, they can, for example, be a solution, an emulsion of the water-in-oil (W/O) type or of the oil-in-water (O/W) type or a multiple emulsion, for example of the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) type, a gel, a hydrodispersion, a solid stick or also an aerosol. If the formulations according to the invention contain UVB filter substances, these can be oil-soluble or water-soluble. Advantageous oil-soluble UVB filters are, for example: 3-benzylidenecamphor derivatives, preferably 3-(4-methylbenzylidene)camphor, 3-benzylidenecamphor; 4-aminobenzoic acid derivatives, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino)-benzoate, amyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate, esters of cinnamic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl 4-methoxycinnamate, isopentyl 4-methoxycinnamate; esters of salicylic acid, preferably 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, 4-isopropylbenzyl salicylate, homomenthyl salicylate, derivatives of benzophenone, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy4′-methylbenzophenone, 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, esters of benzalmalonic acid, preferably di(2-ethylhexyl) 4-methoxybenzalmalonate, 2,4,6-trianilino-(p-carbo-2′-ethyl-1′-hexyloxy)-1,3,5-triazine. Advantageous water-soluble UVB filters are, for example, salts of 2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulphonic acid, such as the sodium, potassium or triethanolammonium salt thereof, and also the sulphonic acid itself; sulphonic acid derivatives of benzophenones, preferably 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulphonic acid and salts thereof; sulphonic acid derivatives of 3-benzylidenecamphor, such as, for example, 4-(2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl)benzenesulphonic acid, 2-methyl-5-(2-oxo-3-bornylidene-methyl)sulphonic acid and salts thereof and also 1,4-di(2-oxo-10-sulpho-3-bornylidenemethyl)-benzene and salts thereof (the corresponding 10-sulphato compounds, for example the corresponding sodium, potassium or triethanolammonium salt) and also benzene-1,4-di(2-oxo-3-bornylidenemethyl-10-sulphonic acid (sic). The above list of the said UVB filters that can be used in combination with the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 should, of course, not be understood as definitive. It can also be advantageous to employ UVA filters, such as are customarily contained in cosmetic formulations. These substances are preferably derivatives of dibenzoylmethane, in particular 1-(4′-tert.-butylphenyl)-3-(4′-methoxyphenyl)-propane-1,3-dione and 1-phenyl-3-(4′-isopropylphenyl)propane-1,3-dione. In cosmetic formulations, the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can advantageously be combined with cosmetic auxiliaries, such as are customarily used in such formulations, thus, for example, with: antioxidants; perfume oils; agents to prevent foaming; colourants; pigments that have a colouring action; thickeners; surface-active substances; emulsifiers; plasticizing substances; moistening and/or moisture-retaining substances; fats, oils, waxes; other conventional constituents of a cosmetic formulation, such as alcohols, polyols, polymers, foam stabilisers; electrolytes, organic solvents or silicone derivatives. A high content of treatment substances is usually advantageous in formulations containing diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 for the topical prophylactic or cosmetic treatment of the skin. According to a preferred embodiment, the compositions contain one or more animal and/or vegetable treatment fats and oils, such as olive oil, sunflower oil, purified soya oil, palm oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oil, almond oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, coconut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, sperm oil, beef tallow, neatsfood oil and lard, and also optionally further treatment constituents, such as, for example, fatty alcohols having 8-30 C atoms. Here the fatty alcohols can be saturated or unsaturated and straight-chain or branched. For example, decanol, decenol, octanol, octenol, dodecanol, dodecenol, octadienol, decadienol, dodecadienol, oleyl alcohol, ricinol (sic) alcohol, erucic alcohol, stearyl alcohol, isostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, capryl alcohol, capric alcohol, linoleyl alcohol, linolenyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol, as well the guerbet alcohols thereof can be used, in which context it would be possible to extend the list virtually arbitrarily by further structurally chemically related alcohols. The fatty alcohols preferably originate from natural fatty acids, and usually are prepared from the corresponding esters of the fatty acids by reduction. Furthermore, fatty alcohol fractions that are formed from naturally occurring fats and fat oils by reduction, such as, for example, beef tallow, peanut oil, colza oil, cottonseed oil, soya oil, sunflower oil, palm kernel oil, linseed oil, maize oil, castor oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, cocoa butter and cocoa fat, can be used. In addition, the treatment substances that can preferably be combined with the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 also include ceramides, ceramides being understood to be N-acylsphingosines (fatty acid amides of sphingosine) or synthetic analogues of such lipids (so-called pseudo-ceramides), which clearly improve the water retention capacity of the stratum corneum. phospholipids, for example soya lecithin, egg lecithin and cephalins vaseline, paraffin and silicone oils; the latter include, inter alia, dialkyl- and alkylaryl-siloxanes, such as dimethylpolysiloxane and methylphenylpolysiloxane, as well as the alkoxylated and quaternised derivatives thereof. Animal and/or vegetable hydrolysed proteins can advantageously also be added to the diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1. In this regard, in particular elastin, collagen, keratin, lactoprotein, soya protein, oat protein, pea protein, almond protein and wheat protein fractions or corresponding hydrolysed proteins, but also the condensation products thereof with fatty acids, and also quaternised hydrolysed proteins are advantageous, the use of vegetable hydrolysed proteins being preferred. Insofar as a cosmetic or dermatological formulation containing diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 is a solution or lotion, the solvents used can advantageously be: water or aqueous solutions; fatty oils, fats, waxes and other natural and synthetic fatty bodies, preferably esters of fatty acids with alcohols having a low C number, for example with isopropanol, propylene glycol or glycerol, or esters of fatty alcohols with alkanoic acids having a low C number or with fatty acids; alcohols, diols or polyols having a low C number, as well as the ethers thereof, preferably ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monoethyl or monobutyl ether, propylene glycol-monomethyl, monoethyl or monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether and analogous products. In particular, mixtures of the abovementioned solvents are used. In the case of alcoholic solvents, water can be a further constituent. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can also contain antioxidants, it being possible to use all antioxidants suitable or customary for cosmetic and/or dermatological applications. Advantageously, the antioxidants are selected from the group consisting of amino acids (for example glycine, histidine, tyrosine, tryptophan) and the derivatives thereof, imidazoles (for example urocanic acid) and the derivatives thereof, peptides such as D, L-carnosine, D-carnosine, L-carnosine and the derivatives thereof (for example anserine), carotinoids, carotenes (for example α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene) and the derivatives thereof, lipoic acid and the derivatives therefore (for example dihydrolipoic acid), aurothioglucose, propylthiouracil and other thiols (for example thioredoxin, glutathione, cysteine, cystine, cystamine and the glycosyl, N-acetyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, amyl, butyl and lauryl lauryl (sic), palmitoyl, oleyl, 7-linoleyl, cholesteryl and glyceryl esters thereof) as well as the salts thereof, dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, thiodipropionic acid and the derivatives thereof (esters, ethers, peptides, lipids, nucleotides, nucleosides and salts) and also sulphoximine compounds (for example buthionine sulphoximines, homocysteine sulphoximine, buthionine sulphones, penta-, hexa-, hepta-thionine suphoximine) in very low tolerated doses, and also (metal) chelating agents, for example α-hydroxy fatty acids, palmitic acid, phytic acid, lactoferrin, α-hydroxy acids (for example citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid), humic acid, bile acid, bile extracts, bilirubin, biliverdin, EDTA, EGTA and the derivatives thereof, unsaturated fatty acids and the derivatives thereof (for example γ-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid), folic acid and the derivatives thereof, ubiquinone and ubiquinol and the derivatives thereof, Vitamin C and derivatives (for example ascorbyl palmitate, Mg ascorbyl phosphate, ascorbyl acetate), tocopherols and the derivatives thereof (for example vitamin Vitamin E acetate (sic)), Vitamin A and the derivatives thereof (Vitamin A palmitate) and also coniferyl benzoate of benzoin resin, rutinic acid and the derivatives thereof, ferrulic acid and the derivatives thereof, butylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, nordihydroguaiacic acid, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, trihydroxybutyrophenone, uric acid and the derivatives thereof, mannose and the derivatives thereof, zinc and the derivatives thereof (for example ZnO, ZnSO4 (sic)), selenium and the derivatives thereof (for example selenium methionine), stilbenes and the derivatives thereof (for example stilbene oxide, trans-stilbene oxide) and also derivatives (salts, esters, ethers, sugars, nucleotides, nucleosides, peptides and lipids) of the said active compounds. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can advantageously also contain vitamins and vitamin precursors, it being possible to use all vitamins and vitamin precursors suitable or customary for cosmetic and/or dermatological applications. Mention may be made here in particular of vitamins and vitamin precursors such as tocopherols, Vitamin A, nicotinic acid and nicotinomide, further vitamins of the B complex, in particular biotin, and Vitamin C, pantothenyl alcohol and the derivatives thereof, in particular esters and ethers of pantothenyl alcohol, and also derivatives of pantothenyl alcohols obtained cationically, such as, for example, pantothenyl alcohol triacetate, pantothenyl alcohol, monoethyl ether and the mono acetate thereof and also cationic pantothenyl alcohol derivatives. Cosmetic formulations, which advantageously contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1, can also contain anti-inflammatory active compounds and/or active compounds that alleviate reddening and/or itching. In this context all anti-inflammatory active compounds and active compounds that alleviate reddening and/or itching that are suitable or customary for cosmetic and/or dermatological applications can be used. Advantageously, the anti-inflammatory active compounds and active compounds alleviating reddening and/or itching that are used are steroidal anti-inflammatory substances of the corticosteroid type, such as, for example, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, dexamethasone phosphate, methylprednisolone or cortisone, it being possible to expand the list by adding further steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents can also be used. Oxicams, such as piroxicam or tenoxicam; salicylates, such as aspirin, Disalcid, Solprin or fendosal; acetic acid derivatives, such as diclofenac, fenclofenac, indomethacin, sulindac, tolmetin, or clindanac; fenamates, such as mefenamic, meclofenamic, flufenamic or niflumic; propionic acid derivatives, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, benoxaprofen or pyrazoles, such as phenylbutazone, oxyphenylbutazone, febrazone or azapropazone, may be mentioned here by way of example. Alternatively, natural anti-inflammatory substances and substances that alleviate reddening and/or itching can be used. Plant extracts, special highly active plant extract fractions and also highly pure active substances isolated from plant extracts can be used. Extracts, fractions and active substances from camomile, aloe vera, Commiphora species, Rubia species, willows, willow-herb, oats and pure substances such as, inter alia, bisabolol, apigenin-7-glucoside, boswellic acid, phytosterols, glycyrrhizine, glabridin or licochalkon A are particularly preferred. The formulations containing diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can also contain mixtures of two or more anti-inflammatory active compounds. Bisabolol, boswellic acid and extracts and isolated highly pure active compounds from oats and Echinacea are particularly preferred for use in the sense of the invention; α-Bisabolol and extracts and isolated highly pure active compounds from oats are particularly preferred. The amount of the anti-irritants (one or more compounds) in the formulations is preferably 0.0001 to 20% (m/m), particularly preferentially 0.0001-10% (m/m), in particular 0.001-5% (m/m), based on the total weight of the formulation. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can advantageously also contain moisturisers. Moisturisers used are, for example, the following substances: sodium lactate, urea, alcohols, sorbitol, glycerol, propylene glycol, collagen, elastin or hyaluronic acid, diacyl adipates, petroleum jelly, ectoin, urocanic acid, lecithin, pantheol, phytanetriol, lycopene, algae extract, ceramides, cholesterol, glycolipids, chitosan, chondroitin sulphate, polyamino acids and sugars, lanolin, lanolin esters, amino acids, alpha-hydroxy acids (for example, citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid) and the derivatives thereof, sugars (for example inositol), alpha-hydroxy fatty acids, phytosterols, triterpene acids, such as betulinic acid or ursolic acid, algae extracts. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can advantageously also contain mono- di- and oligo-saccharides, such as, for example, glucose, galactose, fructose, mannose, fructose (sic) and lactose. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can advantageously also contain plant extracts, which are usually prepared by extraction of the complete plant, but in individual cases are also prepared exclusively from blossom and/or leaves, wood, bark or roots of the plant. With regard to the plant extracts that can be used, reference is made in particular to the extracts that are listed in the table starting on page 44 of the third edition of the Leitfaden zur lnhaltsstoffdeklaration kosmetischer Mittel, (Guide to the Declaration of Constituents of Cosmetic Agents), published by the Industrieverband Körperpflegemittel und Waschmittel e.V. (IKW), Frankfurt. The extracts from aloe, Hamamelis, algae, oak bark, willow-herb, stinging nettles, dead nettles, hops, camomile, milfoil, arnica, calendula, burdock root, horse-tail, hawthorn, linden blossom, almonds, pine needles, horsechestnut, sandalwood, juniper, coconut, mango, apricot, orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, apple, green tea, grapefruit seed, wheat, oats, barley, sage, thyme, basil, rosemary, birch, mallow, bitter-crass, willow bark, restharrow, coltsfoot, althaea, ginseng and ginger root are particularly advantageous. Amongst these, the extracts from aloe vera, camomile, algae, rosemary. calendula, ginseng, cucumber, sage, stinging nettles, linden blossom, arnica and Hamamelis are particularly preferred. Mixtures of two or more plant extracts can also be employed. Extraction agents that can be used for the preparation of the said plant extracts can be, inter alia, water, alcohols and mixtures thereof. Amongst the alcohols, lower alcohols, such as ethanol and isopropanol, but also polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and butylene glycol are preferred in this context, and specifically both as sole extracting agent and also in mixtures with water. The plant extracts can be used in the pure form or also in dilute form. Cosmetic formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 can also contain anionic, cationic, non-ionic and/or amphoteric surfactants, especially if crystalline or microcrystalline solids, for example inorganic micropigments, are to be incorporated into the formulations. Surfactants are amphiphilic subs stances that are able to dissolve organic, non-polar substances in water. In this context the hydrophilic parts of a surfactant molecule are usually polar functional groups, for example, —COO—, —OSO32 −, —SO3−, whilst the hydrophobic parts are as a rule non-polar hydrocarbon radicals. Surfactants are generally classified according to the nature and charge of the hydrophilic part of the molecule. Four groups can be differentiated here: anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and non-ionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants usually contain carboxylate, sulphate or sulphonate groups as functional groups. In aqueous solution they form negatively charged organic ions in the acid or neutral medium. Cationic surfactants are characterised virtually exclusively by the presence of a quaternary ammonium group. In aqueous solution they form positively charged organic ions in the acid or neutral medium. Amphoteric surfactants contain both anionic and cationic groups and accordingly behave like anionic or cationic surfactants in aqueous solutions, depending on the pH value. They have a positive charge in a strongly acid medium and a negative charge in an alkaline medium. In the neutral pH range, on the other hand, they are zwitter ionic. Polyether chains are typical of non-ionic surfactants. Non-ionic surfactants do not form ions in an aqueous medium. A. Anionic Surfactants Anionic surfactants that can advantageously be used are acylamino acids (and the salts thereof), such as acylglutamates, for example, sodium acylgultamate, di-TEA-palmitoyl aspartate and sodium capryl/caprin glutamate, acylpeptides, for example, palmitoyl-hydrolysed lactoprotein, sodium cocoylhydrolysed soya protein and sodium/potassium cocoyl-hydrolysed collagen, sarcosinates, for example, myristoyl sarcosine, TEA lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, taurates, for example, sodium lauroyl taurate and sodium methylcocoyl taurate, acyl lactylates, lauroyl lactylate, caproyl lactylate alaninates carboxylic acids and derivatives, such as, for example, lauric acid, aluminium stearate, magnesium alkanolate and zinc undecylenate, ester-carboxylic acids, for example calcium stearoyl lactylate, laureth-6 citrate and sodium PEG4 lauramidocarboxylate, ether-carboxylic acids, for example sodium laureth-13 carboxylate and sodium PEG-6 cocamide carboxylate, phosphoric acid esters and salts, such as, for example, DEA-oleth-10 phosphate and dilaureth-4 phosphate, sulphonic acids and salts, such as acyl isothionates, for example sodium/ammonium cocoyl-isethionate, alkylarylsulphonates, alkylsulphonates, for example sodium coconut monoglyceride sulphate, sodium C12-14 olefin-sulphonate sodium lauryl sulphoacetate and magnesium PEG-3 cocamidosulphate, sulphosuccinates, for example, dioctylsodium sulphosuccinate, disodium laureth-sulphosuccinate, disodium laurylsulphosuccinate and disodium undecylenamido MEA-sulphosuccinate and sulphuric acid esters, such as alkyl ether sulphate, for example, sodium, ammonium, magnesium, MIPA, TIPA laureth sulphate, sodium myreth sulphate and sodium C12-13 pareth sulphate, alkyl sulphates, for exmaple, sodium, ammonium and TEA lauryl sulphate. B. Cationic Surfactants Cationic surfactants that can advantageously be used are alkylamines, alkylimidazoles, ethoxylated amines and quaternary surfactants RNH2CH2CH2COO−(at pH=7) RNHCH2CH2COO—B+ (at pH=12) B+=arbitrary cation, for example Na+ esterquats Quaternary surfactants contain at least one N atom that is covalently bonded to 4 alkyl or aryl groups. This leads to a positive charge, irrespective of the pH value. Alkylbetaine, alkylamidopropylbetaine and alkylamidopropyl-hydroxysulfaine are advantageous. The cationic surfactants used can furthermore preferably be chosen from the group comprising the quaternary ammonium compounds, in particular benzyltrialkyl-ammonium chloride or bromide, such as, for example, benzyldimethylstearyl-ammonium chloride, and also alkyltrialkylammonium salts, for example cetyltrimethylammonium chloride or bromide, alkyldimethylhydroxyethylammonium chlorides or bromides, dialkyldimethylammonium chlorides or bromides, alkylamidoethyl-trimethyl-ammonium ether sulphates, alkylpyridinium salts, for example lauryl- or cetyl-pyrimidinium chloride, imidazoline derivatives and compounds of a cationic nature, such as amine oxides, for example alkyldimethylamine oxides or alkylaminoethyldimethylamine oxides. Cetyltrimethyl-ammonium salts can be used particularly advantageously. C. Amphoteric Surfactants Amphoteric surfactants that can advantageously be used are acyl-/dialkylethylenediamine, for example sodium acylamphoacetate, disodium acylamphodipropionate, disodium alkylamphodiacetate, sodium acyl-amphohydroxy-propylsulphonate, disodium acylampho-diacetate and sodium acylamphopropionate, N-alkylamino acids, for example aminopropylalkylglutamide, alkylamino-propionic acid, sodium alkylimidodipropionate and lauroamphocarboxyglycinate. D. Non-ionic Surfactants Non-ionic surfactants that can advantageously be used are alcohols, alkanolamides, such as cocamides MEA/ DEA/ MIPA, amine oxides, such as cocoamidopropylamine oxide, esters, that are formed by esterification of carboxylic acids with ethylene oxide, glycerol, sorbitan or other alcohols, ethers, for example ethoxylated/propoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated/propoxylated esters, ethoxylated/propoxylated glycerol esters, ethoxylated/propoxylated cholesterols, ethoxylated/propoxylated triglyceride esters, ethoxylated [lacuna] propoxylated lanolin, ethoxylated/propoxylated polysiloxanes, propoxylated POE ethers and alkylpolyglycosides, such as lauryl glucoside, decyl glycoside and coco glycoside. sucrose esters and ethers polyglycerol esters, diglycerol esters, monoglycerol esters methylglucose esters, ester of hydroxy acids The use of a combination of anionic and/or amphoteric surfactants with one or more non-ionic surfactants is also advantageous. The surface-active substance can be present in a concentration of between 1 and 98% (m/m) in the formulations according to the invention containing diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1, based on the total weight of the formulations. Cosmetic or dermatological formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 according to the invention can also be in the form of emulsions. The oil phase can advantageously be chosen from the following group of substances: mineral oils, mineral waxes fatty oils, fats, waxes and other natural and synthetic fatty bodies, preferably esters of fatty acids with alcohols having a low C number, for example with isopropanol, propylene glycol or glycerol, or esters of fatty alcohols with alkanoic acids having a low C number or with fatty acids; alkyl benzoates; silicone oils, such as dimethylpolysiloxanes, diethylpolysiloxanes, diphenylpolysiloxanes and mixed forms therefrom. Advantageously, (a) esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alkanecarboxylic acids having a chain length of 3 to 30 C atoms and saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alcohols having a chain length of 3 to 30 C atoms, (b) esters of aromatic carboxylic acids and saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alcohols having a chain length of 3 to 30 C atoms can be used. Preferred ester oils are isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl stearate, isopropyl oleate, n-butyl stearate, n-hexyl-laurate, n-decyl oleate, isooctyl stearate, isononyl stearate, isononyl isononanoate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl laurate, 2-hexyldecyl stearate, 2-octyidodecyl-palmitate, oleyl oleate, oleyl erucate, erucyl oleate, erucyl erucate and synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural mixtures of such esters, for example, jojoba oil. Furthermore, the oil phase can advangaeously be chosen from the group comprising the branched and straight-chain hydrocarbons and waxes, the silicone oils, the dialkyl ethers, the group comprising the saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight-chain alcohols, and also the fatty acid triglycerides, specifically, the triglycerol esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alkanecarboxylic acids having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms. The fatty acid triglycerides can advantageously be chosen from the group comprising the synthetic, semi-synthetic and natural oils, for example, olive oil, sunflower oil, soya oil, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, almond oil, palm oil, coconut oil, palm kemel oil and more of the like. Arbitrary admixtures of such oil and wax components can also advantageously be used. In some cases it is also advantageous to use waxes, for example cetyl palmitate, as the sole lipid component of the oil phase; advantageously, the oil phase is chosen from the group that consists of 2-ethylhexyl isostearate, octyldodecanol, isotridecyl isononanoate, isoeicosane, 2-ethylhexyl cocoate, C12-15-alkyl benzoate, capryl-capric acid triglyceride and dicaprylyl ether. Mixtures of C12-15-alkyl benzoate and 2-ethylhexyl isostearate, mixtures of C12-15-alkyl benzoate and isotridecyl isononanoate and mixtures of C12-15-alkyl benzoate, 2-ethylhexyl isostearate and isotridecyl isononanoate are particularly advantageous. The hydrocarbons paraffin oil, squalane and squalene can also advantageously be used. Advantageously, the oil phase can furthermore contain cyclic or linear silicone oils or consist entirely of such oils, it being, however, preferred to use an additional content of other oil phase components in addition to the silicone oil or the silicone oils. Cyclomethicone (for example, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane) can advantageously be used as silicone oil. However, other silicone oils can also advantageously be used, for example undecamethylcyclotrisiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane and poly(methyl-phenylsiloxane). Furthermore, mixtures of cyclomethicone and isotridecyl isononanoate and of cyclomethicone and 2-ethylhexyl isostearate are particularly advantageous. The aqueous phase of formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 and are in the form of an emulsion can advantageously comprise: alcohols, diols or polyols having a low C number and also the ethers thereof, preferably ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol monoethyl or monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl or monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl or monoethyl ether and analogous products, and also alcohols having a low C number, for example, ethanol, isopropanol, 1,2-propanediol, glycerol and also, in particular, one or more thickeners, which thickener or thickeners can advantageously be chosen from the group comprising silicon dioxide, aluminium silicates, polysaccharides and the derivatives thereof, for example hyaluronic acid, xanthan gum, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, and particularly advantageously from the group comprising the polyacrylates, preferably a polyacrylate from the group comprising the so-called carbopols, for example carbopols of types 980, 981, 1382, 2984, 5984, in each case on their own or in combination. Formulations that contain diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 according to the invention and are in the form of an emulsion advantageously contain one or more emulsifiers. O/W emulsifiers can, for example, advantageously be chosen from the group comprising the polyethoxylated or polypropoxylated or polyethoxylated and polypropoxylated products, for example: the fatty alcohol ethoxylates the ethoxylated wool wax alcohols, the polyethylene glycol ethers of the general formula R—O—(—CH2—CH2—O—)n—R′, the fatty acid ethoxylates of the general formula R—COO—(—CH2—CH2—O—)n—H, the etherified fatty acid ethoxylates of the general formula R—COO—(—CH2—CH2—O—)—R′, the esterified fatty acid ethoxylates of the general formula R—C OO—(—CH2—CH2—O—)n—C(O)—R′, the polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters the ethoxylated sorbitan esters the cholesterol ethoxylates the ethoxylated triglycerides the alkyl ether carboxylic acids of the general formula R—COO—(—CH2—CH2—O—)n—OOH, and n represent (sic) a number from 5 to 30, the polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, the alkyl ether sulphates of the general formula R—O—(—CH2—CH2—O—)n—SO3—H the fatty alcohol propoxylates of the general formula R—O—(—CH2—CH(CH3)—O—)n—H the polypropylene glycol ethers of the general formula R—O—(—CH2—CH (CH3)—O—)n—R′ the propoxylated wool wax alcohols, the esterified fatty acid propoxylates R—COO—(—CH2—CH(CH3)—O—)n—R′ the esterified fatty acid propoxylates of the general formula R—COO—(—CH2—CH(CH3)—O—)n—C(O)—R′ the fatty acid propoxylates of the general formula R—COO—(—CH2—CH(CH3)—O—)n—H, the polypropylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters the propoxylated sorbitan esters the cholesterol propoxylates the propoxylated triglycerides the alkyl ether carboxylic acids of the general formula R—O—(—CH2—CH(CH3)—O—)n—CH2—COOH, the alkyl ether sulphates and the acids on which these sulphates are based of the general formula R—O—(—CH2—CH(CH3)—O—)n—SO3—H, the fatty alcohol ethoxylates/propoxylates of the general formula R—O—Xn—Ym—H the polypropylene glycol ethers of the general formula R—O—Xn—Ym—R′ the esterified fatty acid propoxylates of the general formula R—COO—Xn—Ym—R′ the fatty acid ethoxylates/propoxylates of the general formula R—COO—Xn—Ym—H. According to the invention, the polyethoxylated or polypropoxylated or polyethoxylated and polypropoxylated OIW emulsifiers used are particularly advantageously chosen from the group comprising substances having HLB values of 11-18, very particularly advantageously having HLB values of 14.5-15.5, insofar as the ONV emulsifiers contain saturated radicals R and R′. If the O/W emulsifiers contain unsaturated radicals R and/or R′, or if there are isoalkyl derivatives, the preferred HLB value of such emulsifiers can also be lower or higher. It is advantageous to choose the fatty alcohol ethoxylates from the group comprising the ethoxylated stearyl alcohols, cetyl alcohols, cetylstearyl alcohols (cetearyl alcohols). The following are particularly preferred: Polyethylene glycol(13) stearyl ether (Steareth-13), polyethylene glycol(14) stearyl ether (Steareth-14), polyethylene glycol(15) stearyl ether (Steareth-15), polyethylene glycol(16) stearyl ether (Steareth-16), polyethylene glycol(17) stearyl ether (Steareth-17), polyethylene glycol(18) stearyl ether (Steareth-18), polyethylene glycol(19) stearyl ether (Steareth-19), polyethylene glycol(20) stearyl ether (Steareth-20), polyethylene glycol(12) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-12), polyethylene glycol(13) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-13), polyethylene glycol(14) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-14), polyethylene glycol(15) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-15), polyethylene glycol(16) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-16), polyethylene glycol(17) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-17), polyethylene glycol(18) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-18), polyethylene glycol(19) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-19), polyethylene glycol(20) isostearyl ether (Isosteareth-20), polyethylene glycol(13) cetyl-ether (Ceteth-13), polyethylene glycol(14) cetyl ether (Ceteth-14), polyethylene glycol(15) cetyl ether (Ceteth-15), polyethylene glycol(16) cetyl ether (Ceteth-16), polyethylene glycol(17) cetyl ether (Ceteth-17), polyethylene glycol(18) cetyl ether (Ceteth-18), polyethylene glycol(19) cetyl ether (Ceteth-19), polyethylene glycol(20) cetyl ether (Ceteth-20), polyethylene glycol(13) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-13), polyethylene glycol(14) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-14), polyethylene glycol(15) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-15), polyethylene glycol(16) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-16), polyethylene glycol(17) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-17), polyethylene glycol(18) isocetyl-ether (Isoceteth-18), polyethylene glycol(19) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-19), polyethylene glycol(20) isocetyl ether (Isoceteth-20), polyethylene glycol(12) oleyl ether (Oleth-12), polyethylene glycol(13) oleyl ether (Oleth-13), polyethylene glycol(14)-oleyl ether (Oleth-14), polyethylene glycol(15)oleyl ether (Oleth-15), polyethylene glycol(12) lauryl ether (Laureth-12), polyethylene glycol(12) isolauryl ether (Iso-laureth12), polyethylene glycol(13) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-13), polyethylene glycol(14) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-14), polyethylene glycol(15) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-15), polyethylene glycol(16) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-16), polyethylene glycol(17) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-17), polyethylene glycol(18) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-18), polyethylene glycol(19) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-19), polyethylene glycol(20) cetyl stearyl ether (Ceteareth-20). It is furthermore advantageous to choose the fatty acid ethoxylates from the following group: Polyethylene glycol(20) stearate, polyethylene glycol(21) stearate, polyethylene glycol(22) stearate, polyethylene glycol(23) stearate, polyethylene glycol(24) stearate, polyethylene glycol(25) stearate, polyethylene glycol(12) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(13) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(14) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(15) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(16) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(17) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(18) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(19) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(20) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(21) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(22) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(23) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(24) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(25) isostearate, polyethylene glycol(12) oleate, polyethylene glycol(13) oleate, polyethylene glycol(14) oleate, polyethylene glycol(15) oleate, polyethylene glycol(16) oleate, polyethylene glycol(17) oleate, polyethylene glycol(18) oleate, polyethylene glycol(19) oleate, polyethylene glycol(20) oleate. Advantageously, sodium laureth-11-carboxylate can be used as ethoxylated alkyl ether carboxylic acid or the salt thereof. Sodium laureth 1-4 sulphate can advantageously be used as alkyl ether sulphate. Polyethylene glycol(30) cholesteryl ether can advantageously be used as ethoxylated cholesterol derivative. Polyethylene glycol(25) soyasterol has also proved useful. The polyethylene glycol(60) evening primrose glycerides can advantageously be used as ethoxylated triglycerides. It is furthermore advantageous to choose the polyethylene glycol glycerol fatty acid esters from the group comprising polyethylene glycol(20) glyceryl laurate, polyethylene glycol(21) glyceryl laurate, polyethylene glycol(22) glyceryl laurate, polyethylene glycol(23) glyceryl laurate, polyethylene glycol(6) glyceryl caprate/caprinate, polyethylene glycol(20) glyceryl oleate, polyethylene glycol(20) glyceryl isostearate, polyethylene glycol(18) glyceryl oleate/cocoate. It is also advantageous to choose the sorbitan esters from the group comprising polyethylene glycol(20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyethylene glycol(20) sorbitan monostearate, polyethylene glycol(20) sorbitan monoisostearate, polyethylene glycol(20) sorbitan monopalmitate, polyethylene glycol(20) sorbitan monooleate. The following can be used as advantageous W/O emulsifiers: fatty alcohols having 8 to 30 carbon atoms, monoglycerol esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alkanecarboxylic acids having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms, diglycerol esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alkanecarboxylic acids having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms, monoglycerol ethers of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alcohols having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms, diglycerol ethers of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alcohols having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms, propylene glycol esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alkanecarboxylic acids having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms and sorbitan esters of saturated and/or unsaturated, branched and/or straight-chain alkanecarboxylic acids having a chain length of 8 to 24, in particular 12 to 18 C atoms. Particularly advantageous W/O emulsifiers are glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl monoisostearate, glyceryl monomyristate , glyceryl monooleate, diglyceryl monostearate, diglyceryl monoisostearate, propylene glycol monostearate, propylene glycol monoisostearate, propylene glycol monocaprylate, propylene glycol monolaurate, sorbitan monoisostearate, sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monocaprylate, sorbitan monoisooleate, sucrose distearate, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol, isobehenyl alcohol, selachyl alcohol, chimyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol(2) stearyl ether (Steareth-2), glyceryl monolaurate, glyceryl monocaprinate, glyceryl monocaprylate. Preferred embodiments and further aspects of the present invention can be seen from the appended patent claims and the following examples. EXAMPLE 1 Experiments to Determine the Tyrosinase-Inhibiting Action of Styrylresorcinol (4) The finding that diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 (where R1-5 can each have the meanings indicated above) are outstanding for use as agents for skin lightening and for combating age spots results from the following experiments, which were carried out on 3T3 fibrosarcoma cells or B16V mouse melanoma cells. A. (Cytotoxicity Determination) 3T3 fibrosarcoma cells or B16V mouse melanoma cells are distributed in a 96-well microtitre plate in a concentration of 1×104 cells/well (3T3) or 2×104 cells/well (B16V). After culturing for 24 h at 37° C. and 5% CO2 in DMEM medium (3T3 cells) or RPMI medium (B16V cells), enriched with 10% foetal calf serum, the medium is removed by suction. Various concentrations of the test substances, dissolved in fresh medium enriched with 5% foetal calf serum, are added and the plates are incubated for a further 48 h. A parallel incubation is carried out using SDS as standard in concentrations of 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM, 1 mM and 10 mM. After the incubation, the medium is removed by suction and the cells are incubated for with (sic) 2 h with MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). After extraction of the dye with SDS acidified with acetic acid in DMSO (10 min), the absorption (A) at 570 nm is measured. Average value and standard deviation of the controls, the blanks and the samples are calculated. The average value of the blanks is substracted from the average values of the controls and samples. The viability of the cells is indicated as a percentage with respect to the controls (100%): Viability (%)=(Atestcompound/Acontrol)×100] TABLE 1 Cytotoxicity (MTT/LDH assay, 3T3 fibroblasts and B16V mouse melanoma cells) - IC50 and IC20 values for styrylresorcinol, 4-hexylresorcinol and kojic acid. Test 3T3 cells B16V cells substance IC20 IC50 IC20 IC50 Kojic acid >100 mM >100 mM >100 mM >100 mM 4-hexylresorcinol 0.07 mM 0.14 mM n.d. n.d. Styrylresorcinol 0.07 mM 0.15 mM 0.02 mM 0.14 mM (4) n.d.: not determined The cytotoxicological experiments show that styrylresorcinol has a relatively low cytotoxicity, which is approximately comparable to the cytotoxicity of 4-hexylresorcinol, which, inter alia, is also used in food chemistry. B: IC50 Values for Styrylresorcinol (4) Compared With Kojic Acid and 4-Hexylresorcinol The IC50 values of styrylresorcinol (4), kojic acid and 4-hexylresorcinol were determined in accordance with the general test conditions described below and summarised in Table 2. Test method: B16V mouse melanoma cells are distributed in a 96-well micro titre plate in a concentration of 5×103 cells/well. After culturing for 24 h at 37° C. and 5% CO2 in RPMI medium, enriched with 10% foetal calf serum, various concentrations of the test substances and 10 nM α-MSH (α-melanocyte stimulating hormone) are added and the plates are incubated for a further 96 h. The maximum concentration of the test substances used corresponds to 0.1 times the value of the particular IC20 value from the cytotoxicity assay. A parallel incubation was carried out with kojic acid as standard in concentrations of 0.01 mM, 0.1 mM and 1 mM. After the incubation, SDS and NaOH (final concentrations: 1 mM and 1M, respectively) are added to the culture medium and the adsorption (A) is measured at 400 nm after 3 h. The inhibition of the pigmentation in the presence of the test compounds or kojic acid was calculated in accordance with the following equation: Inhibition of pigmentation (%)=100−[(Atestcompound/Acontrol)×100] The IC50 is calculated for each test compound from the inhibition of the pigmentation (%) in a series of dilutions of test compounds. The IC50 is the concentration of a test compound at which the pigmentation is 50% inhibited. TABLE 2 Lightening effect (B16V mouse melanoma cells) - IC50 values for styrylresorcinol, 4-hexylresorcinol and kojic acid Test substance IC50 (μM) Kojic acid 452.3 Styrylresorcinol (4) 2.1 4-hexylresorcinol 5.2 As Table 2 shows, styrylresorcinol significantly inhibits the tyrosinase activity in very low concentrations and is thus outstandingly suitable for use as an agent for skin and hair lightening and for combating age spots. Compared with kojic acid, an active compound that is already frequently used in cosmetic products for skin and hair lightening and for controlling age spots, which, however, is not entirely toxicologically acceptable, styrylresorcinol (Formula 4) according to the invention has an activity that is greater by a factor of approximately 215. Compared with 4-hexylresorcinol, styrylresorcinol (Formula 4) still proves to be more than twice as effective. Accordingly, the effect of 4-hexylresorcinol compared with kojic acid is also only approximately 87 times as great. The experiments discussed above clearly show that diphenylmethane derivatives of the Formula 1 (where R1 to R5 have the meanings indicated above and what has been stated above also applies in respect of the preferred meanings of R1 to R5) severely inhibit tyrosinase and thus are outstandingly suitable for use as skin and hair lightening agents, for combating age spots and/or as browning inhibitors in food chemistry.

20061114

20170523

20070503

71629.0

A61K831

PRYOR, ALTON NATHANIEL

USE OF DIPHENYLMETHANE DERIVATIVES AS TYROSINASE INHIBITORS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Implant device

An implant device for bone anchored hearing aids of the type that include a screw-shaped anchoring element for anchorage in the bone tissue, an abutment sleeve for skin penetration and arranged to be connected to the fixture with a screw connection and a tool for installing the implant into the bone tissue. The fixture and the abutment sleeve are made as a pre-mounted unit that unit is arranged to be installed in one step by means of the tool, which is arranged to cooperate with a tool engaging portion on the abutment sleeve. This arrangement requires fewer pieces to handle for the surgeon during the installation, which means that the surgical procedure can be carried out in a simpler and predetermined way, at the same time as the advantages inherent in a two-piece implant device are maintained.

1. An implant device for bone anchored hearing aids of the type which comprises a screw-shaped anchoring element (fixture) for anchorage in the bone tissue, an abutment sleeve for skin penetration and arranged to be connected to the fixture by means of a separate screw connection and a tool or installing the implant into the bone tissue wherein the fixture and the abutment sleeve are made as a pre-mounted unit by means of the screw connection which unit is arranged to be installed in one step by means of said tool which is arranged to cooperate with a tool engaging portion on the abutment sleeve. 2. The implant device according to claim 1, wherein the fixture is a self-tapping fixture and provided with a flange. 3. The implant device according to claim 1, wherein the tool engaging portion on the abutment sleeve comprises a number of symmetrically arranged recesses or holes. 4. The implant device according to claim 3, wherein the tool is provided with a lower, central protruding portion with a number of peripherally located, in the longitudinal direction of the tool extending spikes which spikes during tightening, insertion of the implant unit, are arranged to cooperate with said holes or recesses on the abutment sleeve. 5. The implant device according to claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a first connecting part for installation of the pre-mounted implant device by means of a machine driver as well as a second connecting part for manual insertion of the implant device. 6. The implant device according to claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a resilient ring for cooperation with the edge of the abutment sleeve in order to provide a lifting function. 7. The implant device according to claim 6, wherein the pre-mounted implant device is delivered sterile in a plastic package comprising a titanium packaging sleeve in order to retain the implant device in a predetermined position in the plastic package, and after the plastic package has been broken before use the implant device is arranged to be separated from the titanium packaging sleeve by means of said tool and its lifting function. 8. The implant device according to claim 7, wherein a sealing ring is arranged on the cylindrical outer surface of the plastic package to provide a tightening between the plastic package and a screw lid, said sealing ring being adjustable in the longitudinal direction to provide a tightening even for different positions of the lid on the package.

The present invention relates to an implant device for bone anchored hearing aids. The device comprises a screw-shaped anchoring element (fixture) for permanent anchorage in the bone tissue, an abutment sleeve for skin penetration arranged to be connected to the fixture by means of a screw connection and a tool for installing the implant in the bone tissue. The invention is specifically intended to be used in connection with hearing aid devices of the bone conduction type, ie hearing aid devices by which the sound is transmitted mechanically via the skull bone directly to the inner ear of a person with impaired hearing. However, the invention is not limited to this specific application, but can be used in connection with other types of hearing aid devices for anchorage in the skull bone. For persons who cannot benefit from traditional, air conduction hearing aids there are other types of sound transmitting hearing aids on the market, ie bone anchored hearing aids which mechanically transmit the sound information to a persons inner ear via the skull bone by means of a vibrator. The hearing aid device is connected to an anchoring element in the form of an implanted titanium screw installed in the bone behind the external ear and the sound is transmitted via the skull bone to the cochlea (inner ear), ie the hearing aid works irrespective of a disease in the middle ear or not. The bone anchoring principle means that the skin is penetrated which makes the vibratory transmission very efficient. This type of hearing aid device has been a revolution for the rehabilitation of patients with certain types of impaired hearing. It is very convenient for the patient and almost invisible with normal hair styles. It can easily be connected to the implanted titanium fixture by means of a bayonet coupling or a snap in coupling. One example of this type of hearing aid device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,498,461 and it is also referred to the BAHA® bone anchored hearing aid marketed by Entific Medical Systems in Göteborg. The fixtures which are used today for the bone anchored hearing aid devices are normally designed in such a way that a screw tap is required to form an internal thread in the hole drilled in the skull bone before the screw is inserted. One example of such a fixture is illustrated in U.S. Des. 294,295. This fixture has an external thread with small cutting edges which have a scraping effect in the pre-tapped bone hole. The fixture has also a flange which functions as a stop against the bone surface when the fixture is screwed down into the skull bone. The flange is also in this case provided with through holes for bone ingrowth or the like. However, it is also previously known to use self-tapping fixtures for the hearing aids. The advantage with that type of fixtures is that they can be inserted without the use of any screw tap, see SE 0002627-8. The installation of the implant is then much easier as at least one tool and one step in the installation procedure of the implant is eliminated. The implants which are used on the market today are normally in two pieces, one piece consists of the screw-shaped anchoring element (fixture) and the other piece consists of the abutment sleeve for skin penetration. The reason for this two-piece design is the fact that the surgical technique which normally has been used for installing the implants has been carried out as a two-step procedure. In the first step the fixture is inserted and maintained unloaded during a healing period of some months or so. After this healing period the second step of the surgical procedure, ie the connection of the abutment sleeve by means of a screw connection, is carried out. Thanks to this two-part design the implants can be up-graded if necessary without removing the fixture, and if the abutment sleeve is damaged then it can also be replaced without need of removal of the bone anchored screw. The disadvantage with these two-part implants is the fact that the number of individual pieces to handle is increased and thereby the surgery time. Normally the fixture is installed by means of a so-called fixture mount which is attached to the fixture by means of a screw joint and the fixture mount has to be removed after the fixture has been inserted. After this moment the abutment sleeve has to be attached in correct position to the fixture by means of a very small screw, either directly after the insertion of the fixture or after a suitable healing period. In both cases there is a risk that the abutment sleeve is attached to the fixture with a too small tightening torque (then there is a risk that the screw joint is loosening) or a too big tightening torque (then there is a risk that the anchorage of the fixture screw in the bone is jeopardized). By SE 9702164-6 it is previously known to integrate a flange fixture with a first coupling part so that an integral one-piece member is formed. The disadvantage with such an integral implant is the fact that a deformation zone has to be arranged between the flange fixture part and the coupling part of the implant. This deformation zone has at the same time the function of a dismounting zone within which the first coupling part can be separated from the implant by means of a specific tool (cylindric cutter) if a dismounting of the main parts of the implant should be necessary. In order to be able to re-connect the parts with each other it is necessary to provide a washer to bridge the milled away portion of the implant. The simplified installation procedure with such an implant is then counteracted by the complicated procedure which is required if a dismounting should be necessary. One object of the present invention is to provide an implant device of the above-mentioned type which gives the surgeon a less number of pieces to handle during the installation which means that the surgical procedure can be carried out in a more simple way. However, the implant device should at the same time be designed in such a way that the advantages inherent in a two-piece implant device shall be maintained. A further object of the invention is to provide an implant device in which the risk for a mistake in the surgical procedure, for instance an incorrect mounting of the fixture mount or the abutment sleeve, an incorrect tightening torque or the like, is reduced. The invention is mainly characterized in that the fixture and the abutment sleeve are made as a pre-mounted unit which unit is arranged to be installed in one step by means of a tool which is arranged to cooperate with a tool engaging portion on the abutment sleeve. According to a preferred embodiment the fixture is a self-tapping fixture. According to a further preferred embodiment the tool comprises a first connecting part for machine insertion of the implant unit as well as a second connecting part for manual insertion of the implant device. In the following the invention will be described more in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 illustrates the main parts of an implant device according to the invention, separated as well as pre-mounted, FIG. 2 illustrates a tool for installation of the pre-mounted implant device, and FIG. 3 illustrates a package for the pre-mounted implant device. FIG. 1 illustrates a screw-shaped anchoring element, a so-called fixture 1. The fixture is made of titanium which has a known ability to integrate with the surrounding bone tissue, so-called osseointegration. The fixture has a threaded part 1a which is intended to be installed into the skull bone and a flange 1b which functions as a stop when the fixture is installed into the skull bone. The apical part of the fixture has a known tapping ability with in this case three self-tapping edges 1c. A fixture of this type is described in the above-mentioned SE 0002627-8 and will therefore not be described in any detail here. The skin penetrating part of the implant comprises a conical abutment sleeve 2 which is also previously known per se as a separate component. The abutment sleeve is provided with an inner annular flange 10′ at its upper edge 10 in order to cooperate with a second coupling part (not shown) by means of snap-in action. The abutment sleeve has an internal shoulder 12 with a central opening 13 for the screw 3 and a number of peripherically arranged through holes or recesses 8 which function will be described more in detail in connection with the tool in FIG. 2. According to the invention the three main parts are delivered in the form of a pre-mounted device as illustrated in FIG. 1. This means that the implant device is delivered pre-mounted in its package to the surgeon who is then installing the entire device in one step. The abutment sleeve is pre-mounted to the fixture at the manufacturing site with the correct tightening torque and the surgeon does not need to know the correct tightening torque or handle the separate pieces. In contrast to the previously known implants the fixture hex 1d is not used for tool engagement during insertion, but instead the recesses 8 in the abutment sleeve are used. These recesses are located on the upper part of the implant device and more visible than the hex which was previously used for the tool engagement and then required the use of a specific fixture mount for the installation. Previously a screw-driver and a counter torque device has been used for mounting the abutment sleeve on the fixture. According to the present invention only one tool 4 is used, see FIG. 2. The tool comprises a first connecting part 6 for a conventional dental drilling machine as well as a second connecting part in the form of a rectangular portion for manual insertion of the implant. The base portion of the tool comprises a resilient ring 9 with a number of stubs 14 for cooperation with the edge 10 of the abutment sleeve for providing a lifting function for the tool. The tool is also provided with a lower, central protruding portion 15 with a number of peripherally located, in the longitudinal direction extending spikes 16 which spikes during insertion of the implant unit, are arranged to cooperate with said holes or recesses 8 on the abutment sleeve in order to screw down the implant unit in the bone tissue into a desired position. The tool is preferably made of stainless steel while the resilient ring 9 can be made of a plastic material. The pre-mounted implant device is delivered steril in a plastic package 11 comprising a titanium packaging sleeve 12 in order to retain the implant device in a predetermined position in the plastic package, see FIG. 3. At the surgery the plastic package is broken by removing the plastic lid 17 and the pre-mounted implant device is then separated from the titanium packaging sleeve 12 by means of the tool 4 and said lifting function. By placing the pre-mointed implant device in a titanium packaging sleeve 12 it is protected so that the tool will not come into contact with the fixture part when the implant device is removed from the packaging. A sealing ring 18 is arranged on the cylindrical outer surface of the plastic package to provide a tightening between the plastic package and the lid 17. The sealing ring 18 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction to provide a tightening even for different positions of the plastic lid 17 on the package. The invention is not limited to the embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings but can be varied within the scope of the accompanying patent claims.

20051129

20080805

20070111

64708.0

A61C800

PENDLETON, DIONNE

IMPLANT DEVICE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61C

ACCEPTED

Active ingredient composition comprising vegetalbe extracts for use in cosmetic products

The invention relates to an active ingredient composition used in cosmetic products, said composition containing vegetable extracts and combating in particular free radicals. The active ingredient composition is an alcohol-based mixture of vegetable extracts that is devoid of liposomes, consisting of between 0.1 and 2 wt. % green coffee-bean extract, between 0.1 and 2 wt. % Camellia sinensis leaf extract, between 0.1 and 2 wt % Pongamia pinnata extract and between 0.1 and 2 wt. % Angelica archangelica root extract and a residual content of a monovalent C2-C5 alcohol to obtain the total of 100 wt. %. The free radical protection factor amounts to 1400-2900×1014 free radicals per mg.

1-5. (canceled) 6. A cosmetic preparation with plant extracts comprising 0.1 and 10% by weight of an active preparation comprising a liposome-free mixture of plant extracts with an alcoholic base, which consists of 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from green coffee beans, 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from Pongamia pinnata and 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from the roots of Angelica archangelica, a monovalent C2-C5 alcohol making up the remainder up to 100% by weight, wherein the radical protection factor ranges between 1,400 and 2,900×1014 radicals per mg and wherein the aforesaid concentrations are relative to the total weight of the cosmetic preparation. 7. The cosmetic preparation according to claim 6, wherein said active preparation is a mixture of plant extracts with an alcoholic base, which consists of 0.2% by weight extract from green coffee beans, 0.2% by weight extract from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, 0.2% by weight extract from Pongamia pinnata and 0.2% by weight extract from the roots of Angelica archangelica and 99.2% by weight ethanol. 8. The cosmetic preparation according to claim 6, wherein said active preparation is provided in a cosmetic preparation in a concentration ranging between 0.1 and 10% by weight, and the radical protection factor of said cosmetic preparation ranges between 60 and 140×1014 radicals per mg. 9. An active preparation according to claim 6, wherein said active preparation is provided in a spray or a perfume.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a national stage of PCT/EP2004/005542 filed May 21, 2004 and based upon DE 103 25 156.1 filed May 28, 2003 under the International Convention. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to an active preparation for cosmetics, which contains plant extracts and has special anti-radical properties. 2. Related Art of the Invention From WO 99/66881, a cosmetic active preparation with a high radical protection factor is known, which contains an extract from the bark of Quebracho blanco enclosed in microcapsules and a silkworm extract as main ingredients, which extracts are provided in a gel together with phospholipids and form an association complex in said gel. The aforesaid active complex can in addition contain further ingredients, e.g. plant extracts. Plant extracts mentioned include, among many others, those obtained from coffee beans and angelica root. Said combinations have radical protection factors ranging between 100 and 10,000, and the cosmetic preparations in which they are used have radical protection factors of 40-200, depending on the amount of the active preparation added. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a composition for use in cosmetics, which can be easily prepared without using encapsulating liposomes and which at the same time has a high radical protection factor, but can be combined much more easily with other cosmetic ingredients and is also suitable for the production of perfumes and sprays. According to the invention, the active preparation consists of a mixture of plant extracts with an alcoholic base, which consists of 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from green coffee beans, 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from Pongamia pinnata and 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from the roots of Angelica archangelica, a monovalent C2-C5 alcohol making up the remainder up to 100% by weight. The extract mixture is free from liposomes and has a radical protection factor ranging between 1,400 and 2,900×1014 radicals per mg. The aforesaid extracts are alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extracts, preferably alcoholic extracts. The extraction temperatures range between 18 and 28° C. The extract from Pongamia pinnata was obtained from the whole plant. The extract mixture can make up 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, of a cosmetic, relative to the cosmetic's total weight. It has been found that such an active mixture has an unexpectedly high radical protection factor (RPF) of approx. 1,400-2,900×1014 radicals per mg, determined by measuring the number of free radicals in a solution of a test substance (S1) by means of electron spin resonance (ESR) and comparing it with the ESR measuring result of the cosmetic active preparation according to the equation RPF=(RC×RF)/PI wherein RF=(S1−S2)/S1; RC=concentration of the test substance (radicals/ml); PI=concentration of the active preparation (mg/ml) (measurement according to WO 99/66881). The RPF found in this way is considerably higher than that of an active preparation in WO 99/66881, which is specified to be 1,255. It has further been found that a cosmetic composition containing the active preparation according to the invention will have radical protection factors of 60 to 140×1014 radicals per mg if said active preparation is contained in said cosmetic composition in a preferred concentration ranging between 0.5 and 2% by weight, which is considerably higher than the values of 35 to 49×1014 specified in the examples of WO 99/66881. The active preparation according to the invention can be used in W/o or O/W emulsions, gels or gel emulsions. Its use in perfumes or sprays is particularly advantageous. The active preparations known from WO 99/66881 are always combined with a gel and in addition the active agents are encapsulated in liposomes, which frequently makes it very difficult to atomize such formulations; as a consequence, these formulations with high radical protection factors can hardly be used for such applications. In contrast, the alcoholic solution of the active preparation according to the invention can be prepared more easily since no liposomes must be produced, it has high radical protection factors and it can be incorporated into spray or perfume applications and atomized by the user without problems. The active preparation according to the invention can also be combined with other cosmetic auxiliaries and active agents and processed to obtain forms suitable for application. Such auxiliaries include water, preservatives, colourants, pigments having a colouring effect, thickeners, fragrances, alcohols, polyols, esters, electrolytes, gel-forming agents, polar and non-polar oils, polymers, copolymers, emulsifiers, stabilizers. Cosmetic active agents include e.g. inorganic and organic sunscreens, further radical scavengers, moisturizers, vitamins, enzymes, further plant-based active agents, polymers, melanin, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory natural active agents. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will hereinafter be explained in more detail by means of examples. All quantities are in % by weight unless indicated otherwise. Example 1 Moisturizing Skin Balm Phase A Water q.s. ad 100 Glycerine 2.0 Butylene Glycol 2.0 Tetrasodium Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid 0.1 Preservative 0.4 pH adjuster 0.3 Phase B Beheneth-25 3.3 Cetearyl Alcohol 2.7 Dicapryl Carbonate 8.5 Shea Butter 7.2 Phenoxyethanol 0.9 Modified maize starch powder 3.0 Dimethicone 1.4 Simulgel ® NS 3.5 Phase C Colourants 0.1 Water of volcanic origin** 1.0 Peptide palmitoyl-gly-his-lys 0.5 Mixture of alcoholic extracts from plants* 0.2 Crithmum maritimum extract 0.5 Hydrolyzed soy protein 1.0 Benzophenone-4 (for colourants) 0.4 *Consisting of 0.2% by weight seeds of coffee beans, 0.2% by weight Camelli sinensis leaves, 0.2% by weight Pongamia pinnata, 0.2% by weight angelica root and 99.2% by weight ethanol; RPF 2630 × 1014 rad/mg. **With the following salt concentrations: 0.01-0.05 mg/l Fe, 100-300 mg/l K, 1,000-2,000 mg/l Na, 80-200 mg/l Mg, 50-150 mg/l Ca, 50-150 mg/l Si (as SiO2), 0.01-0.1 mg/l P, 0.001-0.005 mg/l Se, 0.01-0.03 mg/l Zn. Phases A and B are mixed separately at approx. 60° C., Phase C is mixed at approx. 35° C., and all three phases are combined with one another while stirring at approx. 35° C. The skin balm has an RPF of 68 (×1014 radicals per mg). Example 2 Perfume Ethanol q.s. ad 100 Mixture of alcoholic extracts from plants* 9.5 Perfume 8 RPF = 137. Example 3 Spray Ethanol q.s. ad 100 Mixture of alcoholic extracts from plants* 5 Propellant gas 38 RPF = 93. The spray was excellent to handle, showed a very fine droplet distribution and caused no such problems as comparative sprays in which plant extracts were encapsulated in liposomes.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to an active preparation for cosmetics, which contains plant extracts and has special anti-radical properties. 2. Related Art of the Invention From WO 99/66881, a cosmetic active preparation with a high radical protection factor is known, which contains an extract from the bark of Quebracho blanco enclosed in microcapsules and a silkworm extract as main ingredients, which extracts are provided in a gel together with phospholipids and form an association complex in said gel. The aforesaid active complex can in addition contain further ingredients, e.g. plant extracts. Plant extracts mentioned include, among many others, those obtained from coffee beans and angelica root. Said combinations have radical protection factors ranging between 100 and 10,000, and the cosmetic preparations in which they are used have radical protection factors of 40-200, depending on the amount of the active preparation added.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The object of the invention is to provide a composition for use in cosmetics, which can be easily prepared without using encapsulating liposomes and which at the same time has a high radical protection factor, but can be combined much more easily with other cosmetic ingredients and is also suitable for the production of perfumes and sprays. According to the invention, the active preparation consists of a mixture of plant extracts with an alcoholic base, which consists of 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from green coffee beans, 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from Pongamia pinnata and 0.1 to 2% by weight extract from the roots of Angelica archangelica, a monovalent C 2 -C 5 alcohol making up the remainder up to 100% by weight. The extract mixture is free from liposomes and has a radical protection factor ranging between 1,400 and 2,900×10 14 radicals per mg. The aforesaid extracts are alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic extracts, preferably alcoholic extracts. The extraction temperatures range between 18 and 28° C. The extract from Pongamia pinnata was obtained from the whole plant. The extract mixture can make up 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, of a cosmetic, relative to the cosmetic's total weight. It has been found that such an active mixture has an unexpectedly high radical protection factor (RPF) of approx. 1,400-2,900×10 14 radicals per mg, determined by measuring the number of free radicals in a solution of a test substance (S 1 ) by means of electron spin resonance (ESR) and comparing it with the ESR measuring result of the cosmetic active preparation according to the equation in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? RPF= ( RC×RF ) /PI in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? wherein RF=(S 1 −S 2 )/S 1 ; RC=concentration of the test substance (radicals/ml); PI=concentration of the active preparation (mg/ml) (measurement according to WO 99/66881). The RPF found in this way is considerably higher than that of an active preparation in WO 99/66881, which is specified to be 1,255. It has further been found that a cosmetic composition containing the active preparation according to the invention will have radical protection factors of 60 to 140×10 14 radicals per mg if said active preparation is contained in said cosmetic composition in a preferred concentration ranging between 0.5 and 2% by weight, which is considerably higher than the values of 35 to 49×10 14 specified in the examples of WO 99/66881. The active preparation according to the invention can be used in W/o or O/W emulsions, gels or gel emulsions. Its use in perfumes or sprays is particularly advantageous. The active preparations known from WO 99/66881 are always combined with a gel and in addition the active agents are encapsulated in liposomes, which frequently makes it very difficult to atomize such formulations; as a consequence, these formulations with high radical protection factors can hardly be used for such applications. In contrast, the alcoholic solution of the active preparation according to the invention can be prepared more easily since no liposomes must be produced, it has high radical protection factors and it can be incorporated into spray or perfume applications and atomized by the user without problems. The active preparation according to the invention can also be combined with other cosmetic auxiliaries and active agents and processed to obtain forms suitable for application. Such auxiliaries include water, preservatives, colourants, pigments having a colouring effect, thickeners, fragrances, alcohols, polyols, esters, electrolytes, gel-forming agents, polar and non-polar oils, polymers, copolymers, emulsifiers, stabilizers. Cosmetic active agents include e.g. inorganic and organic sunscreens, further radical scavengers, moisturizers, vitamins, enzymes, further plant-based active agents, polymers, melanin, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory natural active agents. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051128

20080422

20061109

77307.0

A61K3682

FLOOD, MICHELE C

ACTIVE PREPARATION CONTAINING PLANT EXTRACTS FOR COSMETICS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Foam spring mattress

The mattress (1) is made of a block of flexible polyurethane foam (4) with a density of 40 Kg/m3 or of any other density, said block being firstly cut with a cut programmable automatic machine, by the main side and then turned at a 90° degree angle by its small side. A certain amount of springs (5) is thereby formed depending on each type of mattress (1). The amount of spirals (5.1) of every spring (5) depends on the position of each spring in the mattress (1) with the purpose of varying the flexibility thereof so that the mattress (1) can perfectly adapt to the contour to of every user or so that the flexibility can remain constant throughout the entire mattress. Multiple variations can be realized while the height of the mattress remains the same (less spirals having the same spiral thickness and more base and uncut, etc.; the width of a spiral can be changed, as well as the number of spirals, the inclination of the axis of the spirals, the total height of an area-budge or cavity, etc. The upper surface of the product is covered with a viscous elastic layer (3) of polyurethane with a 50 Kg m3 density, 4 cm thickness and threaded padding (2)

1- Polyurethane foam spring mattress (1), characterised in that the main body is made from a single block of said material and is provided with a plurality of springs (5) of variable resistance to compression. 2- Polyurethane spring mattress (1) according to the first claim characterised in that the springs (5) of said mattress are provided with spirals (5.1) that are shaped by cutting the aforementioned block with a specific machine and discarding the excess material. 3- Polyurethane spring mattress (1) according to the first claim, characterised in that said springs (5) can be made up of different numbers of spirals (5.1) for different springs within a single mattress and are distributed in relation to the area of the mattress and the relative distribution of a person's weight, with the objective of varying the resistance to compression of said springs and therefore of the mattress. 4- Polyurethane spring mattress (1) according to the first claim, characterised in that the springs (5) of said mattress have the shape of the trunk of a pyramid (9) and are provided with spirals (5.1) and are shaped by cutting a parallelepiped rectangular block of polyurethane foam by means of a specific programmable machine in two steps: a first step for shaping by means of a cutting blade manoeuvred by said machine, which covers the entire length or width of the polyurethane block, two first opposite faces of each spring (5) and partially, two platforms (6) into which all of the springs (5) of each mattress (1) are integrated, and a second step for shaping by means of the same cutting blade manoeuvred by said machine, which covers the entire length or width of the polyurethane block, a second pair of opposite faces adjacent to the first two faces and completely the two platforms (6) in which all of the springs (5) of each mattress are integrated, after turning said block 90° around a vertical axis, producing less than 1% of the material of the block as waste product since two essentially equal and complementary pieces are obtained. 5- Polyurethane spring mattress (1) according to the first claim, characterised in that each spring (5) acts as a perfectly elastic part that, after being deformed under the action of a force, recovers its original shape and position in a natural way once the action of said force has ceased. 6- Polyurethane spring mattress (1) according to the first claim, characterised in that it is provided with a visco-elastic layer of polyurethane (3) and knit padding (2).

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a new type of mattress, completely made of foam, synthetic rubber, etc., and which is provided with a number of springs made up of the same material as that of the mattress itself. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are currently a great number of types of mattresses on the market that ensure giving people's bodies beneficial rest, and which also must fulfil the function of giving people proper support, being neither too soft nor too hard. The main varieties are the following: Wool mattress: currently they are produced very infrequently, because wool has been replaced by new materials. This type of mattress has as a drawback that with use, the wool becomes lumpy and that every two or three years it has to be re-carded so as to restore its consistency. In addition, mattress makers are very scarce nowadays. Spring mattress: it is made of steel springs that can be bi-conical (the upper and lower spirals are bigger than the central ones), or cylindrical (the spirals have all got the same diameter), and they are often individually insulated in order to prevent noise. On either side of the springs, the filling-holder is lined with a layer of horsehair, sisal or felt; a cotton, wool or synthetic fibre filling, which in turn are also lined; and finally, the whole assembly is closed into the outer cover. These mattresses are solid and comfortable. “Multi-elastic” mattresses differ from those of traditional springs in that they have a kind of thick net of metallic thread. Synthetic latex mattress: a chemical reconstruction of natural latex. These mattresses have a flat surface, and another one full of cells that facilitate air circulation. They are very hygienic, but sensitive to light when they are exposed to it without their covers. Polyester mattress: the density of polyester used for producing mattresses must not be less than 25 kg/M3. The softness of the foam depends on this density. Since the regulations are not always respected, this type of material has acquired an undeservedly bad reputation. Before buying one of these mattresses, the consumer should insist that the density of the foam rubber should be specified. It should also have a thickness of, at least, 10 cm to be of good quality. With the objective of solving the described problems, a new type of mattress has been developed, which is described below. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention consists of a new type of mattress that is made from a block of flexible polyurethane foam of 40 Kg/M3 or of any other density, and later with an automatic programmable machine, the interior of said block is cut first on its larger side and later turning the block 90°, or turning to another angle in which case the springs would remain in an oblique arrangement, by the smaller side or vice-versa, thus forming a certain quantity of springs that depends on the size of each type of mattress. It can also be produced by injection, or by any other method. The number of spirals that each spring has depends on the position of each one within the mattress with the objective of varying its flexibility and that the mattress should adjust perfectly to the shape of every individual person in the first shape of the mattress. However, in a second shape of the mattress designed to use each block of polyurethane foam to the maximum, the springs have the same number of spirals throughout the entire surface of the mattress and the pressure created by each spring will depend on its deformation, being greater the more it is compressed, adjusting itself to the pressure points of the person who will be using it, reducing the pressure where other mattresses do not have such flexibility. The nucleus of this type of spring mattress is made of a single piece and with a single material, or starting with a block that can be made by gluing pieces of different materials and densities. The product is completed on its upper face with a visco-elastic layer of flexible polyurethane of 50 Kg/m3 and 4 cm thick; or else the nucleus can be finished with a flat shape using the same material as the block, and finally it can optionally include a three-dimensional knit padding. The densities of the aforementioned materials are average values, these mattresses being amenable to the use of other, similar materials and with different densities depending on the desired reduction of pressure in the support areas. This mattress offers a number of advantages with respect to traditional mattresses, which are the following: They only sink down in the areas where they receive pressure. This property is maximally useful when the mattress is used by a couple with relatively different weights, thus preventing the person that weighs less from sliding towards the person that weighs more, maintaining the pressure in a proportional manner while avoiding deforming the mattress. It facilitates changing position. It facilitates adequate blood circulation, decreasing the pressure placed on the skin and greatly reducing the appearance of bedsores, and likewise decreasing the healing period of patients that already suffer from bedsores. They relieve the pain of patients that suffer from bone fragility Comfortable and adaptable to the body. Greater durability than traditional spring mattresses. Free from toxic substances. It is totally innocuous upon body contact. Bactericide. Anti-allergenic. Fireproof. Recyclable. This type of spring cut from a block of foam can be used not only for mattresses but also for any other kind of padded furniture, such as chairs, armchairs, seats, backrests and lower back support for vehicle seats, or for accessories such as pillows or cushions, whether they are conventional, wedge-shaped or cervical, neck supports, etc. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to complete the description of the invention and with the objective of improving the understanding of its characteristics, a set of figures is attached in which in a purely illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following are represented: FIG. 1A is a view from the larger side of a two-place mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4). The upper surface of the mattress (1) has a polyurethane visco-elastic layer (3) and padding (2). The springs (5) and the hollowed-out area (5.2) are shown, the outline of which is formed by the spirals (5.1) of each spring (5). FIG. 1B is a view of the smaller side of a two-place mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4). The upper surface of the mattress (1) has a layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) and padding (2). The springs (5) and the hollowed-out area (5.2) are shown, the outline of which is formed by the spirals (5.1) of each spring (5). FIG. 2A is a view of the larger side of a one-place mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4). The upper surface of the mattress (1) has a layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) and padding (2). The springs (5) and the hollowed-out area (5.2) are shown, whose outline is formed by the spirals (5.1) of each spring (5). FIG. 2B is a view of the smaller side of a one-place mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4). The upper surface of the mattress (1) has a layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) and padding (2). The springs (5) and the hollowed-out area (5.2) are shown, whose outline is formed by the spirals (5.1) of each spring (5). FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a two-place mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4). The upper surface of the mattress (1) has a layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) and padding (2). The distribution of the springs (5) is also visible on the larger side and on the smaller side of the mattress (1). FIG. 3B is the enlarged view of a spring (5) cut out of the interior area of a mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4), in which the spirals (5.1) and the hollowed-out area (5.2) are detailed. The layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) and the padding (2) are also visible. FIG. 4 is the profile view of a mattress (1) of polyurethane foam (4) with the springs (5), the spirals (5.1), the hollowed-out area (5.2), the layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) and the padding (2). It is also shown how the mattress (1) adapts perfectly to the shape of the person (6) resting on it. FIG. 5 illustrates another, alternative form of mattress spring with lines that facilitate its use in mattresses of lesser thickness, such as cot mattresses. They are compressed as the aforementioned ones, and are three-dimensional, and are made with parallel and/or non-parallel cuts on two faces of the block as shown. FIG. 6 illustrates in a schematic manner an alternative form for the mattress of the invention where it can be seen how, within a parallelepiped block of polyurethane or other material, it can be made by cutting out two parts, each of them constituting the nucleus of a pyramid-trunk type mattress, the springs of each piece being complementary to the other piece with which it formed the block. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Among the different types of spring mattresses that can be built based on this invention, the preferred embodiments are those described below. In a first preferred embodiment, starting with a block of polyurethane foam (4) with a density of 40 Kg/m3 or that which is in accordance with the use and the model and size of each mattress (1), the spirals (5.1) are cut with an especially designed machine expelling the excess material from the hollowed-out areas (5.2) and shaping the springs (5). In order for each spring (5) to be shaped, the machine must first carry out the spiral (5.1) cutting along the larger side of the mattress (1) and later along the smaller side. In this way, the four sides of each spring are perfectly cut and shaped. In a second preferred embodiment, the starting point is a parallelepiped rectangular block of polyurethane or other material, in accordance with the length and width that the final mattress should have, with a density of 40 kg/m3 or that which is appropriate in accordance with its use, and it is cut by way of a blade that covers all of the length or width of the block, manoeuvred by an arm and a programmable machine. In FIG. 6, by way of the solid-line arrows, the course of the blade in relation to one of the lateral sides of the block is shown, though only partially. The blade attacks the block at the tip (7) and cuts the lateral walls of a pyramid trunk (9), the walls of which are not straight but rather zigzagged, with the particular feature that on the opposite wall, the zigzag is displaced with respect to the other wall so that the most salient part of one substantially coincides with the inward part of the other, thus imitating the structure of a traditional spring of elastic material. After cutting out as many lateral walls as have been programmed, the blade is removed from the block at the tip (8) and returns to starting position (10). It should be noted that up to now the block has been cut into two equal, complementary pieces formed by a platform (6) from which the pyramid trunks (9) jut out, which up to now only have two faces formed, one fitted into the other. The block is then turned 90° on a vertical axis and the same process is carried out, so that the pyramid trunks (9) that form the springs (5) are completely cut out with four lateral zigzagging walls and the two bodies or nuclei of the mattress (1) that are formed by this process are completely separated. It is noteworthy that in this procedure, as well as forming two mattresses (1) at once, there is a minimal waste of polyurethane block mass or of other material, because both mattresses (1) are equal and complementary. For example, two mattresses (1) can be obtained from a 173 mm-thick block, made up of a 25 mm-thick platform (6) and with a total height of 148 mm, thus making use of 100% of the material. More specifically, two mattresses (1) of 180×900×1900 can be obtained from a block of 210×900×2000 mm; from which, as can be seen, 30 mm of thickness is lost due to the platforms (6), 100 mm in length due to a border (not shown) that is a result of the cutting process and is not usable, and no width at all is lost in the mattresses formed with respect to the width of the original block. To finalise the production of the mattress (1), once the springs (5) have been cut, an upper layer of visco-elastic polyurethane (3) can optionally be added to said mattress (1), including knit padding (2). Having sufficiently described the nature of this invention, as well as a practical application of the same, it only needs be added that modifications may be added in both its shape and its materials, as well as its production procedure, as long as these modifications do not substantially affect the characteristics claimed below.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>There are currently a great number of types of mattresses on the market that ensure giving people's bodies beneficial rest, and which also must fulfil the function of giving people proper support, being neither too soft nor too hard. The main varieties are the following: Wool mattress: currently they are produced very infrequently, because wool has been replaced by new materials. This type of mattress has as a drawback that with use, the wool becomes lumpy and that every two or three years it has to be re-carded so as to restore its consistency. In addition, mattress makers are very scarce nowadays. Spring mattress: it is made of steel springs that can be bi-conical (the upper and lower spirals are bigger than the central ones), or cylindrical (the spirals have all got the same diameter), and they are often individually insulated in order to prevent noise. On either side of the springs, the filling-holder is lined with a layer of horsehair, sisal or felt; a cotton, wool or synthetic fibre filling, which in turn are also lined; and finally, the whole assembly is closed into the outer cover. These mattresses are solid and comfortable. “Multi-elastic” mattresses differ from those of traditional springs in that they have a kind of thick net of metallic thread. Synthetic latex mattress: a chemical reconstruction of natural latex. These mattresses have a flat surface, and another one full of cells that facilitate air circulation. They are very hygienic, but sensitive to light when they are exposed to it without their covers. Polyester mattress: the density of polyester used for producing mattresses must not be less than 25 kg/M 3 . The softness of the foam depends on this density. Since the regulations are not always respected, this type of material has acquired an undeservedly bad reputation. Before buying one of these mattresses, the consumer should insist that the density of the foam rubber should be specified. It should also have a thickness of, at least, 10 cm to be of good quality. With the objective of solving the described problems, a new type of mattress has been developed, which is described below.

20051128

20090303

20061109

95858.0

A47C2715

GROSZ, ALEXANDER

FOAM SPRING MATTRESS

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A47C

ACCEPTED

Tube for heat exchanger

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger tube, in which turbulence generating portions placed within a passage of the tube are rounded into curved configurations with predetermined curvatures so that they are hardly damaged or fractured during extrusion to improve machinability and product quality, in which upper and lower circular passages formed in upper and lower sides of a tube body are connected via a connecting passage having the turbulence generating portions so that more passages having a smaller hydraulic diameter can be formed in the tube of the same size without unnecessary waste of tube material, and in which the turbulence generating portions are arranged in a lateral direction (Z-axial direction) of the tube body so that the passage is not filled with condensate films even though a large quantity of condensate is produced to reduce the thickness of the condensate films or break the condensate films to promote refrigerant to be converted into turbulent flow, thereby improving heat transfer ability.

1. A heat exchanger tube comprising: a flat body having predetermined lengths in longitudinal, vertical and lateral directions, respectively; and a plurality of refrigerant passages formed through the body in the longitudinal direction and arranged in the lateral direction, wherein each of the refrigerant passages comprises: upper and lower circular passages formed in upper and lower sides of the body in the vertical direction with predetermined radii R1 and R2, respectively; a connecting passage for connecting the upper and lower circular passages in a communicating fashion; and turbulence generating portions projected from laterally opposed inside wall portions of the connecting passage with predetermined radii of curvature R3 and R4, respectively. 2. The heat exchanger tube according to claim 1, wherein the connecting passage further includes linear sections for connecting the turbulence generating portions with the upper and lower circular passages. 3. The heat exchanger tube according to claim 1, wherein the turbulence generating portions have a projected ratio ranging 0.1 to 0.43, wherein the projected ratio is obtained by dividing a projected length ‘F’ of the turbulence generating portions with a maximum value ‘E’ of diameters of the upper and lower circular passages. 4. The heat exchanger tube according to claim 1, wherein the turbulence generating portions and the upper and lower circular passages satisfy an equation L1+L2≧R1+R2, wherein L1 indicates the shortest length from the straight line connecting vertexes c and d of the turbulence generating portions to the center a of the upper circular passage, and L2 indicates the shortest length from the straight line connecting the vertexes c and d of the turbulence generating portions to the center b of the lower circular passage. 5. A heat exchanger tube comprising: a flat body having specific lengths in longitudinal, vertical and lateral directions, respectively; and a number of refrigerant passages formed through the body in the longitudinal length and arranged in plurality in the lateral direction, wherein each of the refrigerant passages comprises: upper and lower circular passages, which are formed in upper and lower sides of the body in the vertical direction thereof with radii R1 and R2, respectively; a connecting passage for connecting the upper and lower circular passages in a communicating fashion; and turbulence generating portions which are projected from laterally opposed inside wall portions of the connecting passage to have linear sections. 6. The heat exchanger tube according to claim 2, wherein the turbulence generating portions have a projected ratio ranging 0.1 to 0.43, wherein the projected ratio is obtained by dividing a projected length ‘F’ of the turbulence generating portions with a maximum value ‘E’ of diameters of the upper and lower circular passages.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a heat exchanger tube, more particularly, in which turbulence generating portions placed within a passage of the tube are rounded into curved configurations with predetermined curvatures so that they are hardly damaged or fractured during extrusion to improve machinability and product quality, in which upper and lower circular passages formed in upper and lower sides of a tube body are connected via a connecting passage having the turbulence generating portions so that more passages having a smaller hydraulic diameter can be formed in the tube of the same size without unnecessary waste of tube material, and in which the turbulence generating portions are arranged in a lateral direction (Z-axial direction) of the tube body so that the passage is not filled with condensate films even though a large quantity of condensate is produced to reduce the thickness of the condensate films or break the condensate films to promote refrigerant to be converted into turbulent flow, thereby improving heat transfer ability. BACKGROUND ART Examples of heat exchangers of an automobile air conditioning system generally include a condenser which heat exchanges high temperature and pressure refrigerant with the ambient air to convert refrigerant into liquid state and an evaporator which transforms liquid refrigerant into low temperature gaseous phase to cool the indoor air. Each of the condenser and the evaporator includes tubes having refrigerant passages through which refrigerant flows, corrugated heat radiating fins interposed between the tubes, header tanks connected with both ends of the tubes in a communicating fashion and inlet and outlet pipes installed in the header tanks for allowing refrigerant to flow into/out of the header tanks. As an example of such a heat exchanger, the condenser adopts a flat tube having multiple passages as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1999-159985. Since the tube passages disclosed in the above document are elongated in a lateral direction of the tubes, in the event of reducing diameter to increase the number of passages, the thickness of upper and lower walls is increased thereby unnecessarily enlarging mass. Further, in case of reducing the hydraulic diameter of the passages in order to raise heat exchange efficiency in the tube of the same size, the thickness of the outside wall of the tube is unnecessarily increases. In the prior art, passage junctions of the tube are provided in upper and lower sides of the tube passages so that an excessive quantity of condensate within a passage may fill a lower portion of the passage to degrade the effect of breaking a condensate film thereby deteriorating overall heat transfer performance. Furthermore, a sharp leading end is formed in the passage of the tube, the leading end may be easily fractured or poorly shaped owing to the shape of a tool and limited endurance, thereby degrading productivity and product quality. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the foregoing problems and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger tube, in which turbulence generating portions placed within a passage of the tube are rounded into curved configurations with predetermined curvatures so that they are hardly damaged or fractured during extrusion to improve machinability and product quality, in which upper and lower circular passages formed in upper and lower sides of a tube body are connected via a connecting passage having the turbulence generating portions so that more passages having a smaller hydraulic diameter can be formed in the tube of the same size without unnecessary waste of tube material, and in which the turbulence generating portions are arranged in a lateral direction (Z-axial direction) of the tube body so that the passage is not filled with condensate films even though a large quantity of condensate is produced to reduce the thickness of the condensate films or break the condensate films to promote refrigerant to be converted into turbulent flow, thereby improving heat transfer ability. According to an aspect of the invention for realizing the above objects, there is provided a heat exchanger tube comprising: a flat body having predetermined lengths in longitudinal, vertical and lateral directions, respectively; and a number of refrigerant passages formed through the body in the longitudinal direction and arranged in plurality in the lateral direction, wherein each of the refrigerant passages comprises: upper and lower circular passages formed in upper and lower sides of the body in the vertical direction with predetermined radii R1 and R2, respectively; a connecting passage for connecting the upper and lower circular passages in a communicating fashion; and turbulence generating portions projected from laterally opposed inside wall portions of the connecting passage with predetermined radii of curvature R3 and R4, respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating a condenser of a heat exchanger which adopts a heat exchanger tube of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger tube according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along A-A line in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a part of the heat exchanger tube shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating heat exchanger tube according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a part of the heat exchanger tube shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the projected ratio of a turbulence generating portion in the heat exchanger tube of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the variation of heat radiation and pressure drop according to the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portion in the heat exchanger tube of the present invention; FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a heat exchanger tube according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 10 illustrates a process of forming an inside passage according to the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter preferred embodiments of a heat exchanger tube according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating a condenser of a heat exchanger which adopts a heat exchanger tube of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger tube according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along A-A line in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a part of the heat exchanger tube shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating heat exchanger tube according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a part of the heat exchanger tube shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the projected ratio of a turbulence generating portion in the heat exchanger tube of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the variation of heat radiation and pressure drop according to the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portion in the heat exchanger tube of the present invention, FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a heat exchanger tube according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 illustrates a process of forming an inside passage according to the present invention. First, prior to the description of a heat exchanger tube structure realized by the invention, a brief discussion will be made about a condenser as an example of a heat exchanger to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, a condenser 100 includes a pair of header tanks 200 each having a passage for allowing the passage of heat exchange medium (or refrigerant), a number of tubes 300 forming spaces through which heat exchange medium flows and a number of heat radiating fins 400 each interposed between two adjacent ones of the tubes 300. Both ends of each of the tubes 300 are connected to the header tanks 200 in a communicating fashion. Inside each of the header tanks 200 connected with the tubes 300, at least one baffle is provided to form a plurality of flow passages defined by the number of the tubes 300. The present invention relates to this tube 300, which comprises a flat body 350 having specific lengths in longitudinal (X-axial), vertical (Y-axial) and lateral (Z-axial) directions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The body 350 has a plurality of refrigerant passages 340 formed through the body 350 along the longitudinal (X-axial) direction thereof, in which the refrigerant passages 340 consist of outer passages 330 which are provided at both outermost sides of the body 350, respectively, and a plurality of inner passages 320 which are provided between the two outer passages 330. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the inner passages 320 of the refrigerant passages 340 includes upper and lower circular passages 320a, which are formed in upper and lower sides in the vertical (Y-axial) direction with specific radii R1 and R2, respectively, a connecting passage 320b for connecting a lower portion of the upper one of the circular passages 320a with an upper portion of the lower one of the circular passages 320a in a communicating fashion and turbulence generating portions 320c which are projected from laterally opposed inside wall portions of the connecting passage 320b and have specific radii of curvature R3 and R4, respectively. Each of the outer passages 330 is shaped substantially the same as or similar to the circumferential surface of adjacent one of the inner passages 320 and the outer configuration of the tube 350. A process of forming the inner passages will be described with reference to FIG. 10 as follows: First, as shown in FIG. 10(a), upper and lower circular passages 320a are drawn with respective radii R1 and R2. Next, as shown in FIG. 10(b), curves 1 and 2 with respective radii of curvature R3 and R4 are drawn between the circular passages 320a to define a connection passage 320b. Then, as shown in FIG. 10(c), curve 1 and curve 2 with respective radii of curvature R3 and R4 are connected at intersections ‘P’ and ‘Q’ with the upper and lower circular passages 320a, respectively, to form a closed curve thereby defining the entire contour of an inner passage 320 having the connection passage. Herein magnitude of the radii R1 to R4 may be selectively determined. Then, if turbulence generating portions 320c are rounded with the specific radii of curvature R3 and R4, they are rarely damaged when extruded so that machinability may be elevated thereby improving the quality of products. With the present invention, in case that the outer passages 330 are provided with projections corresponding to the turbulence generating portions, the projections are also preferably rounded with specific radii of curvature in order to prevent damage associated with extrusion. Further, because the turbulence generating portions 320c formed in the lateral (Z-axial) direction, the heat exchanger tube of the present invention can reduce dead zones that are created at corners from the surface tension of refrigerant. Also, even though a large quantity of condensate is produced, the passage of the heat exchanger tube of the present invention is not filled with condensate films so that the condensate films can be effectively broken. Each of the inner passages of the invention consists of the upper and lower circular passages and the connecting passage for connecting the upper and lower circular passages, and thus is elongated in the vertical direction compared to the lateral direction of the tube body. As a result, more passages can be formed in a tube of the same size without unnecessarily wasting tube material. That is, this can increase the number of the refrigerant passages 320 while reducing hydraulic diameter, thereby uniformly maintaining the thickness of the tube wall. This also can reduce the weight and manufacture cost of the tube, and the turbulence generating portions 320c projected in the lateral (Z-axial) direction of the refrigerant passage 320 can reduce the thickness of the condensate films or break the same to promote refrigerant to be converted into turbulent flow, thereby improving heat transfer ability. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the connecting passage may further include predetermined length of linear sections 320d in connecting sections for connecting the turbulence generating portions 320c with the upper and lower circular passages 320a. When the curved turbulence generating portions are connected with the upper and lower circular passages via the linear sections to have predetermined radii of curvature, there is an advantage that the radius of curvature and the size of the turbulence generating portions can be selected freely. In the present invention having the above structure, it is most preferable that the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portions 320c is determined from 0.1 to 0.43 as shown in FIG. 7. Herein the projected ratio is obtained by dividing the projected length ‘F’ of the turbulence generating portions with the maximum value ‘E’ of diameters of the upper and lower circular passages as expressed in an equation of F/E. According to the present invention, if the tube size is the same and the number of refrigerant passages within the tube is the same, heat radiation performance and refrigerant pressure drop are varied according to the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portions 320c. As a consequence, it is necessary to set the projected ratio within a suitable range in order to satisfy heat radiation performance and refrigerant pressure drop at the same time. FIG. 8 illustrates the variation of refrigerant pressure drop dP and heat radiation quantity Q according to the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portions when the refrigerant passages 320 have the same sectional area. As can be seen from FIG. 8, it is generally observed that refrigerant pressure drop is gradually increasing in proportion with the projected ratio. However, heat radiation performance is not elevated further after the projected ratio exceeds a specific value. It is seen that the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portions 320c ranges preferably from 0.1 to 0.43. Further, the projected ratio most preferably ranges from 0.2 to 0.35. Also, the above embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 4 may be designed to satisfy an equation L1+L2≧R1+R2, wherein L1 indicates the shortest length from the straight line connecting vertexes ‘c’ and ‘d’ of the turbulence generating portions 320c to the center ‘a’ of the upper circular passage 320a, and L2 indicates the shortest length from the straight line connecting the vertexes ‘c’ and ‘d’ of the turbulence generating portions 320c to the center ‘b’ of the lower circular passage 320a. In addition to the embodiments of the invention as described hereinbefore, there is provided a heat exchanger tube as shown in FIG. 9 which includes a flat body 350 having specific lengths in longitudinal, vertical and lateral directions, respectively, and a number of refrigerant passages 320 which are extended through the body 350 along the longitudinal length and arrayed in plurality in the lateral direction, wherein each of the refrigerant passages 320 includes upper and lower circular passages 320a, which are formed in upper and lower sides of the body 350 in the vertical direction thereof with radii R1 and R2, respectively, a connecting passage 320b for connecting the upper and lower circular passages 320a in a communicating fashion and turbulence generating portions 320c which are projected from laterally opposed inside wall portions of the connecting passage 320b to have linear sections 320e. In the upper and lower circular passages 320a connected with the turbulence generating portions 320c of the heat exchanger tube of the present invention as shown in FIG. 9, linear sections 320d may be provided in a lower portion of the upper circular passage 320a and an upper portion of the lower circular passage 320a. Also, this embodiment of the invention may be designed to satisfy an equation L1+L2≧R1+R2, wherein L1 indicates the shortest length from the straight line connecting vertexes c and d of the turbulence generating portions 320c to the center a of the upper circular passage 320a, and L2 indicates the shortest length from the straight line connecting the vertexes c and d of the turbulence generating portions 320c to the center b of the lower circular passage 320a. While the invention has been illustrated hereinbefore as each of the inner passages having two upper and lower circular passages 320a, at least three circular passages may be stacked over in the vertical direction of the tube body. In addition, the outer passage configuration may be varied into a number of forms. For example, the outer passages may be provided in the form of circular passages. Alternatively, the refrigerant passages may consist of only the inner passages without the outer passages. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention as described hereinbefore, the turbulence generating portions placed within each passage of the tube are rounded into curved configurations with predetermined curvatures so that they are hardly damaged or fractured during extrusion to improve machinability and product quality. The present invention also connects the upper and lower circular passages in upper and lower sides of the tube body via the connecting passage having the turbulence generating portions so that more passages having a smaller hydraulic diameter can be formed in the tube of the same size without unnecessary waste of tube material. Furthermore, the present invention arranges the turbulence generating portions in a lateral direction (Z-axial direction) of the tube body so that the passage is not filled with condensate films even though a large quantity of condensate is produced to reduce the thickness of the condensate films or break the condensate films to promote refrigerant to be converted into turbulent flow, thereby improving heat transfer ability.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Examples of heat exchangers of an automobile air conditioning system generally include a condenser which heat exchanges high temperature and pressure refrigerant with the ambient air to convert refrigerant into liquid state and an evaporator which transforms liquid refrigerant into low temperature gaseous phase to cool the indoor air. Each of the condenser and the evaporator includes tubes having refrigerant passages through which refrigerant flows, corrugated heat radiating fins interposed between the tubes, header tanks connected with both ends of the tubes in a communicating fashion and inlet and outlet pipes installed in the header tanks for allowing refrigerant to flow into/out of the header tanks. As an example of such a heat exchanger, the condenser adopts a flat tube having multiple passages as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1999-159985. Since the tube passages disclosed in the above document are elongated in a lateral direction of the tubes, in the event of reducing diameter to increase the number of passages, the thickness of upper and lower walls is increased thereby unnecessarily enlarging mass. Further, in case of reducing the hydraulic diameter of the passages in order to raise heat exchange efficiency in the tube of the same size, the thickness of the outside wall of the tube is unnecessarily increases. In the prior art, passage junctions of the tube are provided in upper and lower sides of the tube passages so that an excessive quantity of condensate within a passage may fill a lower portion of the passage to degrade the effect of breaking a condensate film thereby deteriorating overall heat transfer performance. Furthermore, a sharp leading end is formed in the passage of the tube, the leading end may be easily fractured or poorly shaped owing to the shape of a tool and limited endurance, thereby degrading productivity and product quality.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a front elevation view illustrating a condenser of a heat exchanger which adopts a heat exchanger tube of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchanger tube according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along A-A line in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a part of the heat exchanger tube shown in FIG. 3 ; FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating heat exchanger tube according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a part of the heat exchanger tube shown in FIG. 5 ; FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating the projected ratio of a turbulence generating portion in the heat exchanger tube of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the variation of heat radiation and pressure drop according to the projected ratio of the turbulence generating portion in the heat exchanger tube of the present invention; FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a heat exchanger tube according to another alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 10 illustrates a process of forming an inside passage according to the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051130

20090714

20060608

75680.0

F28F1312

LEO, LEONARD R

TUBE FOR HEAT EXCHANGER

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

F28F

ACCEPTED

Energy Confinement Piezoelectric Resonator

An energy trap piezoelectric resonator makes use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode and can effectively suppress a spurious fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode without significantly suppressing the harmonic wave that is used for the resonator. The energy trap piezoelectric resonator has a first excitation electrode disposed at an upper surface of a piezoelectric substrate polarized in a thickness direction and a second excitation electrode disposed at a lower surface, and a floating electrode disposed at least one of the upper surface and/or the lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to extend towards and away from the first excitation electrode with respect to a node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated by the fundamental wave that is propagated when an energy trap vibration portion where the excitation electrodes oppose each other is excited.

1-6. (canceled) 7: An energy trap piezoelectric resonator making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate having opposing first and second principal surfaces; a first excitation electrode disposed at the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a second excitation electrode disposed at the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to oppose the first excitation electrode, a portion where the first and second excitation electrodes oppose each other being a piezoelectric vibration portion; and at least one floating electrode disposed at least one of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate so as to be arranged near the piezoelectric vibration portion and at a node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated at the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. 8: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the first and second excitation electrodes are disposed inwardly of peripheral edges of the respective first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate. 9: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the at least one floating electrode is a substantially annular electrode arranged so as to surround at least one of the first excitation electrode and the second excitation electrode. 10: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 9, wherein the at least one annular electrode is substantially circular. 11: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 9, wherein the at least one annular electrode is at least partially rectangular. 12: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the at least one floating electrode comprises a vibration damping portion arranged to suppress a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. 13: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric substrate has an elongated substantially rectangular plate shape, the first excitation electrode is disposed so as to extend to a pair of side edges at two sides of the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in a widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, the second excitation electrode is disposed so as to extend to a pair of side edges at two sides of the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the vibration damping portion is disposed on both sides of the piezoelectric vibration portion in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. 14: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the at least one floating electrode includes two floating electrodes, one floating electrode disposed on the first principal surface and the other floating electrode disposed on the second principal surface. 15: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the at least one floating electrode includes only a single floating electrode, the single floating electrode disposed on only one of the first principal surface or the second principal surface. 16: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the at least one floating electrode includes an inner floating electrode disposed at a first node of the electric potential distribution and an outer floating electrode disposed at a second node of the electric potential distribution, wherein the inner floating electrode is disposed between the first or second excitation electrode and the outer floating electrode. 17: The energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to claim 7, wherein the at least one floating electrode is disposed at a first node of the electric potential distribution and at a second node of the electric potential distribution. 18: An energy trap piezoelectric resonator making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate having opposing first and second principal surfaces; a first excitation electrode disposed at the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a second excitation electrode disposed at the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to oppose the first excitation electrode, a portion where the first and second excitation electrodes oppose each other being a piezoelectric vibration portion; and a vibration damping portion disposed at least one of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate so as to be arranged near the piezoelectric vibration portion and at a node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated at the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an energy trap piezoelectric resonator used for, for example, a piezoelectric oscillator, and, more particularly, to an energy trap piezoelectric resonator making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. 2. Description of the Related Art Previously, higher frequencies in electronic devices have caused various energy trap resonators making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode to be proposed. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-216208 discloses a piezoelectric resonator shown in FIG. 10. A piezoelectric resonator 101 includes a rectangular plate piezoelectric substrate 102. The piezoelectric substrate 102 is formed of piezoelectric ceramics polarized in a thickness direction. A first excitation electrode 103 is provided at the center of an upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 102, and a second excitation electrode 104 is provided at the center of a lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 102 so as to oppose the excitation electrode 103. A portion where the excitation electrodes 103 and 104 oppose each other is a piezoelectric vibration portion. The excitation electrodes 103 and 104 are electrically connected to extraction electrodes 105 and 106, respectively. In the piezoelectric resonator 101, a third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is used. Therefore, since a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode becomes spurious, it is desirable to suppress the fundamental wave. Consequently, in the piezoelectric resonator 101, partial electrodes 107 and 108 are provided on the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 101 so as to extend along side edges 102a and 102b of the piezoelectric substrate 102, respectively. Partial electrodes 109 and 110 are also provided on the lower surface so as to extend along respective side edges. In the piezoelectric resonator 101, when the fundamental wave is being transmitted from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area, and the partial electrodes 107 to 110 are provided, the fundamental wave is suppressed by a piezoelectric short-circuit effect and mechanical loads of the partial electrodes 107 to 110. In other words, the document states that the fundamental wave can be suppressed by making use of mass loading of the partial electrodes 107 to 110. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-177375 discloses a piezoelectric resonator shown in FIG. 11. In a piezoelectric resonator 151, a first excitation electrode 153 is provided at an upper surface of a rectangular plate piezoelectric substrate 152, and a second excitation electrode 154 is provided at a lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 152. A portion where the excitation electrodes 153 and 154 oppose each other with the piezoelectric substrate 152 disposed therebetween is an energy trap piezoelectric vibration portion. This document states that the piezoelectric substrate 152 is polarized in the thickness direction and that a third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is used. The excitation electrodes 153 and 154 are provided consecutively with extraction electrodes 155 and 156, respectively. The extraction electrode 156 is connected to a mounting electrode 158 through an end surface of the piezoelectric substrate 152. In the piezoelectric resonator 151, a floating electrode 157 is provided on the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 152 so as to be situated at a side opposite to the side towards which the excitation electrode 153 is extended with respect to the extraction electrode 155. Here, a fundamental wave which is transmitted from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area is suppressed in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode by mass loading of the floating electrode 157, so that a resonance characteristic in which the third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode can be effectively used. As stated in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-216208 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-177375, various structures making use of mass loading of metallic materials of which the electrodes are made have been proposed in order to suppress the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In other words, since the fundamental wave becomes spurious when a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is used, there has been a strong demand for suppressing the fundamental wave. In order to suppress the fundamental wave by mass loading, an attempt has been made to dispose the partial electrodes 107 to 110 or floating electrode 157 around the piezoelectric vibration portion. However, in the related structures which try to suppress the fundamental wave by mass loading, it is difficult to sufficiently suppress response by the fundamental wave when making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In addition, when the fundamental wave is sufficiently suppressed by a large mass load, the response of the harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode tends to be suppressed too. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an energy trap piezoelectric resonator which makes use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, which effectively suppresses a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, and which properly makes use of a response based on the harmonic wave. An energy trap piezoelectric resonator makes use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode and includes a piezoelectric substrate having opposing first and second principal surfaces, a first excitation electrode disposed at the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a second excitation electrode disposed at the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to oppose the first excitation electrode, a portion where the first and second excitation electrodes oppose each other being a piezoelectric vibration portion, and a vibration damping portion being disposed near the piezoelectric vibration portion. In the piezoelectric resonator, at least one floating electrode is disposed at least one of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate so as to be situated near the piezoelectric vibration portion and so as to extend towards and away from the excitation electrodes with respect to a node serving as an origin, the node being a node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated at the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In a particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second excitation electrodes by which the piezoelectric vibration portion is provided are disposed inwardly of peripheral edges of the respective first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate. In another particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one floating electrode is a substantially annular electrode disposed so as to surround the first excitation electrode and/or the second excitation electrode. The at least one annular electrode is preferably circular but may have other suitable shapes. In still another particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric substrate preferably has an elongated substantially rectangular plate shape, the first excitation electrode is disposed so as to extend to a pair of side edges at two sides of the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in a widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, the second excitation electrode is disposed so as to extend to a pair of side edges at two sides of the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the vibration damping portion is disposed on both sides of the piezoelectric vibration portion in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. In another particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one floating electrode is disposed at only one side of the first excitation electrode and/or the second excitation electrode in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. In the piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first excitation electrode and the second excitation electrode are disposed at the first principal surface and the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, respectively. In addition, at least one floating electrode is provided at least one of the first and second principal surfaces so as to be situated near the piezoelectric vibration portion and so as to extend towards and away from the first and second excitation electrodes with respect to a node serving as an origin, the node being a node of the electric potential distribution generated at the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. Accordingly, when the piezoelectric resonator is excited, the fundamental wave is transmitted from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area, and the electric potential distribution is generated. In the piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electric charge generated at a portion of the at least one floating electrode extending in the direction towards the excitation electrodes from the electric potential distribution node and an electric charge generated at a portion of the at least one floating electrode extending in the direction away from the excitation electrodes from the electric potential distribution node cancel each other out. Therefore, the piezoelectric resonator is constructed so that the at least one floating electrode prevents electric charges contributing to excitation of the fundamental wave from being generated. Consequently, the excitation of the fundamental wave can be effectively suppressed. The at least one floating electrode eliminates the electric charges generated by the fundamental wave, and does not make use of mass loading of the at least one floating electrode itself. Therefore, the at least one floating electrode makes it difficult for a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode to be suppressed. Consequently, it is possible to provide an energy trap thickness longitudinal harmonic wave piezoelectric resonator which can effectively suppress the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, and which can properly make use of the harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since, as mentioned above, the at least one floating electrode operates so as to cancel the positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave, it is not necessary to form a high-mass metallic film as the at least one floating electrode. Therefore, compared to the case in which partial electrodes or dummy electrodes are provided in the related art which makes use of mass loading, material costs can be reduced, so that the at least one floating electrode can be easily provided. When the first and second excitation electrodes of the piezoelectric vibration portion are arranged inwardly of the peripheral edges of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate, respectively, annular areas where the excitation electrodes do not exist are provided between the first excitation electrode and first and second peripheral edges of the piezoelectric substrate and between the second excitation electrode and first and second peripheral edges of the piezoelectric substrate. Therefore, it is possible to provide the at least one floating electrode that is substantially annular or not annular at the annular areas. When the at least one floating electrode is a substantially annular electrode disposed so as to surround the first excitation electrode and/or the second excitation electrode, it is possible to effectively cancel out the positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave in either location in a peripheral direction near the piezoelectric vibration portion. When the at least one annular electrode is circular, it is isotropic, so that, it is possible to effectively and uniformly prevent the generation of the positive and negative electric charges contributing to excitation of the fundamental wave near the piezoelectric vibration portion. An elongated strip piezoelectric resonator can be provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the piezoelectric substrate has an elongated substantially rectangular plate shape, first and second end surfaces are positioned at respective ends in the longitudinal direction, the first excitation electrode is arranged so as to extend from the piezoelectric vibration portion to the pair of side edges at the two sides of the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, the second excitation electrode is arranged so as to extend to the pair of side edges at the two sides of the second principal surface in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the vibration damping portion is disposed on both sides of the piezoelectric vibration portion in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. In this case, the at least one floating electrode may be provided at only one side or at two sides of the first excitation electrode or the second excitation electrode. When the at least one floating electrode is provided at only one side, it is possible to simplify the electrode structure and to reduce material costs. Other features, elements, steps, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, an external schematic perspective view and an external schematic front sectional view of a piezoelectric resonator according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a graph showing an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated by a fundamental wave in the piezoelectric resonator according to the first preferred embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a schematic half sectional front view of the piezoelectric resonator, and is used to explain x coordinates along a horizontal axis in the electric potential distribution shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 3 is a graph showing changes in a fundamental wave suppression state when the position of a floating electrode is varied in the piezoelectric resonator according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the response of the fundamental wave and the position of the floating electrode when the sizes of the floating electrode in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate are about 0.2 mm and about 0.4 mm. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the position in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate and the electric potential distribution based on the electric charges generated by the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a piezoelectric resonator of a modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a piezoelectric resonator of another modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a bottom view for illustrating a piezoelectric resonator of still another modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic front sectional view for illustrating a piezoelectric resonator of still another modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an example of a related piezoelectric resonator. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example of a related piezoelectric resonator. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings, the present invention will hereunder be explained by describing preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 1A and 1B are, respectively, a perspective view and a schematic front sectional view of a piezoelectric resonator according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. A piezoelectric resonator 1 is an energy trap piezoelectric resonator using a third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. The piezoelectric resonator 1 preferably has an elongated substantially rectangular plate, that is, a strip piezoelectric substrate 2. In a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric substrate 2 is preferably formed of piezoelectric ceramics, such as lead zirconate titanate ceramics or lead titanate ceramics, and is polarized in a thickness direction. A first excitation electrode 3 is provided at the center of an upper surface 2a of the piezoelectric substrate 2. The first excitation electrode 3 is preferably substantially rectangular, and is provided over the entire width of the piezoelectric substrate 2. In other words, the first excitation electrode 3 is arranged so as to extend to a pair of side edges of the upper surface 2a of the piezoelectric substrate 2. A second excitation electrode 4 is provided at a lower surface 2b of the piezoelectric substrate 2 so as to oppose the first excitation electrode 3 with the piezoelectric substrate 2 disposed therebetween. The second excitation electrode 4 is also arranged over the entire width of the piezoelectric substrate 2, that is, so as to extend to a pair of side edges of the lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate. The first excitation electrode 3 is electrically connected to an extraction electrode 5 provided on the upper surface 2a so as to extend along an edge defined by the upper surface 2a and a first end surface 2c at one end of the piezoelectric substrate 2 in a longitudinal direction. At the lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 2, the second excitation electrode 4 is electrically connected to an extraction electrode 6. The extraction electrode 6 is provided on the lower surface 2b so as to extend along an edge formed by an end surface 2d, provided opposite to the first end surface 2c, and the lower surface 2b of the piezoelectric substrate 2. At the upper surface 2a of the piezoelectric substrate 2, a floating electrode 7 is provided between the first excitation electrode 3 and the end surface 2d. In a preferred embodiment, the floating electrode 7 is provided over the entire width of the piezoelectric substrate 2. The floating electrode 7 is disposed apart from the end surface 2d by a gap 2e. In a preferred embodiment, as mentioned below, the floating electrode 7 is arranged so that at least one node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated at the upper surface 2a of the piezoelectric substrate 2 by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is positioned within the floating electrode 7. FIG. 1B shows the excitation electrodes 3 and 4 and the floating electrode 7, which are main portions in the description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and does not show the extraction electrodes 5 and 6. In the piezoelectric resonator 1, when an AC electric field is applied between the excitation electrodes 3 and 4, an energy trap piezoelectric vibration portion undergoes excitation by a thickness longitudinal vibration. Here, a harmonic wave having an odd-numbered order, such as a third harmonic wave or a fifth harmonic wave of the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, is excited. In a preferred embodiment, a third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode among excited waves is used. Therefore, it is desirable that the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode be suppressed. The fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is excited. The fundamental wave does not have a tendency to be trapped. Thus, it is propagated from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area. In this case, at the upper surface 2a and the lower surface 2b of the piezoelectric substrate 2, electric charges in correspondence with the vibration of the fundamental wave are generated, thereby generating an electric potential distribution. FIG. 2A is a graph showing an electric potential distribution that is generated at the upper surface 2a of the piezoelectric substrate 2 from the piezoelectric vibration portion towards the end face 2d. The electric potential distribution shown in FIG. 2A is an electric potential distribution of a state prior to providing the floating electrode 7. A 2.2 mm×0.54 mm×0.25 mm (thickness) piezoelectric substrate is preferably used as an example. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the vertical axis represents the electric potential, and the horizontal axis represents the position along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2. As shown in the schematic half sectional front view of the piezoelectric resonator 1 in FIG. 2B, the position along the aforementioned longitudinal direction refers to a coordinate system which increases towards the end surface 2d, with the position at a z axis passing through the center of the first excitation electrode 3 being defined as a 0 position. FIG. 2A shows the electric potential distribution when the length from the center of the first excitation electrode 3 to the end surface 2d is about 1.1 mm. In FIG. 2B, the extraction electrodes 5 and 6 are not shown as in FIG. 1B for the sake of easier understanding. As is clear from FIG. 2A, nodes of the electric potential distribution exist at about 0.7 mm longitudinal position and at about 0.87 mm longitudinal position, respectively. In other words, when the position is less than about 0.7 mm, the polarity of an electric charge is positive, when it is in the range of from about 0.7 mm to about 0.87 mm, the polarity is negative, and when it is beyond about 0.87 mm, the polarity is positive. In a preferred embodiment, the aforementioned electrode 7 is provided. The operational effects of the floating electrode 7 are described with reference to FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A schematically shows the position of the floating electrode 7. Here, the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 is about 0.4 mm, and the center of the floating electrode 7 in this longitudinal direction is situated at about the 0.77 mm position as a position along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 parallel with the horizontal axis in FIG. 2A. Since the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the aforementioned longitudinal direction is about 0.4 mm which is relatively large, the two nodes are positioned within the floating electrode 7. As mentioned above, the floating electrode 7 is constructed so as to have a certain longitudinal dimension along the aforementioned longitudinal direction. When attention is focused on one of the nodes of the electric potential distribution, with the node being an origin, the floating electrode 7 has a portion extending towards the first excitation electrode 3 and a portion extending away from the first excitation electrode 3. Since the node does not need to be positioned at the center of the floating electrode, the term “origin” is used. In a preferred embodiment, since an electric charge generated at the portion of the floating electrode extending towards the first excitation electrode 3 with respect to the node and an electric charge generated at the portion of the floating electrode extending away from the first excitation electrode 3 with respect to the node have opposite polarities, the positive and negative electric charges are cancelled by the existence of the floating electrode 7. Therefore, since an electric potential distribution generated by the positive and negative electric charges is not easily generated, it is possible to effectively suppress the fundamental wave. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the response of the third harmonic wave and the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode when the floating electrode 7 having a dimension of about 0.4 mm in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 is provided on the piezoelectric substrate 2, and the position of the center of the floating electrode 7 in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 is varied. In other words, the horizontal axis in FIG. 3, like the horizontal axis in FIGS. 2A and 2B, represents the position along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2, and θmx at the vertical axis represents the maximum value of a phase of the fundamental wave and the third harmonic wave. The graph shows that the smaller the maximum value of the phase, the lower the response. Therefore, it is suppressed. As is clear from FIG. 3, the response of the fundamental wave is very low when the floating electrode 7 is near the 0.76 mm position along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2. In contrast, the third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is virtually not suppressed even if the floating electrode 7 is near the 0.76 mm position in the longitudinal direction. In the foregoing description, with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIG. 3, the example in which the floating electrode 7 is provided so that two nodes are positioned within the floating electrode 7 is used. Therefore, at each of the two nodes, the electric charge generated at the portion of the floating electrode disposed inwardly of the node and the electric charge generated at the portion of the floating electrode disposed outwardly of the node are cancelled. The floating electrode 7 may be provided so that one of the aforementioned nodes is provided in the floating electrode 7. In order to position one node in the floating electrode 7, the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 is made small. FIGS. 4 and 5 are graphs for illustrating the operational effects of the floating electrode 7 when the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 is varied. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the response of the fundamental wave and the position of the floating electrode when the dimensions of the floating electrode 7 in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 are about 0.2 mm and about 0.4 mm, for example. The horizontal axis in FIG. 4 represents the position of the center of the floating electrode 7 along the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2. ΔF(%) at the vertical axis is obtained by standardizing ΔF when the floating electrode is not provided, with ΔF being a proportion with respect to fr of the absolute value of fa−fr when the resonant frequency of the fundamental wave is fr and its antiresonant frequency is fa. ΔF(%) is proportional to the magnitude of the response of the fundamental wave. The smaller ΔF is, that is, the smaller ΔF(%) is, the more the fundamental wave is suppressed. As is clear from FIG. 4, when the dimension of the floating electrode 7 along the aforementioned longitudinal direction is about 0.2 mm, the positions of the floating electrode along the aforementioned longitudinal direction where the fundamental wave is suppressed are at about 0.65 mm to about 0.70 mm and at about 0.86 mm to about 0.92 mm, and, when the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the aforementioned longitudinal direction is about 0.4 mm, the positions are at about 0.76 mm to about 0.80 mm. As shown in FIG. 2A, in the electric potential distribution here, two vibration nodes exist. Therefore, as is clear from FIG. 4, when the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 is 0.4 mm, the results shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 do not contradict with the results shown in FIG. 4. In other words, from FIG. 4, it can be understood that, when the dimension of the floating electrode in the aforementioned longitudinal direction is about 0.4 mm, the center of the floating electrode 7 is positioned between about 0.74 to about 0.80 mm along the aforementioned longitudinal direction. Since, in FIG. 2A, the longitudinal position is about 0.77 mm, the response of the fundamental wave is suppressed as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, it can be understood that, when the dimension of the floating electrode 7 in the aforementioned longitudinal direction is about 0.2 mm, as mentioned above, the fundamental wave is suppressed when the longitudinal position is from about 0.65 to about 0.70 mm and is from about 0.86 to about 0.92 mm. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 5. An electric potential distribution shown in FIG. 5 is the same as that shown in FIG. 2A, and is that generated by a fundamental wave that is excited prior to the formation floating electrodes 7. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the positions of two floating electrodes 7A and 7B. Here, the inner floating electrode 7A is disposed near the 0.70 mm position along the aforementioned longitudinal direction, and the outer floating electrode 7B is disposed near the 0.87 mm position along the aforementioned longitudinal direction. Therefore, it can be understood that, even in this structure, positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave at the floating electrodes 7A and 7B are cancelled, so that the electric potential distribution based on the electric charge distribution is suppressed. In other words, it can be understood that, in FIG. 2A, the positive and negative electric charges at the two nodes are cancelled by one floating electrode 7, whereas, in FIG. 5, the positive and negative electric charges are cancelled at the nodes where the respective floating electrodes 7A and 7B are disposed. In FIG. 5, one of the nodes is positioned at the floating electrode 7A, and the other node is positioned at the floating electrode 7B. However, even if only one of the floating electrodes is used, the fundamental wave can be suppressed. For example, when only the floating electrode 7A is disposed near the approximately 0.70 mm position along the aforementioned longitudinal direction, the floating electrode 7A causes the positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave to be cancelled, so that the electric potential distribution based on the electric charge distribution is suppressed. Therefore, when a plurality of nodes exist, it is not necessary to dispose floating electrodes at all of the nodes. As mentioned above, according to a preferred embodiment, the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode can be suppressed, but the third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is virtually not suppressed. Therefore, the third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode can be efficiently used. In particular, since, as mentioned above, the floating electrode 7 functions so that positive and negative electric charges are not easily generated by the fundamental wave, the mass of the floating electrode 7 does not need to be very large. In other words, the floating electrode 7 is formed of an electrically conductive material without its mass being particularly limited. Therefore, material costs are not increased. In addition, since mass loading is not used, when the floating electrode 7 has a small mass, the third harmonic wave has a low probability of being suppressed. Therefore, while the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is effectively suppressed, the response of the third harmonic wave can be made sufficiently high. The suppression of the fundamental wave by the existence of the floating electrode 7 in a preferred embodiment will be described with reference to specific, non-limiting experimental examples. A lead titanate ceramics substrate was used as the aforementioned piezoelectric substrate, excitation electrodes 3 and 4 were approximately 0.3×0.54 mm, and an Ag film was provided as the floating electrode 7, with the dimension of the Ag film in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 being about 0.4 mm, the dimension of the Ag film in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate 2 being about 0.54 mm, and the thickness of the Ag film being about 0.3 Mm. The position of the floating electrode 7 was varied in terms of an x coordinate in order to evaluate the response of the fundamental wave. The results are shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, it can be understood that the response of the fundamental wave can be effectively suppressed by disposing the floating electrode 7 near the approximately 0.78 mm position where the node of the electric potential distribution based on the positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave shown in FIG. 2 is situated. In the piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a plurality of nodes of the electric potential distribution generated by propagation of the fundamental wave in the piezoelectric substrate exist, a floating electrode may be disposed at each of the plurality of nodes, or a floating electrode may be disposed at least one of the plurality of nodes. Desirably, a floating electrode is disposed at each of the plurality of nodes, so that the fundamental wave can be more effectively suppressed. The piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the strip piezoelectric resonator 1 shown in FIG. 1. Piezoelectric resonators of modifications according to other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. In a piezoelectric resonator 31 of a modification shown in FIG. 6, a substantially circular first excitation electrode 33 is provided at the center of an upper surface of a rectangular plate piezoelectric substrate 32, and a substantially circular second excitation electrode 34 is provided at a lower surface. Here, the excitation electrodes 33 and 34 are electrically connected to respective extraction electrodes 35 and 36 through respective elongated wiring electrodes 37 and 38. Substantially C-shaped floating electrodes 39a and 39b having slits are provided so as to avoid portions where the wiring electrodes 37 and 38 are provided. Accordingly, in the structure having the wiring electrodes 37 and 38, the floating electrodes 39a and 39b may have C-shaped forms having slits. In other words, they do not need to have closed circular forms. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a piezoelectric resonator of another modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here, in a piezoelectric resonator 41, a substantially rectangular first excitation electrode 43 is provided at an upper surface of a substantially rectangular plate piezoelectric substrate 42, and a substantially rectangular second excitation electrode 44 is provided at a lower surface. Partially rectangular, frame-like floating electrodes 49a and 49b are provided around respective excitation electrodes 43 and 44 at portions where respective wiring electrodes 47 and 48 are extracted. The partially rectangular, frame-like floating electrodes 49a and 49b have slits provided so as to avoid portions where the wiring electrodes 47 and 48 are provided. Accordingly, the excitation electrodes may be substantially rectangular, and rectangular frame-like electrodes like the floating electrodes 49a and 49b may be provided. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a piezoelectric resonator of still another modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A piezoelectric resonator 51 shown in FIG. 8 has an elongated substantially rectangular plate, that is, a strip piezoelectric substrate 52. A second excitation electrode 53 is provided at the center of a lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 52. The second excitation electrode 53 is electrically connected to an extraction electrode 55. Here, a first excitation electrode at the upper surface is not shown. The first excitation electrode is disposed so as to oppose the excitation electrode 53, with the piezoelectric substrate 52 disposed therebetween, in a thickness direction. A floating electrode 54 is provided at the lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 52. A floating electrode is not provided at the upper surface. Accordingly, in the elongated strip piezoelectric resonator 51, only the lower surface may be provided with the floating electrode 54. FIG. 9 is a schematic front sectional view of a piezoelectric resonator of still another modification according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A piezoelectric resonator 61 of this practical form has the same structural features as those of the piezoelectric resonator 1 shown in FIG. 1 except that a floating electrode 8 is provided at a lower surface of a piezoelectric substrate 2. As is clear from the piezoelectric resonator 61, not only may a floating electrode be provided at an upper surface 2a of the piezoelectric substrate 2, but also the floating electrode 8 may be disposed at a lower surface 2b. In other words, in the present preferred embodiment of the present invention, a floating electrode is provided at least one of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate. In FIG. 9, extraction electrodes are not shown as in FIG. 1B. Although, in the above-described preferred embodiments and modifications, the piezoelectric resonator is described as making use of the third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, the piezoelectric resonator may make use of other harmonic waves in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode such as a fifth harmonic wave. While the present invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed invention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume many preferred embodiments other those specifically set out and described above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all modifications of the present invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an energy trap piezoelectric resonator used for, for example, a piezoelectric oscillator, and, more particularly, to an energy trap piezoelectric resonator making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. 2. Description of the Related Art Previously, higher frequencies in electronic devices have caused various energy trap resonators making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode to be proposed. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-216208 discloses a piezoelectric resonator shown in FIG. 10 . A piezoelectric resonator 101 includes a rectangular plate piezoelectric substrate 102 . The piezoelectric substrate 102 is formed of piezoelectric ceramics polarized in a thickness direction. A first excitation electrode 103 is provided at the center of an upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 102 , and a second excitation electrode 104 is provided at the center of a lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 102 so as to oppose the excitation electrode 103 . A portion where the excitation electrodes 103 and 104 oppose each other is a piezoelectric vibration portion. The excitation electrodes 103 and 104 are electrically connected to extraction electrodes 105 and 106 , respectively. In the piezoelectric resonator 101 , a third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is used. Therefore, since a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode becomes spurious, it is desirable to suppress the fundamental wave. Consequently, in the piezoelectric resonator 101 , partial electrodes 107 and 108 are provided on the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 101 so as to extend along side edges 102 a and 102 b of the piezoelectric substrate 102 , respectively. Partial electrodes 109 and 110 are also provided on the lower surface so as to extend along respective side edges. In the piezoelectric resonator 101 , when the fundamental wave is being transmitted from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area, and the partial electrodes 107 to 110 are provided, the fundamental wave is suppressed by a piezoelectric short-circuit effect and mechanical loads of the partial electrodes 107 to 110 . In other words, the document states that the fundamental wave can be suppressed by making use of mass loading of the partial electrodes 107 to 110 . Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-177375 discloses a piezoelectric resonator shown in FIG. 11 . In a piezoelectric resonator 151 , a first excitation electrode 153 is provided at an upper surface of a rectangular plate piezoelectric substrate 152 , and a second excitation electrode 154 is provided at a lower surface of the piezoelectric substrate 152 . A portion where the excitation electrodes 153 and 154 oppose each other with the piezoelectric substrate 152 disposed therebetween is an energy trap piezoelectric vibration portion. This document states that the piezoelectric substrate 152 is polarized in the thickness direction and that a third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is used. The excitation electrodes 153 and 154 are provided consecutively with extraction electrodes 155 and 156 , respectively. The extraction electrode 156 is connected to a mounting electrode 158 through an end surface of the piezoelectric substrate 152 . In the piezoelectric resonator 151 , a floating electrode 157 is provided on the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate 152 so as to be situated at a side opposite to the side towards which the excitation electrode 153 is extended with respect to the extraction electrode 155 . Here, a fundamental wave which is transmitted from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area is suppressed in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode by mass loading of the floating electrode 157 , so that a resonance characteristic in which the third harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode can be effectively used. As stated in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-216208 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-177375, various structures making use of mass loading of metallic materials of which the electrodes are made have been proposed in order to suppress the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In other words, since the fundamental wave becomes spurious when a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode is used, there has been a strong demand for suppressing the fundamental wave. In order to suppress the fundamental wave by mass loading, an attempt has been made to dispose the partial electrodes 107 to 110 or floating electrode 157 around the piezoelectric vibration portion. However, in the related structures which try to suppress the fundamental wave by mass loading, it is difficult to sufficiently suppress response by the fundamental wave when making use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In addition, when the fundamental wave is sufficiently suppressed by a large mass load, the response of the harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode tends to be suppressed too.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In order to overcome the problems described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an energy trap piezoelectric resonator which makes use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, which effectively suppresses a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, and which properly makes use of a response based on the harmonic wave. An energy trap piezoelectric resonator makes use of a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode and includes a piezoelectric substrate having opposing first and second principal surfaces, a first excitation electrode disposed at the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a second excitation electrode disposed at the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate so as to oppose the first excitation electrode, a portion where the first and second excitation electrodes oppose each other being a piezoelectric vibration portion, and a vibration damping portion being disposed near the piezoelectric vibration portion. In the piezoelectric resonator, at least one floating electrode is disposed at least one of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate so as to be situated near the piezoelectric vibration portion and so as to extend towards and away from the excitation electrodes with respect to a node serving as an origin, the node being a node of an electric potential distribution based on electric charges generated at the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In a particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first and second excitation electrodes by which the piezoelectric vibration portion is provided are disposed inwardly of peripheral edges of the respective first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate. In another particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one floating electrode is a substantially annular electrode disposed so as to surround the first excitation electrode and/or the second excitation electrode. The at least one annular electrode is preferably circular but may have other suitable shapes. In still another particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric substrate preferably has an elongated substantially rectangular plate shape, the first excitation electrode is disposed so as to extend to a pair of side edges at two sides of the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in a widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, the second excitation electrode is disposed so as to extend to a pair of side edges at two sides of the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the vibration damping portion is disposed on both sides of the piezoelectric vibration portion in a longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. In another particular aspect of the energy trap piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one floating electrode is disposed at only one side of the first excitation electrode and/or the second excitation electrode in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. In the piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first excitation electrode and the second excitation electrode are disposed at the first principal surface and the second principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate, respectively. In addition, at least one floating electrode is provided at least one of the first and second principal surfaces so as to be situated near the piezoelectric vibration portion and so as to extend towards and away from the first and second excitation electrodes with respect to a node serving as an origin, the node being a node of the electric potential distribution generated at the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate by a fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. Accordingly, when the piezoelectric resonator is excited, the fundamental wave is transmitted from the piezoelectric vibration portion to a surrounding area, and the electric potential distribution is generated. In the piezoelectric resonator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electric charge generated at a portion of the at least one floating electrode extending in the direction towards the excitation electrodes from the electric potential distribution node and an electric charge generated at a portion of the at least one floating electrode extending in the direction away from the excitation electrodes from the electric potential distribution node cancel each other out. Therefore, the piezoelectric resonator is constructed so that the at least one floating electrode prevents electric charges contributing to excitation of the fundamental wave from being generated. Consequently, the excitation of the fundamental wave can be effectively suppressed. The at least one floating electrode eliminates the electric charges generated by the fundamental wave, and does not make use of mass loading of the at least one floating electrode itself. Therefore, the at least one floating electrode makes it difficult for a harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode to be suppressed. Consequently, it is possible to provide an energy trap thickness longitudinal harmonic wave piezoelectric resonator which can effectively suppress the fundamental wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode, and which can properly make use of the harmonic wave in a thickness longitudinal vibration mode. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, since, as mentioned above, the at least one floating electrode operates so as to cancel the positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave, it is not necessary to form a high-mass metallic film as the at least one floating electrode. Therefore, compared to the case in which partial electrodes or dummy electrodes are provided in the related art which makes use of mass loading, material costs can be reduced, so that the at least one floating electrode can be easily provided. When the first and second excitation electrodes of the piezoelectric vibration portion are arranged inwardly of the peripheral edges of the first and second principal surfaces of the piezoelectric substrate, respectively, annular areas where the excitation electrodes do not exist are provided between the first excitation electrode and first and second peripheral edges of the piezoelectric substrate and between the second excitation electrode and first and second peripheral edges of the piezoelectric substrate. Therefore, it is possible to provide the at least one floating electrode that is substantially annular or not annular at the annular areas. When the at least one floating electrode is a substantially annular electrode disposed so as to surround the first excitation electrode and/or the second excitation electrode, it is possible to effectively cancel out the positive and negative electric charges generated by the fundamental wave in either location in a peripheral direction near the piezoelectric vibration portion. When the at least one annular electrode is circular, it is isotropic, so that, it is possible to effectively and uniformly prevent the generation of the positive and negative electric charges contributing to excitation of the fundamental wave near the piezoelectric vibration portion. An elongated strip piezoelectric resonator can be provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the piezoelectric substrate has an elongated substantially rectangular plate shape, first and second end surfaces are positioned at respective ends in the longitudinal direction, the first excitation electrode is arranged so as to extend from the piezoelectric vibration portion to the pair of side edges at the two sides of the first principal surface of the piezoelectric substrate in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, the second excitation electrode is arranged so as to extend to the pair of side edges at the two sides of the second principal surface in the widthwise direction of the piezoelectric substrate, and the vibration damping portion is disposed on both sides of the piezoelectric vibration portion in the longitudinal direction of the piezoelectric substrate. In this case, the at least one floating electrode may be provided at only one side or at two sides of the first excitation electrode or the second excitation electrode. When the at least one floating electrode is provided at only one side, it is possible to simplify the electrode structure and to reduce material costs. Other features, elements, steps, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings.

20051130

20090728

20080731

92130.0

H03H917

DOUGHERTY, THOMAS M

ENERGY TRAP PIEZOELECTRIC RESONATOR

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H03H

ACCEPTED

Conditional sterility in plants

The present disclosure provides methods, recombinant DNA molecules, recombinant host cells containing the DNA molecules, and transgenic plant cells, plant tissue and plants which contain and express at least one antisense or interference RNA specific for a thiamine biosynthetic coding sequence or a thiamine binding protein, wherein the RNA or thiamine binding protein is expressed under the regulatory control of a transcription regulatory sequence which directs expression in reproductive tissue. These transgenic plants are conditionally sterile; i.e., they are fertile only in the presence of exogenous thiamine. Such plants are especially appropriate for use in the seed industry or in the environment, for example, for use in revegetation of contaminated soils or phytoremediation, especially when those transgenic plants also contain and express one or more chimeric genes which confer resistance to contaminants.

1. A nucleic acid molecule comprising a expressed portion and a plant-expressible transcription regulatory sequence which specifically directs expression of an expressed portion in male or male and female reproductive tissue, wherein said transcription regulatory sequence is operably linked to said expressed portion and wherein said expressed portion is an antisense RNA or an interference RNA specific for a plant thiamine biosynthetic gene or a coding sequence for a thiamine binding, enzymatically inactive pyruvate decarboxylase or a thiaminase. 2. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said expressed sequence is an antisense RNA or an interference RNA specific for a sequence encoding a phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase or a hydroxyethylthiazole kinase from a plant. 3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 2, wherein said expressed sequence is derived from AtThi2 or AtThi3. 4. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein the thiamine binding, enzymatically inactive pyruvate decarboxylase is the PDC2E517Q consisting essentially of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:8. 5. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said transcription regulatory sequence comprises a plant expressible Arabidopsis thaliana Act11 promoter. 6. A method of using the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1 to produce a plant which is sterile in the absence of exogenous thiamine, said method comprising the steps of introducing the nucleic acid molecule into a plant cell or into plant tissue, selecting for the presence of the nucleic acid molecule to produce a transgenic plant cell or transgenic plant tissue, and regenerating a plant from the transgenic plant cell or transgenic plant tissue, whereby a plant with a conditionally sterile phenotype is produced. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the transgenic plant is a conditionally male sterile plant. 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the transgenic plant is a conditionally male and female sterile plant. 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the expressible sequence is expressed under the regulatory control of a plant ACT11 promoter or a plant ACT12 promoter or a plant Lat52 promoter. 10. The method of claim 6, wherein said transgenic plant is a dicotyledonous plant. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said transgenic plant is a member of the Solanaceae. 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said transgenic plant is Arabidopsis. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the plant is a poplar or a cottonwood. 14. The method of claim 6, wherein said transgenic plant is a monocotyledonous plant. 15. The method of claim 6, wherein said transgenic plant is a gymnosperm. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said transgenic plant is a member of the Coniferae. 17. A transgenic plant produced by the method of claim 6.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/475,551, filed Jun. 3, 2003. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the present invention is plant molecular biology, especially as related to genetically modified plants with conditional male sterility. Specifically, the present invention relates to conditionally male and/or female sterile plants in which sterility is achieved by disrupting the availability of thiamine by high affinity binding proteins expressed in pollen and/or in the developing ovule, by inhibiting functional expression of one or more thiamine biosynthetic proteins or by destroying thiamine in those plant tissues. Systems of plant sterility are essential tools in the hybrid seed industry, forestry, conservation biology, and phytoremediation. The hybrid seed industry plants millions of acres of in which one of the two elite parent plants in a genetic cross is male sterile as a result of physical or genetic emasculation. Male sterility is the basis for this 400 million dollar per year industry. Foresters are interested in plant sterility, because wood production is dramatically reduced when nitrogen and phosphorus are drained into pollen and megagametophyte production. In addition, genetically engineered trees, shrubs, and grasses are being developed that extract, detoxify, and/or sequester toxic pollutants and for phytomining of precious elements. Conditional male sterility adds value to and limits unauthorized propagation of valuable plants for any purpose. Plant sterility systems are needed if genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are to be released into the natural environment with no release of their germplasm. In this case, complete male-female sterility is desirable so that the organisms cannot reproduce seed by any means. Numerous strategies have been used to generate male sterility for the hybrid seed industry ranging from manually emasculating plants, altering the levels of essential metabolites in pollen, and generating toxins in developing pollen with two component systems (Perez-Prat and van Lookeren Campagne, 2002). Another approach has been to make the essential vitamin cofactor biotin unavailable in reproductive tissues to render a plant sterile. Applying this harmless vitamin to the plants then restores fertility (Albertsen and Howard, 1999). There is a need in the art for economical and safe compositions and methods for rendering plants male and/or female sterile, especially where the sterility can be controlled so as to allow the production of viable seeds under controlled conditions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides DNA constructs comprising tissue specific transcription regulatory sequences which direct expression of an associated sequence in developing pollen and/or ovules and operably linked to the transcription regulatory sequence, a sequence which when expressed, ablates the availability of thiamine in developing pollen or ovules, either by expression of at least one interfering RNA or antisense RNA specific to at least one thiamine biosynthetic enzyme (e.g., AtThi2 or AtThi3) or by the expression of a high affinity thiamine binding protein (e.g., an enzymatically inactive PDC2) such that thiamine is sequestered in the developing pollen and/or ovules or by expression of a thiamine-degrading enzyme (thiaminase). Also within the scope of the present invention are vectors and recombinant host cells comprising the DNA constructs of the present invention. Pollen-specific or pollen- and ovule-specific transcription regulatory sequences, as specifically exemplified herein, include the transcriptional regulatory sequences of the Arabidopsis thaliana Act11, Act12, or Act2 or Lat52p genes. The target for inhibiting expression of a thiamine biosynthetic gene can be AtThi2 or AtThi3. The AtPDC gene can be modified to produce a thiamine-sequestering protein in pollen and/or ovules as described herein. As specifically exemplified, the thiamine-sequestering derivative has coding and amino acid sequences as given in SEQ ID No: 7-8. The sterility resulting from the regulated expression of the constructs of the present invention is conditional; fertility is restored by the application of thiamine to the flowers, for example, in a spray which may optionally further comprise a surfactant such as 0.1% Silwet or Triton X100 (allyloxypolyethyleneglycol methyl ether, OSi Specialties, Inc, Tarrytown, N.Y. or t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol) or in the growth medium. There are numerous hydroxyethylthiazole kinase (HTK) and phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase (PPK) sequences available on the internet site for The National Center for Biotechnology Information, including the following accession numbers: CA765813, U38199, U27350, Oryza sativa; BU964708, BM524834, BG725189, Glycine max, CA900839, CA900838, CA896676, CA896675, Phaseolus coccineus; AF193791, Fragaria x ananassa; AJ251246, Saccharum officinarum; X81855, Nicotiana tabacum; BM 177583, Glycine max; and BQ618938, Zea mays. Thiaminase can be expressed under the regulatory control of pollen-specific or pollen-and ovule-specific promoter sequences, with the result that thiamine in the relevant reproductive tissue is degraded and that tissue cannot develop for its intended function. For the RNAi strategy for conditional plant sterility, it is preferred that there be a very high degree (greater than 95%) of sequence identity between the expressed RNAi nucleotide sequence and the target gene. Preferably, the RNAi construct is derived in sequence from the same plant source and is identical in sequence to the target sequence. While the AtACT11 and AtACT12 promoters (transcription regulatory sequences) are specifically exemplified herein, the skilled artisan can isolate the corresponding tissue specific promoters from other species and use them in the conditional plant sterility methods of the present invention as well. The present invention further provides recombinant plant cells, recombinant plant tissue and transgenic plants which contain the DNA constructs of the present invention. Transgenic plants which contain the DNA construct are conditionally male sterile or male-female sterile, i.e.; they are sterile in the absence of exogenously supplied thiamine. Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for rendering a plant of interest conditionally male and/or female sterile. The method comprises the steps of introducing a vector comprising a DNA construct containing a pollen-specific or pollen-and/or ovule-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence operably linked to a sequence which, when expressed, renders the developing pollen and/or ovules deficient in thiamine. This can be achieved by expression in the developing the pollen and/or ovules of a thiaminase or a protein in the developing pollen which binds thiamine with high affinity or it can be achieved by the expression in developing pollen of an antisense RNA or an interference RNA specific to a sequence which specifies a thiamine biosynthetic enzyme. Supplementation of the transgenic plant during flowering with exogenous thiamine temporarily restores sterility. The methods of the present invention are applicable in forestry, horticulture, agriculture, conservation and phytoremediation, among other areas. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates the thiamine biosynthetic pathway. FIG. 2A illustrates the Arabidopsis thaliana AtThi2 gene structure with the thi2-1 mutant T-DNA insertion. FIG. 2B illustrates expression (from A2pt:AtThi2Ri or A11 pt:Thi2Ri or A12pt:Thi2Ri) of an antisense (A) oriented and sense (S) oriented 100 nucleotides of AtThi2 cDNA separated by a GUS spacer in a single transcript. FIG. 2C shows that the RNA product of this engineered construct forms a stem-loop transcript that leads to degradation of native AtThi2 mRNA. (ts, transcriptional start; pA, polyadenylation sites). FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C provide partial plasmid maps of pACT12pt, pACT11 pt and pACT2pt, respectively. FIGS. 4A-4C provide the Arabidopsis thaliana bifunctional phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase/thiamine phosphate pyrophosphorylase (PPK/TPP) (AtThi2) nucleotide and amino acid sequences, SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2, respectively. FIGS. 5A-5B provide the Arabidopsis thaliana hydroxyethylthiazole kinase (HTK) (AtThi3) nucleotide and amino acid sequences, SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4, respectively. FIGS. 6A-6B provide the Arabidopsis thaliana pyruvate decarboxylase (AtPDC2) nucleotide and amino acid sequences, SEQ ID NO:5 and 6, respectively. A mutation (PDCE517Q) useful in the present conditional plant sterility strategy is indicated; the enzymatically inactive, thiamine-binding mutant coding and amino acid sequences are given in SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:8, respectively. FIG. 7 diagrammatically illustrates the steps for the rapid cloning of RNAi constructs using overlap extension polymerase chain reaction (OE-PCR), as described herein below. FIG. 8 provides a restriction map of AtThi2. Restriction endonucleases which do not cleave in this region include ApaI, BgIII, EcoRI, KpnI, NotI, SaciI, SaII, SmaI, SpeI and XhoI. Primer sets useful for PCR manipulations of this gene are also shown. FIG. 9 provides a restriction map of the AtThi3 gene. Restriction endonucleases which do not cleave in this region include ApaI, BgIII, EcoRI, HindIII, KpnI, NotI, PstI, SacI, SacI, SaII, SmaI, SpeI and XhoI. Primer sets useful for PCR manipulations of this gene are also shown. FIG. 10 provides a restriction map of the AtPDC gene. Restriction endonucleases which do not cleave in this region include BamHI, HindIII, NcoI, NotI, PstI, SacI, SaII, SmaI, SpeI, and XhoI. Primer sets useful for PCR manipulation of this region are also shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, a male sterile is a plant which does not produce pollen. Seed sterility is where viable seeds are not produced to embryo lethality. Female sterility refers to the inability of the female germline of a plant (ovule and endosperm) to develop, receive pollen or develop once fertilized, and there is no introgression, selfing or outcrossing. Where there is female sterility, pollen from a native plant cannot fertilize the engineered female sterile plant and no fertile offspring are produced. Systems of plant sterility are important tools in the hybrid seed industry, forestry, and phytoremediation. The hybrid seed industry, for example, plants millions of acres in which one of the two elite parent plants in a genetic cross is male sterile as a result of physical or genetic emasculation. In phytoremediation, genetically engineered plants are being developed that extract, detoxify, and/or sequester toxic pollutants, and their germplasm needs to be tightly controlled. In this case, systems of male and female sterility are needed if plants are to be released permanently into the environment. Control of fertility also limits unauthorized propagation of proprietary material. An especially useful sterility system is one in which sterility is conditional, and in which elite parental lines can still be propagated through fully fertile crosses. The present invention provides a conditional sterility system based on suppression of the pathway for thiamine B1 synthesis, sequestration of thiamine or destruction of thiamine B1 during pollen and/or ovule development such that the plants exhibit thiamine-deficiency based conditional sterility (TDCS). Fertility of the TDCS plants is restored by treatment with excess thiamine, a harmless vitamin. In addition, plant sterility can improve the economics of wood and pulpwood production because phosphorus and nitrogen are not “wasted” in the production of pollen and seed. This is particularly applicable to pine and eucalyptus. Controlled sterility is also applicable to genetically modified turfgrass or bentgrass; to the production of seedless fruit such as watermelon or grapes. These methods can also be applied to the animal forage crops; many forage crops such as alfalfa, fescue and Bermuda grass decline in feed quality when they go to seed. Similarly, the sugar yield from sugar cane is improved if the cane does not go to seed as a result of genetic modification to contain and express a conditional sterility construct of the present invention. A particularly important advantage of the present invention is that it is not labor-intensive. TDCS can be achieved by altering the expression of three different genes in the model plant Arabidopsis. Two genes, AtThi2 and AtThi3, encoding a bifunctional enzyme (phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase, thiamine phosphate pyrophosphorylase also called thiamine synthase) and a monofunctional enzyme (hydroxyethylthiazole kinase) in the thiamine B1 synthesis pathway, respectively, are targeted for suppression in Arabidopsis reproductive tissue. RNA interference (RNAi) is used to degrade target AtThi2 and AtThi3 RNAs using three distinct actin promoter vector systems: ACT12pt directs pollen specific suppression; ACT11 pt directs pollen/ovule specific suppression; and ACT2pt serves as a control by suppressing these genes in all vegetative tissues. In addition, TDCS can be achieved by sequestering thiamine in reproductive tissues by the overexpressing a mutant form of Arabidopsis pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC). Alternatively, or in addition, a thiaminase coding sequence can be expressed under the regulatory control of tissue specific promoters as described therein. The resulting plants with one or more of these transgenes are sterile under normal soil growth conditions, but fully fertile when supplemented with excess thiamine B1. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential vitamin in mammals. Plants make their own thiamine, because it is an essential cofactor in metabolism. For example, pyruvate decarboxylase, xylulose transketolase, and acetolactate synthase (Chang and Duggleby, 1997), and other enzymes that convert carboxyl groups to aldehydes or ketones, require thiamine B1 (Bouvier et al., 1998). Thiamine biosynthesis can be ablated or thiamine can be sequestered in reproductive organs and tissues to create conditional auxotrophic sterile mutants (“knockdown lines”) that require thiamine for fertility. Arabidopsis thiamine (B1) auxotrophic mutants grow well with exogenously added B1 in their growth medium (Li and Redei, 1969; Redei and Li, 1969; Ledoux et al., 1974). Plants appear to use a thiamine (B1) biosynthesis pathway similar to that described in bacteria and yeast, the final steps of which are shown in FIG. 1 (Brown and Williamson, 1987). Pyrimidine pyrophosphate and thiazole monophosphate are combined by the action of thiamine phosphate synthase to make thiamine phosphate. The pyrimidine and thiazole derived components are both made by poorly characterized biochemical pathways (Brown and Williamson, 1987). In the last decade several genes encoding enzymes or regulatory proteins in the thiamine pathway have been characterized in Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We have identified genes involved in thiamine B1 synthesis in the Arabidopsis database. Using yeast, S. pombe, and E. coli query sequences, we found several genes encoding homologues to B1 synthesis enzymes. No attempt was made to identify DNA regulatory proteins involved in thiamine synthesis. Examples of the relevant Arabidopsis sequences identified with potential roles in thiamine synthesis or binding are listed in Table 1. This analysis reveals several gene sequence targets in the Arabidopsis genome that are believed essential for thiamine B1 biosynthesis, modification, and degradation. Many of them are single-copy or low-copy genes, which simplifies any strategy for blocking thiamine synthesis or sequestering available thiamine in plant cells. Only one Arabidopsis gene (AtThi1) implicated in thiamine B1 synthesis (AtThi1) has been partially characterized for function (Machado et al., 1996; Machado et al., 1997; Chabregas et al., 2001). This gene complements E. coli mutations that affect DNA repair, such as uvrA. AtThi1 is also a sequence homologue of the B1 biosynthetic genes of yeast Thi4 and S. pombe Thi2. AtThi1 complements yeast mutants in the essential Thi4 gene (FIGS. 1 and 2), and it appears to complement both yeast cell viability and DNA repair activity as measured for mitochondrial DNA. Using either S. pombe Thi2 or yeast Thi4 protein as the query sequence, we detected a single Arabidopsis Thi1 sequence (NP200288). It has very strong homology over most of its length and 65% identity to the S. pombe Thi2 (Nmt2) protein (Table I, AtThi1). Thus, AtThi1 appears to be a single copy gene. AtThi1 is synthesized in the cytoplasm and then transported into to both the chloroplast and mitochondria by means of a dual N-terminal peptide targeting sequence (Chabregas et al., 2001). Because of this and other information on protein localization of other enzymes in thiamine synthesis, it appears that plant nuclear genes encode thiamine B1 synthesis enzymes. The transcripts are translated on cytoplasmic ribosomes, but thiamine B1 synthesis itself takes place primarily in organellar compartments. AtThi1 is only a secondary target for functional inactivation, because its complex biochemical activities are still poorly defined. AtThi2 and AtThi3: Yeast Thi6 is a 540 amino acid bifunctional enzyme acting as both a phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase and a hydroxyethylthiazole kinase (FIG. 1). Its N-terminal half is homologous to E. coli ThiE, phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase (Table 1). The C-terminal half of yeast Thi6 is homologous to E. coli Thi4, a hydroxyethylthiazole kinase. Using the yeast Thi6 sequence as a query, we detected two proteins in Arabidopsis, NP—172707 and NP—189045, and found homology to the N-terminal and C-terminal halves of the Thi6 query (see Table 1), respectively. We have named these sequences AtThi2 and AtThi3, respectively. AtThi2 and AtThi3 are very different in length (525 and 276 amino acids) and are not homologous to each other. AtThi2 is about the same length as yeast Thi6, but only has homology in its N-terminal half. The question thus becomes, what does the C-terminal half of AtThi2 encode? Using the C-terminal 250 amino acids of AtThi2 as a query against all sequences, we found a thiamine phosphate pyrophosphorylase sequence (thiE, NP—579063) from Pyrococcus furiosus as the most homologous of many non-plant sequences that are significantly related to this Arabidopsis query (E−value=e−35). In addition, using the yeast thiamine phosphate pyrophosphorylase Thi22 (Goffeau et al., 1996), we found a single Arabidopsis homologue, and it was again the C-terminal, 250 amino acid end of AtThi2 (NP—173707, Table 1, and see below). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, we have concluded that AtThi2 is a different bifunctional enzyme than yeast Thi6. AtThi2 combines an N-terminal phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase with a C-terminal thiamine phosphate pyrophosphorylase (thiamine synthase) (FIG. 1). Similarly, and again without wishing to be bound by theory, we have concluded that AtThi3 is a mono-functional hydroxyethylthiazole kinase, corresponding to the C-terminal portion of the bifunctional yeast Thi6 (FIG. 1). TABLE 1 Arabidopsis sequence targets to block thiamine B1 biosynthesis Thi sequence Ath homologb querya/ Accession # (# seq.) Length hom, Organism Length a.a. E value % ID a.a./query Comments/Reference Thi2 (nmt2) NP_200288 (1)3e−93 65% 266/328 (Manetti et al., 1994) Thi1 Ath NP_596642 349 a.a. (Machado et al., 1996; S. pombe AtThi1 Machado et al., 1997; Chabregas et al., 2001) Thi4 S25321 ARA6, Thi1, 3e−77 50%- 310-100/326 thiamin biosynthesis protein NP_011660 NP_200288 thi4, thiozole biosyn. yeast 349 a.a. Thi2p No sig. >0.2 450 Ts activator of Th1 B1 genes NP_009799 homologue yeast Thi6 NP_173707 (1)7e−28 37% 225/540 Phosphomethypyrimidine NP_015110 525 a.a. kinase. Homology to a.a. N-terminal AtThi2 9-233 of query domain C-terminus C-terminal NP_189045 (1)2e−20 30% 240/540 hydroxyethylthiazole kinase, domain 276 a.a. putative, Homology to a.a. yeast AtThi3 255-523 of query ThiE NP_173707 2e−11 33% 185/211 Phosphomethypyrimidine kinase NP_312943 525 a.a. E. coli AtThi2 C-term Thi4 NP_189045 9e−43 42% 240/262 hydroxyethylthiazole kinase NP_416607 276 a.a. E. coli AtThi3 Thi22, NP_173707 (1) e−35 33% 274/572 C-term See AtThi2 above, Also NP_015446 525 a.a. Brassica BTH1 thiamine yeast. AtThi2 phosphate pyrophosphorylase (S. pombe Pho4) N-terminus THI80 P35202 NP_563669 (4) 2e−17: 26% 270/319 a.a. Thiamine pyrophosphokinase yeast 264 a.a. 4e−8 (TPK) Thiamine kinase, unknown AtThi5 Thi3 BAA04886 B1 binding (12) 3e−65: 29-22% (8) Yeast: Thiamine positive & Thi3p motif 5e−9 550/568 & 609 regulatory factor, Thiamine NP_010203 yeast binding motif. Arabidopsis pyruvate decarboxylase (Nishimura et al., 1992) Pyruvate NP_195752 (12) 4e−78: 33%-31% 560/563 Pyruvate decarboxylase, decarboxylase 7e−7 oxal-CoA decarboxylase PO6169 yeast aProtein sequence from E. coli, S. cerevisiae, or S. pombe used as a query of the Arabidopsis genomic sequences. bPredicted Arabidopsis protein sequence with homology detected in gDNA database (Arabidopsis Genome Initiative, 2000). For the purpose of clarity in identification of the Arabidopsis sequences, we will use Ath as a precursor to all Arabidopsis gene names. cNumber of predicted and distinct protein sequences with clear homology (N) followed by the range in E-values. AtThi5: Thiamine pyrophosphate kinase (TPK, thiamine kinase) makes the pyrophosphate modified form of thiamine B1, shown at the bottom right of FIG. 1. Using the yeast gene TH180 (TPK) as a query, four Arabidopsis sequences with significant sequence homology were detected (Table 1). All four sequences may encode nearly identical proteins with truncations at the N-terminus. These proteins are believed to represent the products of a single gene, that we call AtThi5, with multiple allelic cDNAs. We have not yet confirmed whether all four sequences are in the same chromosomal location (same gene) or if they have significant silent nucleotide substitution differences and represent different genes. Yeast thi80 mutants have less thiamine, but are viable (Nishimura et al., 1991; Nosaka et al., 1993). However, because Thi80 is not an essential gene in yeast, the Arabidopsis homologue(s) has not been chosen as a target for functional inactivation. AtPDC2: There are alternative or supplementary methods of creating TDCS in addition to blocking the synthesis of thiamine biosynthetic enzymes. Thiamine B1 can be sequestered in reproductive tissue, similar to the strategy using avidin to sequester biotin and thus create biotin-deficiency based male sterility (Albertsen and Howard, 1999). Although there is no precedent for generating sufficient thiamine sequestration capacity with a binding protein to create a deficiency, this concept is straightforward, as described herein. There is a thiamine binding protein activity found in plant seeds (Watanabe et al., 1998; Rapala-Kozik et al., 1999), but the genes and proteins for this activity are not identified. The well-characterized enzyme pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) contains a strong thiamine B1 binding site. Three-dimensional models are available for PDCs from bacteria, fungi, and plants (Konig et al., 1998; Lu et al., 2000). PDC binds its thiamine B1 cofactor at the interface between two homodimeric subunits. Thiamine binding and subunit assembly appear to require the substrate pyruvate or an analogue. However, we believe that expression of large amounts of active PDC enzyme damages the efficiency of central metabolism. Thus, expression of an altered form of PDC that binds thiamine, but is enzymatically inactive, in plant reproductive tissue results in a sterile phenotype. The thiamine binding site is immediately adjacent to the pyruvate binding site. Mutant analysis of the bacterial enzyme from Zymomonas mobilis has yielded relevant and exciting results. Chang et al., 1999 have characterized several mutant active site mutant enzymes with a lower Km for substrate, most of which exhibit a lower affinity for thiamine. One PDC2 mutant with a single E473Q amino acid change lowers the specific activity to 0.025% of wild-type PDC levels (i.e., a 4000 fold reduction in activity), but appears to have an even tighter binding to thiamine than wild-type enzyme. Wild-type PDC has a kc for thiamine of 1.97 μM, while the release rate of thiamine from mutant enzyme PDCE473Q was too low to be measured. The affinity of PDCE473Q for thiamine could rival that of avidin for biotin. There is a strong sequence identity between the bacterial PDC and AtPDC2 in the region of bacterial residue E473. Thus, we can engineer thiamine sequestration based on the tissue specific expression of a catalytically inactive, thiamine binding mutant AtPDC2 (E517Q) to achieve TDCS. Thiamine sequestration based-sterility can stand alone or be used to supplement to genetic means for inactivating thiamine synthesis, for example, using interference RNA or antisense. When a thiaminase coding sequence is operably linked to a pollen-and/or ovule-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence, the expressed thiaminase degrades thiamine in the relevant developing reproductive tissue. Thiaminase coding sequences are known to the art; see, e.g., Accession No. U17168 (Paenibacillus/Bacillus thiaminolyticum thiaminase) on the National Center for Biotechnology Information website. The skilled artisan can modify the codons for improved plant gene expression, if necessary. Murray et al. (1989) provides a discussion of codon choice in plants (Murray et al. (1989) Nucl. Acids Res. 17:477-494). Thiaminases are also produced by other organisms including, but not limited to, Clostridium sporogenes, Naegleria gruberi, carp, lobsters, shrimp, certain clams and the fem bracken Pteridium aquilinum (See U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0013658 for a discussion). Interference RNA (RNAi) can be used to suppress a gene activity by targeting an mRNA for efficient degradation (Chuang and Meyerowitz, 2000). A single RNA transcript is constructed so that the double stranded mRNA stem of its stem-loop structured RNA product is homologous to part of the target mRNA to be suppressed. This sets up a cycle of efficient target mRNA degradation. Our own laboratory has pioneered a technique to make RNAi constructs very rapidly (one day from PCR to cloning) using overlap extension PCR as described herein below. Using this technique, we have suppressed the levels of actin, profilin, and actin-related protein mRNAs and protein products. We have targeted 100 to 200 bp of the 3′ untranslated regions (3′UTR) and/or 500 bp from the coding regions from these genes. 200 nt 3′UTR sequences from AtThi2 and AtThi3 were PCR amplified by this method to make an RNA product that folds into a stem-loop structure with a 200 bp dsRNA stem. An example of a construct expressing an RNAi to suppress AtThi2 expression is shown in FIG. 2. An inverted repeat-polymerase chain reaction (IR-PCR) technique is used to create the RNAi constructs in a short time. This technique circumvents the complex multistep cloning protocols generally needed to assemble RNAi constructs. The ACT11 pt vector is used to express an antisense (A) orientation and a sense (S) orientation from AtThi2 mRNA separated by a GUS spacer in a single transcript. The RNA product of this gene forms a stem-loop transcript that leads to the degradation of native AtThi2 mRNA. (ts, transcriptional start; pA, polyadenylation sites). The Act 11promoter determines preferential expression of an associated sequence in pollen, ovules and in developing embryos, and it is also expressed in the leaves and stem of the inflorescence. Pollen and ovule tissue-specific expression with the actin promoters: The tissue specific expression patterns of the specifically exemplified three promoter vectors is shown in Table 2 (for vector maps see FIGS. 3A-3C). The RNAi constructs are cloned into the ACT 11 pt and ACT12pt vector derived from the Arabidopsis ACT11 and ACT12 actin gene promoters and pBI121, respectively (see FIGS. 3A, 3B). The homologous ACT11 and ACT12 terminators, respectively, have been added to update these promoter cassette vectors from their original versions (Huang et al., 1996; Huang et al., 1997). ACT11 is one of five reproductive actin genes. ACT11 is expressed very strongly in ovule, embryo, seed, silique, and pollen. We have already used ACT11pt-related constructs to inactivate ACT11 gene expression with an ACT11-RNAi construct. These ACT11/RNAi plants have a partially sterile phenotype. The use of the ACT11 promoter/terminator vector constructs was more successful at lowering ACT11 protein levels and producing phenotypes than were CaMV 35S promoted RNAi constructs. The ACT11-Thi2-RNAi or Thi3-RNAi constructs inactivate thiamine B1 biosynthesis in ovule, embryo, seed, silique, and pollen, producing a conditionally sterile phenotype. TABLE 2 Vectors for reproductive and vegetative tissue-specific expression. Major tissue-specific Vector expression Origin ACT11pt Most reproductive tissues- Arabidopsis ACT11 embryo, ovule, seed, actin gene silique, mature pollen ACT12pt Mature pollen Arabidopsis ACT12 actin gene ACT2pt All vegetative tissues- Arabidopsis ACT2 leaves, roots, sepals, actin gene petals ACT12 is the most tightly regulated of the Arabidopsis actin genes. It is expressed almost exclusively late in pollen development (Huang et al., 1996). Thi2- and Thi3-RNAi constructs expressed from the ACT12pt vector prevent the growth of mature pollen and block fertilization. Another suitable pollen-specific promoter is the Lat52p (Preuss et al., 1994). The constitutive ACT2 actin promoter cassette ACT2pt is used as a control to express the RNAi constructs in all vegetative tissues to make plants that do not grow at all without added thiamine. The Thi-RNAi constructs are transformed or cotransformed into Arabidopsis via vacuum infiltration of each regulated RNAi construct subcloned into a Agrobacterium T-DNA plasmid (Bariola et al., 1999). Thi2-RNAi is subcloned into pCambia1300 with a hygromycin drug marker for plant selection (provided by Ray Wu, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.). pCAMBIA 1300 and numerous other vectors for cloning and stable introduction of transgenes into plants are available from CAMBIA (Black Mountain, ACT, Australia). Where pBIN10 is used, selection is for kanamycin resistance. The Thi3-RNAi construct is subcloned into the pBIN19 vector with a kanamycin drug marker for plant selection (Bevan, 1984). With such transformations, progeny show between 0.1 and 2% of the seed to be transformed based on Hyg or Kan drug selection, and no non-transformed seeds escaped selection and grow. Plants doubly transformed with mixtures of Agrobacterium strains containing independent KanR and HygR plasmids are co-transformed at a rate of about 60%. When two different Agrobacterium populations carrying different T-DNAs are mixed and vacuum infiltrated together, their T-DNA transgenes are efficiently co-transformed into the same plants. Co-transformation saves three months over transforming the two genes in two successive separate rounds of transformation. The T1 generation of vacuum infiltrated transformed seed from the single and double Thi gene transformations are plated on media containing MS salts, the appropriate drugs for selection, and thiamine. Plants with one or both drug markers, expressing Thi2-RNAi, Thi3-RNAi or both Thi2-RNAi and Thi3-RNAi constructs, are characterized further for TDCS phenotypes. The molecular model for Thi-RNAi suppression in these experiments is that the AtThi2 and AtThi3 mRNAs are degraded in reproductive tissues. RNA degradation results from the dsRNA structure of the transcript initiating a cycle of target mRNA degradation into small 23-24 nt RNA fragments, as described for several example cases (Hamilton and Baulcombe, 1999). AtThi2 and AtThi3 activities are functionally inactivated by this RNAi approach in a tissue specific fashion. One reason we are producing doubly suppressed lines for AtThi2 and AtThi3 is that the efficiency of blocking the thiamine biosynthesis is then be the multiple of the two phenotypes. In other words, the suppressed phenotype is stronger if two genes are inactivated instead of just one. In addition, AtThi2 encodes a bifunctional enzyme, further strengthening the suppression of thiamine synthesis. If each of the three enzymes are suppressed to 10% of normal levels then the thiamine pathway is blocked to 0.1% of normal levels (i.e., f=(0.1)3−0.001). With respect to the tissue specificity of RNA interference, there is very little information as to RNAi activity being restricted to a single organ or tissue. We are not aware of examples of RNAi purposefully directed at a tissue or organ. Virus-induced RNA silencing can be naturally restricted to the veins or leaves of plants (Voinnet et al., 1999). In contrast, there is more evidence for the systemic nature of RNA-directed cosuppression from a number of sources (Citovsky and Zambryski, 2000; Fagard and Vaucheret, 2000). Grafted transgenic plants often transmitted co-suppression phenotypes to other parts of the plant. However, most of the systemic behavior reported is due to RNA virus movement and expression throughout the plant (Voinnet et al., 2000). However, these experiments are biased in nature because they were directed at exploring co-suppression and some of its systemic properties. The experiments described herein are believed to be the first using tissue-specific promoters to express interference RNAs in order to inactivate target RNAs in a tissue-specific manner. These experiments are counterintuitive because of prejudice in the art that PTGS is always systemic. We PCR amplify cDNA sequence (AtPDC2) for one of the Arabidopsis AtPDC2 sequences but modify it to contain appropriate cloning sites, a mutation one codon (see FIGS. 6A-6B), with and without an epitope tag. There are five Arabidopsis sequences with reasonable 4044% identity overall with the well characterized bacterial Zymomonas sequence. We focus on the highly expressed AtPDC2 sequence (see FIGS. 6A-6B). Twenty four of the 27 resides surrounding the AtPDC2 target residue E517 are identical between the plant and bacterial sequences. We PCR amplify the Arabidopsis AtPDC2 cDNA from an Arabidopsis library using a two fragment overlap extension strategy mutating the codon for E517 to encode Q517. This cloning strategy creates the mutant cloned sequence PDCE517Q. First, the ArabidopsisAtPCD2 gene is modified to mutate GAG codon 517 encoding Glu to the new codon sequence CM encoding GIn. Second, the PDCE517Q protein product is C-terminally tagged with an HA epitope. The HA tagging allows one step purification of the protein to facilitate preparing AtPDC2-specific antibody. The resulting sequence is called PDCE517Q. See also SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:8. This cDNA is cloned into the ACT11pt and ACT12pt expression vectors described above and transformed into Arabidopsis selecting for a linked hygromycin resistance markers. Maps of the first vectors to be used are shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. We screen plants from these two promoter systems for a dominant male-female sterility and male sterility phenotypes, respectively. Again as a simple control, the PDCE517Q encoding sequence is expressed from an actin ACT2pt promoter vector to make a plant whose vegetative growth is dependent upon added thiamine. The thiamine requiring phenotype depends less on the tissue/organ specificity of gene expression, so vegetative expression of the thiamine-sequestering PDC is an option for conditional plant sterility. AtThi2, AtThi3, and AtPDC2 are soluble enzymes that are sequence homologues of bacterial sequences. Their mRNAs are translated in the cytoplasm and are specifically targeted to the prokaryotic environments (e.g., chloroplast and mitochondria). Therefore, they are efficiently expressed as native proteins in E. coli. A PCR amplified cDNA sequence is cloned which encodes Arabidopsis AtThi2 and AtThi3 without their organellar target peptides of 20 and 21 amino acids, that are removed during organellar transport in plants. A ATPDC2 cDNA is amplified from Arabidopsis total plant cDNA. The three sequences are given in FIGS. 4A-4C, 5A-5B and 6A-6B. Commercially available pBluescript and pET expression vectors are used. Appropriate bacterial stop codons (for LacZ), Shine-Delgarno sequences and cloning sites are added during PCR as we have explained in several previous publications in which we have described the expression of plant sequences in E. coli (Kandasamy et al., 1999; McKinney et al., 2001; McKinney et al., 2002). Synthetic multiple antigenic peptides (MAPs) with homology to the mature N-terminal and C-terminal 30 amino acid residues of AtThi2, AtThi3, and ATPDC2 are prepared. The MAP peptides are used as immunogens in mice to make polyclonal and monoclonal antisera to these proteins following the protocol published recently for three soluble enzymes (Li et al., 2001). Also by this established protocol the crude protein extracts from E. coliwith and without the expressed cDNAs are used to characterize polyclonal sera and screen out monoclonal antibodies. Thus, AtThi2, AtThi3, and ATPDC2 proteins do not need to be purified for these assays. These antibodies are used in assays of AtThi2, AtThi3, and AtPDC protein levels in RNAi suppressed plants. The thiamine B1 deficient phenotypes in RNAi-Thi2, RNAi-Thi3, and PDCE473Q plant lines are characterized as follows. The tissue specificity of the ACT11 promoter directs AtThi-RNAi and PDCE473Q gene expression to etiolated hypocotyls and reproductive tissues, which is lethal to seedling growth and mature plant reproduction, respectively. As described above the AtThi2-RNAi construct is linked to a KanR marker and the AtThi3-RNAi construct to a HygR marker. Thus, three classes of plants, KanR, HygR, and HygR+KanR, are characterized as potentially suppressed for AtThi2, AtThi3 and AtThi2+AtThi3, respectively. In order to allow RNAi suppressed plants and PDCE473Q plants with the strongest phenotypes to grow and reproduce, the vacuum infiltrated seed with T1 generation transformed plants are germinated on medium supplemented with thiamine (Li and Redei, 1969). Twenty RNAi plant lines for each of the three drug resistance phenotypes are grown through seed maturation on soil, while being watered with thiamine (Redei, 1969). Ten plants with the drug marker linked to PDCE517Q are examined. As a positive control, we also germinate KanR seed carrying the act7-2 mutation. The act7-2 mutant has no detectable phenotype, because its T-DNA insertion lies downstream from the ACT7 gene and before the next gene in Arabidopsis. The first inflorescence branch from each Thi suppressed and act7-2 plant is isolated in an Aracon tube and is not treated with thiamine. The remaining inflorescences are sprayed with thiamine. The unsprayed inflorescence branches are scored initially for numbers of siliques and mature seeds as compared to the number on sprayed adjacent inflorescence branches. Thirty single transformed lines for each of the three genes (e.g., Thi2-RNAi, Thi3-RNAi, PDCE517Q) and thirty doubly transformed lines blocked for thiamine biosynthesis (i.e., Thi2-RNAi and Thi3-RNAi) are characterized further at the molecular level. Plant extracts from young siliques taken from the T2 generation are assayed for AtThi2, AtThi3, and PDCE517Q protein levels are determined on Western blots using the above described antibodies or the commercial HA antibody. Like the strong expression of the ACT11 promoter in siliques, these tissues also show a significant reduction in Thi protein expression or increase in PDCE517Q protein expression. The actual stage in plant growth and tissue that first shows a phenotype is noted. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the transgenic plant forms sepals, petals, carpels, and anthers, but fails to form embryos or mature pollen. The plant may begin to form embryos, but those embryos die during development. RNAi was expressed to knock down HTK or TPP/PPK in vegetative organs and tissues produced almost no phenotype; these plants were essentially the same as control plants. By contrast, RNA interference expressed to decrease HTK or TPP/PPK in reproductive organs and tissues produced strong sterility phenotypes. An A2pt:Thi3R1-1 HTK resulted in a phenotype in which the plants were fertile and 80-100% of normal size. These plants exhibited a slight reduction in initial growth rates but only moderate long-term dwarfing. The adult plants appeared almost normal. The A2 (Actin 2) promoter directs expression in vegetative tissues. Examination of plant tissues genetically modified with an A2pt:GUS construct indicated that expression occurred in seedlings, leaves, roots, petal and sepals. An A11 pt:Thi3-RiRi-1 HTK construct resulted in plants that were partially or fully sterile. The A11 (actin 11) promoter directs expression in female and male organs and tissues of the plant. This was confirmed using an A11:GUS fusion construct. Expression of GUS was observed in ovule, embryo, endosperm, and mature pollen. Female-male specificity was observed. All the A11pt:Thi3R1-1 plants are partially or fully sterile. About 20% of the T1 lines make few or no siliques. The RNAi targeted only about 70 nucleotides of the much larger Thi3 transcript. From those partially sterile liens that produce a few siliques, most of the seeds that are produced are sterile (aborted or dead). An A11 pt:Thi3R1-1 TPP/PPK construct resulted in plants that were partially or completely sterile despite the elaboration of large numbers of flowers. Whereas wild-type seeds rarely include nonviable seeds, 20 to 100% of the seeds produced from this construct are inviable (seeds are dark brown and shriveled). An A12pt:Thi2R1-1 TPP/PPK construct resulted in a fully male sterile phenotype. The A12 (actin 12) promoter directs expression in late in pollen development. Expression was examined using an A12pt:GUS fusion construct; activity was observed in the inflorescence of the genetically modified Arabidopsis. Three lines already characterized as fully sterile in a parent plant and known to be suppressed for the Thi target genes are selected for a more quantitative examine examination of sterility in a population. One hundred T3 generation RNAi or PDCE517Q expressing seedlings germinated with thiamine are grown to maturity on soil lacking added thiamine. When the average height of the first two inflorescences stems in the population reaches about 12 in., each plant is scored for numbers of developing siliques and seeds. This process takes about four to five weeks. Then half the plants are sprayed with thiamine and the sprayed, and unsprayed plants are scored again two weeks later for siliques and seeds. Wild-type plants are scored at the same two times as positive controls. Based on homology to E. coli, yeast, and S. pombe sequences, we have identified two Arabidopsis targets, AtThi2 and AtThi3, to suppress thiamine biosynthesis and one protein product PDCE473Q to sequester thiamine. Together the two Thi genes determine three essential enzymatic steps in thiamine synthesis. AtThi2 and AtThi3 are both undoubtedly essential to thiamine biosynthesis. The genes are inactivated individually and together by an RNAi strategy using a reproductive tissue-specific actin promoter system. Each is shown to be an essential gene for the development of siliques and seeds. Arabidopsis AtPDC2 genes were identified by homology to bacterial and yeast pyruvate decarboxylase sequences and form a small gene family in Arabidopsis. In bacteria and yeast, the mutant form of the enzyme PDCE473Q has lost 99% of its enzyme activity but has greatly enhanced binding capacity for thiamine. This strong binding should sequester any thiamine present in these cells, including any that is transported in from adjacent tissues. Thiamine-deficient plants are shown to have a male-female sterile or male-sterile TDCS phenotypes depending upon the promoter used. The TDCS phenotypes are rescued by direct application of thiamine to the plants or their soil. In the future, this system is applied to TDCS trees, shrubs, and grasses to enhance there use in phytoremediation of toxic elements and organics such as our previously described mercury and arsenic resistant plants (Meagher, 2000; Meagher et al., 2000; Bizily et al., 2002; Dhankher et al., 2002). This flexible system of TDCS is also easily applied to forestry for more efficient wood or fiber production and to the hybrid seed industry. Targeted gene suppression in plants can be achieved through the induction of RNA interference (RNAi), also known as post-transcriptional gene silencing. This is accomplished through in vivo production of an RNA species containing a double stranded region composed of sequence homologous to a segment of the mRNA to be targeted. Production of this dsRNA leads to the induction of RNAi and subsequence degradation of the corresponding mRNA. The Overlap Extension-PCR (OE-PCR) procedure can be used to generate a DNA molecule containing two copies of the target sequence in inverted orientation of one another, as shown in FIG. 7. The transcript produced from this cloned DNA molecule forms the requisite double-stranded structure needed to trigger RNAi; thus, transformation of plants with such a construct leads to a loss of function phenotype for the targeted gene [Chuang and Meyerowitz, (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:4985-4990]. The OE-PCR procedure requires three DNA fragments: the linker fragment, a target sequence fragment with homology to the 5′ end of the linker, and a second target sequence fragment which is identical to the first except that it has homology to the 3′ end of the linker. Each of these fragments is produced in a separate PCR, and all three are then combined in an OE-PCR to generate the final product (see FIG. 7), which is treated with appropriate restriction enzymes and cloned into an expression vector. The linker fragment consists of a 1 kb internal segment of the GUS gene, which is amplified with the following primers: GUS Sense: 5′-CCG ACG AAA ACG GCA AGA AAA AGC (SEQ ID NO:9) AGT-3′ GUS Antisense: 5′-CCA GAA GTT CTT TTT CCA GTA CCT- (SEQ ID NO:10) 3′ The target sequence is desirably 100 bp or more in length and consists of sequence unique to the gene to be suppressed. The sequence is amplified in two separate reactions, using different primer sets for each reaction, as shown in FIG. 7. Thus, four primers are required: two sense strand primers and two antisense strand primers. Two fragments having identical internal sequence (the target sequence) are produced, but they differ at their ends such that each fragment overlaps a different end of the linker and contains unique restriction sites for use in cloning. The two sense strand primers S1 and S2 contain at their 3′ ends approximately 25 nt of homology to the upstream end of the target sequence, and this region is identical in both primers. Immediately 5′ to this region is 20 nt of homology to one end of the GUS linker. In this region the S1 oligonucleotide is identical to the antisense strand of the upstream end of the linker, and the S2 oligonucleotide is identical to the sense strand of the downstream end of the linker. S1: 5′TTT CTT GCC GTT TTC GTC GG + 25nt (SEQ ID NO:11) target “A”-3′ GUS homology S2: 5′-ACT GGA AAA AGA ACT TCT GG + 25nt (SEQ ID NO:12) target “A”-3′ The antisense strand primers A1 and A2 both have at their 3′ ends an identical 25 nt region of homology to the downstream end of the target sequence. Immediately 5′ to this segment are unique restriction sites (different ones in each primer) that can be used in directional cloning of the final product. Each oligo then has at its 5′ end a unique “clamp” sequence of 21 nt. These unique sequences serve as priming sites for “clamp” primers used to amplify the full length OE-PCT product at the end of the procedure. The “clamp” primers are identical to the “clamps” in each oligo shown below. The primer Clamp-sense is the underlined sequence in A1 below, and Clamp-antisense is the underlined sequence in A2. Amplification of the final product using the clamp primers helps to reduce the background generated in OE-PCT, as explained below. A1: 5′-TGA TAG TGA TAG TGA TAG TGA (SEQ ID NO:13) + restriction sites + 25nt target “C′”-3′ Clamp 1 (underlined) A2: 5′-AGC GTT AGC GTT AGC GTT AGC (SEQ ID NO:14) + restriction sites + 25nt target “C′”-3′ Clamp 2 (underlined) The GUS linker fragment is amplified from pBI121 using the primers GUS-sense and GUS-antisense. The 50 μL reaction contains 200 ng of pBI121, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 0.2 mM each dNTP, 4 pmol of each primer, and 2 units of Taq DNA polymerase in 1×PCR buffer. The reaction is run through 1 cycle of 94° for 3 min and 45 cycles of 94° for 45 sec, 55° for 50 sec, 72° for 1 min, followed by a final extension at 72° for 5 min. The reaction product is purified with the Qiagen PCR purification kit (Valencia, Calif.) and eluted in 50 μL of water. We have observed that gel purification of any of the three fragments tends to foul the OE-PCR. Therefore in lieu of gel purification, small amounts of primer and a large number of cycles are used to reduced carry-over of GUS primers. Carry-over of large amounts of these primers into the OE-PCR promotes formation of an additional smaller product which results from amplification of the OE product of the GUS linker and one or the other target fragment. The target sequence fragments are amplified from a plasmid cDNA library in two separate reactions; one using primers S1 and A 1, and another using primers S2 and A2 (see FIG. 7). Conditions are identical for both reactions and are as follows: 1 μg cDNA library, 1.5 mM MgCl2, 0.2 mM each dNTP, 16.25 pmol of each primer, and 2 units of Taq DNA polymerase in a 50 μL total volume of 1×PCR buffer. The reactions are run through 1 cycle of 94° for 3 min and 30 cycles of 94° for 50 sec, 55° for 50 sec, 72° for 50 sec, followed by a final extension at 72° for 3 min. The products are purified using the Qiagen PCR purification kit and eluted in 50 μL of water. The three purified PCR products are combined in a 1:1:1 ratio (approximately 20 ng of each) in the following OE-PCR reaction: 1.5 mM MgCl2,0.2 mM each dNTP, and 2 units of Taq DNA polymerase in 50 μL total volume of 1×PCR buffer. Thermal cycling consists of one cycle of 94° for 2 min and 8 cycles of 94° for 50 sec, 55° for 50 sec, 72° for 1 min, followed by a final extension at 72° for 5 min. See FIG. 7. The final full length OE product is amplified with primers Clamp-sense and Clamp-antisense using 1 μL of the OE-PCR as template under the following conditions: 1.5 mM MgCl2, 0.2 mM each dNTP, 16.25 pmol of each primer, and 2 units of Taq DNA polymerase in 50 μL total volume of 1×PCR buffer. The reaction is run through 1 cycle of 94° for 2 min and 20 cycles of 94° for 1 min, 56° for 1 min, 720 for 1 min 30 sec, followed by a final extension at 72° for 5 min. The full-length product is then gel purified and cloned into an appropriate vector where it can be transcribed into the stem-loop RNA shown in FIG. 7. Techniques and agents for introducing and selecting for the presence of heterologous DNA in plant cells and/or tissue are well-known. Genetic markers allowing for the selection of heterologous DNA in plant cells are well-known, e.g., genes carrying resistance to an antibiotic such as kanamycin, hygromycin, gentamycin, or bleomycin. The marker allows for selection of successfully transformed plant cells growing in the medium containing the appropriate antibiotic because they will carry the corresponding resistance gene. In most cases the heterologous DNA which is inserted into plant cells contains a gene which encodes a selectable marker such as an antibiotic resistance marker, but this is not mandatory. An exemplary drug resistance marker is the gene whose expression results in kanamycin resistance, i.e., the chimeric gene containing nopaline synthetase promoter, Tn5 neomycin phosphotransferase II and nopaline synthetase 3′ non-translated region described by Rogers et al., Methods for Plant Molecular Biology, A. Weissbach and H. Weissbach, eds., Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif. (1988). Techniques for genetically engineering plant cells and/or tissue with an expression cassette comprising an inducible promoter or chimeric promoter fused to a heterologous coding sequence and a transcription termination sequence are to be introduced into the plant cell or tissue by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, electroporation, microinjection, particle bombardment or other techniques known to the art. The expression cassette advantageously further contains a marker allowing selection of the heterologous DNA in the plant cell, e.g., a gene carrying resistance to an antibiotic such as kanamycin, hygromycin, gentamicin, or bleomycin. The choice of vector in which the DNA of interest is operatively linked depends directly, as is well known in the art, on the functional properties desired, e.g., replication, protein expression, and the host cell to be transformed, these being limitations inherent in the art of constructing recombinant DNA molecules. The vector desirably includes a prokaryotic replicon, i.e., a DNA sequence having the ability to direct autonomous replication and maintenance of the recombinant DNA molecule extra-chromosomally when introduced into a prokaryotic host cell, such as a bacterial host cell. Such replicons are well known in the art. In addition, preferred embodiments that include a prokaryotic replicon also include a gene whose expression confers a selective advantage, such as a drug resistance, to the bacterial host cell when introduced into those transformed cells. Typical bacterial drug resistance genes are those that confer resistance to ampicillin or tetracycline, among other selective agents. The neomycin phosphotransferase gene has the advantage that it is expressed in eukaryotic as well as prokaryotic cells. Those vectors that include a prokaryotic replicon also typically include convenient restriction sites for insertion of a recombinant DNA molecule of the present invention. Typical of such vector plasmids are pUC8, pUC9, pBR322, and pBR329 available from BioRad Laboratories (Richmond, Calif.) and pPL, pK and K223 available from Pharmacia (Piscataway, N.J.), and pBLUESCRIPT and pBS available from Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.). A vector of the present invention may also be a Lambda phage vector including those Lambda vectors described in Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Maniatis et al., eds., Cold Spring Harbor Press (1989) and the Lambda ZAP vectors available from Stratagene (La Jolla, Calif.). Other exemplary vectors include pCMU [Nilsson et al. (1989) Cell 58:707]. Other appropriate vectors may also be synthesized, according to known methods; for example, vectors pCMU/Kb and pCMUII used in various applications herein are modifications of pCMUIV (Nilson et al., supra). Typical expression vectors capable of expressing a recombinant nucleic acid sequence in plant cells and capable of directing stable integration within the host plant cell include vectors derived from the tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid of Agrobacterium tumefaciens described by Rogers et al. (1987) Meth. in Enzymol. 153:253-277, and several other expression vector systems known to function in plants. See for example, Verma et al., No. WO87/00551; Cocking and Davey (1987) Science 236:1259-1262. A transgenic plant can be produced by any means known to the art, including but not limited to Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated DNA transfer, Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated DNA transfer, both preferably with a disarmed T-DNA vector, electroporation, direct DNA transfer, liposomes, diffusion, microinjection, virus vectors, calcium phosphate, and particle bombardment (See Davey et al. (1989) Plant Mol. Biol. 13:275; Walden and Schell (1990) Eur. J. Biochem. 192:563; Joersbo and Burnstedt (1991) Physiol Plant. 81:256; Potrykus (1991) Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 42:205; Gasser and Fraley (1989) Science 244:1293; Leemans (1993) Bio/Technology 11:522; Beck et al. (1993) Bio/Technology 11:1524; Koziel et al. (1993) Bio/Technology 11:194; and Vasil et al. (1993) Bio/Technology. 11:1533.). Techniques are well-known to the art for the introduction of DNA into monocots as well as dicots, as are the techniques for culturing such plant tissues and regenerating those tissues. Many of the procedures useful for practicing the present invention, whether or not described herein in detail, are well known to those skilled in the art of plant molecular biology. Standard techniques for cloning, DNA isolation, amplification and purification, for enzymatic reactions involving DNA ligase, DNA polymerase, restriction endonucleases and the like, and various separation techniques are those known and commonly employed by those skilled in the art. A number of standard techniques are described in Sambrook et al. (1989) Molecular Cloning, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Plainview, N.Y.; Maniatis et al. (1982) Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Plainview, N.Y.; Wu (ed.) (1993) Meth. Enzymol. 218, Part I; Wu (ed.) (1979) Meth. Enzymol. 68; Wu et al. (eds.) (1983) Meth. Enzymol. 100 and 101; Grossman and Moldave (eds.) Meth. Enzymol. 65; Miller (ed.) (1972) Experiments in Molecular Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; Old and Primrose (1981) Principles of Gene Manipulation, University of California Press, Berkeley; Schleif and Wensink (1982) Practical Methods in MolecularBiology; Glover (ed.) (1985) DNA Cloning Vol. I and II, IRL Press, Oxford, UK; Hames and Higgins (eds.) (1985) Nucleic Acid Hybridization, IRL Press, Oxford, UK; and Setlow and Hollaender (1979) Genetic Engineering: Principles and Methods, Vols. 1-4, Plenum Press, New York, Kaufman (1987) in Genetic Engineering Principles and Methods, J. K. Setlow, ed., Plenum Press, NY, pp. 155-198; Fitchen et al. (1993) Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 47:739-764; Tolstoshev et al. (1993) in Genomic Research in Molecular Medicine and Virology, Academic Press. Abbreviations and nomenclature, where employed, are deemed standard in the field and commonly used in professional journals as cited herein. All references and patent documents cited herein are incorporated in their entireties to the extent that there is no inconsistency with the present disclosure. Where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups or other groupings of alternatives, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group or other group. The examples provided herein are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed herein. Any variations in the exemplified articles which occur to the skilled artisan are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. REFERENCES CITED IN THE TEXT OF THE APPLICATION Albertsen, M., and Howard, J. (1999). 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Ledoux, L., Huart, R., and Jacobs, M. (1974). DNA-mediated genetic correction of thiamineless Arabidopsis thaliana. Nature 249:17-21. Li, S. L., and Redel, G. P. (1969). Thiamine mutants of the crucifer, Arabidopsis. Biochem. Genet. 3:163-170. Li, Y., Kandasamy, M. K., and Meagher, R. B. (2001). Rapid isolation of monoclonal antibodies: monitoring enzymes in the phytochelatin synthesis pathway. Plant Physiol. 127: 711-719. Lu, G., Dobritzsch, D., Baumann, S., Schneider, G., and Konig, S. (2000). The structural basis of substrate activation in yeast pyruvate decarboxylase. A crystallographic and kinetic study. Eur J. Biochem. 267:861-868. Machado, C. R., de Oliveira, R. L., Boiteux, S., Praekelt, U. M., Meacock, P. A., and Menck, C. F. (1996). Thi1, a thiamine biosynthetic gene in Arabidopsis thaliana, complements bacterial defects in DNA repair. Plant Mol. Biol. 31:585-593. Machado, C. R., Praekelt, U. M., de Oliveira, R. C., Barbosa, A. C., Byrne, K. L., Meacock, P. A., and Menck, C. F. (1997). Dual role for the yeast THI4 gene in thiamine biosynthesis and DNA damage tolerance. J. Mol. Biol. 273:114-121. Manetti, A. G., Rosetto, M., and Maundrell, K. G. (1994). nmt2 of fission yeast: a second thiamine-repressible gene co-ordinately regulated with nmt1. Yeast 10:1075-1082. McKinney, E. C., Kandasamy, M. K., and Meagher, R. B. (2001). Small changes in the regulation of one Arabidopsis profilin isovariant, prf1, alter seedling development. Plant Cell 13:1179-1191. McKinney, E. C., Kandasamy, M. K., and Meagher, R. B. (2002). Arabidopsis contains ancient classes of differentially expressed actin-related protein genes. Plant Physiol 128: 997-1007. Meagher, R. B. (2000). Phytoremediation of toxic elemental and organic pollutants. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol. 3: 153-162. Meagher, R. B., Rugh, C. L., Kandasamy, M. K., Gragson, G., and Wang, N. J. (2000). Engineered phytoremediation of mercury pollution in soil and water using bacterial genes. 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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The field of the present invention is plant molecular biology, especially as related to genetically modified plants with conditional male sterility. Specifically, the present invention relates to conditionally male and/or female sterile plants in which sterility is achieved by disrupting the availability of thiamine by high affinity binding proteins expressed in pollen and/or in the developing ovule, by inhibiting functional expression of one or more thiamine biosynthetic proteins or by destroying thiamine in those plant tissues. Systems of plant sterility are essential tools in the hybrid seed industry, forestry, conservation biology, and phytoremediation. The hybrid seed industry plants millions of acres of in which one of the two elite parent plants in a genetic cross is male sterile as a result of physical or genetic emasculation. Male sterility is the basis for this 400 million dollar per year industry. Foresters are interested in plant sterility, because wood production is dramatically reduced when nitrogen and phosphorus are drained into pollen and megagametophyte production. In addition, genetically engineered trees, shrubs, and grasses are being developed that extract, detoxify, and/or sequester toxic pollutants and for phytomining of precious elements. Conditional male sterility adds value to and limits unauthorized propagation of valuable plants for any purpose. Plant sterility systems are needed if genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are to be released into the natural environment with no release of their germplasm. In this case, complete male-female sterility is desirable so that the organisms cannot reproduce seed by any means. Numerous strategies have been used to generate male sterility for the hybrid seed industry ranging from manually emasculating plants, altering the levels of essential metabolites in pollen, and generating toxins in developing pollen with two component systems (Perez-Prat and van Lookeren Campagne, 2002). Another approach has been to make the essential vitamin cofactor biotin unavailable in reproductive tissues to render a plant sterile. Applying this harmless vitamin to the plants then restores fertility (Albertsen and Howard, 1999). There is a need in the art for economical and safe compositions and methods for rendering plants male and/or female sterile, especially where the sterility can be controlled so as to allow the production of viable seeds under controlled conditions.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides DNA constructs comprising tissue specific transcription regulatory sequences which direct expression of an associated sequence in developing pollen and/or ovules and operably linked to the transcription regulatory sequence, a sequence which when expressed, ablates the availability of thiamine in developing pollen or ovules, either by expression of at least one interfering RNA or antisense RNA specific to at least one thiamine biosynthetic enzyme (e.g., AtThi2 or AtThi3) or by the expression of a high affinity thiamine binding protein (e.g., an enzymatically inactive PDC2) such that thiamine is sequestered in the developing pollen and/or ovules or by expression of a thiamine-degrading enzyme (thiaminase). Also within the scope of the present invention are vectors and recombinant host cells comprising the DNA constructs of the present invention. Pollen-specific or pollen- and ovule-specific transcription regulatory sequences, as specifically exemplified herein, include the transcriptional regulatory sequences of the Arabidopsis thaliana Act11, Act12, or Act2 or Lat52p genes. The target for inhibiting expression of a thiamine biosynthetic gene can be AtThi2 or AtThi3. The AtPDC gene can be modified to produce a thiamine-sequestering protein in pollen and/or ovules as described herein. As specifically exemplified, the thiamine-sequestering derivative has coding and amino acid sequences as given in SEQ ID No: 7-8. The sterility resulting from the regulated expression of the constructs of the present invention is conditional; fertility is restored by the application of thiamine to the flowers, for example, in a spray which may optionally further comprise a surfactant such as 0.1% Silwet or Triton X100 (allyloxypolyethyleneglycol methyl ether, OSi Specialties, Inc, Tarrytown, N.Y. or t-octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol) or in the growth medium. There are numerous hydroxyethylthiazole kinase (HTK) and phosphomethylpyrimidine kinase (PPK) sequences available on the internet site for The National Center for Biotechnology Information, including the following accession numbers: CA765813, U38199, U27350, Oryza sativa ; BU964708, BM524834, BG725189, Glycine max , CA900839, CA900838, CA896676, CA896675, Phaseolus coccineus ; AF193791, Fragaria x ananassa ; AJ251246 , Saccharum officinarum ; X81855, Nicotiana tabacum ; BM 177583, Glycine max ; and BQ618938, Zea mays. Thiaminase can be expressed under the regulatory control of pollen-specific or pollen-and ovule-specific promoter sequences, with the result that thiamine in the relevant reproductive tissue is degraded and that tissue cannot develop for its intended function. For the RNAi strategy for conditional plant sterility, it is preferred that there be a very high degree (greater than 95%) of sequence identity between the expressed RNAi nucleotide sequence and the target gene. Preferably, the RNAi construct is derived in sequence from the same plant source and is identical in sequence to the target sequence. While the AtACT11 and AtACT12 promoters (transcription regulatory sequences) are specifically exemplified herein, the skilled artisan can isolate the corresponding tissue specific promoters from other species and use them in the conditional plant sterility methods of the present invention as well. The present invention further provides recombinant plant cells, recombinant plant tissue and transgenic plants which contain the DNA constructs of the present invention. Transgenic plants which contain the DNA construct are conditionally male sterile or male-female sterile, i.e.; they are sterile in the absence of exogenously supplied thiamine. Also within the scope of the present invention are methods for rendering a plant of interest conditionally male and/or female sterile. The method comprises the steps of introducing a vector comprising a DNA construct containing a pollen-specific or pollen-and/or ovule-specific transcriptional regulatory sequence operably linked to a sequence which, when expressed, renders the developing pollen and/or ovules deficient in thiamine. This can be achieved by expression in the developing the pollen and/or ovules of a thiaminase or a protein in the developing pollen which binds thiamine with high affinity or it can be achieved by the expression in developing pollen of an antisense RNA or an interference RNA specific to a sequence which specifies a thiamine biosynthetic enzyme. Supplementation of the transgenic plant during flowering with exogenous thiamine temporarily restores sterility. The methods of the present invention are applicable in forestry, horticulture, agriculture, conservation and phytoremediation, among other areas.

20060331

20100223

20070503

96804.0

A01H500

FOX, DAVID T

CONDITIONAL STERILITY IN PLANTS

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A01H

ACCEPTED

Functional synthetic molecules and macromolecules for gene delivery

The present invention describes a synthetic non-viral vector composition for gene therapy and the use of such compositions for in vitro, ex vivo and/or in vivo transfer of genetic material. The invention proposes a pharmaceutical composition containing 1) a non-cationic amphiphilic molecule or macromolecule and its use for delivery of nucleic acids or 2) a cationic amphiphilic molecule or macromolecule that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity by a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction and its use for delivery of nucleic acids. Moreover this invention describes the use of these non-viral vector compositions in conjunction with a surface to mediate the delivery of nucleic acids. An additional embodiment is the formation of a hydrogel with these compositions and the use of this hydrogel for the delivery of genetic material. A further embodiment of this invention is the use of a change in ionic strength for the delivery of genetic material.

1. A compound represented by formulas I: wherein X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R2)—; Y1 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R4, or Z1 represents independently for each occurrence —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, R4, or Y2 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R6, or Z2 represents independently for each occurrence R6, —(C(R8)2)P—N(R9)3.A, or Y3 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R7, or Z3 represents independently for each occurrence R7, —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, or Y4 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R8, or Z4 represents independently for each occurrence R8 or —C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A; R1 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or halogen; R2 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R3 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R4, R6, R7, and R8 are H; R5 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; n, m, and p each represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; A is an anion with a net charge of negative one; and provided that R4 only occurs once, R6 only occurs once, R7 only occurs once, and R8 only occurs once. 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein said compound of formula I is: 3. A compound represented by formula II: wherein X1 represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R4)—; X2 represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R4)—; Y1 represents independently for each occurrence —OR5 or —N(R4)R6; Y2 represents independently for each occurrence —OR7 or —N(R4)R8; Y3 represents independently for each occurrence —OR9 or —N(R4)R10; R1 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or halogen; R2 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R3 represents independently for each occurrence H.A, alkyl.A, aryl.A, or aralkyl.A; R4 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R5 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or R6 is R7 represents independently for each occurrence R12, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or R8 is R12 or R9 represents independently for each occurrence R13, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or R10 is R13 or R11 represents independently for each occurrence R14, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R12, R13, and R14 are H; Z1 represents independently for each occurrence R12 or Z2 represents independently for each occurrence R13 or Z3 represents independently for each occurrence R14 or m1 and m2 each represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14; n1, n2, and n3 each represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; and p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; A is an anion with a net charge of negative one; and provided that R12 only occurs once, R13 only occurs once, and R14 only occurs once. 4. The compound of claim 3, wherein said compound of formula II is: wherein X is halogen. 5. A compound represented by formula III: wherein R1 is —P(O)(OM)O—(C(R8)2)m—N(R9)3.A, monosaccharide radical, or disaccharide radical; R2, R3, R6, and R8 each represent independently for each occurrence H, halogen, or alkyl; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkoxyl, —N, —C(O)R10, —C(O)OR10, —OC(O)R10, —C(O)SR10, —SC(O)R10, —C(O)N(R11)R10, —N(R11)C(O)R10, —OC(O)N(R11)R10, —N(R11)CO2R10, —N(R11)C(O)N(R11)R10, or —OP(O)(OM)OR10; R7 is optionally substituted uracil radical, optionally substituted thymine radical, optionally substituted cytosine radical, optionally substituted adenine radical, or optionally substituted guanine radical; R9 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R10 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkenyl, (alkyl-substituted alkenyl)alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R11 is H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R11)—; n represents independently for each occurrence 1 or 2; m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; M is an alkali metal; and A is an anion with a net charge of negative one. 6. The compound of claim 5, wherein said compound of formula III is: wherein X is halogen. 7. A compound represented by formulas IV: wherein X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R4)—; Y represents independently for each occurrence —N(R4)—, or —C(R2)2—; Z represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R5)—; R1 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R2 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R3, R4, and R5 represent independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R6 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or a photocleavable protecting group having a molecular weight less than 700 g/mol; m represents independently for each occurrence 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25; n1, n2, and n3 each represent independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; and A is an anion with a net charge of negative one. 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein said compound of formula IV is 9. A compound represented by formula V: wherein R1 is heteroalkyl, —XC(O)-heteroalkyl, or R2, R3 and R6 each represent independently for each occurrence H, halogen, or alkyl; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkoxyl, —N, —C(O)R10, —C(O)OR10, —OC(O)R10, —C(O)SR10, —SC(O)R10, —C(O)N(R11)2, —N(R11)C(O)—, —OC(O)N(R11)2, —N(R11)CO2R10, —N(R11)C(O)N(R11)2, —OP(O)(OM)OR10, or —XR12; R7 represents independently for each occurrence —OR10, optionally substituted uracil radical, optionally substituted thymine radical, optionally substituted cytosine radical, optionally substituted adenine radical, or optionally substituted guanine radical; R8 represents independently for each occurrence hydrogen, alkyl, or halogen; R9 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or represented by formula Va: R10 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R11 is H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R12 is R13 is H, alkyl, or aralkyl; M is an alkali metal or N(R11)4; X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R13)—; n represents independently for each occurrence 1 or 2; m represents independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; p represents independently for each occurrence 2, 3, or 4; and v is an integer in the range of about 5 to about 75. 10. The compound of claim 9, wherein said compound of formula V is: 11. A terpolymer of A, B, and C having a molecular weight of about 200 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol; wherein A is represented by CH2═C(RA)CO2M, wherein RA is (C1-C5)alkyl, and M is an alkali metal; B is represented by CH2═C(R1-B)CO2R2-B, wherein R1-B is (C1-C5)alkyl, and R2-B is (C5-C25)alkyl; and C is represented by: wherein R1 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R2 and R3 represent independently H, halogen, alkyl, alkoxyl, hydroxyl, —N(R5)2, or R6; R4 is R5 is H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R6 is —OC(O)C(R9)═CH2; R7 and R8 represent independently for each occurrence H or alkyl; R9 is H or (C1-C5)alkyl; R10 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, —Si(R11)3, —C(O)R11, or —C(O)N(R11)R5; R11 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; X is —OR10 or —N(R10)R5; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and provided that one of R2 and R3 is R6, but not both. 12. A copolymer of lysine derivative D and alkyl ester E, wherein said copolymer has a molecular weight of about 200 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol, wherein D is represented by: wherein X is O or —N(R5)—; R1 is H or (C1-C5)alkyl; R2 is —C(O)R6, —CO2R6, or —C(O)N(R7)2; R3 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R4 and R5 represent independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R6 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R7 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; A is an anion with a net charge of negative 1; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; and E is represented by: wherein X is O or —N(R6)—; Y is —C(O)— or —C(R3)2—; R1 is H or (C1-C5)alkyl; R2 is —C(O)R7, —CO2R7, or —C(O)N(R8)2; R3 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R4 and R6 represent independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R5 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R7 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R8 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; and p is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. 13. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound or polymer of any one of claims 1-12; and a nucleic acid. 14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 13, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA, RNA, plasmid, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotide, single-strand oligonucleotide, triplex oligonucleotide, PNA, or mRNA. 15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 13 or 14, further comprising DPPC, DMPC, PEGylated DPPC, DPPC, DOPE, DLPC, DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DMPE, DOPE, DPPE, DMPA-Na, DMRPC, DLRPC, DARPC; catonic, anionic, or zwitterionic amphiphile; fatty acid, cholesterol, flourescencetly labeled phospholipid, ether lipid, or sphingolipid. 16. A method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell, comprising the step of: contacting a cell with an effective amount of a mixture comprising a nucleic acid to be delivered to said cell and a compound or polymer of any one of claims 1-12. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA, RNA, plasmid, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotide, single-strand oligonucleotide, triplex oligonucleotide, PNA, or mRNA. 18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein said cell is a animal cell or plant cell. 19. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell. 20. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein said cell is a human cell or insect cell. 21. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein said cell is a human cell. 22. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein said cell is an embryonic cell or stem cell. 23. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein said cell is contacted in vivo. 24-32. (canceled)

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/478,865, filed Jun. 16, 2003. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In 1972, Friedmann outlined the far-reaching opportunities for human gene therapy. Friedmann, T.; Roblin, R. Science 1972, 175, 949-955. Chromosomal deficiencies and/or anomalies, e.g., mutation and aberrant expression, cause many hereditary and non-hereditary diseases. Conventional medicine remains unable to treat many of these diseases; gene therapy may be an effective therapeutic option by either adding, replacing, or removing relevant genes. See Kay, M. A.; Liu, D.; Hoogergrugge, P. M. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1997, 94, 12744-12746 and Huang, L.; Hung, M.; Wagner, E., Eds. Nonviral Vectors for Gene Therapy; Academic Press: New York, 1999. Currently few organs or cells can be specifically targeted for gene delivery. There are established protocols for transferring genes into cells, including calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, particle bombardment, liposomal delivery, viral-vector delivery, and receptor-mediated gene-delivery. However, a main obstacle to the penetration of a nucleic acid into a cell or target organ lies in its size and polyanionic nature, both of which militate against its passage across cell membranes. Two strategies currently being explored for delivery of nucleic acids are viral and synthetic non-viral vectors, i.e., cationic molecules and polymers. A brief discussion of viral vectors, cationic lipids, and cationic polymers and there utility in gene therapy is presented below. Viral Vectors Viral vectors are viruses. Viruses, such as adenoviruses, herpes viruses, retroviruses and adeno-associated viruses, are currently under investigation. Currently, viral vectors, e.g., adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses, have exhibited the highest levels of transfection efficiency compared to synthetic vectors, i.e., cationic lipids and polymers. Viral vectors suffer use in the Treatment of Human Diseases Drugs 2000, 60, 249-271; Smith, E. A. Viral Vectors in Gene Therapy Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 1995, 49, 807-838; Drumm, M. L.; Pope, H. A.; Cliff, W. H.; Rommens, J. M.; Marvin, S. A.; Tsui, L. C.; Collins, F. S.; Frizzell, R. A.; Wilson, J. M. Correction of the Cystic-fibrosis Defect in Vitro by Retrovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer Cell 1990, 1990, 1227-1233; Rosenfeld, M. A.; Yoshimura, K.; Trapnell, B. C.; Yoneyama, K.; Rosenthal, E. R.; Dalemans, W.; Fukayama, M.; Bargon, J.; Stier, L. E.; Stratfordperricaudet, L.; Perricaudet, M.; Guggino, W. B.; Pavirani, A.; Lecocq, J. P.; Crystal, R. G. In vivo Transfer of the Human Cystic-Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gene to the Airway Epithelium Cell 1992, 68, 143-155; Muzyczka, N. Use of Adenoassociated Virus as a General Transduction Vector for Mammalian Cells Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immuno. 1992, 158, 97-129; Robbins, P. D.; Tahara, H.; Ghivizzani, S. C. Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy Trends Biotechnol 1998, 16, 35-40; and oss, G.; Erickson, R.; Knorr, D.; Motulsky, A. G.; Parkman, R.; Samulski, J.; Straus, S. E.; Smith, B. R. Gene Therapy in the United States: A Five-Year Status Report Hum. Gene Ther. 1996, 14, 1781-1790. Since the method infects an individual cell with a viral carrier, a potentially life threatening immune response to the treatment can develop. Summerford reviews gene therapy with Adeno-associated viral vectors. For additional details see Marshall, E. Clinical Research—FDA Halts All Gene Therapy Trials at Penn Science 2000, 287, 565-567 and Summerford, C.; Samulski, R. J. Adeno-associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy Biogenic Amines 1998, 14, 451-475. Several examples of viral vectors used for gene delivery are described below. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,362 to Wilson et al., an improved adenovirus vector and methods for making and using such vectors is described. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,213 to Samulski et al., describes an adeno-associated virus vector and cis-acting regulatory and promoter elements capable of expressing at least one gene and method of using the viral vector for gene therapy. Although the transfection efficiency is high with viral vectors, there are a number of complications associated with the use of viral vectors. Cationic Lipids The second strategy consists of using non-viral agents capable of promoting the transfer and expression of DNA in cells. Since the first report by Felgner, this area has been actively investigated. These cationic non-viral agents bind to polyanionic DNA. Following endocytosis, the nucleic acid must escape from the delivery agent as well as the endosomal compartment so that the genetic material is incorporated within the new host The mechanism of nucleic acid transfer from endosomes to cytoplasm and/or nuclear targets is still unclear. Possible mechanisms are simple diffusion, transient membrane destabilization, or simple leakage during a fusion event in which endosomes fuse with other vesicles. See Felgner, P. L. Nonviral Strategies for Gene Therapy Sci. Am. 1997, 276, 102-106; Felgner, P. L.; Gadek, T. R.; Holm, M.; Roman, R.; Chan, H. W.; Wenz, M.; Northrop, J. P.; Ringgold, G. M.; Danielsen, M. Lipofectin: A highly efficient, lipid mediated DNA-transfection procedure Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1987, 84, 7413-7417; Felgner, P. L.; Kumar, R.; Basava, C.; Border, R. C.; Hwang-Felgner, J. In; Vical, Inc. San Diego, Calif.: U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,618, 1993; Felgner, J. H.; Kumar, R.; Sridhar, C. N.; Wheeler, C. J.; Tsai, Y. J.; Border, R.; Ramsey, P.; Martin, M.; Felgner, P. L. Enhanced Gene Delivery and Mechanism Studies with a Novel Series of Cationic Formulations J. Biol. Chem. 1994, 269, 2550-2561; Freidmann, T. Sci. Am. 1997, 276, 96-101; Behr, J. P. Gene Transfer with Synthetic Cationic Amphiphiles: Prospects for Gene Delivery Bioconjugate Chem. 1994, 5, 382-389; Cotton, M.; Wagner, B. Non-viral Approaches to Gene Therapy Curr. Op. Biotech. 1993, 4, 705-710; Miller, A. D. Cationic Liposomes for Gene Therapy Angew. Chem. Int. 1998, 37, 1768-1785; Scherman, D.; Bessodes, M.; Cameron, B.; Herscovici, J.; Hofland, H.; Pitard, B.; Soubrier, F.; Wils, P.; Crouzet, J. Application of Lipids and Plasmid Design for Gene Delivery to Mammalian Cells Curr. Op. Biotech. 1989, 9, 480; Lasic, D. D. In Surfactants in Cosmetics; 2nd ed.; Rieger, M. M., Rhein, L. D., Eds.; Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York, 1997; Vol. 68, pp 263-283; Rolland, A. P. From Genes to Gene Medicines: Recent Advances in Nonviral Gene Delivery Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug 1998, 15, 143-198; de Lima, M. C. P.; Simoes, S.; Pires, P.; Faneca, H.; Duzgunes, N. Cationic Lipid-DNA Complexes in Gene Delivery from Biophysics to Biological Applications Adv. Drug. Del. Rev. 2001, 47, 277-294. These synthetic vectors have two main functions, to condense the DNA to be transfected and to promote its cell-binding and passage across the plasma membrane, and where appropriate, the two nuclear membranes. Due to its polyanionic nature, DNA naturally has poor affinity for the plasma membrane of cells, which is also polyanionic. Several groups have reported the use of amphiphilic cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes for in vivo transfection both in animals and humans. Thus, non-viral vectors have cationic or polycationic charges. See Gao, X; Huang, L. Cationic Liposome-mediated Gene Transfer Gene Therapy 1995, 2, 710-722; Zhu, N.; Liggott, D.; Liu, Y.; Debs, R. Systemic Gene Expression After Intravenous DNA Delivery into Adult Mice Science 1993, 261, 209-211; Thierry, A. R.; Lunardiiskandar, Y.; Bryant, J. L.; Rabinovich, P.; Gallo, R. C.; Mahan, L. C. Systemic Gene-Therapy-Biodistribution and Long-Term Expression of a Transgene in Mice Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1995, 92, 9742-9746. Cationic amphiphilic compounds that possess both cationic and hydrophobic domains have been previously used for delivery of genetic information. In fact, this class of compounds is widely used for intracellular delivery of genes. Such cationic compounds can form cationic liposomes which are the most popular system synthetic vector for gene transfection studies. The cationic liposomes serve two functions. First, it protects the DNA from degradation. Second, it increases the amount of DNA entering the cell. While the mechanisms describing how cationic liposomes function have not been fully delineated, such liposomes have proven useful in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Safinya, C. R. describes the structure of the cationic amphiphile-DNA complex. See Radler, J. O.; Koltover, I.; Salditt, T.; Safinya, C. R. Science 1997, 275, 810-814; Templeton, N. S.; Lasic, D. D.; Frederik, P. M.; Strey, H. H.; Roberts, D. D.; Pavlakis, G. N. Nature Biotech. 1997, 15, 647-652; Koltover, I.; Salditt, T.; Radler, J. O.; Safinya, C. R. Science 1998, 281, 78-81; and Koltover, I.; Salditt, T.; Safinya, C. R. Biophys. J. 1999, 77, 915-924. Many of these systems for gene delivery in vitro and in vivo are reviewed in recent articles. See Remy, J.; Sirlin, C.; Vierling, P.; Behr, J. Bioconj. Chem. 1994, 5, 647-654; Crystal, R. G. Science 1995, 270, 404-410; Blaese, X.; et, a. Cancer Gene Ther. 1995, 2, 291-297; and Behr, J. P. and Gao, X cited above. Unlike viral vectors, the lipid-nucleic acid complexes can be used to transfer expression cassettes of essentially unlimited size. Because these synthetic delivery systems lack proteins, they may evoke fewer immunogenic and inflammatory responses. However, the liposomes suffer from low transfection efficiencies. Moreover, as is the case with other polycations, cationic lipids and liposomes (e.g., Lipofectin®) can be toxic to the cells and inefficient in their DNA delivery in the presence of serum; see Leonetti et al. Behr, like Leonetti, reports that these cationic amphiphiles or lipids are adversely affected by serum and some are toxic. See Leonetti, J.; Machy, P.; Degols, G.; Lebleu, B.; Leserman, L. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1990, 87, 2448-2451 and Behr, J. P. Acc. Chem. Res. 1993, 26, 274-278. Behr discloses numerous amphiphiles including dioctadecylamidologlycylspermine (“DOGS”) for gene delivery. This material is commercially available as TRANSFECTAM®. Vigneron describes guanidinium-cholesterol cationic lipids for transfection of eukaryotic cells. Felgner discloses use of positively-charged synthetic cationic lipids including N-1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (“DOTMA”), to form lipid/DNA complexes suitable for transfections. Byk describes cationic lipids where the cationic portion of the amphiphile is either linear, branched, or globular for gene transfection. Blessing and coworkers describe a cationic synthetic vector based on spermine. Safinya describes cationic lipids containing a poly(ethylene glycol) segment for gene delivery. Bessodes and coworkers describe a cationic lipid containing glycosidic linker for gene delivery. Ren and Liu describe cationic lipids based on 1,2,4-butanetriol. Tang and Scherman describe a cationic lipid that contains a disulfide linkage for gene delivery. Vierling describes highly fluorinated cationic amphiphiles as gene carrier and delivery systems. Jacopin describes a cation amphiphile for gene delivery that contains a targeting ligand. Wang and coworkers describe carnitine based cationic esters for gene delivery. Zhu describes the use of a cationic lipid, N[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride for the intravenous delivery of DNA. See Behr, J. P.; Demeneix, B.; Loeffler, J. P.; Perez-Mutul, J. Efficeint Gene Transfer into Mammalian Primary Endocrine Cells with Lipopolyamine Coated DNA Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1989, 86, 6982-6986; Vigneron, J. P.; Oudrhiri, N.; Fauquet, M.; Vergely, L.; Bradley, J. C.; Basseville, M.; Lehn, P.; Lehn, J. M. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1996, 93, 9682-9686; Byk, G.; BDubertret, C.; Escriou, V.; Frederic, M.; Jaslin, G.; Rangara, R.; Pitard, B.; Wils, P.; Schwartz, B.; Scherman, D. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 224-235; Blessing, T.; Remy, J. S.; Behr, J. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 8519-8520; Blessing, T.; Remy, J. S.; Behr, J. P. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1998, 95, 1427-1431; Schulze, U.; Schmidt, H.; Safinya, C. R. Bioconj. Chem. 1999, 10, 548-552; Bessodes, M.; Dubertret, C.; Jaslin, G.; Scherman, D. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2000, 10, 1393-1395; Herscovici, J.; Egron, M. J.; Quenot, A.; Leclercq, F.; Leforestier, N.; Mignet, N.; Wetzer, B.; Scherman, D. Org. Lett. 2001; Ren, T.; Liu, D. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 7621-7625; Tang, F.; Hughes, J. A. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1998, 242, 141-145; Tang, F.; Hughes, J. A. Bioconjugate Chem. 1999, 10, 791-796; Wetzer, B.; Byk, G.; Frederic, M.; Airiau, M.; Blanche, F.; Pitard, B.; Scherman, D. Biochemical J. 2001, 356, 747-756; Vierling, P.; Santaella, C.; Greiner, J. J. Fluorine Chem. 2001, 107, 337-354; Jacopin, J.; Hofland, H.; Scherman, D.; Herscovici, J. J. Biomed. Chem. Lett. 2001, 11, 419-422; and Wang, J.; Guo, X.; Xu, Y.; Barron, L.; Szoka, F. C. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 2207-2215. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,185 to Epand et al., the inventors describe additional examples of amphiphiles including a cationic cholesterol synthetic vector, termed “DC-chol”. The inventors describe, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,6184, more cationic compounds that facilitate transport of biologically active molecules into cells. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,169,078 and 6,153,434 to Hughes et al. disclose a cationic lipid that contains a disulfide bond for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,761 to Gebeyehu et al. describes additional cationic amphiphiles suitable for intracellular delivery of biologically active molecules. U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,490 to Thierry describes additional cationic lipids for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,938 to Unger, et al. discloses cationic lipid compounds that contain at least two cationic groups. Cationic Polymers Recently, polymeric systems for gene delivery have been explored. In Han's review, he discussed most of the common cationic polymer systems including PLL, poly(L-lysine); PEI, polyethyleneimine; pDMEAMA, poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl-methacrylate; PLGA, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). See Garnett, M. C. Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Sys. 1999, 16, 147-207; Han, S.; Mahato, R. I.; Sung, Y. K.; Kim, S. W. Molecular Therapy 2000, 2, 302-317; Zauner, W.; Ogris, M.; Wagner, E. Adv. Drug. Del. Rev. 1998, 30, 97-113; Kabanov, A. V.; Kabanov, V. A. Bioconj. Chem. 1995, 6, 7-20; Lynn, D. M.; Anderson, D. G.; Putman, D.; Langer, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 8155-8156; Boussif, O.; Lezoualc'h, F.; Zanta, M. A.; Mergny, M. D.; Scherman, D.; Demeneix, B.; Behr, J. P. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1995, 92, 7297-7301; Choi, J. S.; Joo, D. K.; Kim, C. H.; Kim, K.; Park, J. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 474-480; Putnam, D.; Langer, R. Macromolecules 1999, 32, 3658-3662; Gonzalez, M. F.; Ruseckaite, R. A.; Cuadrado, T. R. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 1999, 71, 1223-1230; Tang, M. X.; Redemann, C. T.; Szoka, F. C. In Vitro Gene Delivery by Degraded Polyamidoamine Dendrimers Bioconjugate Chem. 1996, 7, 703-714; Kukowska-latallo, J. F.; Bielinska, A. U.; Johnson, J.; Spinder, R.; Tomalia, D. A.; Baker, J. R. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1996, 93, 4897-4902; and Lim, Y.; Kim, S.; Lee, Y.; Lee, W.; Yang, T.; Lee, M.; Suh, M.; Park, J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 2460-2461. Some representative examples of cationic polymers under investigation are described below. For example, poly(β-amino esters) have been explored and shown to condense plasmid DNA into soluble DNA/polymer particles for gene delivery. To accelerate the discovery of synthetic transfection vectors parallel synthesis and screening of a cationic polymer library was reported by Langer. Wolfert describes cationic vectors for gene therapy formed by self-assembly of DNA with synthetic block cationic co-polymers. Haensler and Szoka describe the use of cationic dendrimer polymers (polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers) for gene delivery. Wang describes a cationic polyphosphoester for gene delivery. Putnam describes a cationic polymer containing imidazole for the delivery of DNA. See Lynn, D. M.; Langer, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 10761-10768; Wolfert, M. A.; Schacht, E. H.; Toncheva, V.; Ulbrich, K.; Nazarova, O.; Seymour, L. W. Hum. Gene Ther. 1996, 7, 2123-2133; Haensler, J.; Szoka, F. Bioconj. Chem. 1993, 4, 372; and Wang, J.; Mao, H. Q.; Leong, K W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001; Putnam, D.; Gentry, C. A.; Pack, D. W.; Langer, R. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 2001, 98, 1200-1205. A number of patents are also known that describe cationic polymers for gene delivery. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,184 to Goldenberg et al. describes cationic copolymers of vinylamine and vinyl alcohol for the delivery of oligonucleotides. U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,166 to Tomalia, et al, discloses dendritic cationic-amine-terminated polymers for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,442 to Yin et al. describes cationic hyper comb-branched polymer conjugates for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,878 to Burgess et al. describes additional cationic polymers for nucleic acid transfection and bioactive agent delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,274 to Park et al. discloses a compound for targeted gene delivery that consists of polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted poly(L-lysine) (PLL) and a targeting moiety, wherein at least one free amino function of the PLL is substituted with the targeting moiety, and the grafted PLL contains at least 50% unsubstituted free amino function groups. U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,717 to Choi et al. describes a biodegradable, mixed polymeric micelle used to deliver a selected nucleic acid into a targeted host cell that contains an amphiphilic polyester-polycation copolymer and an amphiphilic polyester-sugar copolymer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,987 to Park et al. discloses a positively charged poly[alpha-(omega-aminoalkyl) glycolic acid] for the delivery of a bioactive agent via tissue and cellular uptake. U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,956 to Scherman et al. describes a pharmaceutical composition useful for transfecting a nucleic acid containing a cationic polypeptide. All of these polymers possess and rely on cationic moieties to bind DNA. Thus, the need exits for non-cationic polymers or macromolecules for gene delivery. Such polymers would also be advantageous over using viral vectors because the polymer delivery system would not expose the cell to a virus that could infect the cell. The following is only a representative description of the potential therapeutic value of gene therapy. Gene therapy can be used for cancer treatment with recent papers describing its utility for prostate, colorectal, ovarian, lung, breast cancer. Gene therapy has been explored for delivery of vaccines for infectious disease, for lysosomal storage disorders, for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy, for controlling hypertension, and for rescuing ischaemic tissues. Gene therapy has also been explored for treating HIV. See Galanis, E.; Vile, R.; Russell, S. J. Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hemat 2001, 38, 177-192; Kim, D.; Martuza, R. L.; Zwiebel, J. Nature Med. 2001, 7, 783-789; Culver, K W.; Blaese, R. M. Trends Genet 1994, 10, 174-178; Harrington, K J.; Spitzweg, C.; Bateman, A. R.; Morris, J. C.; Vile, R. G. J. Urology 2001, 166, 1220-1233; Chen, M. J.; Chung-Faye, G. A.; Searle, P. F.; Young, L. S.; Kerr, D. J. Biodrugs 2001, 15, 357-367; Wen, S. F.; Mahavni, V.; Quijano, E.; Shinoda, J.; Grace, M.; Musco-Hobkinson, M. L.; Yang, T. Y.; Chen, Y. T.; Runnenbaum, I.; Horowitz, J.; Maneval, D.; Hutchins, B.; Buller, R. Cancer Gene Ther. 2003, 10, 224-238; Hoang, T.; Traynor, A. M.; Schiller, J. H. Surg. Oncol. 2002, 11, 229-241; Patterson, A.; Harris, A. L. Drugs Aging 1999, 14, 75-90; Clark, K. R.; Johnson, P. R. Curr. Op. Mol. Ther. 2001, 3, 375-384; Yew, N. S.; Cheng, S. H. Curr. Op. Mol. Ther. 2001, 3, 399-406; Jenne, L.; Schuler, G.; Steinkasserer, A. Trends Immunol 2001, 22; Sellers, K. W.; Katovich, M. J.; Gelband, C. H.; Raizada, M. K. Am. J. Med. Sci. 2001, 322, 1-6; Emanueli, C.; Madeddu, P. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 2001, 133, 951-958; and Schnell, M. J. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2001, 200,123-129. Therefore, the need exists for new compositions and methods for gene delivery. New gene delivery compositions will find applications in medicine and gene research. The present invention fulfills this need and has other related advantages. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This present invention relates to compounds and methods for gene delivery. One aspect of the invention relates to a class of non-cationic amphiphilies for gene delivery. Another aspect of the invention relates to a cationic, amphiphilic molecule or macromolecule that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity by a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of delivering a gene to a cell using one of the molecules of the invention that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity by a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction. An additional embodiment is the formation of a hydrogel with the compositions and the use of the hydrogel for the delivery of genetic material. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using the non-viral vector compositions in conjunction with a surface to mediate the delivery of nucleic acids. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of an amphiphilic molecule that undergoes the charge reversal effect. The amphiphile binds DNA, since it is cationic, and then releases DNA when it is anionic. FIG. 2 depicts a molecule or macromolecule of the invention. FIG. 3 depicts a molecule or macromolecule of the invention. FIG. 4 depicts certain molecules or macromolecules of the invention. FIG. 5 depicts certain molecules or macromolecules of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a class of molecular or macromolecular compositions for in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo transfer of biologically active molecules, such as nucleic acids. The present invention also encompasses compositions and use of such nucleic-acid-transfection compositions. The composition contains at least one nucleic acid binding region, which is non cationic, a linker, and at least one hydrophobic region. Alternatively, the composition contains a cationic amphiphilic molecule or macromolecule that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity by a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction and its use for delivery of nucleic acids. Another embodiment of this invention is the use of these non-viral vector compositions in conjunction with a surface to mediate the delivery of nucleic acids. An additional embodiment is the formation of a hydrogel with these compositions and the use of this hydrogel for the delivery of genetic material. A further embodiment of this invention is the use of a change in ionic strength for the delivery of genetic material. This approach entails using a chemical, photochemical, or biochemical-sensitive cationic amphiphile molecule or polymer/macromolecule for gene delivery that transforms to an anionic or neutral amphiphile or polymer intracellularly. This functional synthetic vector performs the following roles. First, it binds DNA and forms a supermolecular DNA-complex. Once this complex is in the endosome, a chemical, photochemical, or biochemical reactions affords a synthetic vector that is anionic or neutral. Finally, the anionic amphiphiles or polymers repel DNA and destabilize the supramolecular complex freeing the DNA for subsequent transcription. Furthermore, the anionic complex formed in situ disrupts the cell membrane of the endosome enabling release of the DNA from the endosome. For example, a cationic amphiphile possessing one to two terminal ethyl or benzyl ester linkages on the fatty acid is an esterase sensitive functional synthetic vector. This cationic amphiphile would bind DNA and form the supramolecular complex. An esterase would then cleave the ester linkages affording the anionic amphiphile and freeing the DNA. Another example, would be a cationic amphiphile possessing one or two ester linkages that can be cleaved by a photochemical reaction. Photocleavable protecting groups for use in this invention include nitrobenzyl, 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-coumarin-4-ylmethyl (bhc), and 8-bromo-7-hydroxyquinoline-2-ylmethyl (bhq). The release of the DNA from the amphiphile-DNA complex in vitro or in vivo is done by photolysis (one or more photon chemistry). Delivery of the nucleic acid using a molecule or polymer described herein can be in the form of a liquid, gel, or solid. A nucleoside possessing two fatty acid chains and a phosphocholine will form a gel in aqueous solution. Such an example is synthesized and described in the examples section. Moreover, this gel can be loaded with DNA or DNA and a synthetic vector and then subsequently used to deliver nucleic acid to a specific tissue/cellular site. This mode of gene therapy is applicable to cancer. In addition these amphiphiles or polymers can be used in conjunction with a surface (e.g., mica, glass, gold) to aid in the delivery of the DNA. For example, the surface and synthetic vector can be used to condense the DNA; once on the surface, the cell is able to uptake the DNA for subsequent transcription. A nucleoside possessing hydrophobic acyl chains and a 5000 MW polyethyelene glycol will in the presence of a surface (mica) condense DNA to form toroids. All three components of this amphiphile are generally required: the DNA base for interacting with plasmid DNA, the hydrophobic chains for bilayer or other supramolecular structure, and the PEG for aqueous solubility and condensation on the mica. Nucleic acids suitable for delivery include, but are not limited to, DNA, RNA plasmids, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotides, single strand oligonucleotides, triplex oligonucleotides, PNAs, mRNA, etc. Delivery of nucleic acid using the novel molecule(s) or polymer(s) described in this invention includes in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo (e.g., intravenous, aerosol, oral, topical, systemic, ocular, intraperitoneal and/or intrathecal). The administration can also be directly to a target tissue/cell or through systemic delivery. The synthetic vectors described here can be further modified to possess unique peptides, antibodies, single chain antibodies, or other small molecules that target the delivery of the DNA to a specific cell. A further embodiment of this invention is the use of these functional synthetic vectors with known, standard, or conventional synthetic vectors (molecules and polymers) and/or cationic, anionic, zwitterionic lipids or amphiphiles (e.g., DOPE) for the delivery of DNA. Moreover the synthetic vectors described herein can be used with known peptides or polymers that lyse or destabilize cell membranes to increase the release of the DNA from the endosome (e.g., polyacrylic acids/alkyl-esters). With respect to the molecules or amphiphiles, the present invention describes liposome compositions and a method of preparing such liposomes. Moreover, the present invention relates to the administration of the biologically active agent-liposome preparations to cells. These cells can then be used in an in vitro setting or delivered to a patient. Alternatively, the therapeutic liposome formulation is delivered to the patients. The liposome compositions of the present invention provide delivery of nucleic acids to cells. Liposome vesicles are prepared from a mixture of said amphiphile(s) described in this invention and a neutral lipid and form a bi- or multilamellar membrane structure. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of preparing liposomes, useful in providing efficient transfer therapy. Antisense oligonucleotides may be designed to target specifically genes and consequently inhibit their expression. In addition, this delivery system may be a suitable carrier for other gene-targeting oligonucleotides, such as ribozymes, triple-helix-forming oligonucleotides or oligonucleotides exhibiting non-sequence specific binding to a particular protein or other intracellular molecules. For example, the genes of interest may include retroviral or viral genes, drug-resistance genes, oncogenes, genes involved in the inflammatory response, cellular adhesion genes, hormone genes, abnormally overexpressed genes involved in gene regulation. Below the present invention is described by reference to specific embodiments. This description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention, but to convey the essence of the invention. Additional embodients may be readily envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art, and such embodiments fall within the scope of the invention. One aspect of the present invention relates to a molecule or macromolecule shown in FIG. 2 that contains at least one DNA binding non-cationic region, zero or more linker regions, and at least one hydrophobic region, zero or more hydrophilic regions linked together by covalent bonds used for the in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo delivery of nucleic acid. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a molecule or macromolecule shown in FIG. 3 that contains at least one DNA binding cationic region, zero or more linker regions, and at least one hydrophobic region, zero or more hydrophilic linked together by covalent bonds used for the in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo delivery of nucleic acid. Whereupon the cationic molecule or macromolecule is transformed from a cationic entity to a neutral, anionic, or zwitterionic by a chemical, photochemical, or biological (e.g., enzymatic) reaction. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a molecule or macromolecule shown in FIG. 3 that contains at least one polyethylene glycol (i.e., polyethylene oxide, ethylene glycol) unit, zero or more linker regions, zero or more hydrophobic regions, zero or more hydrophilic, zero or more neutral, anionic, cationic, or zwitterionic regions linked together by covalent bonds used for the in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo delivery of nucleic acid. In certain instances, the aforementioned macromolecule is linear, comb, star, dendritic, or hyperbranched. In certain instances, the aforementioned macromolecule is a homopolymer or heteropolymer (e.g., di-block, multi-block, random co-polymer). In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule, wherein the hydrophobic region is one or more cholesterol or other natural steriod or modified steriod, or synthetic analog. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that employs a photochemical reaction whereby the reaction is a single or multi-photon reaction for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that can undergo an enzymatic reaction for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that employs a enzymatic reaction whereby the enzyme is an esterase for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that employs a temperature change for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that employs a change in ionic strength for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that employs a surface for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that also employs a change in pH for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that contains a targeting moiety for a cell or tissue. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that contains a natural or charged peptide or synthetic polymer that destabilizes cell membranes. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein the macromolecule/polymer is polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol for the delivery of nucleic acids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that contains a linker that is neutral, cationic, anionic, and/or zwitterionic. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that contains a hydrophilic unit that is hydrophilic polymer (e.g., polyethylene glycol, polyacrylic acids, polyvinyl alcohol) or small molecule (e.g., tetraethylene glycol, sugar, succinic acid, glycine, glycerol, spermine). In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule that forms a gel or crosslinked network in aqueous or non-aqueous solution and the gel/crosslinked network is subsequently used for the delivery of nucleic acids. Another aspect of the invention relates to a gel/crosslinked network used for the delivery of nucleic acids formed by a photochemical reaction, enzymatic reaction, an oxidation reaction, a chemical reaction, a pH change, a temperature change, an ionic strength change, a non-covalent interaction(s) with another polymer(s) or molecule(s), or a change in molecule(s) or macromolecule(s) concentration. Another aspect of the invention relates to a molecule(s) or macromolecule(s) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein the macromolecule is a homopolymer, random copolymer, or block copolymer. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R1 is at least one non-cationic DNA binding moiety such as a nucleoside, nucleobase, aromatic compound, polyaromatic compound, aliphatic compound, carbohydrate, amino acid, peptide, PNA, or pseudo peptide In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R1 is one or more of the same or different non-cationic DNA binding moiety such as a nucleoside, nucleobase, aromatic compound, polyaromatic compound, aliphatic compound, carbohydrate, amino acid, or peptide. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R1 is one or more of the same or different cationic DNA binding moiety such as a primary amine, secondary amine, tertiary amine, quaternary amine (e.g, choline), or molecule(s) possessing more than one cationic amine (e.g., lys, spermine). In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 contains a functionality that upon a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction transform the molecule(s) or macromolecule(s) to a neutral, anionic, or zwitterionic molecule or macromolecule. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 contains a functionality such as an ester that upon a biological reaction transform the molecule(s) or macromolecule(s) to a neutral, anionic, or multi-anionic molecule or macromolecule. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 contains a functionality such as an photocleavable ester that upon a photochemical reaction transform the molecule(s) or macromolecule(s) to a neutral, anionic, or multi-anionic molecule or macromolecule, wherein the functionality is not limited to a nitrobenzyl ester or a BHC ester. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain ester of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain ester of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, methoxy, amine, thiol, or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain ether of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain ether of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, methoxy, amine, thiol, or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain silane of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain silane of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain amide of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain amide of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain urea of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain urea of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain urethane of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain urethane of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain carbonate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain carbonate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain sulfate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain sulfate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain thio-urethane of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain thio-urethane of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain amine of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain amine of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain phosphate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain phosphate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain thiophosphate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain thio-phosphate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain boranophosphate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain acetal of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain acetal of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain boranophosphate of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain thio-urea of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain thio-urea of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain thio-ether of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain thio-ether of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain thio-ester of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain thio-ester of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein R2, R3, R4, and R5 are a straight or branched chain of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is the same or different straight or branched chain of 2-50 carbon atoms wherein the chain is fully saturated, fully unsaturated or any combination therein and wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a —H, —OH, amine, thiol, methoxy or any combination therein. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein chains are hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, halocarbons, alkenes, or alkynes or any combination of 1 or more. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 chains are polypeptide(s) or contain at least one amino acid(s) wherein one or more R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of the chains contains a disulfide bond or linkage. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein one or more of the chains contains a linkage suitable to cleavage by pH, light, or enzyme. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein chains are amino acid(s) or polypeptide(s) combined with one or more of a hydrocarbons, fluorocarbons, halocarbons, alkenes, or alkynes chain or any combination thereof. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein said chains are polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylene oxide, polyester [(poly(L-lactic acid), poly(D-lactic acid), poly(D-,L-lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid), poly(L-lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly(D-lactic-co-glycolic acid), poly(.epsilon.-caprolactone), polybutyrolactone], polyamine (PMMA), polyacrylic acid, polyamino acid [poly(L-serine ester), poly(D-serine ester), poly(L-lysine), poly(D-lysine), polyornithine, and polyarginine], polynucleic acid and polysaccharides of molecular weight ranging from 100-1,000,000. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein 1 chain or more of the chains contains one or more ionic, photo, covalent crosslinkable group. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule wherein straight or branched chains are the same number of carbons or different wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is any combination of the linkers including ester, silane, urea, amide, amine, carbamate, urethane, thio-urethane, carbonate, thio-ether, thio-ester, sulfate, sulfoxide, nitroxide, phosphate and ether. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein at the terminus/i of the chain(s), there exists any group(s) such as any amine, thiol, amide, carboxylic acid, phosphate, sulphate, hydroxide, or —SeH. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein at the terminus/i of the chain(s), there exists any group that can be subsequently transformed from a neutral species to an anionic or zwitterionic group with the formation of a neutral, anionic, or zwitterionic molecule(s) or macromolecule (s). In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein at the terminus/i of the chain(s), there exists a carboxylic acid or phosphate group that is protected with a group that can be liberated by a chemical, biological, or photochemical group. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein at the terminus/i of the chain(s), there exists one or more ser, tyr, or thr with zero or more amino acids (including a peptide) that undergoes a biological reaction such as a phosphorylation. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein the preferred chain length is between 6-24. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein M is O, S, N—H, N—R, wherin R is —H, CH2, CR2 or a chain as defined above, Se or any isoelectronic species of oxygen. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein the cyclic structure is of 4 or more atoms or bicyclic. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein W is O, S, N—H, N—R, wherin R is —H, CH2, CR2 or a chain as defined above, Se or any isoelectronic species of oxygen and with or without XYZ or in any combination therof. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein W is a phosphonate, phosphate, boronophosphate, and or thiophosphate, selenophosphate. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein X is a phosphonate, phosphate, boronophosphate, thiophosphate, and or selenophosphate. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein one or more of R2, R3, R4, and R5 is a hydroxide, N-succinyl derivative, amino acid, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, multiple amines, multiple hydroxides, cyclic amine, polyamine, polyether, polyester or tertiary, secondary and primary amines with or without chains of 1-20 carbons. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein an antibody or single chain antibody is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a nucleotide is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a nucleoside is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein an oligonucleotide is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a contrast agent is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a ligand is attached to a chain as described above that binds to a biological receptor. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a pharmaceutical agent is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a carbohydrate is attached to a chain as described above. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a contrast agent is a PET or MRI agent such as Gd(DPTA). In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein iodated compounds are attached for X-ray imaging. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a carbohydrate is lactose, galactose, glucose, mannose, sialic acid fucose, fructose, manose, sucrose, cellobiose, nytrose, triose, dextrose, trehalose, maltose, galactosamine, glucosamine, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, or lactobionic acid. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein a stereochemical center(s) in the composition according to claim 1, 2, or 3 affords chiral and achiral compounds. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein any of the above compositions are attached together to form compounds similar to geminal lipids. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned molecule or macromolecule wherein any of the above compositions have both of their chain groups attached in a cyclical fashion to another lipid of any composition such as in a bolalipid. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a composition comprising one of the aforementioned compounds mixed from 0.1-99.9% with a known cationic, anionic or zwitterionic molecule or macromolecule, such as DOPE, DLPC, DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DMPE, DOPE, DPPE, DMPA-Na, DMRPC, DLRPC, DARPC, or similar catonic, anionic, or zwitterionic amphiphiles. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule that forms a supramolecular structure such as a liposome (multilamellar, single lamellar, giant), helix, disc, tube, fiber, torus, hexagonal phase, micelle, gel phase, reverse micelle, microemulsion or emulsion. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition that forms a microemulsion, nanoemulsion, or emulsion. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a supramolecular structure(s) formed from a combination of one of the aforementioned compounds with from 0.1-99.9% of known materials such as DPPC, DMPC, PEGylated DPPC, DOPE, DLPC, DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DMPE, DOPE, DPPE, DMPA-Na, DMRPC, DLRPC, DARPC, or similar catonic, anionic, or zwitterionic amphiphiles fatty acids, cholesterol, flourescently labeled phospholipids, ether lipids, sphingolipids, and other such compositions to those known in the art. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned macromolecule that is used in presence of a surface to mediated the delivery of nucleic acids. Wherein the surface is glass, mica, polymer, metal, metal alloy, ceramic, oxide, etc. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the aforementioned composition or a resulting supramolecular structure in an aqueous solution, wherein the said aqueous solution is selected from water, buffered aqueous media, saline, buffered saline, solutions of amino acids, solutions of sugars, solutions of vitamins, solutions of carbohydrates or combinations of any two or more thereof. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the aforementioned composition or a resulting supramolecular structure in aqueous/nonaqeuous solution wherein the said aqueous solution is selected from water, buffered aqueous media, saline, buffered saline, solutions of amino acids, solutions of sugars, solutions of vitamins, solutions of carbohydrates or combinations of any two or more thereof and non aqueous solution is selected from DMSO, ethanol, methanol, THF, dichloromethane, DMF, etc combinations of any two or more thereof. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the aforementioned composition or a resulting supramolecular structure as a particle, foam, gel, or supramolecular assembly. Wherein a method for preparation of one of these supramolecular structures, a liposome, is to form a film of the lipid on a glass coverslip and then incubate it in a sucrose solution for 12 hours, deposit a thin film of lipid on the inside of a round bottom flask and then rehydrate at a temperature above its phase transition temperature, or sonicate hydrated lipids in order to form supramolecular structures. Wherein a extrusion, sonication or vortexing method is used to form supramolecular structures in the presence or absence of nucleic acids. Wherein any of the above compositions are modified in order to destabilize in acidic, basic, or neutral environments. Wherein any of the above compositions are modified in order to destabilize in cold, warm, or ultrasonic environments. Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the aforementioned compositions or supramolecular structures for delivery of nucleic acids. Another aspect of the present invention relates to any one of the aforementioned compositions and a cationic molecule or macromolecule for the delivery of nucleic acids. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method using any one of the aforementioned compositions for nucleic acid delivery and transfection. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method using any one of the aforementioned supramolecular structure for nucleic acid delivery and transfection. Another aspect of the present invention relates to the aformentioned method for nucleic acid delivery and transfection in combination with from 0.1-99.9% of known materials such as DPPC, DMPC, PEGylated DPPC, DPPC, DOPE, DLPC, DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DMPE, DOPE, DPPE, DMPA-Na, DMRPC, DLRPC, DARPC, or similar catonic, anionic, or zwitterionic amphiphiles, fatty acids, cholesterol, flourescencetly labeled phospholipids, lipids, sphingolipids, and other such compositions to those known in the art. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition with said nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid comprise a DNA sequence encoding a genetic marker selected from the group consisting of luciferase gene, beta-galactosidase gene, hygromycin resistance, neomycin resistance, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition with said nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid comprise a DNA sequence encoding protein selected from the group consisting of low density lipoprotein receptors, coagulation factors, gene suppressors of tumors, major histocompatibility proteins, antioncogenes, p16, p53, thymidine kinase, IL2, IL 4, and TNFa. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition with said nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid comprise a DNA sequence encoding viral antigen. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition with said nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid comprise a DNA sequence encoding an RNA selected from the group consisting of a sense RNA, an antisense RNA, and a ribozyme. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition with said nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid comprise a DNA sequence encoding lectin, a mannose receptor, a sialoadhesin, or a retroviral transactivating factor. In certain instances, the invention relates to the aforementioned composition with said nucleic acid wherein the nucleic acid comprise a DNA or RNA sequence of medical interest or relevance. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of transfecting cells in vitro, ex vivo, or in vivo comprising contacting said cells with any one of the aforementioned compositions under conditions wherein said composition enters said cells, and the nucleic acid of said composition is released. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of transfecting cells in vitro, ex vivo, or in vitro bearing a receptor recognizing a targeting moiety comprising contacting said cells with the composition comprising one of the aforementioned compounds and a nucleic acid, under conditions wherein said composition enters said cells, and the nucleic acid of said composition is released. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of transfecting cells in vitro, ex vivo, or in vitro where the cells are human including embryonic and stem cells, animal, plant, insect, immortal, or genetically engineered. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of transfected cells for treating a disease or repairing an injured tissue, organ, or bone. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of said composition for treating a disease or repairing an injured tissue, organ, or bone. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of said composition for cancer treatment. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of said composition for correcting or treating a genetic defect. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of said composition for a medical application. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of said composition for agricultural use, experiments, crop management or food manufacturing. Compounds of the Invention One aspect of the present invention relates to a compound represented by formulas I: wherein X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R2)—; Y1 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R4, or Z1 represents independently for each occurrence —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, R4, or Y2 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R6, or Z2 represents independently for each occurrence R6, —(C(R8)2)P—N(R9)3.A, or Y3 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)N(R2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R7, or Z3 represents independently for each occurrence R7, —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, or Y4 represents independently for each occurrence —C(O)R3, —C(O)NR2)R3, alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R8, or Z4 represents independently for each occurrence R8 or —C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A; R1 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or halogen; R2 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R3 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkenylalkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R4, R6, R7, and R8 are H; R5 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; n, m, and p each represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; A is an anion with a net charge of negative one; and provided that R4 only occurs once, R6 only occurs once, R7 only occurs once, and R8 only occurs once. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 and R2 are H, R5 is alkyl, m is 2, and n is 1. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein Y1 is —C(O)R3 or and Z1 is —C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein Y1 is —C(O)R3 or Z1 is —(C(R2)2)P—N(R2)3.A, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein Y1 is Z1 is —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A or Y2 is —C(O)R3, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, R1 and R2 are H, R5 is alkyl, m is 2, n is 1, Y1 is Z1 is —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A or Y2 is —C(O)R3, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein Y1 is Z1 is Y2 is —C(O)R3 or Z2 is —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, R1 and R2 are H, R5 is alkyl, m is 2, n is 1, Y1 is Z1 is Y2 is —C(O)R3 or Z2 is —(C(R2)2)P—(R5)3.A, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein Y1 is Z1 is Y2 is Z2 is —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, R1 and R2 are H, R5 is alkyl, m is 2, n is 1, Y1 is Z1 is Y2 is Z2 is —(C(R2)2)P—N(R5)3.A, and R3 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen or R25CO2−, wherein R25 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein said compound of formula I is Another aspect of the present invention relates to a compound represented by formula II: wherein X1 represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R4)—; X2 represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R4)—; Y1 represents independently for each occurrence —OR5 or —N(R4)R6; Y2 represents independently for each occurrence —OR7 or —N(R4)R8; Y3 represents independently for each occurrence —OR9 or —N(R4)R10; R1 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or halogen; R2 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R3 represents independently for each occurrence H.A, alkyl.A, aryl.A, or aralkyl.A; R4 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R5 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or R6 is R7 represents independently for each occurrence R12, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or R8 is R12 or R9 represents independently for each occurrence R13, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or R10 is R13 or R11 represents independently for each occurrence R14, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R12, R13, and R14 are H; Z1 represents independently for each occurrence R12 or Z2 represents independently for each occurrence R13 or Z3 represents independently for each occurrence R14 or m1 and m2 each represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14; n1, n2, and n3 each represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10; and p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5; A is an anion with a net charge of negative one; and provided that R12 only occurs once, R13 only occurs once, and R14 only occurs once. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen or R16CO2− wherein R16 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is H. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R2 is H or alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X2 is O, and n3 is 1 or 2, and m1 is 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X2 is O; and n3 is 1 or 2; m1 is 1, 2, or 3; and m2 is 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R5 is optionally substituted benzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R5 is benzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is optionally substituted benzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is benzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein p is 0, R1 is H, R2 is alkyl, R3 is alkyl.A, n1 is 2, X1 is O, m1 is 4 or 8, and Y1 is OR5, R5 is aralkyl, and A is halogen or R16CO2−, wherein R16 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein p is 0, R1 is H, R2 is alkyl, R3 is alkyl.A, n1 is 2, X1 and X2 are O, m1 is 2, m2 is 4 or 8, and Y1 is OR5, R5 is n3 is 1, Z1 is Y2 is —OR7, R7 is aralkyl, and A is halogen or R16CO2−, wherein R16 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein p is 0, R1 is H, R2 is alkyl, R3 is alkyl.A, n1 is 2, X1 is —N(H)—, m1 is 4 or 8, and Y1 is OR5, R5 is aralkyl, and A is halogen or R16CO2−, wherein R16 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein p is 0, R1 is H, R2 is H, R3 is H.A, n1 is 2, X1 is —N(H)—, X2 is O, m1 is 2, and m2 is 4 or 8, and Y1 is OR5, R5 is n3 is 1, Z1 is Y2 is —OR7, R7 is aralkyl; and A is halogen or R16CO2−, wherein R16 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein said compound of formula II is wherein X is halogen. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a compound represented by formula III: wherein R1 is —P(O)(OM)O—(C(R8)2)m—N(R9)3.A, monosaccharide radical, or disaccharide radical; R2, R3, R6, and R8 each represent independently for each occurrence H, halogen, or alkyl; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkoxyl, —N, —C(O)R10, —C(O)OR10, —OC(O)R10, —C(O)SR10, —SC(O)R10, —C(O)N(R11)R10, —N(R11)C(O)R10, —OC(O)N(R11)R10, —N(R11)CO2R10, —N(R11)C(O)N(R11)R10, or —OP(O)(OM)OR10; R7 is optionally substituted uracil radical, optionally substituted thymine radical, optionally substituted cytosine radical, optionally substituted adenine radical, or optionally substituted guanine radical; R9 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R10 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkenyl, (alkyl-substituted alkenyl)alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R11 is H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R11)—; n represents independently for each occurrence 1 or 2; m is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; M is an alkali metal; and A is an anion with a net charge of negative one. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen or R12CO2−, wherein R12 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; and R2, R3, R6, R8 are H. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R10 and R11 are independently (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R10)2)w[(C(R10)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; wherein, q, v, w, and z each represent independently for each occurrence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12; and x and y represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; and R10 is alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═R8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; wherein, q, v, w, and z each represent independently for each occurrence 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12; and x and y represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; and R10 is alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3 or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; wherein, q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; and w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(H)R10; and R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C11-C15)alkyl or (C16-C20)alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is wherein R15 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or aralkyl; and R16 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is wherein R15 is H, and R16 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is —P(O)(OM)O—(C(R8)2)m—N(R9)3.A, a quatrose sugar radical, a pentose sugar radical, or a hexose sugar radical. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is —P(O)(OM)O—(C(R8)2)m—N(R9)3.A. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is —P(O)(O(OM)O—(C(R8)2)—N(R9)3.A, R8 is H, m is 2 or 3, and R9 is (C1-C4)alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is the radical of a sugar selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, and talose. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is the radical of a sugar selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, and talose. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is the radical of glucose. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; and R10 is alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; wherein, q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; and w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and R7 is and R1 is —P(O)(OM)O—(C(R8)2)m—N(R9)3.A. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and R7 is R1 is —P(O)(OM)O—(C(R8)2)m—N(R9)3.A; R9 is alkyl; m is 2 or 3; A is halogen or R12CO2−, and R12 is alkyd, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and R7 is and R1 radical of a sugar selected from the group consisting of erythrose, threose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, lyxose, allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, and talose. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, R6, R8 are H; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, (C21-C25)alkyl, —(C(R8)2)qCR8═CR8(C(R8)2)vCH3, or —(C(R8)2)w[(C(R8)2)xCR8═CR8]y(C(R8)2)zCH3; q and v each represent independently for each occurrence 6, 7, 8, or 9; w, x, y, and z represent independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; and R7 is and R1 radical of glucose. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein said compound of formula III is Another aspect of the present invention relates to a compound represented by formulas IV: wherein X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R4)—; Y represents independently for each occurrence —N(R4)—, or —C(R2)2—; Z represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R5)—; R1 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, R2 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R3, R4, and R5 represent independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R6 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or a photocleavable protecting group having a molecular weight less than 700 g/mol; m represents independently for each occurrence 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25; n1, n2, and n3 each represent independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; and A is an anion with a net charge of negative one. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen or R12CO2−, wherein R12 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R2 is H. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is optionally substituted benzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is nitrobenzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is benzyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is a photocleavable protecting group. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is a photocleavable protecting group selected from the group consisting of nitrobenzyl and —(C(R2)2)w—R30, wherein R30 is bicyclic ring having 8 to 14 atoms of which 0, 1, 2, or 3 atoms are heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O and N, and w is 1, 2, or 3. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is the radical of 6-bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethyl or 8-bromo-7-hydroxyquinoline-2-yl-methyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is and R6 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —N(R4)—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R4 is is H or alkyl, and R6 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —N(R4)—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R4 is is H or alkyl, R6 is alkyl, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —N(R4)—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R4 is is H or alkyl, R6 is alkyl, R3 is alkyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —N(R4)—, Z is —N(R5)—, R1 is R2 is H, R4 is H or alkyl, R5 is alkyl, and R6 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —N(R4)—, Z is —N(R5)—, R1 is R2 is H, R4 is H or alkyl, R5 is alkyl, R6 is alkyl, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y1 is —N(R4)—, Z is —N(R5)—, R1 is R2 is H, R4 is H or alkyl, R5 is alkyl, R6 is alkyl, R3 is alkyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —N(R4)—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, R4 is H or alkyl R6 is A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —C(R2)2—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, R6 is aralkyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —C(R2)2—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, R6 is optionally substituted benzyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m1 represents independently for each occurrence 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —C(R2)2—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, R6 is alkyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is, 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —C(R2)2—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, R6 is aralkyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, Y is —C(R2)2—, Z is O, R1 is R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, R6 is optionally substituted benzyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, n3 is 1, and m represents independently for each occurrence 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein X is O, R1 is alkyl, R2 is H, R3 is alkyl, A is halogen, n1 is 0, n2 is 1, and n3 is 1. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein said compound of formula IV is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein said compound of formula IV is Another aspect of the present invention relates to a compound represented by formula V: wherein R1 is heteroalkyl, —XC(O)-heteroalkyl, or R2, R3, and R6 each represent independently for each occurrence H, halogen, or alkyl; R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence alkyl, alkoxyl, —N, —C(O)R10, —C(O)OR10, —OC(O)R10, —C(O)SR10, —SC(O)R10, —C(O)N(R11)2, —N(R11)C(O)—, —OC(O)N(R11)2, —N(R11)CO2R10, —N(R11)C(O)N(R11)2, —OP(O)(OM)OR10, or XR12; R7 represents independently for each occurrence —OR10, optionally substituted uracil radical, optionally substituted thymine radical, optionally substituted cytosine radical, optionally substituted adenine radical, or optionally substituted guanine radical; R8 represents independently for each occurrence hydrogen, alkyl, or halogen; R9 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or represented by formula Va: R10 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R11 is H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R12 is R13 is H, alkyl, or aralkyl; M is an alkali metal or N(R11)4; X represents independently for each occurrence O or —N(R13)—; n represents independently for each occurrence 1 or 2; m represents independently for each occurrence 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; p represents independently for each occurrence 2, 3, or 4; and v is an integer in the range of about 5 to about 75. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; and R2, R3, and R6 are H. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 and R5 each represent independently for each occurrence —OC(O)R10 or —OC(O)N(R11)2. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R10 and R11 are independently (C6-C10)alkyl, (C11-C15)alkyl, (C16-C20)alkyl, or (C21-C25)alkyl; In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10, and R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C11-C15)alkyl or (C16-C20)alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is alkoxy. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is wherein R5 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or aralkyl; and R16 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is wherein R15 is H, and R16 is alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is X is O, R8 is H, R9 is alkyl, m is 1, p is 2, and v is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R1 is X is O; R8 is H; m is 1; p is 2; v is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20; and R9 is represented by formula Ia: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, and R6 are H; R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10; and R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C11-C15)alkyl or (C16-C20)alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, and R6 are H; R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C11-C15)alkyl or (C16-C20)alkyl; and R7 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, and R6 are H; R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C11-C15)alkyl or (C16-C20)alkyl; R7 is R1 is X is O, R8 is H, R9 is alkyl, m is 1, p is 2, and v is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein n is 1; R2, R3, and R6 are H; R4 and R5 are —OC(O)R10; R10 represents independently for each occurrence (C11-C15)alkyl or (C16-C20)alkyl; R7 is R1 is X is O; R8 is H; m is 1; p is 2; v is 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20; and R9 is represented by formula Ia: In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein said compound of formula V is Another aspect of the present invention relates to a terpolymer of A, B, and C having a molecular weight of about 200 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol; wherein A is represented by CH2═C(RA)CO2M, wherein RA is (C1-C5)alkyl, and M is an alkali metal; B is represented by CH2═C(R1-B)CO2R2-B, wherein R1-B is (C1-C5)alkyl, and R2-B is (C5-C25)alkyl; and C is represented by: wherein R1 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R2 and R3 represent independently H, halogen, alkyl, alkoxyl, hydroxyl, —N(R5)2, or R6; R4 is R5 is H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R6 is —OC(O)C(R9)═CH2; R7 and R8 represent independently for each occurrence H or alkyl; R9 is H or (C1-C5)alkyl; R10 is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, —Si(R11)3, —C(O)R11, or —C(O)N(R11)R5; R11 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; X is —OR10 or —N(R10)R5; n is 1, 2, 3, or 4; and provided that one of R2 and R3 is R6, but not both. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 10,000 g/mol to about 250,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 15,000 g/mol to about 100,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 20,000 g/mol to about 80,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 30,000 g/mol to about 50,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 35,000 g/mol to about 45,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein C comprises about 5% to about 70% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein C comprises about 5% to about 50% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein C comprises about 10% to about 40% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein C comprises about 20% to about 30% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A comprises about 30% to about 85% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A comprises about 40% to about 75% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A comprises about 55% to about 65% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A comprises about 55% to about 65% of the monomer units, and C comprises about 20 to about 40% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein R4 is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein C is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is CH2═CHCO2M. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is CH2═CHCO2Na. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein B is CH2═CHCO2(C8-C15)alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein B is CH2═CHCO2(C10)alkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is CH2═CHCO2Na, B is CH2═CHCO2(C10)alkyl, and C is Another aspect of the present invention relates to a copolymer of lysine derivative D and and alkyl ester E, wherein said copolymer has a molecular weight of about 200 g/mol to about 1,000,000 g/mol, D is represented by: wherein X is O or —N(R5)—; R1 is H or (C1-C5)alkyl; R2 is —C(O)R6, —CO2R6, or —C(O)N(R7)2; R3 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R4 and R5 represent independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R6 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R7 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; A is an anion with a net charge of negative 1; and n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; and E is represented by: wherein X is O or —N(R6)—; Y is —C(O)— or —C(R3)2—; R1 is H or (C1-C5)alkyl; R2 is —C(O)R7, —CO2R7, or —C(O)N(R8)2; R3 is H, alkyl, or halogen; R4 and R6 represent independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R5 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R7 represents independently for each occurrence alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R8 represents independently for each occurrence H, alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8; and p is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, or 15. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein A is halogen or R12CO2−, wherein R12 is alkyl, aryl, or aralkyl. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 10,000 g/mol to about 250,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 15,000 g/mol to about 100,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 20,000 g/mol to about 80,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 30,000 g/mol to about 50,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is about 35,000 g/mol to about 45,000 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E comprises greater than about 45% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E comprises greater than about 55% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E comprises greater than about 65% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E comprises greater than about 75% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E comprises greater than about 85% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein D comprises about 100% of the monomer units. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein D is represented by wherein X is —N(R5)—, R1 is methyl, R2 is —CO2R6, R3 is H; R4 and R5 are H, R6 is (C1-C6)alkyl, A is halogen, and n is 3, 4, or 5. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein D is and A is halogen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein D is and A is halogen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E is represented by wherein X is —N(R6)—, Y is —C(O)—, R1 is methyl, R2 is —CO2R7, R3 is H, R4 and R6 are H, R5 is aralkyl, R7 is (C1-C6)alkyl, n is 3, 4, or 5, and p is 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein E is In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein D is represented by wherein X is —N(R5)—, R1 is methyl, R2 is —CO2R6, R3 is H; R4 and R5 are H, R6 is (C1-C6)alkyl, A is halogen, and n is 3, 4, or 5; and E is represented by wherein X is —N(R6)—, Y is —C(O)—, R1 is methyl, R2 is —CO2R7, R3 is H, R4 and R6 are H, R5 is aralkyl, R7 is (C1-C6)alkyl, n is 3, 4, or 5, and p is 9, 10, or 11. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned compound, wherein D is A is halogen, and E is Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula I, II, III, or IV; a terpolymer of A, B, and C; or a copolymer of lysine derivative D and alkyl ester E and a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA, RNA, plasmid, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotide, single-strand oligonucleotide, triplex oligonucleotide, PNA, or mRNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid consists of about 10 to about 5000 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA or RNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to a medical disease. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence targeting a retroviral gene, viral gene, drug resistance gene, oncogene, gene related to inflammatory response, cellular adhesion gene, hormone gene, abnormally overexpressed genes involved in gene regulation. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, lysosomal storage disorder, hypertension, ischaemic disorder, or HIV. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding a genetic marker selected from the group consisting of luciferase gene, beta.-galactosidase gene, hygromycin resistance, neomycin resistance, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA sequence encoding protein selected from the group consisting of low density lipoprotein receptors, coagulation factors, gene suppressors of tumors, major histocompatibility proteins, antioncogenes, p16, p53, thymidine kinase, IL2, IL 4, and TNFa. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding viral antigen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding an RNA selected from the group consisting of a sense RNA, an antisense RNA, and a ribozyme. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding lectin, a mannose receptor, a sialoadhesin, or a retroviral transactivating factor. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises DPPC, DMPC, PEGylated DPPC, DPPC, DOPE, DLPC, DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DMPE, DOPE, DPPE, DMPA-Na, DMRPC, DLRPC, DARPC, or similar catonic, anionic, or zwitterionic amphiphiles, fatty acids, cholesterol, flourescencetly labeled phospholipids, ether lipids, or sphingolipids. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula V, a solid surface, and a nucleic acid. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said surface is mica, glass, polymer, metal, metal alloy, ceramic, or oxide. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said surface is mica. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA, RNA, plasmid, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotide, single-strand oligonucleotide, triplex oligonucleotide, PNA, or mRNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid consists of about 10 to about 5000 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA or RNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to a medical disease. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence targeting a retroviral gene, viral gene, drug resistance gene, oncogene, gene related to inflammatory response, cellular adhesion gene, hormone gene, abnormally overexpressed genes involved in gene regulation. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, lysosomal storage disorder, hypertension, ischaemic disorder, or HIV. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding a genetic marker selected from the group consisting of luciferase gene, beta.-galactosidase gene, hygromycin resistance, neomycin resistance, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA sequence encoding protein selected from the group consisting of low density lipoprotein receptors, coagulation factors, gene suppressors of tumors, major histocompatibility proteins, antioncogenes, p16, p53, thymidine kinase, IL2, IL 4, and TNFa. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding viral antigen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding an RNA selected from the group consisting of a sense RNA, an antisense RNA, and a ribozyme. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding lectin, a mannose receptor, a sialoadhesin, or a retroviral transactivating factor. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said pharmaceutical composition further comprises DPPC, DMPC, PEGylated DPPC, DPPC, DOPE, DLPC, DMPC, DPPC, DSPC, DOPC, DMPE, DOPE, DPPE, DMPA-Na, DMRPC, DLRPC, DARPC, or similar catonic, anionic, or zwitterionic amphiphiles, fatty acids, cholesterol, flourescencetly labeled phospholipids, ether lipids, or sphingolipids. Methods of the Invention One aspect of the present invention relates to a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell, comprising the step of: contacting a cell with an effective amount of a mixture comprising a nucleic acid to be delivered to said cell and a compound of formula I, II, III, or IV; a terpolymer of A, B, and C; or a copolymer of lysine derivative D and alkyl ester E. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA, RNA, plasmid, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotide, single-strand oligonucleotide, triplex oligonucleotide, PNA, or mRNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid consists of about 10 to about 5000 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA or RNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to a medical disease. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence targeting a retroviral gene, viral gene, drug resistance gene, oncogene, gene related to inflammatory response, cellular adhesion gene, hormone gene, abnormally overexpressed genes involved in gene regulation. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, lysosomal storage disorder, hypertension, ischaemic disorder, or HIV. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding a genetic marker selected from the group consisting of luciferase gene, beta.-galactosidase gene, hygromycin resistance, neomycin resistance, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA sequence encoding protein selected from the group consisting of low density lipoprotein receptors, coagulation factors, gene suppressors of tumors, major histocompatibility proteins, antioncogenes, p16, p53, thymidine kinase, IL2, IL 4, and TNFa. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding viral antigen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding an RNA selected from the group consisting of a sense RNA, an antisense RNA, and a ribozyme. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding lectin, a mannose receptor, a sialoadhesin, or a retroviral transactivating factor. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is a animal cell or plant cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is a human cell or insect cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is a human cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is an embryonic cell or stem cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is contacted in vivo, in vitro, or ex vivo. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is contacted in vivo. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of delivering a nucleic acid to a cell, comprising the step of: contacting a cell with an effective amount of a mixture comprising a nucleic acid to be delivered to said cell and a compound of formula V in the presence of a solid surface. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said surface is mica, glass, polymer, metal, metal alloy, ceramic, or oxide. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said surface is mica. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA, RNA, plasmid, siRNA, duplex oligonucleotide, single-strand oligonucleotide, triplex oligonucleotide, PNA, or mRNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid consists of about 10 to about 5000 nucleotides. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA or RNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to a medical disease. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence targeting a retroviral gene, viral gene, drug resistance gene, oncogene, gene related to inflammatory response, cellular adhesion gene, hormone gene, abnormally overexpressed genes involved in gene regulation. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA or RNA sequence related to cancer, viral infection, bacterial infection, lysosomal storage disorder, hypertension, ischaemic disorder, or HIV. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding a genetic marker selected from the group consisting of luciferase gene, beta.-galactosidase gene, hygromycin resistance, neomycin resistance, and chloramphenicol acetyl transferase. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is DNA sequence encoding protein selected from the group consisting of low density lipoprotein receptors, coagulation factors, gene suppressors of tumors, major histocompatibility proteins, antioncogenes, p16, p53, thymidine kinase, IL2, IL 4, and TNFa. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding viral antigen. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding an RNA selected from the group consisting of a sense RNA, an antisense RNA, and a ribozyme. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said nucleic acid is a DNA sequence encoding lectin, a mannose receptor, a sialoadhesin, or a retroviral transactivating factor. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is a animal cell or plant cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is a mammalian cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is human cell or insect cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is human cell. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the aforementioned method, wherein said cell is an embryonic cell or stem cell. Definitions For convenience, certain terms employed in the specification, examples, and appended claims are collected here. The term “nucleic acids” means any double strand or single strand deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA) of variable length. Nucleic acids include sense and anti-sense strands. Nucleic acid analogs such as phosphorothioates, phosphoramidates, phosphonates analogs are also considered nucleic acids as that terms is used herein. Peptide nucleic acids and other synthetic analogs of nucleic acids which have therapeutic value are also included. Nucleic acids also include chromosomes and chromosomal fragments. The term “liposome” as used herein refers to a closed structure comprising of an outer lipid bi- or multi-layer membrane surrounding an internal aqueous space. Liposomes can be, used to package any biologically active agent for delivery to cells. For example, DNA can be packaged into liposomes even in the case of plasmids or viral vectors of large size. Such liposome encapsulated DNA is ideally suited for use both in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo. Liposomes generally from a bilayer membrane. These liposomes may form hexagonal structures, and suspension of multilamellar vesicles. The term “transfection” describes the process by which foreign genes (“transgenes”) are introduced into a living host cell. Host cells that express or incorporate the foreign DNA are known as “transformed cells,” and the process by which they become transformed is called “transformation” or “transduction.” Different types of cells vary in their susceptibility to transformation, and protocols for introducing the foreign DNA are typically optimized. The term “heteroatom” as used herein means an atom of any element other than carbon or hydrogen. Preferred heteroatoms are boron, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and selenium. The term “alkyl” refers to the radical of saturated aliphatic groups, including straight-chain alkyl groups, branched-chain alkyl groups, cycloalkyl (alicyclic) groups, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl groups, and cycloalkyl substituted alkyl groups. In preferred embodiments, a straight chain or branched chain alkyl has 30 or fewer carbon atoms in its backbone (e.g., C1-C30 for straight chain, C3-C30 for branched chain), and more preferably 20 or fewer. Likewise, preferred cycloalkyls have from 3-10 carbon atoms in their ring structure, and more preferably have 5, 6 or 7 carbons in the ring structure. Unless the number of carbons is otherwise specified, “lower alkyl” as used herein means an alkyl group, as defined above, but having from one to ten carbons, more preferably from one to six carbon atoms in its backbone structure. Likewise, “lower alkenyl” and “lower alkynyl” have similar chain lengths. Preferred alkyl groups are lower alkyls. In preferred embodiments, a substituent designated herein as alkyl is a lower alkyl. The term “aralkyl”, as used herein, refers to an alkyl group substituted with an aryl group (e.g., an aromatic or heteroaromatic group). The terms “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” refer to unsaturated aliphatic groups analogous in length and possible substitution to the alkyls described above, but that contain at least one double or triple bond respectively. The term “aryl” as used herein includes 5-, 6- and 7-membered single-ring aromatic groups that may include from zero to four heteroatoms, for example, benzene, anthracene, naphthalene, pyrene, pyrrole, furan, thiophene, imidazole, oxazole, thiazole, triazole, pyrazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyridazine and pyrimidine, and the like. Those aryl groups having heteroatoms in the ring structure may also be referred to as “aryl heterocycles” or “heteroaromatics.” The aromatic ring can be substituted at one or more ring positions with such substituents as described above, for example, halogen, azide, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl, sulfonamido, ketone, aldehyde, ester, heterocyclyl, aromatic or heteroaromatic moieties, —CF3, —CN, or the like. The term “aryl” also includes polycyclic ring systems having two or more cyclic rings in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings (the rings are “fused rings”) wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic, e.g., the other cyclic rings can be cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/or heterocyclyls. The terms ortho, meta and para apply to 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-disubstituted benzenes, respectively. For example, the names 1,2-dimethylbenzene and ortho-dimethylbenzene are synonymous. The terms “heterocyclyl” or “heterocyclic group” refer to 3- to 10-membered ring structures, more preferably 3- to 7-membered rings, whose ring structures include one to four heteroatoms. Heterocycles can also be polycycles. Heterocyclyl groups include, for example, thiophene, thianthrene, furan, pyran, isobenzofuran, chromene, xanthene, phenoxathiin, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrazole, isothiazole, isoxazole, pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, indolizine, isoindole, indole, indazole, purine, quinolizine, isoquinoline, quinoline, phthalazine, naphthyridine, quinoxaline, quinazoline, cinnoline, pteridine, carbazole, carboline, phenanthridine, acridine, pyrimidine, phenanthroline, phenazine, phenarsazine, phenothiazine, furazan, phenoxazine, pyrrolidine, oxolane, thiolane, oxazole, piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, lactones, lactams such as azetidinones and pyrrolidinones, sultams, sultones, and the like. The heterocyclic ring can be substituted at one or more positions with such substituents as described above, as for example, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl, ketone, aldehyde, ester, a heterocyclyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, —CF3, —CN, or the like. The terms “polycyclyl” or “polycyclic group” refer to two or more rings (e.g., cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, cycloalkynyls, aryls and/or heterocyclyls) in which two or more carbons are common to two adjoining rings, e.g., the rings are “fused rings”. Rings that are joined through non-adjacent atoms are termed “bridged” rings. Each of the rings of the polycycle can be substituted with such substituents as described above, as for example, halogen, alkyl, aralkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, hydroxyl, amino, nitro, sulfhydryl, imino, amido, phosphonate, phosphinate, carbonyl, carboxyl, silyl, ether, alkylthio, sulfonyl, ketone, aldehyde, ester, a heterocyclyl, an aromatic or heteroaromatic moiety, —CF3, —CN, or the like. As used herein, the term “nitro” means —NO2; the term “halogen” designates —F, —Cl, —Br or —I; the term “sulfhydryl” means —SH; the term “hydroxyl” means —OH; and the term “sulfonyl” means —SO2—. The terms “amine” and “amino” are art-recognized and refer to both unsubstituted and substituted amines, e.g., a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: wherein R9, R10 and R′10 each independently represent a group permitted by the rules of valence. The term “acylamino” is art-recognized and refers to a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: wherein R9 is as defined above, and R′11, represents a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl or —(CH2)m—R8, where m and R8 are as defined above. The term “amido” is art recognized as an amino-substituted carbonyl and includes a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: wherein R9, R10 are as defined above. Preferred embodiments of the amide will not include imides which may be unstable. The term “alkylthio” refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, having a sulfur radical attached thereto. In preferred embodiments, the “alkylthio” moiety is represented by one of —S-alkyl, —S-alkenyl, —S-alkynyl, and —S—(CH2)m—R8, wherein m and R8 are defined above. Representative alkylthio groups include methylthio, ethyl thio, and the like. The term “carbonyl” is art recognized and includes such moieties as can be represented by the general formula: wherein X is a bond or represents an oxygen or a sulfur, and R11 represents a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, —(CH2)m—R8 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, R′11 represents a hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl or —(CH2)m—R8, where m and R8 are as defined above. Where X is an oxygen and R11 or R′11 is not hydrogen, the formula represents an “ester”. Where X is an oxygen, and R11 is as defined above, the moiety is referred to herein as a carboxyl group, and particularly when R11 is a hydrogen, the formula represents a “carboxylic acid”. Where X is an oxygen, and R′11 is hydrogen, the formula represents a “formate”. In general, where the oxygen atom of the above formula is replaced by sulfur, the formula represents a “thiolcarbonyl” group. Where X is a sulfur and R11 or R′11 is not hydrogen, the formula represents a “thiolester.” Where X is a sulfur and R11 is hydrogen, the formula represents a “thiolcarboxylic acid.” Where X is a sulfur and R11′ is hydrogen, the formula represents a “thiolformate.” On the other hand, where X is a bond, and R11 is not hydrogen, the above formula represents a “ketone” group. Where X is a bond, and R11 is hydrogen, the above formula represents an “aldehyde” group. The terms “alkoxyl” or “alkoxy” as used herein refers to an alkyl group, as defined above, having an oxygen radical attached thereto. Representative alkoxyl groups include methoxy, ethoxy, propyloxy, tert-butoxy and the like. An “ether” is two hydrocarbons covalently linked by an oxygen. Accordingly, the substituent of an alkyl that renders that alkyl an ether is or resembles an alkoxyl, such as can be represented by one of —O-alkyl, —O-alkenyl, —O-alkynyl, —O—(CH2)m—R8, where m and R8 are described above. The term “sulfonate” is art recognized and includes a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: in which R41 is an electron pair, hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl. The terms triflyl, tosyl, mesyl, and nonaflyl are art-recognized and refer to trifluoromethanesulfonyl, p-toluenesulfonyl, methanesulfonyl, and nonafluorobutanesulfonyl groups, respectively. The terms triflate, tosylate, mesylate, and nonaflate are art-recognized and refer to trifluoromethanesulfonate ester, p-toluenesulfonate ester, methanesulfonate ester, and nonafluorobutanesulfonate ester functional groups and molecules that contain said groups, respectively. The abbreviations Me, Et, Ph, Tf, Nf, Ts, Ms represent methyl, ethyl, phenyl, trifluoromethanesulfonyl, nonafluorobutanesulfonyl, p-toluenesulfonyl and methanesulfonyl, respectively. A more comprehensive list of the abbreviations utilized by organic chemists of ordinary skill in the art appears in the first issue of each volume of the Journal of Organic Chemistry; this list is typically presented in a table entitled Standard List of Abbreviations. The abbreviations contained in said list, and all abbreviations utilized by organic chemists of ordinary skill in the art are hereby incorporated by reference. The term “sulfate” is art recognized and includes a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: in which R41 is as defined above. The term “sulfonylamino” is art recognized and includes a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: The term “sulfamoyl” is art-recognized and includes a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: The term “sulfonyl”, as used herein, refers to a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: in which R44 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. The term “sulfoxido” as used herein, refers to a moiety that can be represented by the general formula: in which R44 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aralkyl, or aryl. A “selenoalkyl” refers to an alkyl group having a substituted seleno group attached thereto. Exemplary “selenoethers” which may be substituted on the alkyl are selected from one of —Se-alkyl, —Se-alkenyl, —Se-alkynyl, and —Se—(CH2)m—R7, m and R7 being defined above. Analogous substitutions can be made to alkenyl and alkynyl groups to produce, for example, aminoalkenyls, aminoalkynyls, amidoalkenyls, amidoalkynyls, iminoalkenyls, iminoalkynyls, thioalkenyls, thioalkynyls, carbonyl-substituted alkenyls or alkynyls. As used herein, the definition of each expression, e.g. alkyl, m, n, etc., when it occurs more than once in any structure, is intended to be independent of its definition elsewhere in the same structure. It will be understood that “substitution” or “substituted with” includes the implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the substituted atom and the substituent, and that the substitution results in a stable compound, e.g., which does not spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement, cyclization, elimination, etc. As used herein, the term “substituted” is contemplated to include all permissible substituents of organic compounds. In a broad aspect, the permissible substituents include acyclic and cyclic, branched and unbranched, carbocyclic and heterocyclic, aromatic and nonaromatic substituents of organic compounds. Illustrative substituents include, for example, those described herein above. The permissible substituents can be one or more and the same or different for appropriate organic compounds. For purposes of this invention, the heteroatoms such as nitrogen may have hydrogen substituents and/or any permissible substituents of organic compounds described herein which satisfy the valences of the heteroatoms. This invention is not intended to be limited in any manner by the permissible substituents of organic compounds. The phrase “protecting group” as used herein means temporary substituents which protect a potentially reactive functional group from undesired chemical transformations. Examples of such protecting groups include esters of carboxylic acids, silyl ethers of alcohols, and acetals and ketals of aldehydes and ketones, respectively. The field of protecting group chemistry has been reviewed (Greene, T. W.; Wuts, P. G. M. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, 2nd ed.; Wiley: New York, 1991). Certain compounds of the present invention may exist in particular geometric or stereoisomeric forms. The present invention contemplates all such compounds, including cis- and traits-isomers, R- and S-enantiomers, diastereomers, (D)-isomers, (L)-isomers, the racemic mixtures thereof, and other mixtures thereof, as falling within the scope of the invention. Additional asymmetric carbon atoms may be present in a substituent such as an alkyl group. All such isomers, as well as mixtures thereof, are intended to be included in this invention. If, for instance, a particular enantiomer of a compound of the present invention is desired, it may be prepared by asymmetric synthesis, or by derivation with a chiral auxiliary, where the resulting diastereomeric mixture is separated and the auxiliary group cleaved to provide the pure desired enantiomers. Alternatively, where the molecule contains a basic functional group, such as amino, or an acidic functional group, such as carboxyl, diastereomeric salts are formed with an appropriate optically-active acid or base, followed by resolution of the diastereomers thus formed by fractional crystallization or chromatographic means well known in the art, and subsequent recovery of the pure enantiomers. Contemplated equivalents of the compounds described above include compounds which otherwise correspond thereto, and which have the same general properties thereof (e.g., functioning as analgesics), wherein one or more simple variations of substituents are made which do not adversely affect the efficacy of the compound in binding to sigma receptors. In general, the compounds of the present invention may be prepared by the methods illustrated in the general reaction schemes as, for example, described below, or by modifications thereof, using readily available starting materials, reagents and conventional synthesis procedures. In these reactions, it is also possible to make use of variants which are in themselves known, but are not mentioned here. The term “alkali metal” refer to those elements listed in Group 1 of the periodic table. The following elements are alkali metals: Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr. For purposes of this invention, the chemical elements are identified in accordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 67th Ed., 1986-87, inside cover. EXEMPLIFICATION The invention now being generally described, it will be more readily understood by reference to the following examples, which are included merely for purposes of illustration of certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the invention. Example 1 Resin Trityl Uridine (Compound 1a) Trityl resin (1 g, 0.9 mM; 1 eq) was suspended in 40 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride and pyridine (1/1). Uridine (0.330 g, 1.35 mM, 1.5 eq) and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethyl aminopyridine were added to the reaction flask. After five hours at room temperature the resin is filtered off and washed three times with 20 mL of methylene chloride and dried under high vacuum. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 2′,3′dimyristoyl uridine (compound 3b) Myristic acid (0.7 g, 3.06 mmol, 3.4 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.63 g, 3.06 mmol, 3.4 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethyl aminopyridine were dissolved in dry methylene chloride. Resin 1a was then added to the reaction mixture. The suspension was shaken for 24 hours at room temperature. The resin was washed three times with 20 mL of methylene chloride and isolated by filtration under suction. The resulting dried beads were stirred with 20 mL of a trifluoroacetic acid/methylene chloride (1/9) mixture and triethylsilane (0.138 mL, 0.9 mmol, 1 eq). After 6 hours the resin was filtered off. The solvent was removed under vacuum. Product 3b (65 mg) was isolated after purification on silica gel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 11%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 2′,3′dilauroyl uridine (compound 3a) A similar procedure was performed as for compound 3b. Lauric acid (0.24 g, 1.2 mmol, 3 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.24 g, 1.2 mmol; 3 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethyl aminopyridine were dissolved in dry methylene chloride. Resin 1a (0.5 g) was added to the reaction mixture. Product 3a (45 mg) was isolated after purification on silica gel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 18.5%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 2′,3′palmitoyl uridine (compound 3c) A similar procedure was followed as for compound 3b. Palmitic acid (0.31 g, 1.2 mmol, 3 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.24 g, 1.2 mmol, 3 eq), and N,N-dimethyl aminopyridine (0.069 g, 0.4 mmol, 1 eq) were dissolved in dry methylene chloride. Resin 1a (0.5 g, 0.4 mmol, 1 eq) was added to the reaction mixture. Product 3c (116 mg) were isolated after purification on silica gel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 45%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 2 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)uridine (compound 1b) Chlorodimethoxytrityl (2.0 g, 5.9 mmol, 1.3 eq), uridine (1.1 g, 4.5 mmol, 1 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethyl aminopyridine were dissolved in 25 mL of pyridine. The reaction mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. Pyridine was removed under vacuum and the resulting crude material was purified on silicagel (DCM/MeOH 95/5) to yield 2.14 g of the expected product 1b. (Yield: 87.1%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 5′-O-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′,3′-dimyristoyl uridine (compound 2b′) Compound 1b (0.50 g, 0.91 mmol, 1 eq), myristic acid (0.46 g, 2.01 mmol, 2.2 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.41 g, 2.01 mmol, 2.2 eq), N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (0.24 g, 2.01 mmol, 2.2 eq) were dissolved in 100 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride. The mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature under nitrogen. After filtration, the organic phase was successively washed with 20 mL of water 3 times, dried over sodium sulfate. Methylene chloride was removed under vacuum. The product (0.79 g) is obtained after chromatography on silicagel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 89.5%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 2′,3′dimyristoyl uridine (compound 3b) Compound 2b′ (0.788 g, 0.81 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL of dried methylene chloride and an excess of a 3% tricloroethylacetic acid in methylene chloride was added. After thirty minutes, 3 mL of methanol was added to the mixture. The organic layer was then washed three times with 20 mL of water and dried over sodium sulfate. Crystallization in methylene chloride provided 464 mg (0.70 mmol) of compound 3b. (Yield: 86.4%). (Total yield: 67.3%) The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 2′,3′-disteroyl uridine (compound 3d) Compound 1b (1.3 g, 2.46 mmol, 1 eq), stearic acid (2.37 g, 8.36 mmol, 3.4 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1.71 g, 8.36 mmol, 3.4 eq), and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (1 g, 8.36 mmol, 3.4 eq), are dissolved in 100 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride. The mixture was stirred for 48 hours at room temperature under nitrogen. After filtration, the organic layer was washed with 20 mL of water 3 times and then dried over sodium sulfate. Methylene chloride is removed under vacuum. The residual crude product was dried under high vacuum for one hour. The resulting white powder was dissolved in 50 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride and an excess of a 3% trichloroethylacetic acid in methylene chloride was added under nitrogen to the solution. After 15 minutes, 5 mL of methanol were poured into the solution. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 20 mL of water and then dried over sodium sulfate. Solvent was removed under vacuum and 1.1 g of product 3d were isolated after crystallization in methylene chloride. (Yield: 58%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 3 5′-PEG-2′,3′-dimyristoyl uridine (compound 4b) Compound 3b (10 mg, 0.015 mmol, 1 eq), methoxy-PEG5000-carboxymethyl (75 mg 0.015 mmol, 1 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (10 mg, 0.05 mmol, 3.3 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine were dried for one hour under high vacuum. Then, the starting material was dissolved under nitrogen in 5 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride. The mixture was stirred for 6 days at room temperature under nitrogen. After filtration, the solvent was removed and the resulting crude product was purified with a LH20 size exclusion column in DCM/MeOH 50/50. The product (56 mg) was isolated after precipitation in methanol/ether. (Yield: 64%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 5′-PEG-2′,3′-disteroyluridine (compound 4d) A similar procedure was followed as for product 4b. Compound 3d (50 mg, 0.064 mmol, 1 eq), methoxy-PEG5000-carboxymethyl (321 mg, 0.064 mmol; 1 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (20 mg, 0.097 mmol, 1.5 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine were dissolved in methylene chloride. A white powder was isolated (270 mg) after precipitation in methanol/ether and purification (LH20 size exclusion column in DCM/MeOH 50/50). (Yield: 72%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 1-methoxy-2,3-dimiristoyl-5-PEG-ribose (compound 4e) A similar procedure was performed as for product 4b. Compound 3e (50 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1 eq), methoxy-PEG5000-carboxymethyl (428 mg, 0.085 mmol, 1 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (22 mg, 0.10 mmol, 1.25 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine were dissolved in methylene chloride. A white powder (261 mg) was isolated after precipitation in methanol/ether and purification (LH20 size exclusion column in DCM/MeOH 50/50). (Yield: 55%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Di-(5′-carboxymethyl-2′,3′-dimiristoyluridine)-PEG—(compound 5) A similar procedure was followed as for product 4b. Compound 3b (41 mg, 0.062 mmol, 2.2 eq), PEG3400-(carboxymethyl)2 (95 mg, 0.028 mmol, 1 eq), of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (31 mg, 0.062 mmol, 2.2 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethylaminopyridine were dissolved in methylene chloride. A white powder (64 mg) was isolated after precipitation in methanol/ether and purification (LH20 size exclusion column in DCM/MeOH 50/50). (Yield: 48%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 4 3′-myristoyl thymidine (compound 7) Compound 1b (360 mg, 0.66 mmol, 1 eq), myristic acid (226 mg, 0.99 mmol, 1.5 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (204 mg, 0.99 mmol, 1.5 eq), and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (80 mg, 0.66 mmol, 1 eq) were dissolved in 100 ml of freshly distilled methylene chloride. The reaction mixture was stirred for 12 hours at room temperature under nitrogen. After filtration under vacuum, the organic phase was treated with an excess of 3% tricloroethylacetic acid in methylene chloride. After 15 minutes, 5 mL of methanol was added to the reaction. The expected product 3 g (225 mg) was obtained after chromatography on silicagel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 75%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Adipoyl-1,6-di-3′thymidine (compound 8) Compound 1b (1 g, 4.08 mmol, 2.2 eq), adipic acid (0.271 g, 1.85 mmol, 1 eq), dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.84 g, 4.08 mmol, 2.2 eq), and N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (0.5 g, 4.08 mmol, 2.2 eq) were dissolved in 100 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride. The reaction mixture was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature under nitrogen. After filtration, the mixture was treated with an excess of 3% trichloroethylacetic acid solution in methylene chloride. After 30 minutes, 5 mL of methanol was added to the reaction. The organic layer was washed 3 times with 10 mL of water and then dried over sodium sulfate. The expected product 3 g (150 mg) was obtained after chromatography on silicagel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 14%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 5 5′-(dimethoxytrityl)-2′-deoxythymidine,3′-(1-dodecyl)-ammonium-phosphate (compound 11a) 5′-(4,4′-dimethoxytrityl)-2′-deoxythymidine,3′-[(2-cyanoethyl)-N,N-diisopropyl)]-phosphoramidite (1 g, 1.34 mmol, 1 eq), dodecanol (0.324 g, 1.74 mmol, 1.3 eq), and tetrazole (0.122 g, 1.74 mmol, 1.3 eq) were dissolved in dry acetonitrile under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was stirred for 5 h at room temperature. A 100 mL solution of 0.02M I2 in THF/Pyr/H2O oxidized the resulting mixture. After 12 h at room temperature the solvent was removed under vacuum to yield compound 6a. To remove the cyanoethyl-protecting group to give compound 9a, the contents of the reaction flask were dissolved in 100 mL of NH4OH 30% in water and heated under stirring in a sealed tube for 24 hours. The phosphate derivative 9a (0.71 g) was isolated after purification on silicagel (MeOH/DCM 20/80). (Yield: 66%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 2′-deoxthymidine,3′-(1-dodecyl)-sodium-phosphate (compound 12a) Phosphate 7a (0.447 g, 0.55 mmol, 1 eq), was dissolved in 50 mL of freshly distilled methylene chloride. An excess of 3% trichloroethylacetic acid solution in methylene chloride was added. After 2 h under nitrogen, 5 mL of MeOH are poured into the solution. The solvent was removed under vacuum and the residual oil was precipitated in ether. The acidic derivative (234 mg) was isolated after purification on a Sep Pak C18 cartridge (water, water/MeOH 50/50). The sodium salt was obtained by adding a NaOH solution (0.1N) to the acid dissolved in MeOH (pH was adjusted to 8.5). (Yield: 87%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 6 3′-metacryloyl-thymidine (compound 13) Methacryloyl chloride (0.186 g) in 10 ml of methylene chloride was added dropwise under nitrogen to 1b (0.787 g, 1.44 mmol, 1 eq), triethylamine (0.176 g, 1.73 mmol, 1.2 eq), and a catalytic amount of N,N-dimethyl aminopyridine dissolved in 50 mL of dry methylene chloride at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 15 minutes and 1 h at room temperature. Purification on a silica gel column yielded to 0.440 g of 3 h. (Yield: 98%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Copolymerization (compounds 14, 15) Procedures were adapted from (M. Akashi, k. Beppu, I. Kikuchi and O. Miyauchi, Macromol. Sci.-Chem., A23 (10), pp. 1233-1249, (1986). Copolymer 14 3′-metacryloyl-thymidine (0.148 g, 0.48 mmol, 1 eq), methacrylic acid (0.116 g, 1.35 mmol, 2.8 eq) and AIBN (0.01 g, 0.06 mmol, 0.13 eq) were dissolved in dry methanol. The reaction mixture was heated under nitrogen for 24 h. Methanol was evaporated and the resulting material was dissolved in a minimum amount of methanol. This solution was poured into a large amount of ether under stirring. The precipitate obtained was then filtered to give 110 mg of copolymer 9a. (Conversion: 40%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Copolymer 15 A same procedure was followed as for 9a. 3′-methacryloyl-thymidine (0.11 g, 0.35 mmol, 1 eq), metacrylic acid (0.162 g, 1.88 mmol, 5.3 eq), decyl methacrylate (0.025 g, 0.11 mmol, 0.31 eq) and AIBN (0.01 g, 0.06 mmol, 0.17 eq) were dissolved in dry methanol. Copolymer 9b (245 mg) was isolated after precipitation in MeOH/ether 1/100. (Conversion: 79%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 7 12-Azide dodecanoic acid (17a) The 12-bromododecanoic acid 16a (5 g, 18 mol) and NaN3 (1.7 g, 27 mol) were dissolved in DMF (5 mL), the mixture was heated to 70° C. and stirred for 10 h. The solution was then concentrated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in AcOEt. The organic layer was washed 2×200 mL H2O, dried over MgSO4, filtered, evaporated and dried in vacuo. (yield 100%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 16-Azide hexadecanoic acid 17b was prepared using procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 17a. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-Azide dodecanoic acid ethyl ester (18a) To 8 mol of 12-azide dodecanoic acid 17a (2 g) dissolved in EtOH (25 mL), ApTS (cat) was added and the mixture was reflux and stirred for 10 h. The solution was then concentrated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in AcOEt. The organic layer was washed 2×200 mL H2O, dried over MgSO4, filtered, evaporated and dried in vacuo. (yield 100%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Compound 18d was prepared from 17b using procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 18a. Compounds 18b and 18e was prepared from the corresponding 17a or 17b and 1-butanol using procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 18a. 12-Azide dodecanoic acid butyl ester 18b The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 16-Azide hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester 18d The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 16-Azide hexadecanoic acid butyl ester 18e The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-Azide N,N-dimethyl-dodecylamide (18c). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-azide dodecanoic acid (17a) (2 g, 8 mol) was dissolved in THF (17 mL) and followed by the addition of CDI (1.3 g, 8 mol). The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 2 h after which dimethylamine (0.6 g, 8 mol) was added. After 24 h stirring at room temperature, the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in AcOEt and washed with satured NaHCO3 (3×20 mL), water (3×50 mL), dried over MgSO4, filtered, evaporated and dried in vacuo. The crude was purified by flash chromatography using a mixture AcOEt/Hexane (9:1) as the solvent which afforded the desire product (yield 80%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Compound 18f was prepared from 17b using procedure similar to that described for the preparation of 18c. 16-Azide N,N-dimethyl-hexadecylamide 18f The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-Amino dodecanoic acid ethyl ester (19a) The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Pd/C was added to a solution of azide (2 g, 7.4 mol) in MeOH. The flask for catalytic hydrogenolysis was evacuated and filled with 50 psi H2 before shaking for 8 h. The catalyst was filtered through Celite and washed with MeOH, the solvent was evaporated and dried in vacuo. (yield 100%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Compounds 19b, 19c, 19d, 19e and 19f was prepared from the corresponding 17 in a similar manner as described above. 12-Amino dodecanoic acid butyl ester 19b The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-Amino N,N-dimethyl-dodecylamide 19c The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 16-Amino hexadecanoic acid ethyl ester 19d The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 16-Amino hexadecanoic acid butyl ester 19e The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 16-Amino N,N-dimethyl-hexadecylamide 19f The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. (2,3-Dihydroxy-propyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 21 To 1 mol of 3-(dimethylamino)-1,2-propanediol 20 (1.2 g) dissolved in CH2Cl2 (5 mL), MeI (2 g, 1.5 mol) was added and the mixture stirred at rt for 1 h. The solution was then filtered and the filtrated recristalise in MeOH/Ether and dried in vacuo. (yield 100%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(3-ethoxycarbonyl-propylcarbamoyloxy)-dodecyl]-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 22a To a solution of 2 mmol of CDI (0.61 g) in CH2Cl2 anhydrous (1 mL) was added a solution of 21 (0.5 g, 1.9 mmol) in DMF anhydrous (1 mL). The mixture stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Then 19a (2.2 mol) was added and the mixture reaction was stirred for 24 h. The solution was diluted in ether and the precipitated filtered. The product was rescritilize in MeOH/Ether (yield 70%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(3-butoxycarbonyl-propylcarbamoyloxy)-dodecyl]-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 22b The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(3-dimethylamide-propylcarbamoyloxy)-dodecyl]-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 22c The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(3-ethoxycarbonyl-propylcarbamoyloxy)-hexadecyl]-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 22d The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(3-butoxycarbonyl-propylcarbamoyloxy)-hexadecyl]-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 22e The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(3-dimethylamide-propylcarbamoyloxy)-hexadecyl]-trimethyl-ammonium iodide 22f The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 6-Bromo-4-chloromethyl-7-hydroxy-chroman-2-one (23) 4-Bromoresorcinol (15.12 g, 80 mmol) and ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate (16.2 mL, 0.12 mmol) were stirred in 80 mL of conc. H2SO4 for six days. The reaction mixture was poured into crushed ice with stirring and the slurry stirred for 30 min. The crude product was then filtered and washed with cold water. It was then dissolved in ethyl acetate and washed with water, 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, water and saturated brine solution and dried over anhydrous Na2SO4. The ethyl acetate layer was concentrated to about 15 mL and the slurry cooled for 30 min and filtered to get the product (52%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-Azido-dodecanoic acid 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-chroman-4-ylmethyl ester (24) A mixture of 6-bromo-4-chloromethyl-7-hydroxy-chroman-2-one (0.67 g, 2.3 mmol), dry toluene (3 mL), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (1.4 g, 9.3 mmol) and 12-azido dodecanoic acid (0.84 g, 0.35 mmol) was refluxed for 2 h. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature, diluted with chloroform (10 mL), quenched with 1N HCl, and the layers separated. The organic layer was dried over Na2SO4 and evaporated to yield the crude product Purification was done by column chromatography eluting with CH2Cl2 to afford the product (yield 60%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. 12-Amino-dodecanoic acid 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-chroman-4-ylmethyl ester (25) 12-Azido-dodecanoic acid 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-chroman-4-yl methyl ester (1 g, 2.02 mmol) was dissolved in THF/H2O (10 mL/1 mL), PPh3-polymer supported (1 g) was added and the mixture was shaken at room temperature for 18 h. The solution was then filtered, evaporated and dried in vacuo to afford the product. (yield 100%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. {2,3-Bis-[11-(6-bromo-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-chroman-4-ylmethoxycarbonyl)-undecylcarbamoyloxy]-propyl}-trimethyl-ammonium iodide (26) To a solution of 2 mmol of CDI (0.61 g) in CH2Cl2 anhydrous (1 mL) was added a solution of 6 (0.5 g, 1.9 mmol) in DMF anhydrous (1 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Then 12-amino-dodecanoic acid 6-bromo-7-hydroxy-2-oxo-chroman-4-ylmethyl ester (1.03 g, 2.2 mmol) was added and the mixture reaction was stirred for 24 h. The solution was diluted in ether and the precipitate filtered. The product was rescrystilized from MeOH/Ether (yield 50%). The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Example 8 Dodecanedioic acid monobenzyl ester (28a) A solution of benzyl alcohol (1.0 mL, 10 mmol) and TEA (1.4 mL, 10 mmol) in THF (25 mL) was added dropwise to an ice-cold solution of dodecanedioyl dichloride 1 (2.5 mL, 10 mmol) in THF (30 mL) over 2 hours. Then the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. A mixture of H2O (10 mL), TEA (1.4 mL, 10 mmol) and THF (10 mL) was added slowly to the solution over 1 hour, and the stirring was continued for 2 hours. THF was then removed and 20 mL H2O was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted by ethyl ether (3×20 mL) and the organic phase was combined, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated. Ethyl acetate (20 mL) was added to the residue and the suspension was filtered to remove dodecanedioic acid. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (Hexane:Ethyl acetate=4:1 to 2:1) afforded 1.3 g (40% yield) product as white solid. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Dodecanedioic acid benzyl ester 2-(11-benzyloxycarbonyl-undecanoyloxy)-3-dimethylamino-propyl ester (29a) To an ice-cold solution of 24a (1.78 g, 5.5 mmol), 3-dimethylamino-propane-1,2-diol (0.3 mL, 2.5 mmol) and DMAP (catalytic amount) in DCM (15 mL) was slowly added a solution of DCC (1.1 g, 5.5 mmol) in DCM (5 mL). After the addition, the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 days. The reaction mixture was then filtered to remove the insoluble DCU. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (50% EtOAc/DCM to 100% EtOAC) afforded 0.9 g (50% yield) product as colorless oil. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. [2,3-Bis-(11-benzyloxycarbonyl-undecanoyloxy)-propyl]-trimethyl-ammonium; iodide (30a) MeI (1 mL, 15 mmol) was added to a solution of 25a (0.9 g, 1.2 mmol) in DCM (5 mL). The solution was stirred for 4 hours and then concentrated. The residue was washed with ethyl ether to afford 0.9 g product (90% yield) as white powder. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Dodecanedioic acid mono-(2-nitro-benzyl)ester 28b A solution of 2-nitrobenzyl alcohol (1.53 g, 10 mmol) and TEA (1.4 mL, 10 mmol) in THF (25 mL) was added dropwise to an ice-cold solution of dodecanedioyl dichloride 1 (2.5 mL, 10 mmol) in THF (30 mL) over 2 hours. Then the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred overnight. A mixture of H2O (10 mL), TEA (1.4 mL, 10 mmol) and THF (10 mL) was added slowly to the solution over 1 hour, and the stirring was continued for 2 hours. THF was then removed and 20 mL H2O was added to the residue. The mixture was extracted by ethyl, ether (20 mL×3) and the organic phase was combined, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated. Ethyl acetate (20 mL) was added to the residue and the suspension was filtered to remove dodecanedioic acid. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (Hexane:Ethyl acetate=4:1 to 2:1) afforded 1.8 g (50% yield) product as white solid. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Dodecanedioic acid 2-dimethylamino-1-[11-(2-nitro-benzyloxycarbonyl)-undecanoyloxymethyl]-ethyl ester 2-nitro-benzyl ester (29b) To an ice-cold solution of 2 (2.0 g, 5.5 mmol), 3-dimethylamino-propane-1,2-diol (0.3 mL, 2.5 mmol) and DMAP (catalytic amount) in DCM (15 mL) was slowly added a solution of DCC (1.1 g, 5.5 mmol) in DCM (5 mL). After the addition, the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 days. The reaction mixture was then filtered to remove the insoluble DCU. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (50% EtOAc/DCM to 100% EtOAC) afforded 0.95 g (50% yield) product as colorless oil. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. {2,3-Bis-[11-(2-nitro-benzyloxycarbonyl)-undecanoyloxy]-propyl}-trimethyl-ammonium; iodide (30b) MeI (1 mL, 15 mmol) was added to a solution of 29b (1 g, 1.2 mmol) in DCM (5 mL). The solution was stirred for 4 hours and then concentrated. The residue was washed with ethyl ether to afford 1 g of product (90% yield) as white powder. The characterization data were consistent with the proposed structure. Dodecanedioic acid mono-tert-butyl ester (32) To an ice-cold solution of dodecanedioic acid 31 (15 g, 65 mmol), tert-butyl alcohol (64 mL, 650 mmol) and DMAP (catalytic amount) in THE (80 mL) was slowly added a solution of DCC (16 g, 78 mmol) in THF (20 mL). After the addition, the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered to remove the insoluble DCU. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (20% EtOAc/Hexane to 40% EtOAC/Hexane) afforded 9 g (50% yield) product as colorless solid. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Dodecanedioic acid 2-(11-tert-butoxycarbonyl-undecanoyloxy)-3-dimethylamino-propyl ester tert-butyl ester (33) To an ice-cold solution of 26 (4.6 g, 16 mmol), 3-dimethylamino-propane-1,2-diol (0.9 mL, 7.6 mmol) and DMAP (catalytic amount) in DCM (40 mL) was slowly added a solution of DCC (4 g, 20 mmol) in DCM (10 mL). After the addition, the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 days. The reaction mixture was then filtered to remove the insoluble DCU. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (50% EtOAc/DCM to 100% EtOAC) afforded 2.3 g (46% yield) product as colorless oil. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. [2,3-Bis-(11-tert-butoxycarbonyl-undecanoyloxy)-propyl]-trimethyl-ammonium; iodide (34) MeI (1 mL, 15 mmol) was added to a solution of 29 (1.1 g, 1.7 mmol) in DCM (5 mL). The solution was stirred for 4 hours and then concentrated. The residue was recrystalized in DCM/Ethyl ether to afford 1.0 g product (75% yield) as white powder. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. [2,3-Bis-(11-carboxy-undecanoyloxy)-propyl]-trimethyl-ammonium; iodide (35) A solution of 0.70 g 30 and TFA (6 mL) in DCM (24 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. Then the solution was concentrated and the residue was re-crystallized in MeOH/Ethyl ether to afford 0.54 g (90% yield) product as light yellow powder. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. (2,3-Diacetoxy-propyl)-trimethyl-ammonium; iodide 36 A mixture of 3-dimethyl-amino-propane-1,2-diol (0.30 mL, 2.5 mmol), acetyl anhydride (2 mL, excess) and DCM (5 mL) was stirred overnight at room temperature. Then MeI (2 mL, excess) was added to the solution and the stirring was continued for 4 hours. Then the solution was concentrated and ethyl ether (20 mL) was added to the residue to precipitate the product (0.73 g, 85% yield). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. 12-Bromo-dodecyloxymethyl)-benzene 37. NaH (0.7 g, 29 mmol) was slowly added into a solution of benzyl alcohol (1.5 mL, 14 mmol) in 20 mL THF. The suspension was refluxed for 2 hours. Then a solution of 1,12-dibromo-dodecane (12 g, 36 mmol) in 30 mL of THF was added and the suspension was refluxed for one day. The reaction was quenched by 20 mL 0.01 N HCl and THF was removed under vacuum. The aqueous phase was extracted by DCM (20 mL×3). The organic phase was combined, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (Hex to 5% EtoAc in Hex) to afford 3.6 g (70% yield) product as colorless oil. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. 12-Benzyloxy-dodecanoic acid 38. A solution of 12-Bromo-dodecyloxymethyl)-benzene (2 g, 5.6 mmol), sodium nitrite (1.9 g, 28 mmol), and acetic acid (4 mL, 67 mmol) in DMSO (10 mL) was stirred at 35° C. for overnight1. The reaction mixture was then acidified with 10 mL 1 N HCl and extracted with ethyl ether (30 mL×2). The organic phase was combined, dried over Na2SO4 and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed (5% EtoAc in Hex to 30% EtoAc in Hex) to afford 1 g (60% yield) product as light yellow solid. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. 12-Benzyloxy-dodecanoic acid 2-(12-benzyloxy-dodecanoyloxy)-3-dimethylamino-propyl ester 39 To an ice-cold solution of 12-Benzyloxy-dodecanoic acid (0.82 g, 2.67 mmol), 3-dimethylamino-propane-1,2-diol (0.11 mL, 1 mmol) and DMAP (catalytic amount) in DCM (10 mL) was slowly added a solution of DCC (0.66 g, 3.2 mmol) in DCM (5 mL). After the addition, the solution was warmed to room temperature and stirred for 2 days. The reaction mixture was then filtered to remove the insoluble DCU. Concentration of the filtrate followed by chromatography (50% EtOAc/DCM to 100% EtOAC) afforded 0.21 g (30% yield) product as colorless oil. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. [2,3-Bis-(12-benzyloxy-dodecanoyloxy)-propyl]-trimethyl-ammonium; iodide 40. MeI (0.5 mL, 7 mmol) was added to a solution of 39 (0.26 g, 0.37 mmol) in DCM (2 mL). The solution was stirred for 4 hours and then concentrated. The residue was washed with ethyl ether to afford 0.28 g (90% yield) product as white powder. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Example 9 Succinic acid mono-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ester 41 The 2-dimethylamino ethanol (10 g, 0.11 mol) was dissolved in pyridine (100 mL) followed by the addition of succinic anhydride (16 g, 0.16 mol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h before the pyridine was removed under vacuum at 40 C. The remaining solid was recrystallized from MeOH/Ether. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Dimethylamino-[G0]-PGLSA dendrimer 43 Succinic acid mono-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ester (2.14 g, 11.3 mmol), OH-[G0]-PGLSA 42 (0.54 g, 2.01 mmol), DPTS (1.25 g, 4.27 mmol) were dissolved in THF and DCC (3.51 g, 17.05 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 h under nitrogen atmosphere. Upon completion of the reaction the DCU was filtered off and washed with a small amount of THF and the solvent evaporated. The crude mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with AcOEt (yield 80%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Trimethylamino-[G0]-PGLSA dendrimer iodide, 44 Dimethylamino-[G0]-PGLSA dendrimer (1.4 g, 1.5 mmol) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 and methyl iodide was added (1.1 g, 8 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. The solvent was evaporated to yield the product (yield 100%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Dimethylamino-[G1]-PGLSA dendrimer 46 Succinic acid mono-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ester (1.59 g, 8.42 mmol), OH-[G1]-PGLSA 45 (0.5 g, 0.52 mmol), DPTS (0.88 g, 3.01 mmol) were dissolved in THF. DCC (2.3 g, 11.2 mmol) was added to the mixture and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 24 h under nitrogen atmosphere. Upon completion of the reaction the DCU was filtered off and washed with a small amount of THF and the solvent evaporated. The crude mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with AcOEt. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Trimethylamino-[G1]-PGLSA dendrimer iodide, 47 Dimethylamino-[G1]-PGLSA dendrimer (0.5 g, 0.21 mmol) was dissolved in CH2Cl2 and methyl iodide was added (2.9 g, 2.1 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. The solvent was evaporated to yield the product (100%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Synthesis of Myr-[G2]-PGLSA-TBDPS, 49 0.45 g (0.58 mmol) of compound OH-[G2]-PGLSA-TBDPS (48) was dissolved in 75 mL of CH2Cl2 with 0.63 g (2.77 mmol) of myristic acid(Myr), 0.34 g (1.16 mmol) of DPTS, and 0.72 g (3.47 mmol) of DCC. The reaction was stirred at RT for 16 hours. The DCU precipitate was filtered and the solution was evaporated. The residue was resuspended in 50 mL of ethanol, cooled to 0° C. for 6 hours and filtered. The precipitate was resuspended in 75 mL of CH2Cl2, washed with 75 mL of H2O, dried over Na2SO4, and the solvent evaporated to yield 0.84 g of product (89% yield). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Dimethylamino-[G2]-PGLSA-TBDPS dendron, 50 Succinic acid mono-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ester (1.23 g, 6.46 mmol), OH-[G2]-PGLSA-TBDPS dendron (0.9 g, 1.15 mmol), DPTS (0.72 g, 2.44 mmol) were dissolved in THF and DCC (1.95 g, 9.46 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 14 h under nitrogen atmosphere. Upon completion of the reaction the DCU was filtered off and washed with a small amount of THF and the solvent evaporated. The crude mixture was purified by silica gel chromatography, eluting with AcOEt. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Example 10 1-(6-Hydroxymethyl-2,2-dimethyl-tetrahydro-furo[3,4-d][1,3]dioxol-4-yl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-dione 51 Para-toluene sulfonic acid (2.33 g, 12.3 mmoles, 3 eq.) was added to Uridine (1 g, 4.1 mmoles) in 180 mL of anhydrous acetone. After 4 hours at room temperature, acetone was evaporated and the residual crude product was dissolved in 200 mL of ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed three times with 20 mL of a hydrogenocarbonate 10% solution, then dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was removed under vacuum. 0.979 g of white powder was isolated (Yield: 83%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Uridine acetonide phosphatidylcholine 52 Uridine-oxo-dioxaphospholane Freshly distilled THF (30 mL) and dry TEA (803 uL, 2 eq, 5.71 mmoles) were added under nitrogen to Uridine acetonide 13 (0.80 g, 2.81 mmoles). The mixture was cooled down to 0° C. and 2-Chloro-2-oxo-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (414 uL, 1.6 eq, 4.5 mmoles) was added drop-wise. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 15 hours. Then, TEA salts were removed by filtration under suction at 0° C. Most of the solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure at 0° C. and 8 mL of the residual solution was directly used without further purification in the following step. Anhydrous trimethylamine (4 mL, 15.5 eq, 44 mmoles) were condensated at −50° C. under nitrogen in a pressure tube. Next cold trimethyl amine was added. The reaction mixture was then maintained at 60° C. under stirring for 48 hours. After evaporation at room temperature of the residual trimethylamine, and after filtration a white solid was isolated. 1,035 of a solid are obtained after drying under high vacuum (Yield: 82%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Uridine phosphatidylcholine 54 Compound 53 (0.20 g, 0.44 mmoles) in 1.5 mL of formic acid (98%) was stirred for 24 hours at room temperature. The excess of formic acid was co-evaporated with ethanol. Crystallization in a binary mixture methanol/ethanol gave 0.127 g of a white hydroscopic solid (Yield: 70%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. 2′,3′dimyristoyl-5′phosphatidylcholine-uridine 55 Myristic acid (185 mg, 3 eq, 0.72 mmol), DCC (148 mg, 3 eq, 0.72 mmol) and DMAP (88 mg, 3 eq, 0.72 mmol), were added to compound 54 in 20 mL of anhydrous DMF. After 72 hours at room temperature, DCU was removed by filtration. The solvent was evaporated and the product was washed with ether (2×25 mL). 123 mg of product was isolated after chromatography (LH 20, DCM/MeOH 5/5), (Yield: 58%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Bis-(2′,3′-stearoyl)-5′-(phosphocholine)-uridine (R═(CH2)16CH3) 56 Stearic acid (555 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol), DCC (402 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol) and DMAP (238 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol), were added to uridine phosphocholine (200 mg, 0.49 mmol) in 20 mL of anhydrous DMF. After 72 hours at room temperature, the DMF was evaporated and the residual solid was dissolved in 20 mL of methylene chloride. DCU was removed by filtration and solvent evaporated. The crude material was purified by exclusion chromatography (LH 20, DCM/MeOH 5/5). 175 mg of product were isolated. (Yield: 38%). RF: 0.17 (reverse phase, DCM/MeOH 5/5). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula. Bis-(2′,3′-arachidonyl)-5′-(phosphocholine)-uridine (R═(CH2)18CH3) 57 Arachidic acid (611 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol), DCC (402 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol) and DMAP (238 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol), were added to uridine phosphocholine (200 mg, 0.49 mmol) in 20 mL of anhydrous DMF. After 72 hours at room temperature, the DMF was evaporated and the residual solid is dissolved in 20 mL of methylene chloride. DCU was removed by filtration and solvent evaporated. The crude material was purified by exclusion chromatography (LH 20, DCM/MeOH 5/5). 73 mg of the product were isolated. (Yield: 15%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. Bis-(2′,3′-oleoyl)-5′-(phosphocholine)-uridine (R═(CH2)7CH═CH(CH2)7CH3) 58 Uridine phosphocholine (200 mg, 1 eq, 0.49 mmol), DCC (402 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol) and DMAP (238 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol) were dissolved in 20 mL of anhydrous DMF under argon. Oleic acid (619 mg, 4 eq, 1.95 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred in the dark. After 72 hours at room temperature, the DMF was evaporated and the residual solid was dissolved in 20 mL of methylene chloride. DCU was removed by filtration and solvent evaporated. The crude material was purified by exclusion chromatography (LH 20, DCM/MeOH 5/5). 150 mg of product. (Yield: 33%). RF: 0.30 (reverse phase, DCM/MeOH 5/5). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure and formula Example 11 2′,3′-di(tetradecylcarbamoyl acid)-5′-(4,4′dimethoxytrityl)uridine (59a) 5′-4,4′-dimethoxytrityluridine (1 g, 1 eq), carbonyldiimidazole (1.22 g, 2.2 eq) and a catalytic amount of dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) were dissolved in 20 mL of anhydrous DMF. After 1 hour at room temperature, tetradecylamine (2 g, 7 eq) was added, then the reaction mixture was stirred for 12 hours. The DMF was removed under reduced pressure. 0.5 g of product were isolated after chromatography on silica gel (DCM/MeOH, 95/5). (Yield: 40%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2′,3′-di(tetradecylcarbamoyl acid)-uridine (60a) An excess of a 3% trichloroacetic acid solution in methylene chloride was added to 2′,3′-di(tetradecylcarbamoyl acid)-5′-dimethoxytrityluridine (0.4 g) were dissolved in 20 mL of dry methylene chloride. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at room temperature. After addition of methanol (3 mL), the organic layer was washed three times with 10 mL of water and dried over sodium sulfate. The product (0.25 g) was obtained after chromatography (DCM/MeOH 95/5) (Yield: 95%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2′,3′-di(dodecylcarbamoyl acid)-)-5′-(4,4′dimethoxytrityluridine (59b) 5′-dimethoxytrityluridine (1 g, 1 eq), carbonyldiimidazole (1.22 g, 2.2 eq) and a catalytic amount of dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) were dissolved in 20 mL of anhydrous DMF. After 1 hour at room temperature, dodecylamine (1.80 g, 7 eq) was added, then the reaction mixture was stirred for 12 hours. The DMF was removed under reduced pressure. The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2′,3′-di(dodecylcarbamoyl acid)-uridine (60b) An excess of a 3% trichloroacetic acid solution in methylene chloride was added to 59b (0.5 g) dissolved in 20 mL of dry methylene chloride. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at room temperature. After addition of methanol (3 mL), the organic layer was washed three times with 10 mL of water and dried over sodium sulfate. 0.25 g of the product was obtained after chromatography (DCM/MeOH 95/5). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 1,2,3,4,6-pentaacetylglucose 61 Glucose (2 g, 11.1 mmoles) was dissolved in pyridine cooled at 0° C., then acetic anhydride (15 g, 144.3 mmoles) was added drop wise. The mixture was stirred for 2 h and then washed with cold water, HCl 1N, NaHCO3 and brine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. 5.5 g were obtained after chromatography (cyclohexane/AcOEt 7/3) (yield: 90%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucose 62 1,2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucose (5.5 g, 7.1 mmoles) and hydrazine acetate (0.8 g, 1.2 eq) were dissolved in 20 mL of DMF. After 1 hour, DMF was removed under reduced pressure, the crude product was dissolved in 50 mL of ethyl acetate and washed twice with 20 mL of water. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. 2 g of product was obtained after chromatography (cyclohexane/AcOEt 6/4) (yield: 65%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucose-1-imidazolylcarbonyl 63 2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucose (0.4 g, 1.1 mmoles) was dissolved in 5 mL of ether, then n,n-carbonyldiimidazole (0.205 g, 1.2 mmoles) was added. The mixture is stirred for 2 h at room temperature, then filtered on a pad of silica. The filtrate was evaporated to give the product (yield: 100%). This product was used immediately without further purification. Rf: 0.29 (CH2Cl2/MeOH 95/5). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucoside-5′-di(dodecylcarbamoyl acid)-uridine 64 2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucose-1-imidazolylcarbonyl (0.20 g, 0.45 mmoles), 2′,3′-di(dodecylcarbamoyl acid)-uridine (0.33 g, 0.49 mmoles) and ZnBr2 (0.11 g, 0.49 mmoles) were dissolved in 10 mL of dichloromethane. Reaction mixture was heated for 12 h. 0.21 g is isolated after chromatography (DCM/MeOH 95/5). (yield: 44%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. glucoside-5′-di(dodecylcarbamoyl acid)-uridine 65 2,3,4,6-tetraacetylglucoside-5′-di(dodecylcarbamoyl acid)-uridine was dissolved in 10 mL of MeOH. MeONa was added and the reaction was run for 4 h. The product was obtained. (yield >99%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 1,2,3,4,6-pentachloroacetylglucose 66 Glucose (2 g, 11.1 mmoles) was dissolved in a mixture of methylenechloride/pyridine (60 ml/6 ml) cooled at 0° C., and then chloroacetyl chloride (16.3 g, 144.3 mmoles) was added drop wise. The mixture was stirred for 2 h and then washed with cold water, HCl 1N, NaHCO3 and brine. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. 4 g were obtained after chromatography (cyclohexane/AcOEt 7/3) (yield: 63%). Rf: 0.83 (cyclohexane/AcOEt 5/5). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroacetylglucose 67 1,2,3,4,6-tetrachloroacetylglucose (4 g, 7.1 mmoles) and hydrazine acetate (0.8 g, 1.2 eq) were dissolved in 20 mL of DMF. After 1 hour, DMF was removed under reduced pressure, the crude product was dissolved in 50 mL of ethyl acetate and washed twice with 20 mL of water. The organic layer was dried over sodium sulfate. 2 g of product were obtained after chromatography (cyclohexane/AcOEt 6/4) (yield: 46%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroacetylglucoside-1-trichloroacetimidate 68 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroacetylglucose (0.15 g, 1 eq), trichloroacetonitrile chloride (0.5 mL, 1.1 eq) and a catalytic amount of potassium carbonate were dissolved in dry DCM. After 12 hours under argon, the organic layer was filtrated on celite. 0.15 g of product was obtained after chromatography (CH2Cl2). This product was used immediately to avoid degradation. (yield: 78%). Rf: 0.96 (CH2Cl2/MeOH 95/5). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroacetylglucoside-5′-dimeristoyluridine 69 2,3,4,6-tetrachloroacetylglucoside-1-trichloroacetimidate (0.15 g, 1.1 eq), dimeristoyluridine (0.2 g, 1 eq) and BF3-EtO (0.5 mL, 1.1 eq) were dissolved in dry methylchloride. After 12 hours under stirring, solvent was removed under reduced pressure. 0.04 g of product was isolated after chromatography (DCM/MeOH 92/8). (yield: 11%). The characterization data were consistent with the chemical structure. Example 12 Additional charge reversal polymeric amphiphiles are shown above based on polylysine. Polylysine polymers are reported to transfect DNA. This polymer possesses two components: the cation and the hydrophobic acyl chain with the hydrolysable benzy ester. The ratio of both of these groups can be altered as to afford a polymer that is highly cationic to one that is highly anionic. First, lysine (FMOC, OMe protected) was first methacrylated with methacryloyl chloride in THF with TEA. We have characterized this monomer 70a (NMR, mass spect, EA) and are preparing 70b and 71. We have also polymerized 70a in the presence of AIBN in order to form cationic polymer. (MALDI Mw=20,700). As expected, this polymer binds DNA and displaces EtBr in the ethidium bromide-DNA fluorescence quenching exclusion assay (see description below). Upon hydrolysis of the methyl ester, the polymer becomes neutral and the resulting polymer does not bind DNA. These four polymeric amphiphiles will enable us to modulate the charge reversal properties from +1 to 0 through +1 to −3. It is expected that the −3 polymer will release DNA at a faster rate than the −1 to 0 charged polymer. Example 13 Amphiphiles 76 through 83 are also included within the scope of this invention. Amphiphiles 80-83 are based on the structure of spermine—a known cationic synthetic vector. These amphiphiles provide a means to further study the effects of charge on DNA binding and release. Amphiphile 83 is an example of a Gemini-like amphiphile. Cationic gemini amphiphiles are known to bind DNA and transfect. For example, amphiphile 76 transforms from a +1 to −1 (similar to 1), whereas amphiphiles 78, 80, and 82 transform from +1 to −3, +2 to 0, and +2 to −2, respectively. We have prepared and characterized 77. The N-methyldiethanolamie was reacted with the corresponding benzylester derivatized dodecanoic acid using DCC/DMAP in dichloromethane. The amine was then methylated with MeI in dichloromethane to afford the final product Amphiphile 81 was synthesized by reacting benzylester derivatized dodecanoic acid with spermine in the presence of DCC in dichloromethane. The other amphiphiles will be synthesized in a similar manner. Example 14 Amphiphilic dendrimers have also been prepared. Dendrimers 84, 85 and 86 were prepared in a step-wise convergent procedure. The esterification steps used DCC/DMAP in THF or dichloromethane. The bzld intermediates were deprotected using Pd/C and hydrogen. The macromolecules were characterized by NMR and SEC. Example 15 Preparation of a Liposome Composition. Liposomes are formed by mixing 1 mg the amphiphilic molecule and 1 mg DOPE (0.5:1 molar ratio). After thorough stirring, the mixture is evaporated to dryness in a round bottomed borosilicate tube using a rotary evaporator. The subsequent dried lipid film is resuspended in a low volume of ethanol or chloroform. Liposomes are formed by adding an excess of distillated water. After homogenization by slight vortexing or sonicating the mixture. Alternatively, the solution can be extruded to afford liposomes. Preparation of a Liposome-Nucleic Acids Complex Composition. Complex formation of nucleic acids to the liposome bilayer membrane is achieved by simply mixing the preformed liposomes to a solution of nucleic acids. Next, the mixture is slightly mixed and incubated for at least 30 min at room temperature. Example 16 The lipophilic uridine derivatives 2′,3′dimyristoyl uridine and 2′,3′dipalmitoyl uridine form gels in DMSO. The gels can be produced by either 1) sonication (30 sec) or by heating the suspensions to 60 C for 5 minutes and cooling to room temperature. Compounds bearing the shortest chains were found to be able to form gels in this solvent (See FIG. 17 in Example 10). Example 17 The amphiphiles 55-58 formed gels in water. The compounds were dissolved in water and then a gel was formed. Gels can also be formed in the presence of plasmid DNA. The gels can be delivered to a specific site, this is advantageous for the delivery of nucleic acids in vivo or in vitro. Example 18 The amphiphiles 55-58 formed gels in water. The compounds were dissolved in water and then a gel was formed. Gels can also be formed in the presence of plasmid DNA and a known cationic amphiphile such as DOTAP. The gels can be delivered to a specific site, this is advantageous for the delivery of nucleic acids in vivo or in vitro. Example 19 The AFM images were collected in tapping mode using a Digital Instruments Nanoscope IIIa/Multimode Atomic Force Microscope. The silicon tapping mode AFM tips were purchased from Silicon/MDT (Model NSC-15) and used as received. Typical scanning and feedback parameters are as follows: oscillation frequency, 350 kHZ; integral gain, 0.2; proportional gain, 2.0; setpoint, 1.5V; scan speed, 2 Hz. Sample Preparation Preparation of DNA and amphiphiles-DNA solutions. Initially calf thymus DNA and plasmid DNA were imaged in the absence of amphiphiles. 5 μL of an initial calf thymus DNA solution (1 mg/mL) are diluted to 3 mL with buffer (2 mM HEPES, 150 mM MgCl2, 10 μm EDTA, pH 7.4). In the case of the plasmid DNA, 3 μL of the initial solution (0.5 mg/mL) are diluted with 3 mL of the same HEPES-MgCl2 buffer. Amphiphiles-DNA condensates were prepared as following; 3 μL (plasmid DNA initial solution, 0.5 mg/mL) or 5 μL (calf thymus DNA initial solution, 1 mg/ml) of DNA and varying amount of amphiphiles (dependent on the amphiphile/DNA ratio required) were diluted to 1 ml with buffer (2 mM HEPES, 150 mM MgCl2, 10 μm EDTA, pH 7.4). The solutions were mixed and incubated for 60 minutes at room temperature. Each solution was then diluted to 3 mL with the same buffer (2 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 10 μM EDTA, pH 7.4). DNA and amphiphiles-DNA on mica. For solution in HEPES-Mg buffer one drop (0.1 mL) of each DNA solution was incubated on a freshly cleaved mica substrate for 5-10 minutes, rinsed twice with distilled water, dried with compressed air and further dried in a desiccator under high vacuum for 1 hour. Amphiphile 4e forms torid structures with plasmid DNA on mica as observed by AFM. The size of the torids is similar to that previously observed with cationic polymers. Example 20 Exclusion assay (adapted from; A. J. Geall, I. S. Blagbrough, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis 22 (2000) 849-859) Five μg (5 μl of 1 mg/mL solution) of DNA and varying amount of amphiphiles (dependent on the Amphiphile/DNA ratio required) were diluted to 1000 μL with buffer (2 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 10 μm EDTA, pH 7.4). The solutions were mixed on a bench top vortex and incubated for 60 minutes at ambient temperature. Each solution was then diluted to 3 mL with buffer (2 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 10 μm EDTA, pH 7.4). Immediately prior to the analysis, 3 μL of Eth Br solution (0.6 mg/ml, 1.3 mM, effectively present in excess) was added, the sample was mixed on a bench top vortex, and the fluorescence measured. The fluorescence was expressed as the percentage of the maximum fluorescence signal when EthBr was bound to the DNA in the absence of amphiphile. Assays were run in triplicate. The following molecules or macromolecules bound DNA and displaced EtBr using this assay including 22a-f, 26, 30a, 30b, 34, 44, 47, 77, 81, 84, 85, and 86. Compounds 35 and 36 did not bind DNA and displace EthBr. Compound 30a bound DNA and displaced EthBr. Next an esterase was added to the solution (30a, 34, 77, 81) which cleaved the ester linkages to afford the anionic compound, releasing the DNA from the amphiphile and enabling the EthBr to intercalate in the DNA. This experimental result demonstrates that a functional synthetic vector can bind and release DNA in the presence of an esterase. Example 21 Transfection assays were performed using the well established B-galactosidase transfection assay. In these experiments the B-galactosidase gene is transfected into cells. Next, the expressed enzyme then cleaves a chemiluminescent reporter that is detected. The assays are conducted with chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells following a standard lipid transfection procedure. The procedure is performed on varying concentrations of lipid and DNA in triplicate in 96 well plates. Amphiphiles 30a and 40 transfected the B-galactosidase gene. While compounds 35 and 36 showed minimal transfection activity. Incorporation by Reference All of the U.S. patents and U.S. published patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference. EQUIVALENTS Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In 1972, Friedmann outlined the far-reaching opportunities for human gene therapy. Friedmann, T.; Roblin, R. Science 1972, 175, 949-955. Chromosomal deficiencies and/or anomalies, e.g., mutation and aberrant expression, cause many hereditary and non-hereditary diseases. Conventional medicine remains unable to treat many of these diseases; gene therapy may be an effective therapeutic option by either adding, replacing, or removing relevant genes. See Kay, M. A.; Liu, D.; Hoogergrugge, P. M. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 1997, 94, 12744-12746 and Huang, L.; Hung, M.; Wagner, E., Eds. Nonviral Vectors for Gene Therapy ; Academic Press: New York, 1999. Currently few organs or cells can be specifically targeted for gene delivery. There are established protocols for transferring genes into cells, including calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, particle bombardment, liposomal delivery, viral-vector delivery, and receptor-mediated gene-delivery. However, a main obstacle to the penetration of a nucleic acid into a cell or target organ lies in its size and polyanionic nature, both of which militate against its passage across cell membranes. Two strategies currently being explored for delivery of nucleic acids are viral and synthetic non-viral vectors, i.e., cationic molecules and polymers. A brief discussion of viral vectors, cationic lipids, and cationic polymers and there utility in gene therapy is presented below. Viral Vectors Viral vectors are viruses. Viruses, such as adenoviruses, herpes viruses, retroviruses and adeno-associated viruses, are currently under investigation. Currently, viral vectors, e.g., adenoviruses and adeno-associated viruses, have exhibited the highest levels of transfection efficiency compared to synthetic vectors, i.e., cationic lipids and polymers. Viral vectors suffer use in the Treatment of Human Diseases Drugs 2000, 60, 249-271; Smith, E. A. Viral Vectors in Gene Therapy Annu. Rev. Microbiol. 1995, 49, 807-838; Drumm, M. L.; Pope, H. A.; Cliff, W. H.; Rommens, J. M.; Marvin, S. A.; Tsui, L. C.; Collins, F. S.; Frizzell, R. A.; Wilson, J. M. Correction of the Cystic-fibrosis Defect in Vitro by Retrovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer Cell 1990, 1990, 1227-1233; Rosenfeld, M. A.; Yoshimura, K.; Trapnell, B. C.; Yoneyama, K.; Rosenthal, E. R.; Dalemans, W.; Fukayama, M.; Bargon, J.; Stier, L. E.; Stratfordperricaudet, L.; Perricaudet, M.; Guggino, W. B.; Pavirani, A.; Lecocq, J. P.; Crystal, R. G. In vivo Transfer of the Human Cystic-Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Gene to the Airway Epithelium Cell 1992, 68, 143-155; Muzyczka, N. Use of Adenoassociated Virus as a General Transduction Vector for Mammalian Cells Curr. Top. Microbiol. Immuno. 1992, 158, 97-129; Robbins, P. D.; Tahara, H.; Ghivizzani, S. C. Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy Trends Biotechnol 1998, 16, 35-40; and oss, G.; Erickson, R.; Knorr, D.; Motulsky, A. G.; Parkman, R.; Samulski, J.; Straus, S. E.; Smith, B. R. Gene Therapy in the United States: A Five-Year Status Report Hum. Gene Ther. 1996, 14, 1781-1790. Since the method infects an individual cell with a viral carrier, a potentially life threatening immune response to the treatment can develop. Summerford reviews gene therapy with Adeno-associated viral vectors. For additional details see Marshall, E. Clinical Research—FDA Halts All Gene Therapy Trials at Penn Science 2000, 287, 565-567 and Summerford, C.; Samulski, R. J. Adeno-associated Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy Biogenic Amines 1998, 14, 451-475. Several examples of viral vectors used for gene delivery are described below. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,362 to Wilson et al., an improved adenovirus vector and methods for making and using such vectors is described. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,213 to Samulski et al., describes an adeno-associated virus vector and cis-acting regulatory and promoter elements capable of expressing at least one gene and method of using the viral vector for gene therapy. Although the transfection efficiency is high with viral vectors, there are a number of complications associated with the use of viral vectors. Cationic Lipids The second strategy consists of using non-viral agents capable of promoting the transfer and expression of DNA in cells. Since the first report by Felgner, this area has been actively investigated. These cationic non-viral agents bind to polyanionic DNA. Following endocytosis, the nucleic acid must escape from the delivery agent as well as the endosomal compartment so that the genetic material is incorporated within the new host The mechanism of nucleic acid transfer from endosomes to cytoplasm and/or nuclear targets is still unclear. Possible mechanisms are simple diffusion, transient membrane destabilization, or simple leakage during a fusion event in which endosomes fuse with other vesicles. See Felgner, P. L. Nonviral Strategies for Gene Therapy Sci. Am. 1997, 276, 102-106; Felgner, P. L.; Gadek, T. R.; Holm, M.; Roman, R.; Chan, H. W.; Wenz, M.; Northrop, J. P.; Ringgold, G. M.; Danielsen, M. Lipofectin: A highly efficient, lipid mediated DNA-transfection procedure Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1987, 84, 7413-7417; Felgner, P. L.; Kumar, R.; Basava, C.; Border, R. C.; Hwang-Felgner, J. In; Vical, Inc. San Diego, Calif.: U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,618, 1993; Felgner, J. H.; Kumar, R.; Sridhar, C. N.; Wheeler, C. J.; Tsai, Y. J.; Border, R.; Ramsey, P.; Martin, M.; Felgner, P. L. Enhanced Gene Delivery and Mechanism Studies with a Novel Series of Cationic Formulations J. Biol. Chem. 1994, 269, 2550-2561; Freidmann, T. Sci. Am. 1997, 276, 96-101; Behr, J. P. Gene Transfer with Synthetic Cationic Amphiphiles: Prospects for Gene Delivery Bioconjugate Chem. 1994, 5, 382-389; Cotton, M.; Wagner, B. Non-viral Approaches to Gene Therapy Curr. Op. Biotech. 1993, 4, 705-710; Miller, A. D. Cationic Liposomes for Gene Therapy Angew. Chem. Int. 1998, 37, 1768-1785; Scherman, D.; Bessodes, M.; Cameron, B.; Herscovici, J.; Hofland, H.; Pitard, B.; Soubrier, F.; Wils, P.; Crouzet, J. Application of Lipids and Plasmid Design for Gene Delivery to Mammalian Cells Curr. Op. Biotech. 1989, 9, 480; Lasic, D. D. In Surfactants in Cosmetics; 2nd ed.; Rieger, M. M., Rhein, L. D., Eds.; Marcel Dekker, Inc.: New York, 1997; Vol. 68, pp 263-283; Rolland, A. P. From Genes to Gene Medicines: Recent Advances in Nonviral Gene Delivery Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug 1998, 15, 143-198; de Lima, M. C. P.; Simoes, S.; Pires, P.; Faneca, H.; Duzgunes, N. Cationic Lipid-DNA Complexes in Gene Delivery from Biophysics to Biological Applications Adv. Drug. Del. Rev. 2001, 47, 277-294. These synthetic vectors have two main functions, to condense the DNA to be transfected and to promote its cell-binding and passage across the plasma membrane, and where appropriate, the two nuclear membranes. Due to its polyanionic nature, DNA naturally has poor affinity for the plasma membrane of cells, which is also polyanionic. Several groups have reported the use of amphiphilic cationic lipid-nucleic acid complexes for in vivo transfection both in animals and humans. Thus, non-viral vectors have cationic or polycationic charges. See Gao, X; Huang, L. Cationic Liposome-mediated Gene Transfer Gene Therapy 1995, 2, 710-722; Zhu, N.; Liggott, D.; Liu, Y.; Debs, R. Systemic Gene Expression After Intravenous DNA Delivery into Adult Mice Science 1993, 261, 209-211; Thierry, A. R.; Lunardiiskandar, Y.; Bryant, J. L.; Rabinovich, P.; Gallo, R. C.; Mahan, L. C. Systemic Gene-Therapy-Biodistribution and Long-Term Expression of a Transgene in Mice Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1995, 92, 9742-9746. Cationic amphiphilic compounds that possess both cationic and hydrophobic domains have been previously used for delivery of genetic information. In fact, this class of compounds is widely used for intracellular delivery of genes. Such cationic compounds can form cationic liposomes which are the most popular system synthetic vector for gene transfection studies. The cationic liposomes serve two functions. First, it protects the DNA from degradation. Second, it increases the amount of DNA entering the cell. While the mechanisms describing how cationic liposomes function have not been fully delineated, such liposomes have proven useful in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Safinya, C. R. describes the structure of the cationic amphiphile-DNA complex. See Radler, J. O.; Koltover, I.; Salditt, T.; Safinya, C. R. Science 1997, 275, 810-814; Templeton, N. S.; Lasic, D. D.; Frederik, P. M.; Strey, H. H.; Roberts, D. D.; Pavlakis, G. N. Nature Biotech. 1997, 15, 647-652; Koltover, I.; Salditt, T.; Radler, J. O.; Safinya, C. R. Science 1998, 281, 78-81; and Koltover, I.; Salditt, T.; Safinya, C. R. Biophys. J. 1999, 77, 915-924. Many of these systems for gene delivery in vitro and in vivo are reviewed in recent articles. See Remy, J.; Sirlin, C.; Vierling, P.; Behr, J. Bioconj. Chem. 1994, 5, 647-654; Crystal, R. G. Science 1995, 270, 404-410; Blaese, X.; et, a. Cancer Gene Ther. 1995, 2, 291-297; and Behr, J. P. and Gao, X cited above. Unlike viral vectors, the lipid-nucleic acid complexes can be used to transfer expression cassettes of essentially unlimited size. Because these synthetic delivery systems lack proteins, they may evoke fewer immunogenic and inflammatory responses. However, the liposomes suffer from low transfection efficiencies. Moreover, as is the case with other polycations, cationic lipids and liposomes (e.g., Lipofectin®) can be toxic to the cells and inefficient in their DNA delivery in the presence of serum; see Leonetti et al. Behr, like Leonetti, reports that these cationic amphiphiles or lipids are adversely affected by serum and some are toxic. See Leonetti, J.; Machy, P.; Degols, G.; Lebleu, B.; Leserman, L. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1990, 87, 2448-2451 and Behr, J. P. Acc. Chem. Res. 1993, 26, 274-278. Behr discloses numerous amphiphiles including dioctadecylamidologlycylspermine (“DOGS”) for gene delivery. This material is commercially available as TRANSFECTAM®. Vigneron describes guanidinium-cholesterol cationic lipids for transfection of eukaryotic cells. Felgner discloses use of positively-charged synthetic cationic lipids including N-1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride (“DOTMA”), to form lipid/DNA complexes suitable for transfections. Byk describes cationic lipids where the cationic portion of the amphiphile is either linear, branched, or globular for gene transfection. Blessing and coworkers describe a cationic synthetic vector based on spermine. Safinya describes cationic lipids containing a poly(ethylene glycol) segment for gene delivery. Bessodes and coworkers describe a cationic lipid containing glycosidic linker for gene delivery. Ren and Liu describe cationic lipids based on 1,2,4-butanetriol. Tang and Scherman describe a cationic lipid that contains a disulfide linkage for gene delivery. Vierling describes highly fluorinated cationic amphiphiles as gene carrier and delivery systems. Jacopin describes a cation amphiphile for gene delivery that contains a targeting ligand. Wang and coworkers describe carnitine based cationic esters for gene delivery. Zhu describes the use of a cationic lipid, N[1-(2,3-dioleyloxy)propyl]-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride for the intravenous delivery of DNA. See Behr, J. P.; Demeneix, B.; Loeffler, J. P.; Perez-Mutul, J. Efficeint Gene Transfer into Mammalian Primary Endocrine Cells with Lipopolyamine Coated DNA Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1989, 86, 6982-6986; Vigneron, J. P.; Oudrhiri, N.; Fauquet, M.; Vergely, L.; Bradley, J. C.; Basseville, M.; Lehn, P.; Lehn, J. M. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1996, 93, 9682-9686; Byk, G.; BDubertret, C.; Escriou, V.; Frederic, M.; Jaslin, G.; Rangara, R.; Pitard, B.; Wils, P.; Schwartz, B.; Scherman, D. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 224-235; Blessing, T.; Remy, J. S.; Behr, J. P. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 8519-8520; Blessing, T.; Remy, J. S.; Behr, J. P. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1998, 95, 1427-1431; Schulze, U.; Schmidt, H.; Safinya, C. R. Bioconj. Chem. 1999, 10, 548-552; Bessodes, M.; Dubertret, C.; Jaslin, G.; Scherman, D. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 2000, 10, 1393-1395; Herscovici, J.; Egron, M. J.; Quenot, A.; Leclercq, F.; Leforestier, N.; Mignet, N.; Wetzer, B.; Scherman, D. Org. Lett. 2001; Ren, T.; Liu, D. Tetrahedron Lett. 1999, 40, 7621-7625; Tang, F.; Hughes, J. A. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 1998, 242, 141-145; Tang, F.; Hughes, J. A. Bioconjugate Chem. 1999, 10, 791-796; Wetzer, B.; Byk, G.; Frederic, M.; Airiau, M.; Blanche, F.; Pitard, B.; Scherman, D. Biochemical J. 2001, 356, 747-756; Vierling, P.; Santaella, C.; Greiner, J. J. Fluorine Chem. 2001, 107, 337-354; Jacopin, J.; Hofland, H.; Scherman, D.; Herscovici, J. J. Biomed. Chem. Lett. 2001, 11, 419-422; and Wang, J.; Guo, X.; Xu, Y.; Barron, L.; Szoka, F. C. J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 2207-2215. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,185 to Epand et al., the inventors describe additional examples of amphiphiles including a cationic cholesterol synthetic vector, termed “DC-chol”. The inventors describe, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,264,6184, more cationic compounds that facilitate transport of biologically active molecules into cells. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,169,078 and 6,153,434 to Hughes et al. disclose a cationic lipid that contains a disulfide bond for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,761 to Gebeyehu et al. describes additional cationic amphiphiles suitable for intracellular delivery of biologically active molecules. U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,490 to Thierry describes additional cationic lipids for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,938 to Unger, et al. discloses cationic lipid compounds that contain at least two cationic groups. Cationic Polymers Recently, polymeric systems for gene delivery have been explored. In Han's review, he discussed most of the common cationic polymer systems including PLL, poly(L-lysine); PEI, polyethyleneimine; pDMEAMA, poly(2-dimethylamino)ethyl-methacrylate; PLGA, poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) and PVP (polyvinylpyrrolidone). See Garnett, M. C. Crit. Rev. Ther. Drug Carrier Sys. 1999, 16, 147-207; Han, S.; Mahato, R. I.; Sung, Y. K.; Kim, S. W. Molecular Therapy 2000, 2, 302-317; Zauner, W.; Ogris, M.; Wagner, E. Adv. Drug. Del. Rev. 1998, 30, 97-113; Kabanov, A. V.; Kabanov, V. A. Bioconj. Chem. 1995, 6, 7-20; Lynn, D. M.; Anderson, D. G.; Putman, D.; Langer, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 8155-8156; Boussif, O.; Lezoualc'h, F.; Zanta, M. A.; Mergny, M. D.; Scherman, D.; Demeneix, B.; Behr, J. P. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1995, 92, 7297-7301; Choi, J. S.; Joo, D. K.; Kim, C. H.; Kim, K.; Park, J. S. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 474-480; Putnam, D.; Langer, R. Macromolecules 1999, 32, 3658-3662; Gonzalez, M. F.; Ruseckaite, R. A.; Cuadrado, T. R. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 1999, 71, 1223-1230; Tang, M. X.; Redemann, C. T.; Szoka, F. C. In Vitro Gene Delivery by Degraded Polyamidoamine Dendrimers Bioconjugate Chem. 1996, 7, 703-714; Kukowska-latallo, J. F.; Bielinska, A. U.; Johnson, J.; Spinder, R.; Tomalia, D. A.; Baker, J. R. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 1996, 93, 4897-4902; and Lim, Y.; Kim, S.; Lee, Y.; Lee, W.; Yang, T.; Lee, M.; Suh, M.; Park, J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 2460-2461. Some representative examples of cationic polymers under investigation are described below. For example, poly(β-amino esters) have been explored and shown to condense plasmid DNA into soluble DNA/polymer particles for gene delivery. To accelerate the discovery of synthetic transfection vectors parallel synthesis and screening of a cationic polymer library was reported by Langer. Wolfert describes cationic vectors for gene therapy formed by self-assembly of DNA with synthetic block cationic co-polymers. Haensler and Szoka describe the use of cationic dendrimer polymers (polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers) for gene delivery. Wang describes a cationic polyphosphoester for gene delivery. Putnam describes a cationic polymer containing imidazole for the delivery of DNA. See Lynn, D. M.; Langer, R. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 10761-10768; Wolfert, M. A.; Schacht, E. H.; Toncheva, V.; Ulbrich, K.; Nazarova, O.; Seymour, L. W. Hum. Gene Ther. 1996, 7, 2123-2133; Haensler, J.; Szoka, F. Bioconj. Chem. 1993, 4, 372; and Wang, J.; Mao, H. Q.; Leong, K W. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001; Putnam, D.; Gentry, C. A.; Pack, D. W.; Langer, R. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 2001, 98, 1200-1205. A number of patents are also known that describe cationic polymers for gene delivery. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,184 to Goldenberg et al. describes cationic copolymers of vinylamine and vinyl alcohol for the delivery of oligonucleotides. U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,166 to Tomalia, et al, discloses dendritic cationic-amine-terminated polymers for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,442 to Yin et al. describes cationic hyper comb-branched polymer conjugates for gene delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,878 to Burgess et al. describes additional cationic polymers for nucleic acid transfection and bioactive agent delivery. U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,274 to Park et al. discloses a compound for targeted gene delivery that consists of polyethylene glycol (PEG) grafted poly(L-lysine) (PLL) and a targeting moiety, wherein at least one free amino function of the PLL is substituted with the targeting moiety, and the grafted PLL contains at least 50% unsubstituted free amino function groups. U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,717 to Choi et al. describes a biodegradable, mixed polymeric micelle used to deliver a selected nucleic acid into a targeted host cell that contains an amphiphilic polyester-polycation copolymer and an amphiphilic polyester-sugar copolymer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,987 to Park et al. discloses a positively charged poly[alpha-(omega-aminoalkyl) glycolic acid] for the delivery of a bioactive agent via tissue and cellular uptake. U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,956 to Scherman et al. describes a pharmaceutical composition useful for transfecting a nucleic acid containing a cationic polypeptide. All of these polymers possess and rely on cationic moieties to bind DNA. Thus, the need exits for non-cationic polymers or macromolecules for gene delivery. Such polymers would also be advantageous over using viral vectors because the polymer delivery system would not expose the cell to a virus that could infect the cell. The following is only a representative description of the potential therapeutic value of gene therapy. Gene therapy can be used for cancer treatment with recent papers describing its utility for prostate, colorectal, ovarian, lung, breast cancer. Gene therapy has been explored for delivery of vaccines for infectious disease, for lysosomal storage disorders, for dendritic cell-based immunotherapy, for controlling hypertension, and for rescuing ischaemic tissues. Gene therapy has also been explored for treating HIV. See Galanis, E.; Vile, R.; Russell, S. J. Crit. Rev. Oncol. Hemat 2001, 38, 177-192; Kim, D.; Martuza, R. L.; Zwiebel, J. Nature Med. 2001, 7, 783-789; Culver, K W.; Blaese, R. M. Trends Genet 1994, 10, 174-178; Harrington, K J.; Spitzweg, C.; Bateman, A. R.; Morris, J. C.; Vile, R. G. J. Urology 2001, 166, 1220-1233; Chen, M. J.; Chung-Faye, G. A.; Searle, P. F.; Young, L. S.; Kerr, D. J. Biodrugs 2001, 15, 357-367; Wen, S. F.; Mahavni, V.; Quijano, E.; Shinoda, J.; Grace, M.; Musco-Hobkinson, M. L.; Yang, T. Y.; Chen, Y. T.; Runnenbaum, I.; Horowitz, J.; Maneval, D.; Hutchins, B.; Buller, R. Cancer Gene Ther. 2003, 10, 224-238; Hoang, T.; Traynor, A. M.; Schiller, J. H. Surg. Oncol. 2002, 11, 229-241; Patterson, A.; Harris, A. L. Drugs Aging 1999, 14, 75-90; Clark, K. R.; Johnson, P. R. Curr. Op. Mol. Ther. 2001, 3, 375-384; Yew, N. S.; Cheng, S. H. Curr. Op. Mol. Ther. 2001, 3, 399-406; Jenne, L.; Schuler, G.; Steinkasserer, A. Trends Immunol 2001, 22; Sellers, K. W.; Katovich, M. J.; Gelband, C. H.; Raizada, M. K. Am. J. Med. Sci. 2001, 322, 1-6; Emanueli, C.; Madeddu, P. Brit. J. Pharmacol. 2001, 133, 951-958; and Schnell, M. J. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2001, 200,123-129. Therefore, the need exists for new compositions and methods for gene delivery. New gene delivery compositions will find applications in medicine and gene research. The present invention fulfills this need and has other related advantages.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This present invention relates to compounds and methods for gene delivery. One aspect of the invention relates to a class of non-cationic amphiphilies for gene delivery. Another aspect of the invention relates to a cationic, amphiphilic molecule or macromolecule that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity by a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of delivering a gene to a cell using one of the molecules of the invention that transforms from a cationic entity to an anionic, neutral, or zwitterionic entity by a chemical, photochemical, or biological reaction. An additional embodiment is the formation of a hydrogel with the compositions and the use of the hydrogel for the delivery of genetic material. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of using the non-viral vector compositions in conjunction with a surface to mediate the delivery of nucleic acids.

20060616

20090324

20061026

57364.0

A61K4800

PUTTLITZ, KARL J

FUNCTIONAL SYNTHETIC MOLECULES AND MACROMOLECULES FOR GENE DELIVERY

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Absolute angular position sensor on 360 of a rotating element

The invention relates to an angular position sensor. It relates to a sensor that comprises a rotating part (14) which creates a variable magnetic flux, a fixed part (16) for supporting two probes (22, 26) each having an output current, the first (22) of the probes having an output current having discontinuities when the magnetic flux passes through zero, the second (26) of the probes being subjected to a second magnetic flux, shifted by 90° relative to the first flux and having an output current that is a continuous function of the magnetic flux, and a device (30) for adding the currents from the two probes. The range of variation of the current from the first probe (22) is slightly larger than the range of variation of the current from the second probe (26). Application to engine camshafts.

1-10. (canceled) 11. A sensor for determining the absolute angular position of a rotating member over 360°, characterized in that it comprises: a rotating part (14), the rotation of which is linked to that of the rotating member, which rotating part creates a variable magnetic flux; a fixed part (16) for supporting probes; at least two probes (22, 26) supported by the fixed part and each having an output current signal, the first (22) of the two probes being subjected to a first magnetic flux that can vary periodically with the rotation of the rotating part and having a binary output signal having two different constant current values between two angular ranges each covering 180°, and the second (26) of the two probes being subjected to a second magnetic flux that can vary periodically with the rotation of the rotating part, the variations of the second magnetic flux being shifted in phase by 90° relative to the variations of the first magnetic flux and having an output signal which is a continuous function of the magnetic flux and comprises two parts that vary linearly with the angle of rotation, these two parts having opposite slopes; and a device (30) for adding the currents from the two probes, which consists of the connection (30) of the two wires (24, 28) carrying the output signals from said probes and giving an output current signal not having the same value twice over 360° owing to the fact that the range of variation of the output current from the first probe (22) is greater than the range of variation of the output current from the second probe (26). 12. The sensor as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the rotating part comprises a magnet (14), the magnetization direction of which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating part, and the fixed part (16) that surrounds the magnet defines two airgaps (18, 20) in which the magnetic fluxes are offset by 90°, the probes (22, 26) being placed in these two airgaps (18, 20). 13. The sensor as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the specified value of the magnetic flux for which the discontinuities in the signal from the first probe (22) occur corresponds to the reversal of the sign of the magnetic flux to which the first probe is subjected. 14. The sensor as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the probes (22, 26) are Hall-effect probes. 15. The sensor as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the fixed part forming a pole piece (16) is made of a material producing a hysteresis phenomenon. 16. The sensor as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the sensor further includes a load resistor (12) that receives the output signal from the addition device (30), at the terminals of which load resistor a measurement voltage is available. 17. The sensor as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that it further includes a passive filter (36).

The invention relates to a sensor for determining the absolute angular position of a rotating member over 360°. Although the invention has very wide applications, it will be described in one particular application which imposes very stringent conditions. Thus, it will be described within the context of determining the absolute angular position, over 360°, of the camshaft of an internal combustion engine, the sensor being placed directly in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. More precisely, what is foreseen is to start a multicylinder internal combustion engine without a starter, by simply creating an expansion of an air/fuel mixture suitably ignited in one or more cylinders that have the most advantageous position for this purpose in the combustion cycle. It is therefore essential to know the exact position of each piston in each cylinder in order to be able to select the cylinder or cylinders to be used. In this very stringent particular application, it is impossible to carry out an initialization step, as this initialization would already require the engine to be operating. Technologies using coders or devices of the resistive, optical or capacitive type are tricky to implement. Among magnetic technologies, only magnetorestrictive and Hall-effect technologies may be seriously envisioned. Magnetoresistive and Hall-effect magnetic sensors comprise a magnetic part, giving a gradually varying signal corresponding to the intensity or orientation of the magnetic field, and an electronic part intended to measure and convert the field into an electrical signal. Since the field varies sinusoidally, the magnetoresistive or Hall-effect probes that convert the magnetic field into an output signal do not produce a signal that is linear with the angle of rotation. Magnetoresistive probes, which are very accurate but expensive, exhibit ambiguities in the output signals, as it is not possible to determine whether the rotary element is in a position between 0 and 180° or between 180° and 360°. For the solution of this problem, document U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,783 describes the use of two probes—a magnetoresistive probe giving an angular measurement and a Hall-effect probe with binary operation, intended to identify the fact that the angle is between 0° and 180° or is between 180° and 360°. This solution, independently of the high cost of the magnetoresistive probe, has several drawbacks that prevent it being used in the aforementioned application for determining the absolute angle of an engine camshaft. These drawbacks are firstly the fact that a misalignment, even a small one, between the two probes may introduce errors that may range up to 1800, even when the Hall-effect probe exhibits the hysteresis phenomenon. Secondly, the absence of hysteresis in the magnetoresistive probe, owing to the output noise, may create measurement ambiguities around the 360° angle, at which angle the signal exhibits a large discontinuity. Thirdly, the magnetoresistive probes comprise a sintered magnet based on rare earths, which are costly. Finally, the signals obtained must be processed so that a microprocessor is needed to execute an algorithm for calculating angles on the basis of the signals from the two probes. If the microprocessor is placed some distance from the sensor, the drawbacks are even more substantial since it is necessary to have a connection for each of the two probes, and the number of wires is increased, the number of connectors is increased and the computer requires an additional input. This situation constitutes a very considerable drawback in the automobile field in which it is known that connection problems are the main cause of sensor breakdown. Thus, the aforementioned technology has two essential drawbacks in the case of the foreseen application—on the one hand, the risk of ambiguity in the value of the angle and, on the other hand, the high cost. The subject of the invention is a sensor for determining absolute angular position over 360° that does not have these ambiguities, that has a low cost and that is very robust, so that it can be used in the engine compartment of a motor vehicle. These results are achieved according to the invention by the use of two Hall-effect probes in a sensor capable of performing the passive processing of the signal by itself, in order to give an unambiguous (unequivocal) output signal representative of an angle over 360°. This result is achieved by the following features: the use of a Hall-effect probe with binary operation, as in the aforementioned document U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,783, in order to distinguish the 0 to 180° range from the 180° to 360° range; the use of two probes working in current source mode, the output currents of which are added; and the introduction of a shift between the ranges of variation of the signals from the two probes, so that no ambiguity exists in the case of the values obtained at 180° and 360°. More precisely, the invention relates to a sensor for determining the absolute angular position of a rotating member over 360°, which comprises: a rotating part, the rotation of which is linked to that of the rotating member, which rotating part creates a variable magnetic flux, and a fixed part for supporting probes; at least two probes are supported by the fixed part and each has an output current signal, the first of the two probes being subjected to a first magnetic flux that can vary periodically with the rotation of the rotating part having an output signal with discontinuities when the magnetic flux passes in each direction through a specified value, and the second of the two probes being subjected to a second magnetic flux that can vary periodically with the rotation of the rotating part with variations that are shifted in phase by 90° relative to the variations of the first magnetic flux, and having an output signal which is a continuous function of the magnetic flux, and the sensor also includes a device for adding the currents from the two probes, giving an output current signal not having the same value twice over 360°. Preferably, the feature whereby the output current signal of the sensor does not have the same value twice over 360° is due to the fact that the range of variation of the output current from the first probe is slightly greater than the range of variation of the output current from the second probe. In one embodiment, the rotating part comprises a magnet, the magnetization direction of which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotating part, and the fixed part that surrounds the magnet defines two airgaps in which the magnetic fluxes are offset by 90°, the probes being placed in these two airgaps. Preferably, the specified value of the magnetic flux for which the discontinuity in the signal from the first probe occurs corresponds to the reversal of the sign of the magnetic flux to which the first probe is subjected. Most usually, the first and second magnetic flux variations are sinusoidal. Although the probes may be of the magnetoresistive type, it is advantageous, for cost reasons, for the probes to be of the Hall-effect type. Preferably, the first probe gives a binary signal having two different constant current values between two angular ranges each covering 180°, and the second probe gives an output current signal represented by a function comprising two parts that vary linearly with the angle of rotation, these two parts having opposite slopes. In one very simple embodiment, the addition device consists of the simple connection of the outputs from the two probes. It is advantageous for the fixed part forming a pole piece to be made of a material producing a hysteresis phenomenon. In an advantageous application, the sensor further includes a load resistor that receives the output signal from the addition device, at the terminals of which load resistor a measurement voltage is available. When the output signal from the probes exhibits modulation, it is advantageous for the sensor to include a filter, preferably of the passive type. Other features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly apparent from the description that follows, given with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view in partial cross section of a 360° absolute angular position sensor according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a graph showing the flux density seen by each of the probes of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a graph indicating the average output current from the second probe as a function of the rotation angle; FIG. 4 is a graph showing the signal from the first probe and the overall signal obtained at the output of the sensor; and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the use of the sensor of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows schematically a sensor according to the invention in partial cross section. This sensor, which bears the general reference 10, is intended to transmit a signal to a user device 12 having, for example, a load resistor. The sensor comprises a magnet 14 mounted on the rotating member, the absolute position of which has to be detected, for example an internal combustion engine camshaft. The magnetization direction of the magnet 14 is diametral, that is to say practically perpendicular to the rotation axis of the magnet 14, this axis itself being perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1. The magnet 14 may be of a relatively inexpensive type, for example based on NdFeB in a plastic binder. A pole piece 16, which is fixed relative to the motor, is mounted around the magnet 14 and defines several airgaps, comprising at least a first airgap 18 and a second airgap 20 that are placed 90° to each other. The magnetic fluxes in these airgaps are thus offset by 90°. Each of the airgaps 18, 20 contains a Hall-effect probe. The first airgap 18 contains a first Hall-effect probe 22 that transmits a current constituting its output signal via a wire 24. This output signal is preferably a binary signal having two different constant levels between 0° and 180° on the one hand, and between 180° and 360° on the other, these being obtained by suitable prior programming. The second airgap 20 contains a second Hall-effect probe 26 that transmits a current constituting its output signal via a wire 28. By prior programming, the second Hall-effect probe gives an output current that varies linearly with the rotation angle along a curve decreasing from 0° to 180° (first slope) and then along a curve that increases from 180° to 360° (second slope, opposite the first) as indicated in FIG. 3. It should be noted that, for any value of the current lying within the range of variation, there exist two values of the rotation angle. The use of a single probe therefore does not allow the absolute position to be known over 360°. In order for the output signal from the second probe to be precise, it is advantageous to use the steepest possible slope permitted by the particular Hall-effect probe. According to the invention, the difference between the two different levels between which the second output signal varies is slightly less than the difference between the two constant levels of the first output signal. In the sensor according to the invention, the output currents from the two probes 22, 26 are added, that is to say the two wires 24 and 28 are connected at a connection point 30, which represents a device for adding the signals from the two probes. In FIG. 1 it should be noted that, if we consider the two wires needed to supply the probes 22 and 26 (these wires not being shown) the sensor 10 has only three wires, that is to say three connections with the outside. The way in which the sensor described with reference to FIG. 1 is mounted and operated will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The sensor is mounted on an internal combustion engine. The magnet 14 is integral with the camshaft and is rotated as indicated by the arrow 32 in FIG. 1. During this rotation, the flux densities in the airgaps 18 and 20 vary as indicated in FIG. 2. It should be noted that these flux densities are shifted by 90°. FIG. 3 shows the average current constituting the output signal from the second Hall-effect probe 26 together with the corresponding flux density. In FIG. 4, the solid line represents the output signal from the first Hall-effect probe 22. Its two constant current levels are separated by a range of variation which, according to the invention, is greater than the range of variation of the signal given by the second probe and as shown in FIG. 3. In this way, the average current forming the resulting output signal obtained by adding the output signals from the two Hall-effect probes, as indicated by the short broken line in FIG. 4, has two ranges of linear variation that not only do not overlap but are also separated by a gap 34. In this way, each value of the average output current from the sensor corresponds unequivocally to a single angle between 1 and 360°. In an exemplary embodiment, the two probes are of the Micronas IC 856 type and they have a maximum range of variation of 11 mA. This maximum range of variation is used as difference between the two constant levels of the first Hall-effect probe. However, the range of variation used for the second probe is for example 10.7 mA, i.e. 0.3 mA smaller. In this way, a difference of 0.3 mA exists between the output signal from the sensor at 360° and the signal at 180°. This 0.3 mA difference is amply sufficient, taking into account the various noise phenomena and possible hysteresis phenomena, for the absolute value of the angle to be always known unambiguously. In the case of misalignment of the probes, that is to say if the phase shift between the two probes is not exactly equal to 90°, the signal is still unambiguous, the precision around the 180° and 360° values simply being reduced slightly. FIG. 5 shows an example of the use of the sensor according to the invention. It should be noted that the Hall-effect probes (Micronas IC 856) considered in the preceding description have an output current modulated by pulses of variable width at a maximum frequency of 1 kHz. The output signal from the sensor must therefore be filtered so that the analog signal obtained is smoothed. FIG. 5 shows an example of a filter used for this purpose. In FIG. 5, a load resistor 12 is separated from the output, placed on the right in FIG. 5, by a filter 36 shown in the form of a second-order passive filter comprising two resistors 38 and 40 and two capacitors 42 and 44. The combination shown in FIG. 5, comprising the sensor, the load resistor and the filter, may form an independent component that gives a smooth analog signal indicating the absolute position of the rotating member without any ambiguity and in an entirely passive manner. The sensor thus produced is entirely autonomous and includes no computing element, such as a microcontroller, and it is therefore inexpensive. To summarize, the sensor according to the invention therefore has the following advantages. As it requires no active signal processing element, for example a microcontroller, it is autonomous. Given the absence of a microcontroller and since the sensor has only three connection wires, it has great operating reliability. Thanks to the absence of an expensive microcontroller, to the reduction in number of connections and to the use of an inexpensive magnet with a plastic binder, the sensor has a low cost. Thus, the invention relates to a 360° absolute angular position sensor that is autonomous, that is to say the output signal from which can be used directly, which signal may be in the form of a current or a voltage, which requires no active signal processing during use, which is very robust, thanks to the use of a single moving component, which moves by simple rotation, which is inexpensive and which is very reliable due to the small number of connections needed. Of course, various modifications may be made by a person skilled in the art to the sensors that have just been described merely by way of non-limiting example without departing from the scope of the invention.

20060414

20080129

20070510

94946.0

G01B730

PATIDAR, JAY M

ABSOLUTE ANGULAR POSITION SENSOR ON 360 OF A ROTATING ELEMENT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G01B

ACCEPTED

Stopper with unlocking lid and elastic return

The invention relates to a stopper for application to a container of the type with a base, an emptying duct, a lid, mounted on the base to pivot between an open and a closed position, a hinge with elastic return which holds the lid in the open position thereof and locking means, for locking the lid on the base. The stopper comprises positive unlocking means for the lid from the base, which are manually operated to provide a force to disengage the holding means. The base is a unitary construction and made from plastic material, the lid is made from the same plastic material and the leaf of the hinge is in an elastomeric plastic material.

1. A stopper intended to be mounted on a container, the internal volume of which may contain contents capable of flowing, for example liquid, said stopper comprising: a base comprising mounting means for mounting on the container, particularly its neck sealable with respect to the contents of said container, and a discharge duct designed to communicate with the internal volume of said container in order to discharge its contents, comprising an outlet orifice for letting said contents out, a lid comprising shut-off means designed to close the outlet orifice of the base in a way that is sealed with respect to the contents of said container, articulation means for articulating the lid with respect to the base, between an open position in which the outlet orifice of the base, is uncovered, and a flipped-down position in which said outlet orifice is closed; these articulation means comprising a spring-back hinge comprising a piece or web of viscoelastic material, for example elastomer, which joins the lid and the base, which is stressed when the lid is in the position in which it is flipped-down onto the base, and which urges the lid to spring back toward the open position, retaining means for locking the lid on the base, in its flipped-down position, requiring a predetermined unlatching force, exerted between said lid and the base, in order to disengage one from the other and free the hinge to urge the lid to its sprung-back position, characterized in that the stopper further comprises positive means of unlatching between the base and the lid, these being designed to be actuated manually by exerting an opposing force between said base and said lid, at least equal to the unlatching force of the retaining means that hold the lid in its flipped-down position. 2. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the hinge comprises at least two articulation leaves situated one on either side of the web of viscoelastic material, for example elastomer, and which are molded as an integral part of the lid and the base. 3. The stopper as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the articulation leaves adhere respectively to the two lateral faces of the web. 4. The stopper as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each articulation leaf comprises a central part and at least two articulation regions on each side of said central part. 5. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the unlatching means comprise: at least one ramp belonging to the lid or to the base, a manually actuable elastic deformable flap belonging to the base or to the lid, comprising a free end intended to slide along the ramp to create said opposing force, the ramp being arranged in relation to the free end of the flap in such a way as to exceed beyond their relative position in which the lid is in its flipped-down position, but disengaged from the base. 6. The stopper as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the ramp belongs to the lid and the flap to the base. 7. The stopper as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the flap is formed as an integral part of the base, and the ramp is formed as an integral part of the lid and is directed, when said lid is in the flipped-down position, outward and away from the base. 8. The stopper as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the base comprises two more or less parallel and oblique external wings forming between them a protected volume within which the flap can pivot about an end built into the base and at the opposite end to the free end. 9. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the retaining means for locking the lid on the base comprise clip-fastening means borne by the lid and complementary clip-fastening means borne by the base. 10. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the retaining means for locking the lid on the base comprise means achieving a tight fit, these comprising a male part belonging to the shut-off means and a matching corresponding female part in the outlet orifice of the base. 11. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base comprises an air intake separate from the discharge duct, designed to allow air to enter the container in response to the dispensing of its contents. 12. The stopper as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the air intake comprises at least one through-orifice formed in the base, and the lid further comprises closure means, separate from the shut-off means, designed to shut off said through-orifice when the lid is in the flipped-down position. 13. The stopper as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the air intake comprises at least one external groove formed on the base, which runs at the intersection thereof with a more or less radial plane, running on one side at least from the foot of the duct, and on the other side, along the discharge duct as far as the outlet orifice. 14. The stopper as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the external groove runs from the intersection of the skirt with the remainder of the base. 15. The stopper as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the air intake comprises at least two sets, each comprising several external grooves, which sets are angularly offset from one another about the axis of the discharge duct. 16. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the web of viscoelastic material runs between two ends connected directly, for example by adhesion, to the base and to the lid respectively. 17. The stopper as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the end of the web that is connected to the lid lies flat in a housing of said lid and/or of said base which housing is designed for that purpose. 18. The stopper as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the end of the web that is connected to the base adheres to said base via a straight edge. 19. The stopper as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the two ends of the web each have a straight edge, contiguous with two corresponding flats formed in the base and in the lid respectively. 20. The stopper as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that it is obtained by molding or two-shot injection molding, respectively, of a thermoplastic that allows at least the base and the lid to be produced as one integral part. 21. The stopper as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for accompanying the pivoting of the lid with respect to the base, comprising a cradle formed on said base to accommodate a boss formed on the lid, defining an imaginary axis of rotation, toward the end of the travel of the lid into its flipped-down position. 22. A container comprising or incorporating a stopper as claimed in claim 1, said stopper being positioned for example on the neck of said container. 23. The container as claimed in claim 21, the internal volume of which is filled with contents capable of flowing, for example a liquid.

The present invention relates to the stoppering of a container, particularly a single-use or disposable container, the internal volume of which may contain contents (or a fill) capable of flowing, so therefore liquid, fluid or pasty. More particularly, the present invention relates to a stopper intended to be mounted on a container as defined hereinabove, particularly sealedly with respect to the contents of said container. The invention also relates to a container comprising or incorporating such a stopper, empty or full, that is to say filled with contents as defined hereinabove. Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,216 (cf. FIG. 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b) has described a stopper comprising: a base comprising mounting means (by screwing) for mounting on a container, particularly its neck sealable with respect to the contents of said container, and a discharge duct designed to communicate with the internal volume of the container in order to discharge its contents, comprising an outlet orifice for letting said contents out, a lid comprising shut-off means in the form of a nipple designed to close the outlet orifice of the base in a way that is sealed with respect to the contents of the container, articulation means for articulating the lid with respect to the base, between an open position in which the outlet orifice of the base is uncovered, and a flipped-down position in which said outlet orifice is closed; these articulation means comprise a spring-back hinge comprising a part made of viscoelastic material, of the elastomer type, attached and mounted between the base and the lid and which therefore joins these items; this viscoelastic part is stressed when the lid is in its position in which it is flipped down onto the base, and urges the lid to spring back toward the open position, retaining means for locking the lid on the base, in its flipped-down position, consisting in part of a tight fit, with friction, between the base and the lid; a cut-out is formed on the base and allows a predetermined force to be exerted directly and by hand between said lid and the base in order to disengage these items one from the other and free the hinge to urge the lid to the spring-back position. According to U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,216 it is very difficult to attain the stopper-open position using just one hand. In order to open the lid, under the effect of the spring back of the hinge, it is in fact necessary to hold the container with the stopper in one hand, and engage a finger from the other hand in the cut-out provided for this purpose on the lid in order to exert the force required to overcome the friction between the base and the lid. Document EP-A-0 379 775 describes a stopper intended to be mounted on a container, differing from the preceding one in that: the shut-off means on the lid consist of a tubular element collaborating with the interior of the outlet orifice belonging to the base, the articulation means articulating the base and the lid to one another comprise no spring-back means urging the lid to spring back to the open position, the retaining means, that is to say the means for locking the lid in the position in which it is flipped down onto the base, consist of two complementary clip-fastening means arranged one on the aforementioned tubular element that shuts off the outlet orifice and one inside the latter, it being understood that there is no or very little tendency of the hinge in the flipped-down and retained (or latched) position to spring back to the open position, means for separating the lid from the base, the lid nonetheless remaining in its position in which it is flipped down and locked by the retaining means; these means are positioned between the base and the lid and are arranged, for example with a ramp, to be actuated by hand and exert a limited thrust on the lid with respect to the base, that is just strong enough to create a gap between the base and the lid and allow the latter to be grasped by its edge. According to EP-A-0 379 775, it is not possible to attain the stopper-open position using just one hand. To open the lid it is actually necessary to hold the container with the stopper in one hand, and, using a finger of this same hand, generate the gap between the lid and the base, at the same time actuating the separating means defined hereinabove. Then, using the other hand, it is necessary to grasp hold of the lower edge of the lid, than raise the latter manually in order, by pivoting the articulated lid, to attain the position in which the outlet orifice is fully open. The subject of the present invention is a stopper of the type described hereinabove, substantially improving its opening ergonomics in that it makes it possible, using just one hand, both to grasp the container and to completely open the stopper, for example in order to gain direct access via the user's mouth, to the outlet orifice or spout of the base. According to the present invention, the predetermined unlatching force that needs to be exerted between the lid and the base in order to disengage the lid with respect to the base and free the hinge to urge the lid to the spring-back position is taken into consideration. Further, according to the invention, the stopper further comprises positive means of unlatching between the base and the lid, these being designed to be actuated manually by exerting an opposing force between said base and the lid, at least equal to the unlatching force of the retaining means that hold the lid in its flipped-down position. By virtue of the invention it becomes possible to take hold of the container with its stopper in just one hand and, using a digit of this same hand, for example the thumb, to actuate the positive unlatching means in order automatically to attain the position in which the outlet orifice of the base is wide open and free of any impediment to its being accessed, by the mouth for example. The present invention also presents, by way of example, the following technical characteristics. The hinge comprises at least two articulation leaves situated one on either side of the web of viscoelastic material, for example elastomer, and which are molded as an integral part of the lid and the base. As a preference, each articulation leaf comprises a central part and at least two articulation regions on each side of the central part. This particular, although non-exclusive, embodiment of the present invention in particular affords the following advantages: by virtue of the lateral leaves, the rotational or pivoting movement of the lid with respect to the base is guided in a plane passing through the axis of the discharge duct or of the outlet orifice of the base; in particular, the shut-off means are brought coaxially with respect to the aforementioned axis into the position in which the lid is flipped down; by virtue of the two articulation regions, each articulation leaf determines, on each side of the web or of the piece of viscoelastic material, a multiple articulation hinge allowing the shut-off means to be fitted axially into the outlet orifice, toward the position in which the latter is flipped down; by limiting the amount of plastic formed as an integral part of the molding process that makes up the articulation leaves, the creep resulting from the repeated movements of the articulation means or of hinge from the open position to the flipped-down position and vice versa is limited; furthermore, the kind of fit that can be achieved with this material allows the final and angular position of the lid, in opening, to be regulated or controlled together with the speed at which it moves from the flipped-down position into the wide open position under the spring-back effect of the hinge; although the aforementioned stopper is produced by injection-molding a thermoplastic, the shut-off means positioned on the lid shut off or seal with great precision, and therefore sealedly, the outlet orifice of the base, when the lid is in the flipped-down position; the sealing thus obtained may allow a fizzy beverage to be contained in the container, for example, by affording sealing also with respect to the gaseous phase of said beverage. Any adhesion there might be between the two articulation leaves and the two respective side faces of the viscoelastic web allows the hinge to be structured and in particular given torsional and tensile strength, and for this to be achieved using very little thermoplastic. Positive unlatching means comprise: at least one ramp belonging to the lid or to the base, a manually actuable elastic deformable flap belonging to the base or to the lid, comprising a free end intended to slide along the ramp for creating an opposing force at least equal to the force required to unlatch the means for retaining the lid in its flipped-down position, the ramp being arranged in relation to the free end of the flap which comes into contact therewith in such a way as to exceed beyond the relative position in which the lid is in its flipped-down position, but disengaged from the base. The base comprises an air intake separate from the discharge duct, designed to allow air to enter the container in response to the dispensing of its contents via the outlet orifice. For example, this air intake comprises at least one external groove formed on the base, which runs at the intersection between the latter and a more or less radial plane, running, on one side, at least from the foot of the discharge duct and, on the other side, along the duct as far as the outlet orifice. The viscoelastic component joining the lid and the base consists of a web running between two ends that are connected directly, for example by adhesion, to the base and to the lid respectively. This web is for example obtained by molding or two-shot injection molding, respectively, of a thermoplastic making it possible to obtain at least the base and the lid and possibly the articulation leaves as a single integral part, and an elastomeric material to form the web. Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of several embodiments which are given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the stopper according to the present invention, the lid being in the open position. FIG. 2 is a view in cross section of the stopper of FIG. 1, mounted on a container in the open position. FIG. 3 is a view in cross section of the stopper of FIG. 1, the lid being in its intermediate position between the open position and the flipped-down position. FIG. 4 is a cross section through the stopper of FIG. 1, the lid being in the position in which it is completely flipped down onto the base. FIG. 5 is a side view, in the direction of the arrow F5 shown in FIG. 1, of a detail of the articulation means or hinge of the stopper according to FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a view from underneath, in the direction of the arrow F6 shown in FIG. 2, of the same detail as that shown in FIG. 5. In the manner of FIGS. 1 to 4, FIGS. 7 to 10 depict a second embodiment of the stopper according to the invention, in the open position, in perspective and in cross section, in the intermediate position and in the flipped-down position, respectively. The stopper 1 according to the present invention and depicted in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises, in a way known per se, a base 2, a lid 3 mounted articulated on the base 2, and a spring-back hinge 4 which allows the lid 3 to pivot about an imaginary axis on the base 2, as determined by the articulation means described hereinafter. The base 2 is, for example, cylindrical and intended to be mounted for example by screwing or alternatively by any other mounting means, removably or non-removably, on the neck 6a of a container 6 as shown partially in FIG. 2. In the figures, the base 2 is attached to the neck 6a of the container 6 by clip-fastening elements 7 or alternatively by an internal screw thread which collaborates with the neck. The mounting means adopted allow for sealing between the stopper 1 and the container 6 with respect to its contents. Furthermore, the base 2 has a discharge duct 8 which communicates with the internal volume of the container 6 to discharge the contents of this container when the lid 3 is opened. The duct 8 runs between a foot 9 secured to the base 2 and an opposite outlet orifice 10. The base 2 is formed of an annular rim 12 which runs more or less transversely to the longitudinal axis X-X of the container 6, and of a skirt 13 which runs toward the container 6, parallel to the neck of this container. The foot 9 of the discharge duct 8 is thus formed as an integral part of the annular rim 12 of the base. The shape of the base 2 is also tailored, for example, to direct access by the user's mouth to the outlet orifice 10. The lid 3 is mounted articulated on the base 2 and, more specifically, on the annular rim 12 of this base, between a wide open position as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which the outlet orifice 10 of the duct 8 is completely uncovered, and a flipped-down position in which this outlet orifice 10 of the duct 8 is closed off. The lid 3 is of concave shape, with the concave face facing toward the annular rim 12 of the base 2, and has an interior face 15. Shut-off means 16 project from the interior face 15 to shut off the outlet orifice 10 of the duct 8 when the lid 3 is in the position in which it is flipped down onto the base 2. The spring-back hinge 4 is formed of a thin web 50 of elastomeric material running between the edge of the lid 3 and the skirt 13 of the base 2, near the level defined by the annular rim 12. This hinge 4 is stressed when the lid 3 is in the position in which it is flipped down onto the base 2, and urges this lid to spring back toward its open position, particularly its wide open position. In order to keep the lid 3 in the position in which it is flipped down onto the base 2, the stopper comprises retaining means which are either means that achieve a tight fit or are nested together forcibly, or clip-fastening means as described hereinafter. According to the present invention, the stopper 1 also possesses positive unlatching means 22 for unlatching the lid 3 from the base 2, these means 22 being actuated by hand by the user in order to create an opposing force able to disengage said retaining means. All the constituent parts of the base 2 are formed as an integral part and made of a plastic such as polypropylene or alternatively polyethylene. Likewise, according to one characteristic of the present invention, the lid 3 is made as one piece and produced from the same plastic as the base 2 so that the lid 3 is also produced in polypropylene or alternatively in polyethylene. Only the web 50 of the hinge 4 is made of an elastomeric plastic, so as to obtain the spring-back effect that causes the lid 3 to spring back into an open position. Thus, by virtue of the present invention, the closing of the lid 3 onto the base 2 is obtained dependably, while the opening of the lid 3 is obtained by virtue of the positive unlatching means 22 which generate an opposing force directed away from the container 2 to allow the retaining means to disengage and thus the lid 3 to spring back automatically to the open position by means of the spring-back hinge 4. According to the present invention, this opposing force exerted between the base 2 and the lid 3 is at least equal to the force required to unlatch the retaining means (18, 20) that keep the lid in its position in which it is flipped down onto the base, and therefore to disengage the lid from the base, then release the stress in the hinge to allow it to spring back. As shown more particularly in FIGS. 2 to 4, the unlatching means 22 consist of an elastically deformable flap 23 and of at least a ramp 24 formed as an integral part of the lid 3. The deformable flap 23 has a first end 26 integral with the skirt 13 of the base 2, being formed as an integral part thereof, and a second end 27 which is free and intended to slide along the ramp 24 to generate the opposing force required to unlatch the retaining means 18, 20. The deformation of the flap 23 consists in a centripetal pivoting thereof, about the fixed end 26, in order to move the free end 27 toward the center of the stopper, against the tendency of said flap to return elastically to its original position, incorporated within the periphery of the skirt 13. The ramp 24 is directed toward the outside of the stopper 1 and away from the base 2 so as to define a surface that diverges upward and outward when the lid 3 is in the flipped-down position (cf. FIG. 4). For preference, the lid 3 has three ramps 24 each defined at the ends of three flanges 28 each of which projects from the interior face 15 of the lid 3, these being spaced apart. The distance between the first and the third of these flanges is more or less equal to the width of the deformable flap 23, so that the free end 27 of this flap bears simultaneously on all the ramps 24 borne by these flanges. For preference, the deformable flap 23 and the ramps 24 are situated diametrically opposite the spring-back hinge 4. The deformable flap 23 runs in the continuity of the volume defined by the skirt 13. Thus, the flap 23 is installed at a narrowing of this skirt 13, and is kept away from the walls of this skirt so that it can be deformed transversely to the axis X-X of the stopper. The flap 23 is connected to the walls of the skirt 13 only at its first end 26, which forms a kind of axis of pivoting for this flap. To make it easier for the free end 27 to slide along the ramps 24, this free end 27 is preferably chamfered so as to define an area of contact between this end and the ramps 24. In an alternative, the ramp 24 may be borne by the flap 23, while the lid 3 bears a straight part located opposite to slide along this ramp. Each of the ramps 24 is positioned in relation to the free end 27 of the flap 23 not only to convert the manual thrust on said flap into an opposing force, as defined hereinabove, but also so that, still under the effect of the manual thrust, it extends beyond the relative position of the ramps 24 in sliding contact with the free end 27 of the flap 23 in which position the lid 3 is in its flipped-down position, but disengaged from the base 2, that is to say after the retaining means (18, 20) have been unlatched. For preference, the retaining means comprise clip-fastening means 18 borne by the lid 3 and complementary clip-fastening means 20 borne by the base 2, so that they can collaborate with each other. The clip-fastening means 18 may be installed at any point on the stopper, for example on the flap 23, the base 2 or on the lid 3, but in this case are preferably borne by the shut-off means 16 intended to shut off the duct 8. Likewise, the complementary clip-fastening means 20 are borne by the interior face 11 of the duct 8, at the outlet orifice 10. The shut-off means 16 for the duct 8 consist of a tubular element 32 formed as an integral part of the interior wall 15 of the lid 3. This tubular element 32 extends over a short height by comparison with the overall dimensions of the lid 3 and has an outside diameter more or less equal to the inside diameter of the duct 8. The clip-fastening means 18 adopt the form of a periphery annular collar 34 which extends out from the tubular element 32, at its free end, while the complementary clip-fastening means 20 consist of an annular bulge 36 which runs around the interior wall 11 of the duct 8, at the outlet orifice 10. The annular collar 34 and the annular bulge 36 each have a chamfer to make it easier to clip them together when the lid 3 is flipped down onto the base 2. Their respective locations are also tailored so that the clipping of the bulge into the collar occurs when the free end 27 of the flap 23 comes into contact with the ramps 24 of the lid 3. To achieve this, these ramps 24 are extended by a rim 38 which runs more or less transversely to the axis X-X to abut against the free end 27 of the deformable flap 23. Thus, not only do these clip-fastening means consisting of the bulge 36 and the collar 34 allow the lid to be kept in the latched position, but they also seal the stoppering of the duct 8 with respect to the contents of the container 6. This sealing is enhanced if the rigidity of the walls of the tubular element 32 is adapted with respect to the walls of the duct 8. For preference, the rigidity of the tubular element 32 is inferior to that of the duct 8. This difference in rigidity is obtained by virtue of different wall thicknesses for these walls, in as much as they are made of the same material, or alternatively by using ribs. When the stopper is closed, any gas contained in the container generates a certain pressure which acts on the walls of the tubular element 32 to press them more firmly still against those of the duct 8, thus further enhancing the sealing with which the orifice 10 is shut off. As a variant, the retaining means (18, 20) may be means for simply pushing the tubular element 32 firmly into the duct 8, this element being of outside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of the duct 8. Furthermore, the tubular element may be a frustoconical shape. As shown more particularly in FIG. 1, the hinge 4 has, on each side of the web 50 of elastomeric material, two leaves 41 and 42 which are contiguous and adhere to the two side faces of the web respectively and run between the lid 3 and the base 2. These leaves are formed as an integral part of the lid 3 and of the base 2. The two leaves 41 and 42 are therefore made of polypropylene or of polyethylene and have a cross section far smaller than that of the web 50 of the hinge 4, by a factor of around 10. This prevents any creep of the material and allows the hinge 4 to retain its spring-back effect, even when the lid 3 is placed in the position in which it is flipped down onto the base 2 for a lengthy period of time. The leaves are also small in thickness. As a preference, the stopper is obtained by molding or two-shot injection molding, respectively, a thermoplastic to yield at least the base 2, the lid 3 and the leaves 41 and 42 as a one-piece part, and an elastomeric material to obtain the web 50. This hinge 4 is able to cause the lid 3 to pivot toward it open position, over an angular travel of at least 150° with respect to the flipped-down position. Furthermore, the stopper 1 has guide means 45 for accompanying the pivoting of the lid 3 from its open position to its flipped-down position. These guide means consist in two dogs 46 and 47 which delimit two cradles on the base 2, and of two bosses 48 and 49 on the lid 3, that complement the shape of the cradles. The two dogs 46 and 47 are formed as an integral part of the annular rim 12 of the base 2, on each side of the two leaves 41 and 42. They define an imaginary axis of rotation to accommodate, on the base 2, the two bosses 48 and 49 of the lid 3 at the end of travel of the lid 3 toward its flipped-down position. The two bosses 48 and 49 are formed as an integral part of the edge of the lid 3, to correspond with said two cradles 46 and 47. Thus, rotational guidance of the lid is further improved, making it possible to compensate for any twisting there might be of the web 50 of the hinge 4. A stopper 1 as described hereinabove is obtained, in the wide open position shown in FIG. 2, directly by two-shot injection molding of, on the one hand, the plastic, for example thermoplastic, of which the base 2, the lid 3 and the articulation arms 41 and 42 are made as one single part and, on the other hand, the elastomeric material that forms the web 50. Thus, the web 50 adopts the form of a tab of which the end 50a secured to the lid 3 is housed and fixed by adhesion flat in a corresponding depression 51 formed from the exterior surface of said lid, and of which the other end 50b secured to the base 2 has a straight edge or edge face in permanent and adhesive contact with the skirt 13 of said base. As shown by FIG. 1 in particular, the two ends 50a and 50b of the web 50 in the form of a tab each have a straight edge in contact with a corresponding straight edging formed in the skirt 13 of the base 2 or in the bottom of the depression 51 on the lid 3. When the lid is in the wide open position shown in FIG. 2, that is to say at 180° about an axis determined by the hinge allowing the mouth free axis to the outlet orifice 10, there is no tension in the web 50. When the lid is in the flipped-down position shown in FIG. 4, the exterior face of the web 50 is in tension, and the interior face is in compression about the same axis. As FIG. 2 shows, an air intake is formed in the base 2. This air intake consists of at least one through-orifice 60. Preferably, two orifices 60 are formed through the annular rim 12 of this base 2. Air can thus enter the container when the liquid contained inside is discharged through the outlet orifice 10. In order to seal this air intake, the lid 3 has closure means 61 which are separate from the shut-off means 16 and which allow the through-orifices 60 to be closed when the lid is in the flipped-down position. The closure means 61 adopt the form of a cylindrical finger formed as an integral part of the interior face 15 of the lid 3 and having a free end 62. For preference, the through-orifices 60 are housed in a recessed relief 65 formed in the annular rim 12 of the base 2. This relief 65 is of cylindrical shape with a depth that is shallow by comparison with the dimensions of the base 2. It has cylindrical walls 66 and a closed end 67. The orifices 60 are formed in the walls 66 transversely to the axis X-X of the stopper and are preferably situated on that part of these walls that faces a groove 70 described hereinafter. Air can thus enter the container 6 without passing through the user's mouth. In order to shut off these orifices relative to the outside, the free end 62 of the finger 61 collaborates by nesting (FIG. 4), and in a way that is sealed with respect to the contents of the container, with the cylindrical walls 66 of the recessed relief 65. Thus, when the lid is in the flipped-down position, the contents of the container 6 are not contaminated by impurities entering via the through-orifices 60. Furthermore, the sealed closure of the orifices 60 also allows a certain gas pressure to be maintained in the container, something which is particularly advantageous before the contents of the container are first used, particularly in the case of a fizzy beverage. As a preference also, the recessed relief 65 is situated near the foot 9 of the duct 8, and a groove 70 is formed on the exterior wall of the duct 8. The groove 70 runs over the entire height of the duct 8 so that it opens into the recessed relief 65 at a lower end 71 and opens near the outlet orifice 10 at an upper end 72. Any liquid inadvertently escaping is automatically directed toward this groove because the through-orifices 60 are situated opposite it. This groove 70 not only guides any drops of liquid that may have accidentally escaped via the through-orifices 60 toward the user's mouth but also allows air to enter the container 6 via the user's mouth, by passing through the upper end 72 of the groove 70. With reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the second embodiment of the invention differs from the first embodiment through the following technical characteristics: the base 2 comprises two obliquely extending more or less parallel external wings 81 and 82 forming between them a protected volume within which the flap 23 is able to pivot about its end 26 integral with the base 2 and the opposite end to the free end 27, the retaining means for locking the lid 3 on the base 2 comprise means achieving a tight fit that is sealed with respect to the contents of the container, these comprising a male part 83 belonging to the shut-off means 16 and consisting of the free end of the tubular element 32, and a mating corresponding female part 84 arranged in the outlet orifice 10 of the base 2 and consisting of a flexible skirt, for the air intake, at least one external groove 70 is formed on the base 2 and generally runs at the intersection between the latter and a more or less radial plane; more specifically, this groove 70 runs, on one side, at least from the foot 9 of the duct 8, for example from the intersection between the skirt 13 and the rest of the base 3, and, on the other side, along the duct 8 as far as the outlet orifice 10, the two ends 50a and 50b of the flange 5 each have a straight edge, contiguous with two corresponding flats formed in the base 2 and in the lid 3 respectively. The third embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 11 differs from the second embodiment in that at least two sets, in this instance three sets, each consisting of several external grooves 70 as described hereinabove, are angularly offset from one another about the axis of the discharge duct 8. Furthermore, means for tamper proofing the stopper, that is to say preventing it from being tampered with before it enters service, are also provided between the base 2 and the lid 3; they have not been depicted because they do not form part of the scope of the present invention.

20060209

20121113

20070104

58414.0

B67D300

KIRSCH, ANDREW THOMAS

STOPPER WITH UNLOCKING LID AND ELASTIC RETURN

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B67D

ACCEPTED

Colchicoside analogues

The present invention relates to colchicine derivatives, in particular to the 3-demethyl and 3-demethylthio-colchicine of the general formula (I) in which X is oxygen or sulfur, a method for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds of formula (I) have muscle relaxing, anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activity.

1-12. (canceled) 13. A compound of the general formula (I) in which X is oxygen or sulfur. 14. The compound as claimed in claim 13 wherein X is oxygen. 15. The compound as claimed in claim 13 wherein X is sulfur. 16. A compound selected from the group consisting of 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine and 3-O-β-L-xylopyranosyl-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine. 17. A medicament comprising the compound according to claim 13. 18. A method for the preparation of muscle a relaxant medicament, comprising adding the compound according to claim 13 to an excipient. 19. A method for the preparation of an anti-inflammatory medicament, comprising adding the compound according to claim 13 to an excipient. 20. A method for the preparation of anti-gout medicaments, comprising adding the compound according to claim 13 to an excipient. 21. A pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of according to claim 13 in admixture with suitable excipients and/or carriers. 22. The pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 21, in topical form. 23. The pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 21 in parenteral form. 24. The pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 22 in which the excipients are selected from natural and synthetic phospholipids. 25. A method treating gout, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound according to claim 13. 26. A method for treating an inflammation, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound according to claim 13. 27. A method for relaxing muscles, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effective amount of a compound according to claim 13.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to colchicine derivatives, in particular 3-demethyl- and 3-demethylthio-colchicine derivatives with muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activity. TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND Relaxant drugs reduce muscle tone and are used in therapy for the treatment of contractures and muscle spasm. Muscle spasm is one of the main factors responsible for chronic pain; it characterises several pathologies of the locomotor apparatus as well as inflammatory-rheumatic and degenerative orthopaedic pathologies; when it affects articulations, further to pain, it causes rigidity, which reduces joint mobility and flexibility in the affected part. For these reasons, the study of molecules endowed with muscle relaxant and antispasmodic properties still raises remarkable clinical interest. As it is known, colchicine is a pseudoalcaloid that has been widespreadly used for some time for the treatment of gout. The use of 3-demethyl-thiocolchicine glucoside, thiocolchicoside, is also widespread in therapy for treating contractures and inflammatory conditions that affect the muscular system (Ortopedia e traumatologia Oggi XII, n. 4, 1992). It has been recently shown that the activity of thiocolchicoside is due to its ability to interact with strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors; therefore, compounds having glycine-mimicking activity can be used in the rheumatologic-orthopaedic field, due to their muscle relaxant properties. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to colchicine derivatives of the general formula (I): in which X is oxygen or sulfur. For the purposes of the present description, the compound in which X is oxygen is referred to as (Ia), whereas the compound of formula (I) in which X is sulfur is referred to as (Ib). D and L isomers are comprised in the compounds of formula (I). The D and L isomers of compound (Ib), 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine and 3-O-β-L-xylopyranosyl-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine are particularly preferred. The compounds of the present invention are prepared by reaction of D- or L-xylopyranosyl-fluoride with 3-O-demethylcolchicine (IIa) and 3-O-demethylthiocolchicine (IIb) according to the general method disclosed in EP 0 789 028. In more detail, 3-O-demethylcolchicine (IIa) or 3-O-demethylthiocolchicine (IIb) are reacted with D- or L-xylopyranosyl-fluoride (III) or a protected form thereof, preferably peracetate. The reaction is carried out in polar aprotic solvents, preferably selected from acetonitrile and chlorinated solvents, at temperatures ranging from 0° C. to the boiling temperature of the solvent, preferably at room temperature, and in the presence of a base, preferably 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine. The reaction is usually complete in a time ranging from 10 minutes to 2 hours. Hydrolysis of the protective groups can be carried out without recovery of the intermediates. In particular, it has been observed that the β-D isomer of compound (Ib) has a significant muscle relaxant activity, higher than that of the corresponding thiocoichicoside isomer, and is also endowed with a significant anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activity. Muscle relaxant activity was evaluated with the rota-rod test. Swiss male mice weighing 20-25 g were treated intraperitoneally with the β-D isomer of compound (Ib) at doses of 1-3-10 mg/kg, thirty minutes before the test. Relaxant activity on striated muscles was evaluated by testing the resistance of the mice to the stimuli of a rotating plane revolving at increasing rate, from 2 to 50 r.p.m. The results reported in the following table show that the compound of the present invention is more active than thiocoichicoside used as the reference compound. TABLE 1 Dose Resistance time Treatment (mg/Kg i.p.) (sec. M ± S.E.) DE50 mg/Kg Controls 400 ± 27 Compound (Ib) 1 270 ± 19 isomer β-D 3 175 ± 14 2.23 (1.84-2.82) 10 80 ± 10 Thiocolchicoside 1 345 ± 20 isomer β-D 3 265 ± 17 4.47 (3.16-7.01) 10 110 ± 12 Moreover, the compound of the invention is significantly less toxic. In fact, its DL50 is 80 (63-94) mg/kg i.p., whereas the DL50 of thiocolchicoside is 20 mg/kg. These results show that the compound of the invention, further to being more active, has a toxic/active dose ratio significantly more favourable than thiocolchicoside. TABLE 2 Treatment DE50 mg/kg i.p. DL50 mg/kg i.p. DL50/DE50 Compound (Ib) 2.23 80 35.87 isomer β-D Thiocolchicoside 4.47 20 4.47 isomer β-D The compounds of the invention can be incorporated in pharmaceutical formulations intended to oral, intravenous, intramuscular, transdermal and topical administration with conventional excipients and methods, such as those reported in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences Handbook, XVII Ed., Mack Pub., N.Y., U.S.A. Among the excipients useful for the preparation of liposomial forms for the parenteral or topical administration, natural and synthetic phospholipids are particularly preferred. The doses can range from 5 to 50 mg a day depending on the disease and the administration route. The invention will be now illustrated in greater detail by means of some examples. EXPERIMENTAL SECTION Melting points were measured with a Buchi 510 apparatus. NMR spectra were recorded with a Bruker AC 200. Example 1 3-O-(2′,3′,4′-O-triacetyl-β-D-xylopyranosyl)-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine 3-O-Demethylthiocolchicine (IIb) (0.5 mmoles) and 2,3,4-O-triacetyl-α-D-xylopyranosyl fluoride (0.75 mmoles), prepared according to Hayashi et al. (Chemistry Lett. 1984, 1747), were suspended in dry acetonitrile at room temperature (10 ml), under nitrogen and with stirring. 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine (1.5 mmoles) was added and the suspension turned clear red. Boron trifluoride etherate (4 mmoles) was added, thereafter the solution turned colourless. The reaction was monitored by TLC (CH2Cl2:MeOH 9:1). After disappearance of the starting products (30 min), the reaction was quenched adding a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (10 ml). The phases were separated and the aqueous one was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×10 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with a saturated potassium hydrogen sulfate solution (15 ml), brine (15 ml) and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the reaction products were separated by chromatography on silica gel. Alternatively, the crude was directly subjected to deprotection. 1H-NMR (CDCl3)-δ (ppm) 7.06 (NH, d, 7.4 Hz), 7.06 (H12, d, 10.3 Hz), 7.27 (H11. d, 10.3 Hz), 7.33 (H8, s), 6.71 (H4, s), 4.71-4.55 (H7, m), 2.60-1.90 (H5-H6, m), 3.90 (2-OMe, s), 3.66 (1-OMe, s), 2.44 (SMe, s), 2.00 (acetamide), 5.28-5.18, 5.08-4.98 (H1′, H2′, H3′, H4′, m), 4.30 (H5′a, ddd, 4.3, 7.0, 12.1 Hz), 3.58 (H5′b, ddd 4.3, 7.0, 12.1 Hz), 2.12 (OAc), 2.11 (OAc), 2.10 (OAc). Example 2 3-O-(2′,3′,4′-O-triacetyl-β-L-xylopyranosyl)-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine 3-O-Demethylthiocolchicine (IIb) (0.5 mmoles) and 2,3,4-O-triacetyl-α-L-xylopyranosyl fluoride (0.75 mmoles), prepared according to Takanashi et al. (Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1997, 1081), were suspended in dry acetonitrile at room temperature (10 ml), under nitrogen and with stirring. 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylguanidine (1.5 mmoles) was then added and the suspension turned clear red. After addition of boron trifluoride etherate (4 mmoles) the solution turned colourless. The reaction was monitored by TLC (CH2Cl2:MeOH 9:1). After disappearance of the starting material (2 hours), the reaction was quenched by addition of a saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (10 ml). The phases were separated and the aqueous one was extracted with ethyl acetate (3×10 ml). The combined organic phases were washed with a potassium hydrogen sulfate saturated solution (15 ml), brine (15 ml) and dried over magnesium sulfate. After evaporation of the solvent, the reaction products were separated by chromatography on silica gel. Alternatively, the crude was directly subjected to deprotection. 1H-NMR (CDCl3)-δ (ppm) 7.34 (NH, d, 7.9 Hz), 7.07 (H12, d, 10.7 Hz), 7.30 (H11, d, 10.7 Hz), 7.37 (H8, s), 6.71 (H4, s), 4.71-4.55 (H7, m), 2.60-1.80 (H5-H6, m), 3.88 (2-OMe, s), 3.64 (1-OMe, s), 2.44 (SMe, s), 2.00 (acetamide), 5.28-5.18 e 5.10-4.90 (H1′, H2′, H3′, H4′ m), 4.25 (H5′a, ddd, 4.3, 4.4, 12.1 Hz), 3.58 (H5′b, ddd 4.3, 4.4, 12.1 Hz), 2.14 (OAc), 2.11 (OAc), 2.10 (OAc). Example 3 General Method for Deprotection in Ethanol The crude product (0.5 theoretical mmoles) from example 1 or 2 was dissolved in ethanol (4 ml) and 1N NaOH (2 ml) at room temperature. The reaction was checked by TLC. After disappearence of the starting product the solvent was evaporated off and the residue was subjected to silica gel chromatography. The product can be further crystallized from methanol/isopropanol. Example 4 General Method for Deprotection in Acetone The crude product from example 1 or 2 (1 theoretical mmol) was suspended with potassium carbonate in acetone (30 ml) and water (10 ml). The mixture was refluxed until disappearance of the starting product. The solvent was evaporated off and the product recovered by chromatography. The product can be further crystallized from methanol and diisopropyl ether. Example 5 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine The product was obtained according to the deprotection method of example 3 or 4 with 45% yield, after chromatography on silica gel eluting with a CH2Cl2/MeOH gradient. m.p. 193° C.; [α]D22-201 (c 1, MeOH); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): ppm 8.64 (NH, d, 7.6 Hz), 7.15 (H12, d, 10.6 Hz), 7.28 (H11, d, 10.6 Hz), 7.03 (H8, s), 6.85(H4, s) 4.37-4.25 (H7, m), 2.60-1.80 (H5-H6, m), 3.84 (2-OMe, s), 3.55 (1-OMe, s), 2.42 (SMe, s), 1.86 (acetamide), 4.97 (H1′, 6.6 Hz), 3.20-3.90 (H2′,H3′,H4′,H5′, m), 4.40-5.60 (OH). Example 6 3-O-β-L-xylopyranosyl-3-O-demethylthiocolchicine The product was obtained according to the deprotection method of example 3 or 4 with 45% yield, after chromatography on silica gel eluting with a CH2Cl2/MeOH gradient. m.p. 220° C.; [α]D22-176 (c 1, MeOH); 1H-NMR (CDCl3): ppm 8.64 (NH, d, 7.3 Hz), 7.17 (H12, d, 10.2 Hz), 7.29 (H11, d, 10.2 Hz), 7.03 (H8, s), 6.87(H4, s) 4.23-4.41 (H7, m), 2.70-1.90 (H5-H6, m), 3.84 (2-OMe, s), 3.55 (1-OMe, s), 2.42 (SMe, s), 1.86 (acetamide), 5.02 (H1′, 6.9 Hz), 3.20-3.90 (H2′, H3′, H4′, H5′, m), 4.90-5.60 (OH).

<SOH> TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND <EOH>Relaxant drugs reduce muscle tone and are used in therapy for the treatment of contractures and muscle spasm. Muscle spasm is one of the main factors responsible for chronic pain; it characterises several pathologies of the locomotor apparatus as well as inflammatory-rheumatic and degenerative orthopaedic pathologies; when it affects articulations, further to pain, it causes rigidity, which reduces joint mobility and flexibility in the affected part. For these reasons, the study of molecules endowed with muscle relaxant and antispasmodic properties still raises remarkable clinical interest. As it is known, colchicine is a pseudoalcaloid that has been widespreadly used for some time for the treatment of gout. The use of 3-demethyl-thiocolchicine glucoside, thiocolchicoside, is also widespread in therapy for treating contractures and inflammatory conditions that affect the muscular system (Ortopedia e traumatologia Oggi XII, n. 4, 1992). It has been recently shown that the activity of thiocolchicoside is due to its ability to interact with strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors; therefore, compounds having glycine-mimicking activity can be used in the rheumatologic-orthopaedic field, due to their muscle relaxant properties.

20060519

20100323

20070607

96712.0

A61K31704

BERRY, LAYLA D

COLCHICOSIDE ANALOGUES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Self-aligning and actively compensating refiner stator plate system

An improvement to a mechanical refining system relates to an apparatus including three or more actuators (100) coupled to a stator (42) of the refining system, and a controller for independently operating the actuators. An improved method of refining permits adjustment of the overall width of a refining gap between refining elements mounted by the stator and a rotor as well as the trim of the refining elements relative to each other

1. In a mechanical refiner having an inlet for receiving a slurry to be refined, a discharge outlet for refined slurry, a stator mounting a first refining element, and a rotor mounting a second refining element spaced from said first refining element to define a refining gap in communication with said inlet and said discharge outlet, said rotor being supported for rotary movement about an axis and relative to said stator for refining said slurry in said refining gap; the improvement comprising: three or more actuators coupled to said stator; and a controller in communication with said three or more actuators for independently operating said three or more actuators to adjust an axial width of said refining gap and to adjust a trim of said first refining element relative to said second refining element. 2. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said mechanical refiner includes a casing defining a refining compartment enclosing said first and second refining elements, said casing mounting said three or more actuators. 3. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said mechanical refiner includes a casing defining a refining compartment having an open end and an end plate closing said open end so as to enclose said first and second refining elements in said refining compartment, said end plate mounting said three or more actuators. 4. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said three or more actuators are arranged symmetrically about the axis. 5. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators includes an electric motor. 6. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators includes a motor selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a hydraulic motor and a pneumatic motor. 7. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators has a ram extending substantially in parallel with the axis. 8. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators has a drive shaft extending transversely to the axis. 9. The improvement as recited in claim 1 including a transmission connected to said stator for converting rotary power into axial extension, wherein at least one of said three or more actuators has a drive shaft coupled to said transmission for supplying rotary power to said transmission and inducing axial movement of a portion of said stator. 10. The improvement as recited in claim 1 wherein said controller is an electronic controller programmed to independently operate said three or more actuators to adjust the axial width of said refining gap and to adjust the trim of said first refining element relative to said second refining element. 11. The improvement as recited in claim 1 including at least one distance sensor mounted on said stator for generating a sensor signal related to a local axial width of said refiner gap. 12. The improvement as recited in claim 1 including at least three distance sensors mounted on said stator for generating a plurality of sensor signals related to local axial widths of said refiner gap. 13. The improvement as recited in claim 1 including at least three distance sensors mounted on said stator for generating a plurality of sensor signals related to local axial widths of said refiner gap, wherein said controller is an electronic controller programmed to compare said plurality of sensor signals with one or more reference values, and to independently operate said three or more actuators to adjust the axial width of said refining gap and to adjust the trim of said first refining element relative to said second refining element. 14. A method for refining a slurry using a mechanical refiner having an inlet for receiving a slurry to be refined, a discharge outlet for refined slurry, a stator mounting a first refining element, and a rotor mounting a second refining element spaced from said first refining element to define a refining gap in communication with said inlet and said discharge outlet, said rotor being supported for rotary movement about an axis and relative to said stator for refining said slurry in said refining gap; said method comprising the steps of: a) comparing local axial widths of the refining gap at three or more positions along the first refining element with one or more reference values; b) independently moving three or more spaced portions of the stator along the axis to adjust an axial width of the refining gap and to adjust a trim of the first refining element relative to the second refining element; c) inducing the slurry to flow through the inlet into the refining gap; and d) rotating the rotor about the axis and relative to the stator to refine the slurry in the refining gap. 15. The method as recited in claim 14 using a mechanical refiner having three or more actuators coupled to said stator at said three or more points, wherein said step b) includes independently actuating the three or more actuators to adjust the axial width of the refining gap and to adjust the trim of the first refining element relative to the second refining element. 16. The method as recited in claim 14 using a mechanical refiner having three or more actuators coupled to said stator at said three or more points and distance sensors mounted at said three or more positions along said refining surface, wherein: said step a) includes generating signals related to a local axial width of the refining gap at each of said three or more positions and comparing the signals with the reference values; and said step b) includes independently actuating the three or more actuators in response to comparison of the signals with the reference values to adjust the axial width of the refining gap and to adjust the trim of the first refining element relative to the second, refining element. 17. Apparatus for use in a mechanical refiner comprising: an end plate; a stator including a refining element, said refining element defining an axis; and three or more actuators supported by said end plate and coupled to said stator for controlling an axial position and trim of said refining element. 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said refining element defines a refining surface having a bar and groove pattern. 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said three or more actuators are arranged symmetrically about the axis. 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators includes an electric motor. 21. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators includes a motor selected from the group consisting of an electric motor, a hydraulic motor and a pneumatic motor. 22. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators has a ram extending substantially in parallel with the axis. 23. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein at least one of said three or more actuators has a drive shaft extending transversely to the axis. 24. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 including a transmission connected to said stator for converting rotary power into axial extension, wherein at least one of said three or more actuators has a drive shaft coupled to said transmission for supplying rotary power to said transmission and inducing axial movement of a portion of said stator. 25. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said controller is an electronic controller programmed to independently operate said three or more actuators to adjust the axial width of said refining gap and to adjust the trim of said first refining element. 26. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 including at least one sensor mounted on said stator. 27. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 including at least three sensors mounted on said stator, for generating a plurality of sensor signals, wherein said controller is an electronic controller programmed to compare said plurality of sensor signals with one or more reference values, and to independently operate said three or more actuators to adjust the axial position and trim of said first refining element. 28. The apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein the signals generated are one of distance, pressure and temperature conditions representing refining gap and processing conditions. 29. The improvement as recited in claim 1, wherein the actuators are further comprised of a ball nut engageable with precision threads in response to an encoded information driven motor. 30. The improvement as recited in claim 29, wherein the controller is an encoder actively adjusting the axial width of said refining gap and said trim according to changing operating conditions. 31. The improvement of claim 30, wherein the operating conditions are at least one of refiner element wear, pressure, temperature and motor revolutions. 32. A method for refining a slurry using a mechanical refiner having an inlet for receiving a slurry to be refined, a discharge outlet for refined slurry, a stator mounting a first refining element, and a rotor mounting a second refining element spaced from said first refining element to define a refining gap in communication with said inlet and said discharge outlet, said rotor being supported for rotary movement about an axis and relative to said stator for refining said slurry in said refining gap; said method comprising the steps of: a) initializing the refining gap to zero; b) comparing operating conditions in the mechanical refiner with one or more reference values; c) independently moving three or more spaced portions of the stator along the axis to adjust an axial width of the refining gap and to adjust a trim of the first refining element relative to the second refining element according to operating conditions; d) inducing the slurry to flow through the inlet into the refining gap; and e) rotating the rotor about the axis and relative to the stator to refine the slurry in the refining gap. 33. The method recited in claim 32, wherein the operating conditions are at least one of refiner element wear, pressure, temperature, and motor revolutions. 34. The method recited in claim 32, wherein actuators comprising a ball nut engageable with precision threads move the spaced portions of the stator in response to an encoder information driven motor. 35. A method for refining a slurry using a mechanical refiner having an inlet for receiving a slurry to be refined, a discharge outlet for refined slurry, a stator mounting a first refining element, and a rotor mounting a second refining element spaced from said first refining element to define a refining gap in communication with said inlet and said discharge outlet, said rotor being supported for rotary movement about an axis and relative to said stator for refining said slurry in said refining gap; said method comprising the steps of: a) initializing the refining gap to at least one initialized refining gap value; b) inducing the slurry to flow through the inlet into the refining gap; c) rotating the rotor about the axis and relative to the stator to refine the slurry in the refining gap; d) comparing the refining gap at three or more positions with a corresponding one of the at least one initialized refining gap value; e) independently moving three or more spaced portions of the stator along the axis to adjust the refining gap and to adjust a trim of the first refining element relative to the second refining element; f) continuing to induce the slurry to flow through the inlet into the adjusted refining gap; g) rotating the rotor about the axis and relative to the stator to refine the slurry in the refining gap; and h) discharging the refined slurry through the discharge outlet. 36. The method as recited in claim 35 using a mechanical refiner having three or more actuators coupled to said stator at said three or more points, wherein said step d) includes independently sensing one of wear, distance, pressure or temperature conditions of the stator relative to the rotor for comparing the refining gap values to the initialized gap value. 37. The method as recited in claim 36, wherein the three or more actuators are independently moved to adjust the refining gap and to adjust the trim of the first refining element relative to the second refining element according to the condition sensed relative to the initialized refining gap value. 37. The method as recited in claim 35 using a mechanical refiner having three or more actuators coupled to said stator at said three or more points and sensors mounted at said three or more positions along said refining surface, wherein: said step a) includes generating signals related to the refining gap at each of said three or more positions and comparing the signals with the reference values; and said step b) includes independently actuating the three or more actuators in response to comparison of the signals with the reference values to adjust the axial width of the refining gap and to adjust the trim of the first refining element relative to the second refining element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/477,014 filed Jun. 9, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved mechanical refiner. More particularly, it relates to an improvement to a mechanical refiner having a stator mounting a first refining element and a rotor mounting a second refining element spaced from said first refining element to define a refining gap. The refining gap and alignment of the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another are actively maintained according to various conditions of the refining elements or the number of motor revolutions even as the refiner is in use. Actuators are coupled to the stator and a controller to adjust the average or overall width of the refining gap and the trim, or angular orientation, of the stator relative to the rotor, thus providing three or more degrees of control over the spacing between the stator and the rotor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cellulosic fibers such as paper pulp, bagasse, insulation or fiber board materials, cotton and the like, are commonly subjected to a refining operation which consists of mechanically rubbing the fibers between sets of relatively rotating bar and groove elements. In a disk-type refiner, for example, these elements commonly consist of plates having annularly arranged bar and groove patterns defining their working surfaces, with the bars and grooves extending generally radially of an axis of the rotating element, or more often at an angle oblique to a radius to the center of the annular pattern, so that the stock can work its way from the center of the pattern to its outer periphery. Disk-refiners are commonly manufactured in both single and twin disk types. In a single disk refiner, the working surface of the rotor comprises an annular refiner plate, or a set of segmental refiner plates, for cooperative working action with a complementary working surface on the stator, which also comprises an annular plate or a series of segmental plates forming an annulus. In a twin disk refiner, the rotor is provided with working surfaces on both sides. The working surfaces of the rotor cooperate with a pair of opposed complementary working surfaces on the stator, with these working surfaces being generally of the same type of construction as with a single disk refiner. Paper pulp refiners as described, including the plug or cone type refiners, require the control of the position and axial spacing of the relatively rotating members for the purpose of controlling refiner load and for controlling the quality of the refined paper fiber product, among other reasons. A plug type refiner is shown in Staege et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,666,368, while a control arrangement for a dual inlet disk type refiner is shown in Hayward U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,199. Known refiners have included mechanical drive systems for moving one refining element closer or farther from the other along the axis of rotation of the rotor. It also is known to provide electrical or electronic controllers, such as that shown in Hayward, to control the axial spacing of the refining elements in response to motor load, changing voltage or power factors, or pulp quality. Reference may be had to Baxter U.S. Pat. No. 2,986,434, which shows a dual inlet radial disk type refiner and the reduction gearing through which the axial position of the stator and rotor elements may be accurately determined and maintained. Mechanical refining is optimized when the gap between the refining elements of the stator and rotor is on the order of 0.001 inch to 0.010 inch (0.025 mm to 0.25 mm). The actual spacing of the stator and rotor plates is dependent upon numerous stack-up items in the assembly of the refiner. Due to typical manufacturing tolerances, the design misalignment can be as much as 0.045 inch (1.1 mm). One drawback to known refining systems is that they make no provision for correcting errors in the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another. Thus, when the stator plate is inclined relative to the rotor plate, for example, certain portions of the refining surface of the refining element mounted by the stator plate will be closer to the complementary surface of the refining element mounted by the rotor than other portions of the refining surface. This implies a variation in the width of the refining gap between the refining elements along the surfaces of the refining elements even when the average or overall refining gap is optimized. Dodson-Edgars U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,980 shows an apparatus and method for measuring the gap, tram, deflection and wear of rotating grinding plates such as those found in mechanical refiners. In particular, Dodson-Edgars shows inductive sensors mounted in a recessed manner inset from the surface of a first grinding plate and located opposite recessed non-wear surfaces of a second grinding plate. The sensors are monitored by a microprocessor system, which processes signals from the sensors to determine gap, tram, deflection and wear. Dodson-Edgars teaches that plate tram may be controlled by angular displacement of the drive shaft which drives one of the rotating plates or by angular displacement of the other, stationary plate, but does not disclose any apparatus for carrying out such an adjustment. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an improved mechanical refining system providing control, preferably automatic control, of the trim of the refining elements mounted by the stator and rotor relative to one another, as well as providing automatic control of the average or overall refining gap between the elements. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This need and others are addressed by a mechanical refiner system which permits adjustment of the overall, or average, gap between the refining elements and of the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another. The preferred apparatus is a mechanical refiner system including three or more actuators, for example, coupled to the stator, and a controller in communication with those actuators for independently operating the actuators to adjust the average, or overall, axial width of the refining gap as well as to adjust the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another. The preferred apparatus of the present invention provides an improved degree of control over the separation of the refining elements of a mechanical refining system. It permits an operator to adjust the average, or overall, refining gap and to correct misalignments of the refining elements immediately after assembly and/or as the refining elements wear in the course of service. In this manner, the operator can improve the performance of the mechanical refining system throughout the useful lives of the refining elements. In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises an end plate; a stator including a refining element; and three or more actuators coupled to the stator for controlling the position and orientation of the stator relative to the rotor. In accordance with this embodiment, the preferred mechanical refiner includes a casing defining a refiner compartment having an open end. The end plate closes the open end of the refiner compartment and supports the actuators, which actuators adjust the spacing and relative angular orientation of the stator and the rotor. The nature of the three or more actuators is not critical to the invention, although preferred actuators include electric motors, hydraulic motors and pneumatic motors. Most preferably, the three or more actuators are electric motors and the controller is an electronic controller, or encoder, programmed to independently operate the actuators to adjust both the overall axial width of the refining gap and the relative trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements. In accordance with another especially preferred embodiment, at least one of the actuators has a ram extending substantially in parallel with the axis about which the rotor rotates so as to provide adjustment of the refining gap. In accordance with yet another especially preferred embodiment, at least one of the actuators has a drive shaft extending transversely to the axis. Such apparatus preferably includes a transmission connected between the actuators and the stator for converting rotary power from the actuators into axial translation of the stator relative to the rotor. In accordance with still another preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least three distance sensors mounted on the stator for generating a plurality of sensor signals related to the axial width of the refiner gap at different positions on the refining surface of the stator. In accordance with this embodiment, the preferred controller, or encoder, is programmed to compare the sensor signals with one or more reference values, such as initialized values, for example. In addition, the preferred controller, or encoder, is programmed to independently operate the actuators to adjust both the overall width of the refining gap and the trim of the refining elements relative to each other. The structure is capable of providing automatic optimization of the spacing and trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements throughout the useful lives of those elements, even when the operator of the system is unskilled. The preferred apparatus in accordance with the invention is capable of serving either as an original component of a mechanical refining system or as a retrofit to existing equipment. To this end, configurations of the stator housing and the stator plate are not critical to the invention; rather, those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of stator housing and stator plate configurations will be within the scope of the present invention depending on the specifications of the system in which the apparatus is to be used. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method for refining a slurry using a mechanical refiner having an inlet for receiving the slurry to be refined, a discharge outlet for refined slurry, a stator mounting a first refining element defining a refining surface, and a rotor mounting a second refining element facing the refining surface to define a refining gap in communication with the inlet and the discharge outlet. A preferred method in accordance with the invention comprises the steps of comparing the local axial width of the refining gap at three or more positions along said refining surface with one or more reference values, such as initialized gap values, for example; independently moving three or more portions on the stator along the axis to adjust both the axial width of the refining gap and the trim, or angular orientation, of the first refining element relative to the second refining element; inducing the slurry to flow through the inlet into the refining gap; and turning the rotor about the axis and relative to the stator to refine the slurry in the refining gap. Most preferably, the independent movement of the three or more portions of the stator along the axis is effected by three or more actuators acting under the influence of sensor signals generated by distance sensors. Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide better control over the overall refining gap and relative the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements. It is another object of the invention to provide such control automatically. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a refining system in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a partial side view of an exemplary stator door with actuators in the refining system of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of the stator mounted to the stator door of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the actuators of the refining system of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the stator with actuators for use with a refining system in accordance with the invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between sensors and actuators controlling the refining gap according to the invention; and FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second exemplary embodiment of the refining system in accordance with the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Preferred exemplary embodiments of an exemplary dual disc type refining system with actuator controlled positioning of a refining gap will be described herein with reference to FIGS. 1-6. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein can be adopted to other conventional forms of refining equipment without undue experimentation. FIG. 1 shows generally an exemplary embodiment of a dual disc refiner system 10 designed for preferred application in the refining of paper and pulp slurries according to the invention. The refiner 10 incorporates some of the principles and advantages as described in Egan et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,394, issued Sep. 7, 1999; and in Egan et al. International Publication No. WO 99/52197, published Oct. 14, 1999, the disclosures of both being incorporated herein by reference. Also, familiarity with paper pulp refiners, including radially positioned disk-type refiner plates with bar and groove patterns, is assumed. The system 10 is comprised of a mounting base 12 having bearing mounts 14, 16 supporting a drive shaft 18. The drive shaft 18 is rotatably driven by a motor 20 at one end of the drive shaft 18. The drive shaft 18 extends along a longitudinal axis a from one end, whereat the motor 20 is provided, to a second end, whereat a refining compartment 30 is provided. The refining compartment 30 is comprised of a pivotable stator door 40 housing a stator 42 fixed therein, and a rotor chamber 50 housing a rotor 52 opposite the stator door 40. The refining compartment is thus formed by the stator door 40 and the rotor chamber 50 as the stator door 40 is in its closed position. The rotor 52 provided in the rotor chamber 50, and the stator 42 provided in the stator door 40 thus oppose one another in close proximity when the stator door 40 is closed. The distance between the stator 42 and rotor 52 in the refining compartment 30 when the stator door 40 is closed is the refining gap 60, which may vary as the refining system is used. The drive shaft 18 extends longitudinally through a central hub of the rotor 52 and stator 42 when the stator door 40 is closed. Most preferably, seals 80 surround the drive shaft 18 at those central hub portions of the stator 42 and rotor 52 so as to cushion vibrations of the drive shaft 18 and to permit small axial and angular movements of the stator 42 or rotor 52 as appropriate during operation of the refiner system 10. Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the use of various forms of motors or actuators, other than those described herein, is within the scope of the invention. The stator 42 may be comprised of several sectors 44, for example, to accommodate easier and less expensive maintenance or replacement of individual sectors 44 of the stator 42 as needed. The rotor 52 is similarly comprised of several sectors 54, for example, to also accommodate easier and less expensive maintenance or replacement of the sectors 54 of the rotor 52 as needed. Each sector 44, 54 is further comprised of refining surfaces such as bar and groove channel patterns, that complement one another to facilitate refining of slurry (not shown) within the refining gap 60 between the stator 42 and rotor 52 when the stator door 40 is closed. The bar an groove channel patterns on the stator 42 and rotor 52 may graduate from larger channels at the inner diameter at the center of the stator 42 and rotor 52, to smaller channels as the patterns extend away from the center to a perimeter of the stator 42, or rotor 52. The bar and groove channel patterns thus help to induce the flow of refined slurry to exit the refinement compartment 30. The refining compartment 30 thus includes a slurry inlet 70 to introduce slurry to the refining gap 60 region between the stator 42 and rotor 52, and a slurry outlet 72 to discharge the refined slurry from the refining compartment 30 at a perimeter of the chamber 50. The slurry inlet 70 generally introduces slurry to a central hub portion of the rotor 52 near the second end of the drive shaft 18. The slurry inlet 70 and slurry outlet 72 may vary in size according to the flow requirements of a particular operation by inserting or removing portable fittings (not shown) to/from the slurry inlet 70 and slurry outlet 72 as desired. FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the stator door 40 according to the refiner system described in FIG. 1. The exemplary stator door 40 of FIG. 2 includes three or more actuators 100 detachably mounted to the stator door 40, wherein the movable, or actuatable, portion of each actuator 100 is recessed into the cavity of the stator door 40. Projecting from the exposed portion of each actuator 100 is a threaded eye 102. FIG. 3 illustrates the stator 42 mounted to the threaded eye 102 of each actuator 100 of the exemplary stator door 40 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the stator 42 is thus attached to each actuator 100 by screws 46 driven through a threaded bore 47 on an outer band 48 of the stator 42. Thus, the stator 42 is attached to the threaded eye 102 at one end of each actuator 100, and another end of each actuator 100 is attached to a corresponding recess in the stator door 40. Attachment of the stator 42 to the actuators 100 in this manner permits the actuators 100 to move the stator 42 in three degrees of motion independently of one another and in response to changing refining gap 60 distance conditions, or to varying pressure or temperature conditions between various the sectors 44, 54 of the stator 42 and rotor 52, respectively. FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the exemplary preferred actuators 100 of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the actuators 100 each include rams 110 (only one shown in FIG. 2) of the actuator 100 coupled to the stator 42 and stator door 40. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, each of the actuators 100 are attached to the stator via the threaded eye 102 through which screw 46 is inserted, whereas the rams 110 of each actuator are attached to the stator door 40 using demountable fasteners to facilitate the removal, replacement or servicing of each actuator 100. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the manner in which the actuators 100 are coupled to the stator is not critical to the present invention. It is within the contemplation of the invention to use pivotable or universal couplings to mount the actuators 100 to the stator door 40 and stator 42 in order to permit the stator 42 to pivot about axes (not shown) transverse to the axis a as the actuators 100 are operated independently of one another. As also shown in FIG. 4, and in accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the stator 42 also mounts three or more distance sensors 120 (only one shown in FIG. 4) for measuring the local axial width of the refining gap 60. The rotor 52 preferably mounts a plurality of sensible elements or recesses 122 to provide targets to assist the distance sensors 120 in measuring the local width of the gap 60. Most preferably, the distance sensors 120 are electrical sensors symmetrically arranged with respect to the axis a so as to provide information regarding both the overall width of the refining gap 60, and the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements, i.e., stator 42 and rotor 52, relative to one another. Examples of such sensors are described in Dodson-Edgars U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,980, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. One reasonably skilled in the art would appreciate that the type of distance sensors 120 used is not critical to the present invention. Potentially useful sensor types include electrical or magnetic induction sensors and ultrasonic sensors (in conjunction with sensible elements 122 composed of material having suitable electromagnetic or acoustic properties). Other suitable types of sensors will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows yet another alternative form of a stator assembly 200 in accordance with the present invention. The stator assembly 200 includes an end plate 241 mountable to the stator door (not shown in FIG. 5) and a stator plate 242 supported by the end plate 241. The end plate 241 is mountable to the stator door via a central hub portion 210 having bolt holes 211 through which bolts may be inserted to secure the stator end plate 241 to the stator door. The stator end plate 241, in addition, mounts three or more actuators 250. Each of the actuators 250 preferably is an electric motor including a drive shaft 251 for transmitting rotary or pivotal motion. In addition, the stator assembly 200 includes a plurality of transmissions 260 associated with the actuators 250. The preferred transmissions 260 each include gears 262 mounted on the drive shafts of the actuators 250; mating gears 2644 mounted on the stator end plate 241 so as to convert rotary or pivotal motion about axes (not shown) transverse to the axis a into rotary or pivotal motion about axes (not shown) parallel to the axis a; and rams 266 in meshing or threaded engagement with the mating gears 264 to convert rotary or pivotal motion about the axes (not shown) parallel to the axis a into translation parallel to the axis a. The rams 266 preferably are coupled to the stator plate 242 in the same manner in which the rams 110 (FIG. 4) were coupled to the stator plate 42 (FIG. 4) of the earlier embodiment, although the manner of such coupling is not critical to the present invention. The preferred actuators 250 preferably communicate with a controller (not shown) to permit independent operation of the actuators 250 to adjust the position and trim of the stator plate 242. The stator assembly 200 of FIG. 5 further includes an inlet pipe 280 which defines an inlet passage 284 which extends through the stator plate 242. The inlet passage 284 provides a path for introducing stock suspension or slurry (not shown) into a refining gap (not shown) between the stator plate 242 and a rotor plate (not shown) to permit refining of the stock suspension slurry (not shown) in the manner described earlier. With reference to FIG. 6, the three or more distance sensors 120 (only three shown in FIG. 6) communicate with a controller 130. The preferred controller 130 is an electrical or electronic controller, or encoder, including a microprocessor 132 programmed to automatically operating the actuators 100 in response to signals received from the sensors 120. The programming of the microprocessor 132 to perform this function is within the ordinary skill in the art and would require no undue experimentation to implement. In accordance with an exemplary mode of operation, and with reference to FIG. 4, the distance sensors 120 generate signals related to the local axial width of the refining gap 60 at different positions along the refining surface of the stator 42 and rotor 52. The microprocessor 132 averages these local axial widths to determine the overall width of the refining gap 60 and compares these local axial widths with one another to determine the trim, or angular orientation, of the stator 42 relative to the rotor 52. This information is either communicated to an operator (not shown) by the preferred controller 130 (FIG. 6) or used within the controller 130 (FIG. 3) to operate the actuators 100 in response to the signals. More preferably, the electronic controller 130 (FIG. 6) independently energizes the actuators 100 to adjust the overall width of the refining gap 60 as well as the trim, or angular orientation, of the stator 42 relative to the rotor 52. More specifically, the microprocessor 132 (FIG. 3) digitizes the signals (not shown) received from the sensors 120, averages the digitized values of those signals and compares the average with a reference value to determine the degree to which the overall width of the refining gap 60 differs from a desired width or range of width. The preferred microprocessor 132 (FIG. 6) also compares the digitized values of the signals received from the sensors 120 with reference values to determine the degree to which the stator 42 is out of trim with rotor 52. Coordinated energization of the actuators 100 tends to correct errors in the overall width of the refining gap 60. Energizing one of the actuators 100 independently of the others causes one portion of the stator 42 to move axially relative to other portions of the stator 42. Since the preferred stator 42 is rigid, this causes the stator 42 to pivot about an axis (not shown) transverse to the axis a, thereby correcting misalignment between the stator 42 and rotor 52. In this manner, the preferred apparatus permits automatic adjustment of the overall refining gap 60 and of the trim, or angular orientation, of the stator 42 and rotor 52. Alternatively, it is within the scope of the invention to provide the controller 130 (FIG. 3) with switches (not shown) to permit manual adjustment of the overall width of the refining gap 60 and of the trim of the stator 42 relative to the rotor 52. Such manual adjustment may be performed either in response to visual observations of an operator (not shown) or in response to a readout (not shown) of information derived from signals generated by the distance sensors 130. FIG. 7 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein actuators 300 are similarly mounted to the stator 42 as in FIGS. 2-4, but are responsive to rotary encoders 320, or other similar technology, rather than distance sensors 120 as in FIG. 4. The actuators 300 in this exemplary embodiment are comprised of a preloaded ball nut 310 adjacent precision threads 312. The encoder 320 counts the revolutions of motor 330, that drives the preloaded ball nut 310 accordingly. A brake 340 is available when the encoder 320 determines that the motor 330 has driven the ball nut 310 to a desired position via precision threads 312. Thus, in all of the exemplary embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 1-7, the refining gap 60 is initialized to a desired gap value prior to the occurrence of a first refining process. Thereafter, as the refining process occurs, the rotary encoder 320 (FIG. 7) tracks the forward and backward revolutions of the motor, or the sensors 120 (FIGS. 1-6) compares current pressure, temperature or distance conditions between the stator and rotor to determine the refining gap change relative to the initialized gap value. If necessary, the refining gap 60 may be re-initialized manually or automatically, as desired, should the change in the refining gap be beyond acceptable limits. Numerous refining processes may occur before re-initialization is needed. Such re-initialization can therefore occur in response to predictable wear on the refining elements due to the number of revolutions of the motor, for example, or due to other pressure and/or temperature conditions experienced during the refining processes. Thus, by actively engaging in a strategic re-initialization schedule based on initialized gap values and ongoing processing conditions, plate wear and system errors can be compensated for, and better refining element alignment can be achieved. Of course, it should be appreciated that similar advantages are possible to be achieved using the sensor 100 and actuators herein described to adjust the refining gap 60 as well. The preferred embodiments of the present invention can be used either as original equipment components in newly-manufactured refining systems or as retrofits to existing systems. One advantage of the present invention is that it permits adjustment of both the overall width of the refining gap 60 as well as adjustment of the trim, or angular orientation, of the stator 42 relative to the rotor 52. In this manner, it allows operators to correct misalignments occurring during assembly of the refiner system 10, and to correct misalignments resulting from operation of the refiner system 10, such as those which might result from uneven wear of the sectors 44, 54 of the stator 42 or rotor 52. Optimizing the local axial width of the refining gap 60 along the entire refining surfaces of the stator 42 and rotor 52, and not merely the overall width of the refining gap 60, will tend to improve the efficiency of the refining system 10 and to increase the useful lives of the stator 42 and rotor 52. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides such adjustments automatically. It is within the contemplation of the invention to provide such adjustments while the refining system 10 is filled with fluid or even as the system 10 is operating. While the method and form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Cellulosic fibers such as paper pulp, bagasse, insulation or fiber board materials, cotton and the like, are commonly subjected to a refining operation which consists of mechanically rubbing the fibers between sets of relatively rotating bar and groove elements. In a disk-type refiner, for example, these elements commonly consist of plates having annularly arranged bar and groove patterns defining their working surfaces, with the bars and grooves extending generally radially of an axis of the rotating element, or more often at an angle oblique to a radius to the center of the annular pattern, so that the stock can work its way from the center of the pattern to its outer periphery. Disk-refiners are commonly manufactured in both single and twin disk types. In a single disk refiner, the working surface of the rotor comprises an annular refiner plate, or a set of segmental refiner plates, for cooperative working action with a complementary working surface on the stator, which also comprises an annular plate or a series of segmental plates forming an annulus. In a twin disk refiner, the rotor is provided with working surfaces on both sides. The working surfaces of the rotor cooperate with a pair of opposed complementary working surfaces on the stator, with these working surfaces being generally of the same type of construction as with a single disk refiner. Paper pulp refiners as described, including the plug or cone type refiners, require the control of the position and axial spacing of the relatively rotating members for the purpose of controlling refiner load and for controlling the quality of the refined paper fiber product, among other reasons. A plug type refiner is shown in Staege et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,666,368, while a control arrangement for a dual inlet disk type refiner is shown in Hayward U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,199. Known refiners have included mechanical drive systems for moving one refining element closer or farther from the other along the axis of rotation of the rotor. It also is known to provide electrical or electronic controllers, such as that shown in Hayward, to control the axial spacing of the refining elements in response to motor load, changing voltage or power factors, or pulp quality. Reference may be had to Baxter U.S. Pat. No. 2,986,434, which shows a dual inlet radial disk type refiner and the reduction gearing through which the axial position of the stator and rotor elements may be accurately determined and maintained. Mechanical refining is optimized when the gap between the refining elements of the stator and rotor is on the order of 0.001 inch to 0.010 inch (0.025 mm to 0.25 mm). The actual spacing of the stator and rotor plates is dependent upon numerous stack-up items in the assembly of the refiner. Due to typical manufacturing tolerances, the design misalignment can be as much as 0.045 inch (1.1 mm). One drawback to known refining systems is that they make no provision for correcting errors in the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another. Thus, when the stator plate is inclined relative to the rotor plate, for example, certain portions of the refining surface of the refining element mounted by the stator plate will be closer to the complementary surface of the refining element mounted by the rotor than other portions of the refining surface. This implies a variation in the width of the refining gap between the refining elements along the surfaces of the refining elements even when the average or overall refining gap is optimized. Dodson-Edgars U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,980 shows an apparatus and method for measuring the gap, tram, deflection and wear of rotating grinding plates such as those found in mechanical refiners. In particular, Dodson-Edgars shows inductive sensors mounted in a recessed manner inset from the surface of a first grinding plate and located opposite recessed non-wear surfaces of a second grinding plate. The sensors are monitored by a microprocessor system, which processes signals from the sensors to determine gap, tram, deflection and wear. Dodson-Edgars teaches that plate tram may be controlled by angular displacement of the drive shaft which drives one of the rotating plates or by angular displacement of the other, stationary plate, but does not disclose any apparatus for carrying out such an adjustment. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an improved mechanical refining system providing control, preferably automatic control, of the trim of the refining elements mounted by the stator and rotor relative to one another, as well as providing automatic control of the average or overall refining gap between the elements.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>This need and others are addressed by a mechanical refiner system which permits adjustment of the overall, or average, gap between the refining elements and of the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another. The preferred apparatus is a mechanical refiner system including three or more actuators, for example, coupled to the stator, and a controller in communication with those actuators for independently operating the actuators to adjust the average, or overall, axial width of the refining gap as well as to adjust the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements relative to one another. The preferred apparatus of the present invention provides an improved degree of control over the separation of the refining elements of a mechanical refining system. It permits an operator to adjust the average, or overall, refining gap and to correct misalignments of the refining elements immediately after assembly and/or as the refining elements wear in the course of service. In this manner, the operator can improve the performance of the mechanical refining system throughout the useful lives of the refining elements. In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises an end plate; a stator including a refining element; and three or more actuators coupled to the stator for controlling the position and orientation of the stator relative to the rotor. In accordance with this embodiment, the preferred mechanical refiner includes a casing defining a refiner compartment having an open end. The end plate closes the open end of the refiner compartment and supports the actuators, which actuators adjust the spacing and relative angular orientation of the stator and the rotor. The nature of the three or more actuators is not critical to the invention, although preferred actuators include electric motors, hydraulic motors and pneumatic motors. Most preferably, the three or more actuators are electric motors and the controller is an electronic controller, or encoder, programmed to independently operate the actuators to adjust both the overall axial width of the refining gap and the relative trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements. In accordance with another especially preferred embodiment, at least one of the actuators has a ram extending substantially in parallel with the axis about which the rotor rotates so as to provide adjustment of the refining gap. In accordance with yet another especially preferred embodiment, at least one of the actuators has a drive shaft extending transversely to the axis. Such apparatus preferably includes a transmission connected between the actuators and the stator for converting rotary power from the actuators into axial translation of the stator relative to the rotor. In accordance with still another preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes at least three distance sensors mounted on the stator for generating a plurality of sensor signals related to the axial width of the refiner gap at different positions on the refining surface of the stator. In accordance with this embodiment, the preferred controller, or encoder, is programmed to compare the sensor signals with one or more reference values, such as initialized values, for example. In addition, the preferred controller, or encoder, is programmed to independently operate the actuators to adjust both the overall width of the refining gap and the trim of the refining elements relative to each other. The structure is capable of providing automatic optimization of the spacing and trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements throughout the useful lives of those elements, even when the operator of the system is unskilled. The preferred apparatus in accordance with the invention is capable of serving either as an original component of a mechanical refining system or as a retrofit to existing equipment. To this end, configurations of the stator housing and the stator plate are not critical to the invention; rather, those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of stator housing and stator plate configurations will be within the scope of the present invention depending on the specifications of the system in which the apparatus is to be used. Another aspect of the present invention involves a method for refining a slurry using a mechanical refiner having an inlet for receiving the slurry to be refined, a discharge outlet for refined slurry, a stator mounting a first refining element defining a refining surface, and a rotor mounting a second refining element facing the refining surface to define a refining gap in communication with the inlet and the discharge outlet. A preferred method in accordance with the invention comprises the steps of comparing the local axial width of the refining gap at three or more positions along said refining surface with one or more reference values, such as initialized gap values, for example; independently moving three or more portions on the stator along the axis to adjust both the axial width of the refining gap and the trim, or angular orientation, of the first refining element relative to the second refining element; inducing the slurry to flow through the inlet into the refining gap; and turning the rotor about the axis and relative to the stator to refine the slurry in the refining gap. Most preferably, the independent movement of the three or more portions of the stator along the axis is effected by three or more actuators acting under the influence of sensor signals generated by distance sensors. Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to provide better control over the overall refining gap and relative the trim, or angular orientation, of the refining elements. It is another object of the invention to provide such control automatically. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

20060417

20100413

20061019

94120.0

B02C2500

MILLER, BENA B

SELF-ALIGNING AND ACTIVELY COMPENSATING REFINER STATOR PLATE SYSTEM

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B02C

ACCEPTED

Transmitting data frames with less interframe space (ifs) time

A method of transmitting data frames over a data network comprises a step of sending said data frames from a transmitter to a receiver with an Inter Frame Space (IFS) time, which does not include a time (T2) that the transmitter needs to change from a receiver state to a transmitter state, thus substantially increasing the transmission efficiency.

1. A method of transmitting data frames over a data network, comprising sending said data frames from a transmitter to a receiver with an Inter Frame Space (IFS) time, wherein said IFS does not include a time (T2) that said transmitter needs to change from a receiver state to a transmitter state. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said IFS only includes a time (T1) needed for said transmitter to detect ending of a frame and beginning of a next frame. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said transmitter is a non-QSTA (non QoS Enhanced Station) or a QAP (QoS Enhanced Access Point). 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is not required to receive an ACK from said receiver before said transmitter sends out a next data frame. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitter only receives a block ACK which acknowledges plural of said data frames. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said data network is a wireless data network using IEEE 802.11 protocol. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said IEEE 802.11 is amended by IEEE 802.11e draft standard. 8. A method for a transmitter to send data frames to a receiver over a data network, wherein said transmitter sends said data frames with a time space (IFS) between transmission of two sequential data frames, wherein said time space (IFS) only comprises a time (T1) for said transmitter to process each of said data frames. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said processing comprising detecting an end of a data frame and a start of a next data frame. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein said time space does not include a time (T2) that said transmitter needs change from a receiver state to a transmitter state. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein said transmitter is a non-QSTA (non QoS Enhanced Station) or a QAP (QoS Enhanced Access Point). 12. The method of claim 8, wherein said transmitter is not required to receive an ACK from said receiver before said transmitter sends out a next data frame. 13. The method of claim 8, wherein said transmitter only receives a block ACK which acknowledges plural of said data frames. 14. The method of claim 8, wherein said data network is a wireless data network using IEEE 802.11 protocol. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein said IEEE 802.11 is amended by IEEE 802.11e draft standard.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Applications Ser. Nos. 60/478,156 filed on Jun. 12, 2003, and 60/487,694 filed on Jul., 16, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The present invention relates to data network transmission techniques, and in particular, to an optimized method for more efficiently transmitting data frames, in which the data frames are transmitted over a data network with less Inter Frame Space (IFS) time. In data transmission, an ARQ (Automatic Retransmission Request) protocol specifies that each frame has to be acknowledged by the receiver with an ACK (Acknowledge) frame. This, however, reduces the efficiency of data transmission since the transmitter has to wait for receiving the ACK before it can send a next data frame. This is also true in a wireless data network using IEEE 802.11 protocol for MAC data frames transmission. To improve the efficiency, IEEE 802.11e defines a No ACK policy in which the frames are not acknowledged, and a Block ACK policy in which the frames are acknowledged in groups with a single Block ACK frame. These new policies considerably reduce the frame overhead and increase the efficiency. Moreover, IEEE 802.11e has introduced the concept of transmission opportunity (TXOP). By this concept, the non-AP QSTA (non access point QoS enhanced station) and QAP (QoS enhanced access point) contend the medium for time, and once they get access to the channel they can hold the channel for the time specified by TXOPlimit and transmit multiple data frames with an inter frame space (IFS) time which is SIFS (Short IFS). IEEE 802.11e specifies that during a TXOPlimit, a non-AP QSTA/QAP may use the No ACK or Block ACK policy. By No ACK, each frame is transmitted and the ACK is not expected for that frame. If the TXOPlimit were larger than the single frame transmission time and if more frames are pending transmission at the MAC queue, the succeeding frames may be transmitted after SIFS time. Similarly, in the Block ACK policy, frames are transmitted successively with an inter frame space time SIFS before the transmission of the ACKs by the receiver. This is, however, not optimized in terms of transmission efficiency since SIFS time is actually required only if the receiving non-AP OSTA/QAP were to return an acknowledgement as it includes the time to process the frame plus the receiver (RX) to transmitter (TX) turnaround time. In case of No ACK as well as Block ACK policies, it is not necessary to have the receiver wait for the SIFS time to transmit the ACK frame (except for the last frame in the block ACK policy after which the receiver must send an ACK to the transmitter). Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method to more efficiently transmit data frames in a data network with less inter frame space (IFS) time. According to the present invention, a method of transmitting data frames over a data network is provided, which comprises a step of sending the data frames from a transmitter to a receiver with an Inter Frame Space (IFS) time. In particular, the IFS does not include a time that the transmitter needs to change from a receiver state to a transmitter state. Preferably, the IFS only includes a time needed for the transmitter to detect ending of a frame and beginning of a next frame. Thus, the transmitter may transmit the data frames continuously with an IFS shorter than SIFS since it does not include the turnaround time. The above and further features and advantages of the present invention will be clearer by reading the detailed description of preferred embodiment of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates transmission of data frames with IFS between frames; and FIG. 2 illustrates that IFS is SIFS as required in the prior art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a data frame typically includes a physical layer control procedure (PLCP) overhead and a MAC data frame. The PLCP overhead comprises a PLCP preamble 11 and a PLCP header 12. The PLCP preamble 11 includes information mainly used for timing and synchronization functions and the PLCP header 12 mainly includes information about the length of the frame, the transmission rate, etc. The MAC data frame comprises a MAC header 21 portion including address information, etc., a MAC frame body portion 22 and a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) portion 23, which is known as Frame Control Sequence (FCS) in the MAC layer. When a transmitter continuously transmits sequential data frames to a receiver, an inter frame space (IFS) time is required between transmission of two sequential frames. Conventionally, this IFS time may be as short as SIFS (Short IFS) under No ACK and Block ACK policies adopted by IEEE 802.11e. As shown in FIG. 2, SIFS includes a first portion of time T1 required for the transmitter to process a data frame, i.e., to detect the end of a frame and the start of a next frame, as well as a second portion of time T2, i.e., the “turnaround time” for the transmitter to change from a receiver state to a transmitter state. The SIFS time is a waste under No ACK and Block ACK policies as the transmitter does not need to receive the ACK from the receiver before it can continue to send the next data frame. According to the present invention, under No ACK and Block ACK policies, the transmitter does not need to wait for SIFS to send a next data frame. In particular, frames that do not need an ACK immediately are transmitted continuously with an IFS which can be much shorter than SIFS. More specifically, the IFS time does not need to include the turnaround time T2 which otherwise is needed for the transmitter to change from the receiver state to the transmitter state, and only includes a time T1 needed for the transmitter to process the frame, i.e., to detect the end of the frame, and the beginning of the next frame. Therefore, data frames can be transmitted with an inter frame space much less than SIFS, thus considerably increasing the transmission efficiency. Though the above has described the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, it shall be appreciated that, without departing the spirit of the present invention, various changes, adaptations and amendments are possible to a skilled person in the art. For example, though the preferred embodiment is described in a wireless data network using IEEE 802.11 protocol amended by IEEE 802.11e draft standard, it is understood that the present invention is not limited to a wireless data network environment. Thus, the protection scope of the present invention is intended to be solely defined in the accompanying claims.

20051208

20080108

20060608

96334.0

H04J300

TRINH, SONNY

TRANSMITTING DATA FRAMES WITH LESS INTERFRAME SPACE (IFS) TIME

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04J

ACCEPTED

Information recording device

An information recording device is provided, which is capable of performing physical reformatting at a high speed while avoiding unnecessary substitution processing after the physical reformatting. A disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 records information on an information recording medium including a volume space for recording user data, a spare area containing a substitute area that can be used instead of a defective area, and a defect management information area for recording defect management information. The defect management information includes defect location information indicating the location of defective areas and defect status information indicating the attributes of the defective area. The information recording device includes an initialization processing module 1072 which, during the physical reformatting of the information recording medium, while maintaining at least the defect location information portion of the defect management information, overwrites said defect status information with attributes indicating that said defective area has been physically reformatted.

1. An information recording device for recording information on an information recording medium including a volume space for recording user data, a spare area containing a substitute area that can be used in place of a defective area contained in the volume space, and a defect management information area for recording defect management information used for managing the defective areas, wherein the defect management information contains defect location information indicating the location of the defective area and defect status information indicating the attributes of the defective area, and an initialization processing module is provided that, during physical reformatting of the information recording medium, maintains at least the defect location information portion of the defect management information and, on the other hand, overwrites the defect status information with attributes indicating that said defective area has been physically reformatted. 2. The information recording device according to claim 1, wherein the defect management information further comprises substitute location information indicating the location of the substitute area, and the initialization processing module erases the substitute location information portion of the defect management information during physical reformatting of the information recording medium. 3. The information recording device according to claim 1, wherein the defect management information further comprises substitute location information indicating the location of the substitute area, and the initialization processing module maintains the substitute location information portion of the defect management information during physical reformatting of the information recording medium. 4. The information recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a control module for performing at least one of recording processing and reproduction processing in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information based on the assumption that there are no significant user data. 5. The information recording device according to claim 4, wherein the control module performs recording processing of new user data in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information without reproducing data from said area. 6. The information recording device according to claim 4, wherein upon receipt of a reproduction instruction regarding areas indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information, the control module, without reproducing data from said area, generates dummy data and uses the same instead of reproducing data from said area. 7. The information recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a control module for performing at least one of recording processing and reproduction processing in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information, based on an assumption that defects in said area may have been eliminated. 8. The information recording device according to claim 7, wherein the control module, after performing trial recording of data in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information, invalidates the defect management information related to said area in case of success and allocates a substitute area to said area in case of failure. 9. The information recording device according to claim 1, wherein when user data are recorded in a defective area indicated by the defect location information forming part of the defect management information or when a substitute area is substituted for the defective area as a result of substitution processing, attributes indicating that the defective area has been physically reformatted are erased from the defect management information. 10. The information recording device according to claim 1, further comprising an inspection processing module for inspecting an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect management information having attributes indicating that physical reformatting has been performed while there are no operation instructions from a higher-level control device and invalidating said defect management information if defects in said area have been eliminated and allocating a substitute area to said area if defects in said area are confirmed. 11. A method for the physical reformatting processing of an information recording medium including a volume space for recording user data, a spare area containing a substitute area that can be used instead of a defective area contained in the volume space, and a defect management information area for recording defect management information used for managing the defective area, wherein the defect management information includes defect location information indicating the location of the defective area and defect status information indicating the attributes of the defective area, and along with maintaining at least the defect location information portion of the defect management information, the defect status information is overwritten with attributes indicating that said defective area has been physically reformatted.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an information recording device for recording and reproducing information on optical discs and other information recording media. BACKGROUND ART In recent years, DVDs have gained widespread acceptance as optical discs permitting the recording of moving picture images in the form of digital information. In addition, Blu-ray discs (hereinafter called “BD” for short), which are known as the next-generation optical discs capable of recording at even higher densities than DVDs, already have reached the deployment stage. In case of DVDs, BDs and other optical discs, the minimum unit of logical access is called a sector. In the past, when a DVD-RAM or a BD had sectors where information could not be recorded or reproduced (called “defective sectors”), the reliability of recording data was ensured by performing the so-called defect management, whereby ECC blocks (in case of a DVD) or clusters (in case of a BD) in good condition were substituted for ECC blocks or clusters containing defective sectors. Defective sectors are generated not only during disc manufacture, but also as a result of scratches, contamination, and the like, adhering to the surface of discs when discs are in use. An example of a conventional optical disc where such defect management is performed, as well as an apparatus for its recording and reproduction, are disclosed in Patent Document 1. Here, explanations will be provided regarding the conventional optical disc (DVD) disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 11, a conventional optical disc 91 has a data recording area 95 and disc information areas 94. Parameters necessary for accessing the disc 91 are stored in the disc information areas 94. In this example, the disc information areas 94 are provided both on the innermost peripheral side and on the outermost peripheral side of the disc 91. The disc information area 94 on the innermost peripheral side is called the lead-in (lead-in) area. The disc information area 94 on the outermost peripheral side is called the lead-out (lead-out) area. The recording and reproduction of data is performed in the data recording area 95. An absolute address called a physical sector number (hereinafter called PSN for short) is allocated in advance to each of the sectors of the data recording area 95. A higher level control device (typically a host computer) issues an instruction for recording or reproduction to an optical disc device in sector units. When an instruction is issued by the higher-level control device to perform reproduction of a certain sector, the optical disc device reproduces the ECC block containing the sector from the disc and performs error correction, after which it sends back only the portion of the data that corresponds to the designated sector. In addition, when an instruction is issued by the higher-level control device to perform recording in a certain sector, the optical disc device reproduces the ECC block containing the sector from the disc and performs error correction, after which it substitutes recording data obtained from the higher-level control device for the portion of the data corresponding to the designated sector, re-calculates and re-assigns an error correction code to the ECC block, and records the ECC block containing the sector on the disc. This type of recording operation is called “read-modified write” The data recording area 95 contains a volume space 96 and a spare area 97. The volume space 96, which is an area intended for storage of user data, contains a logical volume space 96a and volume structures 96b showing the structure of the logical volume space 96a. To provide access to the volume space 96, logical sector numbers (hereinafter called LSNs for short) are allocated to the sectors contained in the volume space 96. Data recording and reproduction is performed by accessing sectors on the disc 91 using the LSNs. The spare area 97 contains at least one sector (substitute sector) that can be used in place of a defective sector when a defective sector is generated in the volume space 96. The disc information areas 94 each contain a control data area 94a and a defect management information area 94b. Defect management information 100, which is used for managing defective sectors, is stored within the defect management information area 94b. The defect management information 100 includes a disc definition structure 110, a primary defect list (hereinafter called PDL for short) 120, and a secondary defect list (hereinafter called SDL for short) 130. The PDL 120 is used to manage defective sectors detected during inspection prior to shipment of the disc 91. The pre-shipment inspection of the disc 91 usually is performed by the manufacturer of the disc 91. The SDL 130 is used to manage defective sectors detected when a user uses the disc 91. FIG. 12 shows the structure of the SDL 130. The SDL 130 contains a secondary defect list header (SDL header) 200 containing an identifier identifying it as an SDL, information (SDL entry number information) 210 showing the number of SDL entries 220 registered in the SDL, and one or more SDL entries 220 (in the example shown in FIG. 12, entry 1 through entry m). Note that a value of zero in the SDL entry number information 210 shows that there are no defective sectors registered in the SDL. FIG. 13 shows the structure of an SDL entry 220. An SDL entry 220 contains a status field 220a, a field 220b for storing information describing the location of defective sectors, and a field 220c used for storing information describing the location of substitute sectors substituted for defective sectors. The status field 220a is used to indicate whether substitute sectors have been substituted for defective sectors. The location of the defective sectors is represented, for instance, by the physical sector numbers of the defective sectors. The location of the substitute sectors is represented, for instance, by the physical sector numbers of the substitute sectors. The status field 220a contains, for instance, a 1-bit flag 220a-1 and a reserved area 220a-2. For example, a value of one in the flag 220a-1 indicates that no substitute sectors have been substituted for defective sectors. A value of zero in the flag 220a-1 indicates that a substitute sector has been substituted for a defective sector. Although the above-explanations assume that defect management is performed in sector-units, defect management also is known to be performed in block-units, with each block constituted by a plurality of sectors. In such a case, information indicating the location of blocks (called “defective blocks”) containing defective sectors (e.g., the physical sector numbers of the head sectors of the defective blocks) is registered in the SDL instead of information indicating the location of the defective sectors, and information that indicates the location of substitute blocks (for instance, the physical sector numbers of the head sectors of the substitute blocks) is registered instead of information indicating the location of the substitute sectors. For instance, in the case of a DVD, the unit of defect management is an ECC block, i.e. the unit utilized for error correction. Incidentally, when the number of defective sectors increases, the frequency of substitute sector accesses becomes higher, thereby severely decreasing the speed of recording and reproduction and creating a particularly serious hindrance to the recording and reproduction of moving pictures. In addition, since substitute sectors are secured in the data recording area 95, when numerous substitute areas are secured as a result of increased frequency of substitution, the recordable volume of user data is reduced as well. In such a case, physical reformatting (re-initialization) is recommended after cleaning the disc to remove dirt adhered to the surface of the disc. Subsequently created defects mostly are due to, for example, fingerprints on the disc surface, and most of the subsequently created defects are eliminated by cleaning. Conventionally, when physical reformatting was performed, all the contents of the status field 220a, field 220b and field 220c in the SDL entry 220 were invalidated In addition, the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1 relates mostly to DVDs, and in case of BDs, all the contents of the defect list are erased when physical reformatting is carried out. Patent Document 1: JP 2000-322835A (FIGS. 1A˜1C). However, in the past, the erasure of the entire contents of the defect list resulted in the following problems. Namely, because all of the contents of the defect list were erased during physical reformatting, information indicating the location of defective sectors (or sectors where defects could be present) also was lost. Therefore, when there were defects that disc surface cleaning did not eliminate, recording of new data on the disc after formatting could result in user data being recorded despite the possible presence of defects, which required reproduction to be performed for read-modified write. However, reproduction was impossible because of the defects, and, as a result, recording was impossible as well. In addition, in the past, devices have been known that, after performing physical reformatting, optionally perform defect inspection processing (certification) by checking all the sectors on the disc for the presence of defects and registering information on the discovered defective sectors in a defect list. As an example of such conventional authentication processing, a technique is known in which authentication data is written over the entire volume space of the disc and the presence of defects on the disc is determined by confirming whether or not the written data can be reproduced correctly. However, the problem with this method is that, in the case of a DVD, for instance, authentication processing requires close to one hour from start to finish, which is extremely inconvenient for the user. In addition, a type of simplified defect inspection processing called quick certification (Quick Certification) is possible with BDs. During such processing, all the entries in a defect list are inspected for defective clusters, leaving the entries intact when there are defects and invalidating the entries when there are no defects. Therefore, the more entries a defect list has, the longer the processing time becomes, requiring up to 15 minutes or so in the worst case scenario. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Taking into account the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information recording device capable of high-speed physical reformatting while avoiding unnecessary substitution processing after physical reformatting. In order to attain the above-mentioned object, the information recording device of the present invention is an information recording device for recording information on an information recording medium including a volume space for recording user data, a spare area containing a substitute area that can be used in place of a defective area contained in the volume space, and a defect management information area for recording defect management information used for managing the defective area, wherein the defect management information includes defect location information indicating the location of the defective area and defect status information indicating the status of the defective area, and an initialization processing module is provided that, during physical reformatting of the information recording medium, maintains at least the defect location information portion of the defect management information and, on the other hand, overwrites the defect status information using attributes indicating that the defective area has been physically reformatted. The information recording device of the present invention permits a reduction in unnecessary substitution processing after physical reformatting by maintaining at least the defect location information, without erasing it, during the physical reformatting of an information recording medium. Moreover, maintaining at least the defect location information allows for the physical reformatting to be carried out at a higher speed because conventional authentication processing is unnecessary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory figure showing the structure of a recording area of an information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory figure showing the logical structure of a recording area in an information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the DFL 12 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a DFL entry 21 in the DFL 12. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the definition of a first status field 21a in a DFL entry 21. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of the definition of a second status field 21c in a DFL entry 21. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of physical reformatting processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of reproduction processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the details of the reproduction processing procedure executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of recording processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. FIG. 11 is an explanatory figure showing an example of the logical structure of a recording area in a conventional information recording medium. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a defect list in a conventional information recording medium. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of SDL entries in the conventional defect list of FIG. 12. BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the inventive information recording device of the above-described configuration, the defect management information further may include substitute location information indicating the location of the substitute area, and the initialization processing module may erase the substitute location information portion of the defect management information during the physical reformatting of the information recording medium. Because defects may be eliminated by cleaning etc. prior to and after physical reformatting, the number of unnecessary used substitute areas can be reduced by erasing substitute location information during physical reformatting. In the inventive information recording device of the above-described configuration, the defect management information further may include substitute location information indicating the location of the substitute area and the initialization processing module may be set up to maintain the substitute location information portion of the defect management information during the physical reformatting of the information recording medium. As a result, substitute registration can be carried out at a high speed, because when recording is about to be performed in an area indicated by the defect location information and said area is defective, processing involving searching for and re-allocating an unused area among the substitute areas is unnecessary. It is preferable that the inventive information recording device of the above-described configuration further includes a control module for performing at least one of recording processing and reproduction processing in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information based on the assumption that there are no significant user data. For instance, the control module may be set up to perform recording of new user data in an area indicated by the defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information without reproducing data from said area. In this case, the fact that the read processing of the read modified write operation becomes unnecessary makes it possible to avoid the problem whereby data recording is rendered impossible by the impossibility of data reproduction from the disc. Otherwise, the device may be set up such that, upon receipt of a reproduction instruction regarding areas indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information, the control module, without reproducing data from said area, generates dummy data and uses it instead of reproducing data from said area. In this case, repetition of unnecessary reproduction attempts can be prevented by avoiding reproduction processing that is highly likely to result in errors due to defects. It is preferable that the inventive information recording device of the above-described configuration further includes a control module for performing at least one of recording processing and reproduction processing in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information based on the assumption that defects in said area may have been eliminated. Performing recording and reproduction processing on the assumption that defects may have been eliminated can reduce the number of unnecessary substitute registration operations if defects have been eliminated by cleaning etc. prior to or after physical reformatting. For instance, it is preferable that after performing trial recording of data in an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect status information having the attributes and forming part of the defect management information, the control module invalidates the defect management information related to said area in case of success and allocates a substitute area to said area in case of failure. This offers the advantage of being able to reduce the number of unnecessary substitute registration operations. In addition, when user data is recorded in a defective area indicated by the defect location information forming part of the defect management information or when a substitute area is substituted for the defective area in the course of substitution processing, the inventive information recording device of the above-described configuration preferably erases attributes indicating that the defective area has been physically reformatted from the defect management information. In addition, it is preferable that the inventive information recording device of the above-described configuration further includes an inspection processing module for inspecting an area indicated by defect location information corresponding to defect management information having attributes indicating that physical reformatting has been performed while there are no operation instructions from a higher-level control device and invalidating the defect management information if defects in said area have been eliminated and allocating a substitute area to said area if defects in said area are confirmed. A specific embodiment of the present invention is explained below by referring to drawings. In the present embodiment, Disk 1 is a disc-shaped rewritable information recording medium. Here, a BD is used as a specific example of the disc 1, but the disc 1 is not limited to BDs and may be a DVD-RAM, etc. FIG. 1 shows the physical structure of the disc 1. A plurality of concentric or spiral tracks 2 are formed on the disc 1. Each one of the plurality of tracks 2 is divided into a plurality of sectors 3. The areas of the disc 1 include one or more disc information areas 4 and a data recording area 5. In the example of FIG. 1, two disc information areas 4 are provided respectively on the innermost peripheral side and outermost peripheral side of the disc 1. The disc information area 4 on the innermost peripheral side also is called the lead-in (lead-in) area. The disc information area 4 on the outermost peripheral side also is called the lead-out (lead-out) area. The recording and reproduction of data is carried out in the data recording area 5. Absolute addresses called physical sector numbers (hereinafter called PSNs for short) are allocated to all the sectors of the data recording area 5 in advance. FIG. 2 shows the logical structure of the areas of the disc 1. The data recording area 5 includes a volume space 6 and a spare area 7. The volume space 6 is an area intended for storing user data. To access the volume space 6, logical sector numbers (hereinafter called LSNs for short) are allocated to the sectors contained in the volume space 6. The recording and reproduction of data is carried out by accessing sectors on the disc 1 using their LSNs. The spare area 7 contains at least one sector that can be used in place of a defective sector if defective sectors are present in the volume space 6. In addition, while the following explanations assume that substitution processing on the disc 1 (BD) of the present embodiment is carried out in cluster-units, a cluster being a unit of error correction, the present invention is not limited to the above. The spare area 7 is located further toward the inner peripheral side of the disc 1 than the volume space 6. It is used to carry out high-speed substitution processing of clusters containing defective sectors (hereinafter called “defective clusters”) when defective sectors are generated in areas storing file management information (unused space management information, root directory file entries, etc.). The file management information is stored in the vicinity of sectors to which logical sector numbers of “0” are allocated. Therefore, arranging the spare area 7 further toward the inner peripheral side of the disc 1 than the volume space 6 permits a reduction in the seek distance between defective clusters and substitute clusters. As a result, the speed of substitution processing of the defective clusters is increased. The frequency of access to file management information is high, which is why file management information is required to have high data reliability. Therefore, high-speed substitution processing of defective clusters generated in areas storing file management information is extremely useful. The volume space 6 includes a logical volume space 6a and volume structures 6b, which show the structure of the logical volume space 6a. Unused space management information indicating whether the sectors in the logical volume space 6a are used or unused, one or more data extents where file contents are stored, and file entries, where one or more data extents corresponding to the files are registered, are stored in the logical volume space 6a. This information is used to manage files. The disc information areas 4 each contain a control data area 4a and a defect management information area 4b. Defect management information 10 used for managing clusters containing defective sectors is stored in the defect management information area 4b. The defect management information 10 contains a disc definition structure 11 and a defect list (hereinafter called DFL for short) 12. The DFL 12 is used to manage defective sectors detected during pre-shipment inspection of the disc 1 and defective sectors detected during use of the disc 1 by a user. In addition, the pre-shipment inspection of the disc 1 is usually performed by the manufacturer of the disc 1. FIG. 3 shows the structure of the DFL 12. The DFL 12 contains a defect list header. (DFL header) 20, which indicates that this is a DFL, one or more DFL entries 21 (in the example shown in FIG. 3, entry 1 through entry m), a DFL terminator 22, which represents the end of the DFL entries, and a reserved area 23. FIG. 4 shows the structure of a DFL entry 21. A DFL entry 21 includes a first status field 21a, a first address field 21b, a second status field 21c, and a second address field 21d. In addition, the structure of the DFL entries is not limited to the one described above and may include other optional fields. The first status field 21a and second status field 21c show the attributes of said DFL entry 21, as will be described below. Information regarding the location of defective clusters or substitute clusters, depending on the attributes of the first status field 21a and second status field 21c, is stored in the first address field 21b and second address field 21d. For instance, in some cases, the physical sector numbers of the head sectors of defective clusters are stored in the first address field 21b and the physical sector numbers of the head sectors of substitute clusters are stored in the second address field 21d. In the present embodiment, in addition to the DFL entries related to clusters containing defective sectors where recording and reproduction is actually impossible, the DFL 12 also may contain DFL entries related to clusters that contained defective sectors in the past but in which defects have been eliminated by cleaning etc. during physical reformatting. In other words, while all of the information related to defective clusters used to be erased when physical reformatting was performed in the past, in the present embodiment, at least information on the location of defective clusters in all the DFL entries 21 of the DFL 12 is not erased and is left intact during physical reformatting. In addition, a unique code (explained below in detail) representing the fact that said defective clusters have been physically reformatted is provided in the second status field 21c of said DFL entry 21. In addition, information on the location of defective clusters is stored in either one of the first address field 21b and second address field 21d, or in both fields. The first status field 21a may contain a 4-bit flag 21a-1 and a reserved area 21a-2. FIG. 5A shows an example of the definition of the flag 21a-1. For example, a value of 0000 in the flag 21a-1 indicates that substitute clusters have been allocated to defective clusters and the user data of the defective clusters has been recorded in the substitute clusters. In addition, a value of 1000 in the flag 21a-1 indicates that while substitute clusters have been allocated to the defective clusters, the user data of the defective clusters has not been recorded in the substitute clusters. In addition, a value of 0001 in the flag 21a-1 indicates that substitute clusters have not been allocated to defective clusters. Furthermore, a value of 0010 in the flag 21a-1 indicates that said DFL entry has been invalidated. The expression “has been invalidated” means that said DFL entry does not contain significant information on the location of defective clusters. However, the sector addresses designated in the second address field 21d of said DFL entry mean that clusters starting with said sectors can be utilized as future substitutes. As shown in FIG. 5B, a value of 0000 in the second status field 21c indicates that said field is not used, and when a value of 1000 means that clusters indicated in the first address field 21b or second address field 21d have been physically reformatted. This has two meanings, i.e. that the defects of clusters indicated in the first address field 21b or second address field 21d may have been eliminated by cleaning etc. during physical reformatting, and that there is no significant user data in the defective clusters and substitute clusters. While the above-described codes of the first status field 21a, i.e. 0000, 0001, 1000, etc., are set depending on the substitution status during the recording and reproduction of the disc 1, the code 1000 of the second status field 21c, as will be described below, is set in this field by the disc recording/reproduction drive during the physical reformatting of the disc 1. In addition, the definitions of the first status field 21a and second status field 21c shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are mere examples, and the number of bits in the flags representing substitution status in the inventive information recording medium, as well as their definitions, are not limited to this example. An embodiment of an information recording and reproduction device corresponding to the above-described disc 1 is explained below by referring to drawings. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 used in the present embodiment. The disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 is connected to a higher-level control device (not shown) via an I/O bus 780. The higher-level control device, which is commonly called the host, is a device that manages recording data on the disc 1 using a file system. In addition, while the higher-level control device and disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 can be implemented as mutually independent hardware, they of course can be implemented as a single apparatus. The disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 contains a microprocessor incorporating a memory used for calculation and a control program. The disc recording and reproduction drive 1020, which is constituted by signal processing circuitry and a mechanism controlled by the microprocessor, includes an instruction processing module 1021 for processing instructions received from the higher-level control device, a recording control module 1030 for carrying out control during recording on the disc 1, a reproduction control module 1040 for carrying out control during reproduction from the disc 1, a substitute information storage memory 1050 for storing information on defective clusters and their substitute clusters, a data buffer 1060 for temporarily storing recording and reproduction data, and an initialization control module 1070 for carrying out control during the initialization of the disc 1. The instruction processing module 1021, recording control module 1030, reproduction control module 1040, and initialization control module 1070 are functional blocks implemented by the microprocessor running a predetermined software program. The instruction processing module 1021 includes a recording instruction processing module 1022 for processing recording instructions received from the higher-level control device, a reproduction instruction processing module 1024 for processing reproduction instructions received from the higher-level control device, and an initialization instruction processing module 1025 for processing initialization instructions received from the higher-level control device. The recording control module 1030 includes a data synthesizer module 1031 for converting recording data from sector units to cluster units, a cluster recording module 1032 for recording data on the disc 1 in cluster units, a substitute allocation module 1033 for allocating substitute clusters to defective clusters, a DFL updating module 1034 for recording the contents of the substitute information storage memory 1050 in the DFL on the disc 1, and a recordable cluster inspection module 1035 for determining the clusters in which recording is to be performed, etc. The reproduction control module 1040 includes a zero-data filling module 1041 for overwriting a portion of the data buffer 1060 with zeros, a cluster reproduction module 1042 for reproducing data from the disc 1 in cluster units, a DFL reading module 1043 for storing the contents reproduced from the DFL on the disc 1 in the substitute information storage memory 1050, and a fraction correction module 1044. The initialization control module 1070 includes a defect management information reading module 1071 for reading defect management information 10 from the disc 1, an initialization processing module 1072 for performing the initialization processing of the defect management information 10 read from the disc 1, a defect management information updating module 1073 for writing the initialized defect management information 10 to the disc 1, and an inspection processing module 1074 for performing defect inspection (described below) of physically reformatted clusters while there are no operation instructions, such as recording instructions or reproduction instructions, from the higher-level control device. The operation of the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 shown in FIG. 6 is described below. First of all, the process of physical reformatting of the disc 1 by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 will be explained by referring to FIG. 7. The processing starts when the initialization instruction processing module 1025 of the instruction processing module 1021 receives an execution instruction (initialization instruction) regarding physical reformatting from the higher-level control device. When the initialization instruction processing module 1025 receives the instruction to execute physical reformatting, it passes the instruction on to the initialization control module 1070. The initialization control module 1070, first of all, reads the defect management information 10 from the defect management information area 4b of the disc 1 using the defect management information reading module 1071 and stores it in the substitute information storage memory 1050 (Step 701). In addition, the defect management information 10 already may be stored in the substitute information storage memory 1050, and in such a case, Step 701 may be omitted. Next, the initialization processing module 1072 sets the value of the second status field 21c to 1000 in all the DFL entries 21 forming part of the defect management information 10 stored in the substitute information storage memory 1050 (Step 702). In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, “1000” is a unique code indicating that the disc 1 has been physically reformatted. While maintaining information representing the location of defective sectors in the DFL entries 21, the initialization processing module 1072 overwrites information representing the location of the substitute sectors in the DFL entries 21 with dummy data (Step 703). As a result, information on the location of defective sectors is maintained, while information on the location of substitute sectors is erased. However, Step 703 is not essential, and both information on the defective sectors and substitute sectors may be maintained intact. Next, the defect management information updating module 1073 extracts the defect management information 10 initialized in Step 702 from the substitute information storage memory 1050 and writes it to the defect management information area 4b of the disc 1 (Step 704). As a result of the above-described processing, during the physical reformatting of the disc 1, the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 of the present embodiment maintains at least the information on the location of defective clusters in the DFL 12. Therefore, regardless of whether defects are eliminated by cleaning etc. during physical reformatting, clusters registered in the DFL as defective clusters prior to performing the physical reformatting have information on their locations registered in the DFL as defective clusters or clusters likely to be defective even after the physical reformatting. In comparison with conventional discs, the thus physically reformatted disc 1 offers the advantage of being capable of recording new data at a higher speed. When an instruction is issued to write to clusters with DFL entries 21 in which the value of the second status field 21c is set to 1000, significant user data are not supposed to exist in the clusters as a result of physical reformatting, and therefore the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 may limit itself to writing only the data that needs to be written without following the read-modified write procedure. Furthermore, because it is possible that defects may have been eliminated by cleaning etc. during physical reformatting, when an instruction is issued to write to said clusters, a trial attempt may be made to write to said clusters. In this case, when the write attempt is successful, it is determined that defects in said clusters have been eliminated, and therefore the DFL entries for said clusters may be invalidated. The invalidation of the DFL entries is carried out by setting the value of the first status field 21a of said DFL entries to 0010. In addition, if the write attempt fails, it is determined that defects in said clusters have not been eliminated, and therefore spare clusters may be allocated thereto as substitutes and write operations may be performed in the allocated spare clusters as performed in the past. In addition, when an instruction is issued to read clusters with DFL entries in which the value of the second status field 21c is set to 1000, the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 may attempt to access the clusters of the disc 1 and reproduce them or may be set up to return dummy data instead of the reproduction data from the disc 1 without checking whether said clusters can be reproduced or not. Otherwise, if an attempt at reproducing the clusters is made and it is found that they can be reproduced at least partially, results obtained by performing correction within the correctable range can be used as reproduction data. Here, reproduction of ordinary computer data recorded on the disc 1 (not real-time data) is used as an example in order to explain the reproduction method utilized by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. FIG. 8 shows the steps of the reproduction method. In FIG. 8, the reference numeral 111 indicates processing executed by the higher-level control device, the reference numeral 112 indicates processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020, and the reference numeral 113 indicates the flow of instructions, data, and processing results based on the I/F protocol between the higher-level control device and the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. In addition, since reproduction processing by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 will be described in detail below, explanations here will be provided only in general terms. When the disc 1 is mounted and when the defect management information is updated, the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 reads the defect management information on the disc 1 using the DFL reading module 1043 and stores it in the substitute information storage memory 1050 (Step 1101). The higher-level control device analyzes the file structure and obtains the location of the areas where computer data is stored (Step 1102). The higher-level control device acquires information indicating the location of the areas obtained in Step 1102 and issues a “READ” command, i.e. an ordinary reproduction instruction, to the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 (Step 1103). The reproduction instruction processing module 1024 of the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 that receives the “READ” command reads the designated data from the disc 1 (Step 1104), transfers the designated data to the higher-level control device (Step 1105) and, when the transfer of all the required data is complete, returns an end status code (Step 1107). Playback data transferred via the I/F protocol is stored in the data buffer memory of the higher-level control device (Step 1106). When the higher-level control device receives the end status code via the I/F protocol, data stored in the data buffer memory is used as computer data. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the details of the reproduction processing procedure (Step 1104 in FIG. 8) executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. The areas to be reproduced are designated by the higher-level control device in sector units. The fraction correction module 1044 obtains clusters containing the sectors to be reproduced (Step 1201). If the LSN of the head sectors in areas to be reproduced is designated as S, the number of sectors in the areas to be reproduced as N, and the number of sectors that constitute clusters as E, then the number of sectors (N_C) in the areas to be reproduced and LSN (S_C) of the head sectors in the areas to be reproduced, with clusters taken into account, is given by the following formulas. S—C=[S÷E]×E N—C=[(S+N+E−1)÷E]×E−S—C Here, [α] means the largest integer that does not exceed α. If the process of storing all the clusters intended for reproduction in the data buffer 1060 is not over (Step 1202), the program consults the DFL 12 (Step 1203). As a result, when the clusters intended for reproduction are not registered in the DFL 12 as defective clusters, processing advances to Step 1204 and the cluster reproduction module 1042 reproduces the clusters obtained in Step 1201 and stores them in the data buffer 1060 (Step 1204). On the other hand, when the clusters to be reproduced are registered in the DFL 12 as defective clusters, processing advances to Step 1205. In Step 1205, the cluster reproduction module 1042 refers to the second status field 21c and first status field 21a of the DFL entries 21 of the clusters (defective clusters) to be reproduced and advances to either one of Steps 1206˜1208 below depending on the values. When the flag 21a-1 of the first status field 21a is 0000, the data of the defective clusters to be reproduced is recorded in spare clusters allocated thereto as substitutes. In this case, processing advances to Step 1206, where the cluster reproduction module 1042 reproduces data from the substitute spare clusters and stores it in the data buffer 1060. When the flag 21a-1 is 1000 or 0001, substitute clusters are allocated to the defective clusters to be reproduced, or data is not recorded in the substitutes or allocation of substitute clusters is not performed. In this case, processing advances to Step 1207, where the cluster reproduction module 1041 attempts reproduction of data from the replaced clusters, storing the data in the data buffer 1060 if it is successful and reporting an error in case of failure. In addition, clusters in which the value of the second status field 21c is 1000 are clusters initialized by physical reformatting. In this case, processing advances to Step 1208, where the cluster reproduction module 1042 generates clusters filled with dummy data (0) instead of reproducing clusters from the disc 1. This is based on the premise that significant user data should not be present in said clusters due to the physical reformatting. In addition, in the present embodiment, when the value of the second status field 21c is 1000, dummy data are generated in Step 1208. However, instead of Step 1208 of the present embodiment, an attempt may be made to reproduce the defective clusters on the disc 1, storing the data that were reproduced in the data buffer 1060 when the reproduction is successful and using the data buffer 1060 to store dummy data produced by zero-filling etc. in case of failure or, in case of partial reproduction, using it to store data that can be obtained from the reproduction data by correction. When the process of storing all the clusters to be reproduced in the data buffer 1060 is over (“Yes” in Step 1202), the data stored in the data buffer 1060 is transferred to the higher-level control device via the I/O bus 780 and the process terminates. When a reproduction error is reported, the higher-level control device issues an instruction to perform recording in said clusters. Therefore, substitution processing is carried out, wherein spare clusters are allocated thereto and data is recorded in the allocated spare clusters. As a result, spare clusters that can be reproduced are substituted for defective clusters in the logical volume space. As described above, when reproduction of defective clusters is required and no spare clusters used for substitution have been allocated thereto, the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 returns zero-filled data as reproduction data without reporting reproduction errors. Otherwise, when defective blocks to which substitute spare clusters have not been allocated need to be reproduced, it may be set up to report a reproduction error without wasting time on unnecessary reproduction operations that are likely to fail. The steps of the recording method used for recording ordinary computer data (not real-time data) are practically the same as the steps of the reproduction method shown in FIG. 8, with the exception that a “WRITE” command is issued instead of the “READ” command of FIG. 8 and recording data is transferred in the opposite direction as compared with transfer of reproduction data. FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the sequence of recording processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020. The disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 receives data to be recorded on the disc 1 from the higher-level control device and stores it in the data buffer 1060 (Step 1301). The areas where recording needs to be done are designated in sector units. The recordable cluster inspection module 1035 determines the clusters (clusters to be recorded) that include areas where recording is required (Step 1302). When there is a fraction in a head sector (“Yes” in Step 1304), the device checks whether the cluster containing the head sector has been registered as a DFL entry with attributes indicative of physical reformatting (the second status field 21c is 1000) (Step 1304). If it has been registered, reproduction processing intended for the buffering processing of the cluster is not performed, and the data buffer 1060 is instead filled with dummy data (Step 1305). If it has not been registered, reproduction processing intended for buffering processing is carried out (Step 1306). In the same manner, when there is a fraction in an end sector (“Yes” in Step 1307), the device checks whether the cluster containing the end sector has been registered as a DFL entry with attributes indicative of physical reformatting (Step 1308). If it has been registered, reproduction processing intended for the buffering processing of the cluster is not performed, and the data buffer 1060 is instead filled with dummy data (Step 1309). If it has not been registered, reproduction processing intended for buffering processing is carried out (Step 1310). Subsequently, data used for recording is synthesized by overwriting the location corresponding to said sector in the data buffer 1060 with data transferred from the host (Step 1311). Then, if the clusters to be recorded have been registered as DFL entries possessing attributes indicative of physical reformatting (“Yes” in Step 1312), recording is carried out in the clusters shown as defective clusters in said DFL entries regardless of whether substitutes have been allocated (Step 1313). On the other hand, if the clusters to be recorded have not been registered as DFL entries possessing attributes indicative of physical reformatting (“No” in Step 1312), recording is carried out in substitute spare clusters (Step 1315) if substitutes have been allocated (“Yes” in Step 1314). In addition, if substitutes have not been allocated (“No” in Step 1314), after allocating new substitute spare clusters, recording is carried out in the substitute spare clusters (Step 1316). In addition, when user data is recorded in clusters shown as defective clusters in DFL entries possessing attributes indicative of physical reformatting (the second status field 21c is 1000) or when substitutes are allocated to said clusters and user data is recorded in the substitutes, the codes in the first status field 21a of the DFL entries are set in accordance with the circumstances and the contents of the second status field 21c are changed from 1000 to 0000. The disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 of the present embodiment has a feature whereby it inspects areas shown as defective areas in DFL entries possessing attributes indicative of physical reformatting while no operation instructions are issued by the higher-level control device (or during idle time in the course of other processing). Namely, while there are no operation instructions, such as recording instructions or reproduction instructions, issued by the higher-level control device, the inspection processing module 1074 searches all the DFL entries 21 registered in the DFL 12 and examines clusters shown as defective clusters in the DFL entries 21 with “1000” in the second status field 21c in order to determine whether they are indeed defective. Then, if defects have been eliminated in said clusters, the inspection processing module 1074 invalidates said DFL entries 21 by setting the first status field 21a to 0010. At such time, the value of the second status field 21c is changed from 1000 to 0000. On the other hand, if defects in said clusters are confirmed, the inspection processing module 1074 allocates substitute areas to said clusters and, at the same time, sets the first status field 21a to 0000 or 1000 and changes the contents of the second status field 21c from 1000 to 0000. As a result, the time period during which there are no operation instructions issued by the higher-level control device permits efficient inspection of defects on the physically reformatted disc. In addition, the above-described embodiment represents just one embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. For instance, in the explanations above, a value of 1000 in the second status field 21c implied that clusters shown in the field 21b had been physically reformatted, in other words, it represented two meanings, i.e. (1) that the defects of the clusters shown in the field 21b could have been eliminated by cleaning etc. during physical reformatting, and (2) that no significant user data were present in the defective clusters and in the substitute clusters. However, the above-mentioned items (1) and (2) may be assigned individual codes for each respective meaning so as to perform mutually different recording and reproduction processing depending on the respective code. In addition, although the disc 1 was exemplified by a BD in the present embodiment, the present invention is similarly applicable to information recording media, in which a single unit of error correction is constituted by a plurality of sectors, such as a DVD. For instance, it is self-evident to persons skilled in the art that in case of a DVD locations described as “clusters” in the present embodiment can be called “ECC blocks”. Furthermore, data transfer between the higher-level control device and the disc recording and reproduction drive, as well as data transfer between the disc recording and reproduction device and the disc, can be carried out either sequentially or simultaneously in parallel. In addition, it is evident that when the higher-level control device and the disc recording and reproduction drive are integrated in a single unit, parameter transfer can be implemented using a shared memory, etc.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In recent years, DVDs have gained widespread acceptance as optical discs permitting the recording of moving picture images in the form of digital information. In addition, Blu-ray discs (hereinafter called “BD” for short), which are known as the next-generation optical discs capable of recording at even higher densities than DVDs, already have reached the deployment stage. In case of DVDs, BDs and other optical discs, the minimum unit of logical access is called a sector. In the past, when a DVD-RAM or a BD had sectors where information could not be recorded or reproduced (called “defective sectors”), the reliability of recording data was ensured by performing the so-called defect management, whereby ECC blocks (in case of a DVD) or clusters (in case of a BD) in good condition were substituted for ECC blocks or clusters containing defective sectors. Defective sectors are generated not only during disc manufacture, but also as a result of scratches, contamination, and the like, adhering to the surface of discs when discs are in use. An example of a conventional optical disc where such defect management is performed, as well as an apparatus for its recording and reproduction, are disclosed in Patent Document 1. Here, explanations will be provided regarding the conventional optical disc (DVD) disclosed in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 11 , a conventional optical disc 91 has a data recording area 95 and disc information areas 94 . Parameters necessary for accessing the disc 91 are stored in the disc information areas 94 . In this example, the disc information areas 94 are provided both on the innermost peripheral side and on the outermost peripheral side of the disc 91 . The disc information area 94 on the innermost peripheral side is called the lead-in (lead-in) area. The disc information area 94 on the outermost peripheral side is called the lead-out (lead-out) area. The recording and reproduction of data is performed in the data recording area 95 . An absolute address called a physical sector number (hereinafter called PSN for short) is allocated in advance to each of the sectors of the data recording area 95 . A higher level control device (typically a host computer) issues an instruction for recording or reproduction to an optical disc device in sector units. When an instruction is issued by the higher-level control device to perform reproduction of a certain sector, the optical disc device reproduces the ECC block containing the sector from the disc and performs error correction, after which it sends back only the portion of the data that corresponds to the designated sector. In addition, when an instruction is issued by the higher-level control device to perform recording in a certain sector, the optical disc device reproduces the ECC block containing the sector from the disc and performs error correction, after which it substitutes recording data obtained from the higher-level control device for the portion of the data corresponding to the designated sector, re-calculates and re-assigns an error correction code to the ECC block, and records the ECC block containing the sector on the disc. This type of recording operation is called “read-modified write” The data recording area 95 contains a volume space 96 and a spare area 97 . The volume space 96 , which is an area intended for storage of user data, contains a logical volume space 96 a and volume structures 96 b showing the structure of the logical volume space 96 a . To provide access to the volume space 96 , logical sector numbers (hereinafter called LSNs for short) are allocated to the sectors contained in the volume space 96 . Data recording and reproduction is performed by accessing sectors on the disc 91 using the LSNs. The spare area 97 contains at least one sector (substitute sector) that can be used in place of a defective sector when a defective sector is generated in the volume space 96 . The disc information areas 94 each contain a control data area 94 a and a defect management information area 94 b . Defect management information 100 , which is used for managing defective sectors, is stored within the defect management information area 94 b. The defect management information 100 includes a disc definition structure 110 , a primary defect list (hereinafter called PDL for short) 120 , and a secondary defect list (hereinafter called SDL for short) 130 . The PDL 120 is used to manage defective sectors detected during inspection prior to shipment of the disc 91 . The pre-shipment inspection of the disc 91 usually is performed by the manufacturer of the disc 91 . The SDL 130 is used to manage defective sectors detected when a user uses the disc 91 . FIG. 12 shows the structure of the SDL 130 . The SDL 130 contains a secondary defect list header (SDL header) 200 containing an identifier identifying it as an SDL, information (SDL entry number information) 210 showing the number of SDL entries 220 registered in the SDL, and one or more SDL entries 220 (in the example shown in FIG. 12 , entry 1 through entry m). Note that a value of zero in the SDL entry number information 210 shows that there are no defective sectors registered in the SDL. FIG. 13 shows the structure of an SDL entry 220 . An SDL entry 220 contains a status field 220 a , a field 220 b for storing information describing the location of defective sectors, and a field 220 c used for storing information describing the location of substitute sectors substituted for defective sectors. The status field 220 a is used to indicate whether substitute sectors have been substituted for defective sectors. The location of the defective sectors is represented, for instance, by the physical sector numbers of the defective sectors. The location of the substitute sectors is represented, for instance, by the physical sector numbers of the substitute sectors. The status field 220 a contains, for instance, a 1-bit flag 220 a - 1 and a reserved area 220 a - 2 . For example, a value of one in the flag 220 a - 1 indicates that no substitute sectors have been substituted for defective sectors. A value of zero in the flag 220 a - 1 indicates that a substitute sector has been substituted for a defective sector. Although the above-explanations assume that defect management is performed in sector-units, defect management also is known to be performed in block-units, with each block constituted by a plurality of sectors. In such a case, information indicating the location of blocks (called “defective blocks”) containing defective sectors (e.g., the physical sector numbers of the head sectors of the defective blocks) is registered in the SDL instead of information indicating the location of the defective sectors, and information that indicates the location of substitute blocks (for instance, the physical sector numbers of the head sectors of the substitute blocks) is registered instead of information indicating the location of the substitute sectors. For instance, in the case of a DVD, the unit of defect management is an ECC block, i.e. the unit utilized for error correction. Incidentally, when the number of defective sectors increases, the frequency of substitute sector accesses becomes higher, thereby severely decreasing the speed of recording and reproduction and creating a particularly serious hindrance to the recording and reproduction of moving pictures. In addition, since substitute sectors are secured in the data recording area 95 , when numerous substitute areas are secured as a result of increased frequency of substitution, the recordable volume of user data is reduced as well. In such a case, physical reformatting (re-initialization) is recommended after cleaning the disc to remove dirt adhered to the surface of the disc. Subsequently created defects mostly are due to, for example, fingerprints on the disc surface, and most of the subsequently created defects are eliminated by cleaning. Conventionally, when physical reformatting was performed, all the contents of the status field 220 a , field 220 b and field 220 c in the SDL entry 220 were invalidated In addition, the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1 relates mostly to DVDs, and in case of BDs, all the contents of the defect list are erased when physical reformatting is carried out. Patent Document 1: JP 2000-322835A (FIGS. 1A˜1C). However, in the past, the erasure of the entire contents of the defect list resulted in the following problems. Namely, because all of the contents of the defect list were erased during physical reformatting, information indicating the location of defective sectors (or sectors where defects could be present) also was lost. Therefore, when there were defects that disc surface cleaning did not eliminate, recording of new data on the disc after formatting could result in user data being recorded despite the possible presence of defects, which required reproduction to be performed for read-modified write. However, reproduction was impossible because of the defects, and, as a result, recording was impossible as well. In addition, in the past, devices have been known that, after performing physical reformatting, optionally perform defect inspection processing (certification) by checking all the sectors on the disc for the presence of defects and registering information on the discovered defective sectors in a defect list. As an example of such conventional authentication processing, a technique is known in which authentication data is written over the entire volume space of the disc and the presence of defects on the disc is determined by confirming whether or not the written data can be reproduced correctly. However, the problem with this method is that, in the case of a DVD, for instance, authentication processing requires close to one hour from start to finish, which is extremely inconvenient for the user. In addition, a type of simplified defect inspection processing called quick certification (Quick Certification) is possible with BDs. During such processing, all the entries in a defect list are inspected for defective clusters, leaving the entries intact when there are defects and invalidating the entries when there are no defects. Therefore, the more entries a defect list has, the longer the processing time becomes, requiring up to 15 minutes or so in the worst case scenario.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is an explanatory figure showing the structure of a recording area of an information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory figure showing the logical structure of a recording area in an information recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the DFL 12 shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the structure of a DFL entry 21 in the DFL 12 . FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of the definition of a first status field 21 a in a DFL entry 21 . FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of the definition of a second status field 21 c in a DFL entry 21 . FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of physical reformatting processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 . FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of reproduction processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 . FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the details of the reproduction processing procedure executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 . FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the procedure of recording processing executed by the disc recording and reproduction drive 1020 . FIG. 11 is an explanatory figure showing an example of the logical structure of a recording area in a conventional information recording medium. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a defect list in a conventional information recording medium. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the structure of SDL entries in the conventional defect list of FIG. 12 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051208

20110614

20070426

94985.0

G11C2900

GUPTA, PARUL H

INFORMATION RECORDING DEVICE CAPABLE OF HIGH SPEED PHYSICAL REFORMATTING AND RECORDING

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G11C

ACCEPTED

Methods for treatment of parkinson's disease

New uses of safinamide, safinamide derivatives and MAO-B inhibitors in novel types of treatment for Parkinson's Disease are described. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for treating Parkinson's Disease through the administration of safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor, in combination with other Parkinson's Disease agents or treatments, such as levodopa/PDI or dopamine agonists.

1. A method of treating Parkinson's Disease, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a first composition comprising safinamide, a safinamide derivative or a MAO-B inhibitor and a second composition comprising at least one Parkinson's Disease agent, in an amount effective to treat said Parkinson's Disease in said patient. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first composition is safinamide. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first composition is a safinamide derivative. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the safinamide derivative is selected from the group consisting of (S)-2-(4-Benzyloxy-benzylamino)-propionamide; 2-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenethyl]-amino-acetamide; 2-{[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzyl]-methylamino}-acetamide; 2-(4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino)-acetamide; (S)-(+)-2-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-propanamide; (S)-(+)-2-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-propanamide; (S)-(+)-2-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-propanamide; (R)-(−)-2-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-3-hydroxy-propanamide; (S)-(+)-2-{4-[2-(3-Fluorophenyl)-ethyl]-oxybenzyl}-amino-propanamide; 2-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-2-methyl-propanamide; and 2-[4-(3-Bromo-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-2-methyl-propanamide. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first composition is a MAO-B inhibitor. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first composition is selected from the group consisting of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone. 7. (canceled) 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition comprises at least two Parkinson's Disease agents. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition comprises at least three Parkinson's Disease agents. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition comprises at least four Parkinson's Disease agents. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition comprises at least one dopamine agonist. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least one dopamine agonist is selected from the group consisting of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition comprises levodopa/PDI. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein said levodopa/PDI is selected from a group consisting of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS). 15. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition further comprises a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor is tolcapone or entacapone. 17. The method of claim 1, wherein said second composition further comprises amantidine. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of said first composition and the amount of said second composition are effective to reduce symptoms and to enable an observation of a reduction in symptoms. 19. A method of treating Parkinson's Disease, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition in an amount effective to treat said Parkinson's Disease in said patient, said pharmaceutical compositions comprising: (a) safinamide and one or more Parkinson's Disease agents, (b) a safinamide derivative and one or more Parkinson's Disease agents, or (c) a MAO-B inhibitor and one or more Parkinson's Disease agents. 20. (canceled) 21. (canceled) 22. (canceled) 23. (canceled) 24. (canceled) 25. The method of claim 19, wherein said one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprise dopamine agonists. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said dopamine agonists are selected from the group consisting of bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, pramipexole, lisuride, cabergoline, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole and dihydroergocriptine. 27. The method of claim 19, wherein said one or more Parkinson's Disease agents is selected from the group consisting of levodopa/PDI, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor and amantidine. 28. (canceled) 29. (canceled) 30. A combination therapy for treating Parkinson's Disease, comprising administering to a subject having Parkinson's Disease a first composition comprising safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and a second composition comprising at least one Parkinson's Disease agent, such that said Parkinson's disease is treated or at least partially alleviated. 31. (canceled) 32. (canceled) 33. (canceled) 34. The combination therapy of claim 33, wherein the first composition is selected from the group consisting of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone. 35. The combination therapy of claim 30, wherein said second composition comprises at least two Parkinson's Disease agents. 36. The combination therapy of claim 30, wherein said second composition comprises at least three Parkinson's Disease agents. 37. The combination therapy of claim 30, wherein said second composition comprises at least four Parkinson's Disease agents. 38. The combination therapy of claim 30, wherein said second composition comprises at least one dopamine agonist. 39. The combination therapy of claim 38, wherein said at least one dopamine agonist is selected from the group consisting of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole. 40. The combination therapy of claim 30, wherein said second composition is selected from the group consisting of levodopa/PDI, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor and amantidine. 41. (canceled) 42. (canceled) 43. The combination therapy of claim 30, wherein the amount of said first composition and the amount of said second composition are effective to reduce symptoms and to enable an observation of a reduction in symptoms. 44. (canceled) 45. (canceled) 46. A kit for treating a patient having Parkinson's Disease, comprising a therapeutically effective dose of a first composition comprising safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and a second composition comprising at least one Parkinson's Disease agent for treating or at least partially alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, either in the same or separate packaging, and instructions for its use. 47. The kit of claim 46 wherein said second composition for treating Parkinson's Disease comprises at least one of a dopamine agonist, levodopa/PDI, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor and amantidine. 48. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a member of the group consisting of safinamide a safinamide derivative and a MAO-B inhibitor and one or more Parkinson's Disease agents, in an amount effective to treat said Parkinson's Disease in said patient. 49. (canceled) 50. (canceled) 51. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 48, wherein said one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprises at least one of a dopamine agonist, levodopa/PDI, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor and amantidine. 52. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 48, wherein the one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprises a dopamine agonist in an effective amount to treat Parkinson's Disease. 53. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 48, wherein one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprises levodopa/PDI in an effective amount to treat Parkinson's Disease. 54. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 48, wherein one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprises levodopa/PDI and a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor in an effective amount to treat Parkinson's Disease. 55. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 48, wherein one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprises levodopa/PDI, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist in an effective amount to treat Parkinson's Disease. 56. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 48, wherein one or more Parkinson's Disease agents comprises levodopa/PDI, a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor, a dopamine agonist and amantidine in an effective amount to treat Parkinson's Disease.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a new compositions and methods of treating Parkinson's disease. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for treating Parkinson's Disease through the administration of safinamide , safinamide derivative or a MAO-B inhibitor in combination with other Parkinson's Disease agents or treatments, such as dopamine agonists or levodopa. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Parkinson's Disease (PD) currently affects about 10 million people world-wide. PD is a highly specific degeneration of dopamine-containing cells of the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Degeneration of the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease causes a dopamine deficiency in the striatum. Effective management of a patient with PD is possible in the first 5-7 years of treatment, after which time a series of often debilitating complications, together referred to as Late Motor Fluctuations (LMF) occur (Marsden and Parkes, Lancet II: 345-349, 1997). It is believed that treatment with levodopa, or L-dopa, the most effective antiparkinson drug, may facilitate or even promote the appearance of LMF. Dopamine agonists are employed as a treatment alternative, but they do not offer the same degree of symptomatic relief to patients as L-dopa does (Chase, Drugs, 55 (suppl. 1): 1-9, 1998). Symptomatic therapies improve signs and symptoms without affecting the underlying disease state. Levodopa ((−)-L-alpha-amino-beta-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid) increases dopamine concentration in the striatum, especially when its peripheral metabolism is inhibited by a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (PDI). Levodopa/PDI therapy is widely used for symptomatic therapy for Parkinson's disease, such as combinations with Ilevodopa, with carbidopa ((−)-L-alpha-hydrazino-alpha-methyl-beta-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid monohydrate), such as SINEMET®; levodopa and controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa and benserazide (MADOPAR®, Prolopa), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (2-Amino-3-hydroxy-propionic acid N′-(2,3,4-trihydroxy-benzyl)-hydrazide), MADOPAR-HBS. COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitors enhance levodopa treatment as they inhibit levodopa's metabolism, enhancing its bioavailability and thereby making more of the drug available in the synaptic cleft for a longer period of time. Examples of COMT inhibitors include tolcapone (3,4-dihydroxy-4′-methyl-5-nitrobenzophenone) and entacapone ((E)-2-cyano-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diethyl-2-propenamide). Dopamine agonists provide symptomatic benefit by directly stimulating post-synaptic striatal dopamine receptors. Examples include bromocriptine ((5α)-2-Bromo-12′-hydroxy-2′-(1-methylethyl)-5′-(2-methylpropyl)ergotaman-3′,6′, 18-trione), pergolide (8B-[(Methylthio)methyl]-6-propylergoline), ropinirole (4-[2-(Dipropylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one), pramipexole ((S)-4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-N6-propyl-2,6-benzothiazolediamine), lisuride (N′-[(8α)-9,10-didehydro-6-methylergolin-8-yl]-N,N-diethylurea), cabergoline ((8β)-N-[3-(Dimethylamino)propyl]-N-[(ethylamino)carbonyl]-6-(2-propenyl)ergoline-8-carboxamide), apomorphine ((6aR)-5,6,6a,7-Tetrahydro-6-methyl-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-10,11-diol), sumanirole (5-(methylanino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-imidazo {4,5,1-ij} quinolin-2(1H)-one), rotigotine ((−)(S)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6-[propyl [2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]amino]-1-naphthol), talipexole (5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-6-(2-propenyl)-4H-thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin-2-amine), and dihydroergocriptine (ergotaman-3′,6′,18-trione,9,10-dihydro-12′-hydroxy-2′-methyl-5′-(phenylmethyl) (5′α)). Dopamine agonists are effective as monotherapy early in the course of Parkinson's disease and as an adjunct to levodopa in more advanced stages. Unlike levodopa, dopamine agonists directly stimulate post-synaptic dopamine receptors. They do not undergo oxidative metabolism and are not thought to accelerate the disease process. In fact, animals fed a diet including pergolide were found to experience less age-related loss of dopamine neurons. Amantidine (1-Aminotricyclo (3,3,1,13,7)decane) is an antiviral agent that was 25 discovered by chance to have anti-parkinsonian activity. Its mechanism of action in PD has not been established, but it was originally believed to work by increasing dopamine release (Bailey et al., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther., 216: 246-262, 1975). Patients who receive amantidine either as monotherapy or in combination with levodopa show improvement in akinesia, rigidity and tremor (Mann et al., Neurology, 21: 958-962, 1971; and Parkes et al., Lancet, 21: 1083-1086, 1971). Other medications used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease include MAO-B inhibitors. Inhibition of L-dopa metabolism through inactivation of the monoamino oxidase type B (MAO-B) is an effective means of enhancing the efficacy of both endogenous residual dopamine and that exogenously derived from its precursor, L-dopa (Youdim and Finberg, Biochem Pharmacol. 41: 155-162,1991). Selegiline (methyl-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-prop-2-ynyl-amine) is a MAO-B inhibitor. There is evidence that treatment with selegiline may slow down disease progression in PD by blocking the formation of free radicals derived from the oxidative metabolism of dopamine (Heikkila et al., Nature 311: 467-469, 1984; Mytilineou et al., J Neurochem., 68: 33-39, 1997). Another MAO-B inhibitor under development is rasagiline (N-propargyl-1-(R)aminoindan, TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.). Other examples of MAO B inhibitors include lazabemide (N-(2-Aminoethyl)-5-chloro-2-pyridinecarboxamide) and caroxazone (2-Oxo-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-3(4H)-acetamide). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based, in part, on the unexpected finding that the combination of safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and other Parkinson's Disease agents provides a more effective treatment for Parkinson's Disease (PD) than either component alone. The invention includes methods of using such compounds to treat Parkinson's Disease and pharmaceutical compositions for treating PD which may be used in such methods. In one embodiment, the invention relates to methods for treating Parkinson's Disease through the administration of safinamide, a safmamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor in combination with other Parkinson's Disease agents or treatments, either alone or in combination, such as levodopa/PDI, COMT inhibitors, amantidine, or dopamine agonists. When safinamide is used in combination with other types of drugs, an unexpected, synergistic effect is achieved. The improvement of symptoms and the delay of disease progression are more evident in patients treated with the combination of drugs than those treated with a single type of drug alone. When safinamide was administered alone, patients improved only by an average 6.9% whereas when safinamide was added to a stabilized dose of a variety of dopamine agonists, the average improvement reached 27.8%. In one embodiment, methods of treating Parkinson's Disease are disclosed, wherein safinamide, a safmamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent are administered to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the Parkinson's Disease is treated or at least partially alleviated. The safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. The amount of safinamide, safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent is typically effective to reduce symptoms and to enable an observation of a reduction in symptoms. Safinamide, or safinamide derivative, may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 0.1 and about 10 mg/kg/day, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mg/kg/day. MAO-B inhibitors may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 0.1 mg/day and about 50 mg/day, more preferably from about 1 mg/day to about 10 mg/day. Safinamide is an anti-PD agent with multiple mechanisms of action. One mechanism of safinamide may be as a MAO-B inhibitor. Other MAO-B inhibitors which may be used in the invention, in place of safinamide, include, but are not limited to, selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, and combinations thereof. Parkinson's Disease agents which may be used with safinamide, a safmamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention include one or more of levodopa/PDIs, dopamine agonists, amantidine and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. Levodopa/PDIs include, but are not limited to, levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), and levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS). Dopamine agonists include, but are not limited to, bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, pramipexole, lisuride, cabergoline, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole and dihydroergocriptine. COMT inhibitors include, but are not limited to, tolcapone and entacapone. Combinations of safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI may also include additional Parkinson's Disease agents such as COMT inhibitors, amantidine and/or dopamine agonists. One combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a dopamine agonist. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist. Yet another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, and amantidine. In one aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide, a safmamide derivative (or a safinamide derivative) and a dopamine agonist. In one embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safmamide (or a safinamide derivative) and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) and levodopa/PDI. In one embodiment a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) and one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS) for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS) and one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), levodopa/PDI a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist and amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide, amantidine, one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), and one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In one aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors and a dopamine agonist. In one embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors and levodopa/PDI. In one embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone and one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS). In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa/PDI and a COMT inhibitor. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), and one or more of entacapone and tolcapone for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa/PDI a COMT inhibitor and a dopamine agonist for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, and amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, amantidine, one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Administration of the therapies and combination therapies of the invention may be orally, topically, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. The invention further relates to kits for treating patients having Parkinson's Disease. Such kits include a therapeutically effective dose of an agent for treating or at least partially alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (e.g., levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, pramipexole, lisuride, cabergoline, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, entacapone, tolcapone, amantidine) and safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), or a MAO-B inhibitor such as selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, or caroxazone, either in the same or separate packaging, and instructions for its use. Pharmaceutical compositions including safinamide, a safinamide derivative or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent, in an effective amount(s) to treat Parkinson's Disease, are also included in the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The features and other details of the invention will now be more particularly described and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that particular embodiments described herein are shown by way of illustration and not as limitations of the invention. The principal features of this invention can be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Safinamide, (+)-(S)-2-[[p-[(m-fluorobenzyl)oxy]-benzyl]amino]propionamide, (NW-1015, FCE26743 or PNU151774E), is an α-aminoamide, a chemical class of compounds with a favorable pharmacological and safety profile. Safmamide and its analogs or derivatives are thought to be multi-mechanism drugs which potentially exert biological activity via a variety of mechanisms, including sodium and a calcium channel blockade and dopamine re-uptake inhibition (Fariello et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 285: 397-403, 1998; Salvati et al, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 288:1151-1159, 1999; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,236,957; 5,391,577; 5,502,079; 5,502,658; 5,945,454; 6,306,903, and PCT publications WO 90/14334; WO 97/05102 WO 99/35125. Safinamide is also a potent, reversible inhibitor of MAO-B activity (Strolin Benedetti et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 46:814-819, 1994). Safinamide has been shown to be an anticonvulsant and neuroprotectant and it is under clinical development by oral route as anticonvulsant and anti-Parkinson agent. Other N-substituted α-amino carboxamide derivatives have favorable pharmacological properties, for example, the treatment and prophylaxis of such diseases as coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis; moreover they are useful in the treatment of inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. British patent No. 1140748. Further substituted amino acid derivatives are known as enkephalinase inhibitors, analgesics and hypotensives. EP-A-0038758. Still other substituted glycine and alanine derivatives are disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,663. The compounds according to this document have utility as oral analgesics. Certain N-phenylalkyl substituted a-amino carboxamide derivatives, including safinamide, are described as active as anti-epileptic, anti-Parkinson, neuroprotective, antidepressant, antispastic, and/or hypnotic agents. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,236,957; 5,391,577; 5,502,079; and PCT Publication WO 90/14334. Thus, the use of such N-phenylalkyl substituted α-amino carboxamide compounds, e.g., safinamide derivatives, in the methods and compositions of the invention is contemplated. Safinamide derivatives include those describef by Formula I: Where: R is C1-C8 alkyl; a C3-C8 cycloalkyl, furyl, thienyl or pyridyl ring; or a phenyl ring unsubstituted or substituted by 1 to 4 substituents independently chosen from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy and trifluoromethyl; A is a —(CH2)m— or —(CH2)p—X—(CH2)q— group, wherein m is an integer of 1 to 4, one of p and q is zero and the other is zero or an integer of 1 to 4, and X is —O—, —S— or —NR4— in which R4 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; n is zero or 1; each of R1 and R2, independently, is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R3 is hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl unsubstituted or substituted by hydroxy or by a phenyl ring optionally substituted by 1 to 4 substituents independently chosen from halogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy and trifluoromethyl; R3′ is hydrogen; or R3 and R3 taken together with the adjacent carbon atom form a C3-C6 cycloalkyl ring; each of R5 and R6, independently, is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl; and wherein when R is C1-C8 alkyl, then A is a —(CH2)p—X—(CH2)q— group in which p and q are both zero and X is as defined above. The present invention includes all the possible optical isomers of the compounds of formula (I) and their mixtures, as well as the metabolites of the compounds of formula (I). The present invention also includes within its scope pharmaceutically acceptable bioprecursors and prodrugs of the compounds of formula (I), i.e. compounds, which have a formula different to formula (I), but which nevertheless are directly or indirectly converted in vivo into a compound of formula (I) upon administration to a human being. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of formula (I) include acid addition salts with inorganic acids, e.g. nitric, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulphuric, perchloric, and phosphoric acid, or organic acids, e.g. acetic, propionic, glycolic, lactic, oxalic, malonic, malic, tartaric, citric, benzoic, cinnamic, mandelic, methanesulfonic and salicylic acids. The alkyl, alkylamino, alkylthio and alkoxy groups may be branched or straight chain groups. When R5 and R6 are both alkyl groups, the alkyl group for R5 may be same as or different from the alkyl group for R6. A halogen atom is preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine, in particular fluorine or chlorine. A C1-C8 alkyl group is preferably a C1-C6 alkyl group. A C1-C6 alkyl group is preferably a C1-C4 alkyl group. A C1-C4 alkyl group is e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl or tert.butyl, preferably it is methyl or ethyl. A C1-C6 alkoxy group is e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy or tert.butoxy, preferably it is methoxy or ethoxy. A C3-C8 cycloalkyl group is preferably a cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclobeptyl group. A C3-C6 cycloalkyl ring is preferably a cyclopropyl or cyclopentyl ring. A thienyl ring is for instance a 2- or 3-thienyl ring. A pyridyl ring is for instance a 2-, 3- or 4, in particular a 3-pyridyl ring. A furyl ring is for instance a 2- or 3-furyl ring. A substituted phenyl ring is preferably substituted by one or two substituents chosen independently from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl and trifluoromethyl. When in a —(CH2)m— or —(CH2)p—X—(CH2)q— group, m, p and/or q is greater than 1, then such group may be a branched or straight alkylene chain. A —(CH2)m— group is for instance a —CH(R14)— group in which R14 is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl, or it is a —CH2CH2— or —CH2CH2CH2— group. A C1-C4 alkyl group substituted by hydroxy is preferably a hydroxymethyl or 1-hydroxyethyl group. A C1-C4 alkyl group substituted by a phenyl ring is preferably a benzyl or phenethyl group, and m is preferably 1 or 2. Each of p and q, being an integer of 1 to 4, it is preferably 1 or 2. Preferred compounds of the invention are the compounds of formula (I), wherein R is a phenyl ring unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituents independently chosen from halogen, C1-C4 alkyl and trifluoromethyl; A is a —(CH2)m— or —(CH2)p—X—(CH2)q— group, wherein m is 1 or 2, one of p and q is zero and the other is zero, 1 or 2, and X is —O—, —S— or —NH—; n is zero or 1; each of R1 and R2, independently, is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R3 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy; R3′ is hydrogen; each of R5 and R6 is independently hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. More preferred compounds of the invention are the compounds of formula (I), wherein R is phenyl ring unsubstituted or substituted by halogen; A is a —(CH2)m— or —(CH2)p—X—(CH2)q— group, wherein m is 1 or 2; one of p and q is zero and the other is zero or 1 and X is —O—, —S— or —NH—; n is zero; R1 is hydrogen; R2 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R3 is hydrogen or C1-C2 alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxy; R3′ is hydrogen; each of R5 and R6 independently is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Examples of particularly preferred compounds of the invention include the following: (S)-2-(4-Benzyloxy-benzylamino)-propionamide; 2-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-phenethyl]-amino-acetamide; 2-{[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzyl]-methylamino}-acetamide; 2-(4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino)-acetamide; (S)-(+)-2-[4-(2-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-propanamide; (S)-(+)-2-[4-(4-Fluoro-benzyloxy)benzylamino]-propanamide; (S)-(+)-2-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-propanamide; (R)-(−)-2-[4-(3-Chloro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-3-hydroxy-propanamide; (S)-(+)-2-{4-[2-(3-Fluorophenyl)-ethyl]-oxybenzyl}-amino-propanamide; 2-[4-(3-Fluoro-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-2-methyl-propanamide; and 2-[4-(3-Bromo-benzyloxy)-benzylamino]-2-methyl-propanamide. These compounds and their salts are referred to herein as “safinamide derivatives”. For convenience, certain terms used in the specification, examples, and appended claims are collected here. “MAO-B inhibitors” include molecules capable of acting as inhibitors of MAO-B, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. Members of the MAO-B inhibitor family include both naturally occurring and synthetic molecules. MAO-B inhibitors can be e.g., selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide or caroxazone. Safinamide can also be considered a potent and selective (reversible) MAO-B inhibitor, but one which possesses additional mechanisms of action such as dopamine re-uptake inhibition and sodium and calcium channel blockade. A “specific MAO-B inhibitor” or “selective MAO-B inhibitor” is one which inhibits MAO-B more strongly than it inhibits MAO-A. A selective MAO-B inhibitor should inhibit MAO-B at least 10 times more strongly than it inhibits MAO-A. Preferably, the selective MAO-B inhibitor inhibits MAO-B, 100, 1000, 2500, 5000, or 10,000 times more strongly than it inhibits MAO-A. An “derivative” of a particular compound is one that differs structurally from that original (parent) compound by fove or fewer substitutions, or by modification of five or fewer chemical bonds, while retaining the desired activity of the parent compound. Thus, “safinamide derivatives” include molecules whose structures differ from that of safinamide by 5 or fewer substitutions or by modification of five or fewer chemical bonds. “Combination therapy” (or “co-therapy”) includes the administration of safinamide or MAO-B inhibitor and at least a Parkinson's Disease agent as part of a specific treatment regimen intended to provide the beneficial effect from the co-action of these therapeutic agents. The beneficial effect of the combination includes, but is not limited to, pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic co-action resulting from the combination of therapeutic agents. Administration of these therapeutic agents in combination typically is carried out over a defined time period (usually minutes, hours, days or weeks depending upon the combination selected). An example of combination therapy for treating Parkinson's Disease with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and another PD agent is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,200, specifically incorporated herein by reference. “Combination therapy” may, but generally is not, intended to encompass the administration of two or more of these therapeutic agents as part of separate monotherapy regimens that incidentally and arbitrarily result in the combinations of the present invention. “Combination therapy” is intended to embrace administration of these therapeutic agents in a sequential manner, that is, wherein each therapeutic agent is administered at a different time, as well as administration of these therapeutic agents, or at least two of the therapeutic agents, in a substantially simultaneous manner. Substantially simultaneous administration can be accomplished, for example, by administering to the subject a single capsule having a fixed ratio of each therapeutic agent or in multiple, single capsules for each of the therapeutic agents. Sequential or substantially simultaneous administration of each therapeutic agent can be effected by any appropriate route including, but not limited to, oral routes, intravenous routes, intramuscular routes, and direct absorption through mucous membrane tissues. The therapeutic agents can be administered by the same route or by different routes. For example, a first therapeutic agent of the combination selected may be administered by intravenous injection while the other therapeutic agents of the combination may be administered orally. Alternatively, for example, all therapeutic agents may be administered orally or all therapeutic agents may be administered by intravenous injection. The sequence in which the therapeutic agents are administered is not narrowly critical. “Combination therapy” also embraces the administration of the therapeutic agents as described above in further combination with other biologically active ingredients and non-drug therapies (e.g., surgery). Where the combination therapy further comprises a non-drug treatment, the non-drug treatment may be conducted at any suitable time so long as a beneficial effect from the co-action of the combination of the therapeutic agents and non-drug treatment is achieved. For example, in appropriate cases, the beneficial effect is still achieved when the non-drug treatment is temporally removed from the administration of the therapeutic agents, perhaps by days or even weeks. A combination therapy for PD may include levodopa/PDI (with or without amantidine, COMT inhibitors and/or dopamine agonists) and safinamide (or a safmamide derivative). Alternatively, or in addition, combination therapy for PD may include levodopa/PDI (with or without amantidine, COMT inhibitors and/or dopamine agonists) and a MAO-B inhibitor. “Parkinson's Disease agents” include levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS); COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitors such as tolcapone and entacapone; dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, pramipexole, lisuride, cabergoline, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole and dihydroergocriptine; and adamantidine. Combination therapy includes the administration of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and one or more dopamine agonists and/or levodopa/PDIs, with or without COMT inhibitors and amantidine. One combination therapy of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI. Another combination therapy of the invention includes safmamide or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor. Another combination therapy of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI and a dopamine agonist. Another combination therapy of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist. Yet another combination therapy of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, amantidine and a dopamine agonist. The present invention provides a more effective method of treatment for Parkinson's Disease, and pharmaceutical compositions for treating PD which may be used in such methods. The methods and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are used to treat symptoms associated with PD. Further, the methods and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are used to slow the progression of PD. “Parkinson's Disease symptoms,” includes the commonly observed symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, such as those described in: Sulkava, Adv Neurol, 91:411-413, 2003; Facca and Koller, Adv Neurol, 91:383-396, 2003; Marjama-Lyons and Koller, Geriatrics August;56(8):24-25,29-30, and 33-35, 2001; Siderowf,Neurol Clin August;19(3):565-578, 2001; and Poewe, Curr Opin Neurol Neurosurg June;6(3):333-338, 1993. Some symptoms of PD include bradykinesia, or slowness in voluntary movement, which produces difficulty initiating movement as well as difficulty completing movement once it is in progress. The delayed transmission of signals from the brain to the skeletal muscles, due to diminished dopamine, produces bradykinesia. Other symptoms include tremors in the hands, fingers, forearm, or foot, which tend to occur when the limb is at rest but not when performing tasks. Tremor may occur in the mouth and chin as well. Other symptoms of PD include rigidity, or stiff muscles, which may produce muscle pain and an expressionless, mask-like face. Rigidity tends to increase during movement. Other indications of PD include poor balance, due to the impairment or loss of the reflexes that adjust posture in order to maintain balance. Falls are common in people with Parkinson's. Parkinsonian gait is the distinctive unsteady walk associated with Parkinson's disease. There is a tendency to lean unnaturally backward or forward, and to develop a stooped, head-down, shoulders-drooped stance. Arm swing is diminished or absent and people with Parkinson's tend to take small shuffling steps (called festination). Someone with Parkinson's may have trouble starting to walk, appear to be falling forward as they walk, freeze in mid-stride, and have difficulty making a turn. The progressive loss of voluntary and involuntary muscle control produces a number of secondary symptoms associated with Parkinson's. Most patients do not experience all of them, and symptoms vary in intensity from person to person. Some secondary symptoms of Parkinson's disease include: bradyphrenia (slow response to questions); constipation; dementia (loss of intellectual capacity)—late in the disease; dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)—saliva and food that collects in the mouth or back of the throat may cause choking, coughing, or drooling; hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating); hypersalivation (excessive salivation); hypophonia (soft, whispery voice); incontinence (loss of bladder and/or bowel control); micrographia (small, cramped handwriting); and psychosocial symptom such as: anxiety, depression, isolation; and seborrhea (scaling, dry skin on the face and scalp). To evaluate whether a patient is benefiting from the PD treatment, one would examine the patient's symptoms in a quantitative way. In a successful treatment, the patient status will have improved (i.e., the symptoms will have decreased), or the progression will have been retarded (e.g., the patient's condition will have stabilized). The patient's neurons are also evaluated, and a benefited patient will exhibit neuronal protection from oxidative damage (e.g., by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) behavior in frequent, serial MRI studies and compare the patient's status measurement before and after treatment), SPECT or PET imaging techniques demonstrating sparing of pre- or postsynaptic dopaminergic terminals. There are a number of standard rating scales for the quantitation of extra-pyramidal neurological deficits. The most complete and validated scale is the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). It is subdivided into 6 sections. Part III corresponds to the outcome of a physical examination of motor function and is based on the old “Columbia Scale”. The symptoms of Parkinson's Disease also include changes in the substantia nigra of the brain. In an embodiment, the invention relates to methods for treating Parkinson's Disease through the administration of safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor in combination with other Parkinson's Disease agents or treatments. The inventors have discovered that when safinamide is used in combination with other types of drugs, an unexpected, synergistic effect is achieved. The improvement of symptoms and possibly the delay of disease progression is more evident in patients treated with the combination of drugs than those treated with a single type of drug alone. The unexpected synergistic effect of treatment with safinamide in combination with other PD agents provides a scientific rationale for the use of these co-therapies as novel PD therapy. In one embodiment, methods of treating Parkinson's Disease are disclosed, wherein safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent(s) are administered to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are treated or at least partially alleviated. Safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. In another embodiment, a patient is diagnosed, e.g., to determine if treatment is necessary, whereupon a combination therapy in accordance with the invention is administered to treat the patient. The amount of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent(s) is typically effective to reduce symptoms and to enable an observation of a reduction in symptoms. The methods of treating Parkinson's Disease disclosed, herein include administration of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and a dopamine agonist and/or levodopa/PDI and/or COMT inhibitors, and/or amantidine such that the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are treated or at least partially alleviated. One combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI. Another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor. Another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a dopamine agonist. Another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist. Yet another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI , a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist and amantidine. Administration the treatment according to the methods of the invention is made to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are treated or at least partially alleviated. The safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and PD agent may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. In another embodiment, a patient is diagnosed, e.g., to determine if treatment is necessary, whereupon a combination therapy in accordance with the invention is administered to treat the patient. The amount of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and PD agent(s) is typically effective to reduce symptoms and to enable an observation of a reduction in symptoms. In one embodiment, methods of treating Parkinson's Disease are disclosed, wherein safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent are administered to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the progression of Parkinson's Disease is at least partially slowed. The safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent(s) may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. The amount of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent(s) is typically effective to retard the progression of PD or to enable an observation of a stabilization in symptoms. The methods of treating Parkinson's Disease disclosed, herein include administration of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and a dopamine agonist and/or levodopa/PDI and/or COMT inhibitors and/or anantidine to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the progression of Parkinson's Disease is at least partially retarded. The safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and PD agent(s) may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. The amount of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and PD agent(s) is typically effective to retard progression of PD and to enable an observation of a stabilization in symptoms. One combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI. Another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI and a COMT inhibitor. Another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI and a dopamine agonist. Another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safmamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist. Yet another combination which can be used in the methods of the invention includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist and amantidine. Administration the treatment according to the methods of the invention is made to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease are treated or at least partially alleviated. The safinamide (or a safmamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and PD agent(s) may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. In another embodiment, a patient is diagnosed, e.g., to determine if treatment is necessary, whereupon a combination therapy in accordance with the invention is administered to treat the patient. The amount of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent(s) is typically effective to retard the progression of PD or to enable an observation of a stabilization in symptoms. Safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 1 and about 700 mg/day, advantageously from about 10 to about 300 mg per day, more preferably from about 10 to about 70 or 80 or 150 or 200 or 300 mg/day. For example, safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 0.1 and about 5 mg/kg/day, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mg/kg/day. Bromocriptine may be administered from 0.5 to 80 mg/day patient: cabergoline from 0.1 to 50 mg/day patient, dihydroergocriptine from 1 to 120 mg/day/patient; lisuride from 0.01 to 20 mg/day patient; pergolide from 0.1 to 20 mg/day/patient; apomorphine from 1 to 200 mg/day/patient; pramipexole from 0.1 to 20 mg/day/patient; ropinirole from 0.1 to 50 mg/day/patient; tolcapone from 10 to 600 mg/day/patient; entacapone from 10 to 600 mg/day/patient; levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®) from 20 to 2000 mg/day/patient and from 10 to 300 mg/day/patient respectively; levodopa plus carbidopa retard (SINEMET-CR®) from 40 to 2400 mg/day and from 10 to 200 mg/day/patient respectively; levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®) from 50 to 1500 mg/day and from 10 to 200 mg/day patient respectively; levodopa plus benserazide retard (MADOPAR-HBS) from 50 to 1500 mg/day and from 10 to 200 mg/day/patient respectively; L-dopa methyl chloridate from 200 to 800 mg; selegiline from 0.1 to 50 mg/day/patient; rasagiline from 0.1 to 10 mg/day/patient, other MAO-B inhibitors may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 0.1 mg/day and about 50 mg/day, more preferably from about 1 mg/day to about 10 mg/day; amantidine from 1 to 2000 mg/day/patient. As for every drug, the dosage is an important part of the success of the treatment and the health of the patient. The degree of efficacy as a PD treatment depends on the particular drug combination. In every case, in the specified range, the physician has to determine the best dosage for a given patient, according to his sex, age, weight, pathological state and other parameters. Depending on the chosen combination, the amount given to the subject must be appropriate, particularly effective to specifically treat symptoms associated with PD, to slow progression of the disease, to stabilize the observed symptoms, or to produce the desired neuroprotective effects. Administration may be, e.g., intralesional, intraperitoneal, intramuscular or intravenous injection; infusion; or topical, transdermal, transcutaneous, nasal, oral, ocular or otic delivery. A particularly convenient frequency for the administration of the combination is once a day. As noted above, combination therapies are part of the invention. The combination therapies of the invention may be administered in any suitable fashion to obtain the desired treatment of PD in the patient. One way in which this may be achieved is to prescribe a regimen of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor so as to “pre-treat” the patient to obtain the effects of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) then follow with the PD agent as part of a specific treatment regimen, e.g., a standard administration of levodopa/PDI (with or without a COMT inhibitor and/or amantidine) and/or a dopamine agonist, to provide the benefit of the co-action of the therapeutic agents. Combination therapies of the invention include this sequential administration, as well as administration of these therapeutic agents, or at least two of the therapeutic agents, in a substantially simultaneous manner. Substantially simultaneous administration can be accomplished, for example, by administering to the subject a single capsule, pill, or injection having a fixed ratio of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) and, e.g., a dopamine agonist, or in multiple, single capsules or injections. The components of the combination therapies, as noted above, can be administered by the same route or by different routes. For example, safinamide may be administered by orally, while the other PD agent may be administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously; or all therapeutic agents may be administered orally or all therapeutic agents may be administered by intravenous injection. The sequence in which the therapeutic agents are administered is not believed to be critical. Administration of the therapies and combination therapies of the invention may be administered (both or individually) orally, topically, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. The invention further relates to kits for treating patients having PD, comprising a therapeutically effective dose of an agent for treating or at least partially alleviating the symptoms of PD (e.g., levodopa/PDI, a COMT-inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, amantidine and safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor) either in the same or separate packaging, and instructions for its use. In one aspect, a kit includes therapeutic doses of one or more PD agent(s) and safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment, and instructions for use. In another embodiment, a kit includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and one or more dopamine agonists for treating a patient in need of PD treatment, and instructions for use. In another embodiment, a kit includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and one or more levodopa/PDI for treating a patient in need of PD treatment, and instructions for use. In another embodiment, a kit includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and one or more levodopa/PDI and/or COMT inhibitors for treating a patient in need of PD treatment, and instructions for use. In another embodiment, a kit includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and one or more levodopa/PDI and/or COMT inhibitors and/or amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment, and instructions for use. In another embodiment, a kit includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and one or more levodopa/PDI and/or COMT inhibitors and/or amantidine and/or dopamine agonists for treating a patient in need of PD treatment, and instructions for use. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent(s), in an effective amount(s) to treat Parkinson's Disease, are also included in the invention. In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical composition includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and/or levodopa/PDI and/or dopamine agonists may include additional Parkinson's Disease agents such as COMT inhibitors and/or amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. One combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a dopamine agonist for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor and a dopamine agonist for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Yet another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includes therapeutic doses of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, and amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Preferably, treatment should continue as long as Parkinson's Disease symptoms are suspected or observed. The preparation of pharmaceutical or pharmacological compositions will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Typically, such compositions may be prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for solution in, or suspension in, liquid prior to injection; as tablets or other solids for oral administration; as time release capsules; liposome formulations; or in any other form currently used, including suppositories, creams, lotions, mouthwashes, inhalants and the like. The compositions and combination therapies of the invention may be administered in combination with a variety of pharmaceutical excipients, including stabilizing agents, carriers and/or encapsulation formulations as described herein. Compositions of the invention may be administered to a PD patient as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. “Pharmaceutically” or “pharmacologically acceptable” include molecular entities and compositions that do not produce an adverse, allergic or other untoward reaction when administered to an animal, or a human, as appropriate. “Pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” includes any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The subject treated by the methods described herein is a mammal, more preferably a human. The following properties or applications of these methods will essentially be described for humans although they may also be applied to non-human mammals, e.g., apes, monkeys, dogs, mice, etc. For human administration, preparations should meet sterility, pyrogenicity, general safety and purity standards as required by FDA Office of Biologics standards. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutically active substances is well known in the art. Except insofar as any conventional media or agent is incompatible with the active ingredient, its use in the therapeutic compositions is contemplated. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the compositions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include acid addition salts and which are formed with inorganic acids such as, for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids, or such organic acids as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Salts formed with the free carboxyl groups can also be derived from inorganic bases such as, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic bases as isopropylamine, trimethylamine, histidine, procaine and the like. Therapeutic or pharmacological compositions of the present invention will generally comprise an effective amount of the component(s) of the combination therapy, dissolved or dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable medium. Pharmaceutically acceptable media or carriers include any and all solvents, dispersion media, coatings, antibacterial and antifungal agents, isotonic and absorption delaying agents and the like. The use of such media and agents for pharmaceutical active substances is well known in the art. Supplementary active ingredients can also be incorporated into the therapeutic compositions of the present invention. In certain embodiments, active compounds may be administered orally. Such compounds are contemplated to include chemically designed or modified agents and liposomal formulations in time release capsules to avoid degradation. Oral formulations include such normally employed excipients as, for example, pharmaceutical grades of mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate and the like. These compositions take the form of solutions, suspensions, tablets, pills, capsules, sustained release formulations or powders. In certain defined embodiments, oral pharmaceutical compositions will comprise an inert diluent or assimilable edible carrier, or they may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsule, or they may be compressed into tablets, or they may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the active compounds may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0.1% of active compound. The percentage of the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 2 to about 75% of the weight of the unit, or preferably between 25-60%. The amount of active compounds in such therapeutically useful compositions is such that a suitable dosage will be obtained. The tablets, troches, pills, capsules and the like may also contain the following: a binder, as gum tragacanth, acacia, cornstarch, or gelatin; excipients, such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent, such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant, such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent, such as sucrose, lactose or saccharin may be added or a flavoring agent, such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavoring. When the dosage unit form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with shellac, sugar or both. A syrup of elixir may contain the active compounds sucrose as a sweetening agent methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavoring, such as cherry or orange flavor. The compositions and combination therapies of the invention can be formulated for parenteral administration, e.g., formulated for injection via the intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intralesional, or even intraperitoneal routes. The preparation of an aqueous composition that contains a composition of the invention or an active component or ingredient will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Typically, such compositions can be prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions or suspensions; solid forms suitable for using to prepare solutions or suspensions upon the addition of a liquid prior to injection can also be prepared; and the preparations can also be emulsified. The pharmaceutical forms suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions; formulations including sesame oil, peanut oil or aqueous propylene glycol; and sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. In all cases the form must be sterile and must be fluid to the extent that easy syringability exists. It must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage and must be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. For parenteral administration in an aqueous solution, for example, the solution should be suitably buffered if necessary and the liquid diluent first rendered isotonic with sufficient saline or glucose. These particular aqueous solutions are especially suitable for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration. In this connection, sterile aqueous media which can be employed will be known to those of skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. Solutions of active compounds as free base or pharmacologically acceptable salts can be prepared in water suitably mixed with a surfactant, such as hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Suitable preservatives for use in such a solution include benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, chlorobutanol, thimerosal and the like. Suitable buffers include boric acid, sodium and potassium bicarbonate, sodium and potassium borates, sodium and potassium carbonate, sodium acetate, sodium biphosphate and the like, in amounts sufficient to maintain the pH at between about pH 6 and pH 8, and preferably, between about pH 7 and pH 7.5. Suitable tonicity agents are dextran 40, dextran 70, dextrose, glycerin, potassium chloride, propylene glycol, sodium chloride, and the like, such that the sodium chloride equivalent of the ophthalmic solution is in the range 0.9 plus or minus 0.2%. Suitable antioxidants and stabilizers include sodium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, sodium thiosulfite, thiourea and the like. Suitable wetting and clarifying agents include polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20, poloxamer 282 and tyloxapol. Suitable viscosity-increasing agents include dextran 40, dextran 70, gelatin, glycerin, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxmethylpropylcellulose, lanolin, methylcellulose, petrolatum, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethylcellulose and the like. Additional formulations suitable for other modes of administration include suppositories. For suppositories, traditional binders and carriers may include, for example, polyalkylene glycols or triglycerides; such suppositories may be formed from mixtures containing the active ingredient in the range of 0.5% to 10%, preferably 1%-2%. Upon formulation, therapeutics will be administered in a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in such amount as is pharmacologically effective. The formulations are easily administered in a variety of dosage forms, such as the type of injectable solutions described above, but drug release capsules and the like can also be employed. In this context, the quantity of active ingredient and volume of composition to be administered depends on the host animal to be treated. Precise amounts of active compound required for administration depend on the judgment of the practitioner and are peculiar to each individual. A minimal volume of a composition required to disperse the active compounds is typically utilized. Suitable regimes for administration are also variable, but would be typified by initially administering the compound and monitoring the results and then giving further controlled doses at further intervals. For example, for parenteral administration, a suitably buffered, and if necessary, isotonic aqueous solution would be prepared and used for intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous or even intraperitoneal administration. One dosage could be dissolved in 1 ml of isotonic NaCI solution and either added to 1000 ml of hypodermolysis fluid or injected at the proposed site of infusion, (see for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences 15th Edition, pages 1035-1038 and 1570-1580). The carrier can also be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, and liquid polyethylene glycol, and the like), suitable mixtures thereof, and vegetable oils. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the use of a coating, such as lecithin, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersion and by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be formulated for, oral administration, inhalation devices, depot, intra-adipose, intravenously, sublingually, perilingually, subcutaneously, rectally, or transdermally, or by any other medically-acceptable means, but preferably orally by mixing each of the above compounds with a pharmacologically acceptable carrier or excipient. The amount of active ingredient(s) that may be combined with desired carrier material(s) to produce single or multiple dosage forms will vary depending upon the host in need thereof and the respective mode of administration. For example, a formulation intended for oral administration of humans may contain from 0.01 mg to 500 mg of active agent(s) compounded with an appropriate convenient amount of carrier material which may vary in composition from about 1 to 99 percent of total composition. Before orally administered drugs enter the general circulation of the human body, they are absorbed into the capillaries of the upper gastrointestinal tract and are transported by the portal vein to the liver. The enzymatic activities, the pH found in gastrointestinal fluids or tissues, the concurrent intake of food and consequent agitation may inactivate the drug or cause the drug to dissolve poorly and consequently decrease compliance, increase the risk of side effects and substantially reduce the efficacy of the drug. Varying dosage unit forms of the present invention comprise safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor in combination with a Parkinson's Disease agent as active ingredients and have surprisingly shown an increase in the efficacy and for inhibiting the progression of PD. The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention for inhibiting the progression of PD and/or for treating the disease, comprise safinamide (or a safmamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor in combination with a Parkinson's Disease agent as active ingredients in dosage unit form(s). In cases where the biological half-life of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or a MAO-B inhibitor is different than that of a Parkinson's Disease agent, it may be advantageous to administer the drugs in separate or admixed compositions and a controlled release composition may be used for the active compound(s) with the shortest biological half-life. Alternatively, a tablet composition may be used that allows for fast release of the compound(s) with the longest duration and delayed release of the compound(s) with the shortest duration of activity. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,867, herein incorporated by reference. The dosage unit forms will generally contain between from about 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0, to about 200 mg/kg/day of safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) or of a MAO-B inhibitor and from about 0.1 mg to 2000 mg of Parkinson's Disease agent. The pharmaceutical composition for treating or preventing PD of the present invention can be provided, for example, in the alternative forms prepared by the following procedures: (1) the above compounds are mixed optionally with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or the like by procedures known in the art to provide one dosage form, (2) the respective compounds are independently processed, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or the like, to use in combination with independent dosage forms, or (3) the respective compounds are independently processed, optionally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or the like, to provide independently prepared dosage forms as a set. If the respective compounds are independently processed to provide independently prepared dosage forms, each compound of the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be administered to one patient or a prospective patent concurrently or consecutively, and the quantity and period of dosing of the respective compounds need not be the same. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention for treating and/or preventing PD can be provided in any and all dosage forms that can be administered to patients by the oral route, such as tablets, fine granules, capsules, and granules, and others. Preferred forms are tablets. The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may be manufactured using an excipient, binder, disintegrator, lubricant, and/or other formulation additives. The composition may be provided in sustained release dosage forms. The dosage forms may be manufactured by coating the tablets, granules, fme granules, capsules, etc. with oleaginous substances including, but not limited to, triglycerides, polyglycerol fatty acid esters and hydroxypropylcellulose. EXAMPLES Safinamide Pre-clinical studies of safinamide, including general and specific pharmacology studies on the mechanism of action, toxicology, pharmacokinetics and metabolism, proved that safinamide has a broad spectrum of anticonvulsant activity, with a potency comparable or superior to most classical antiepileptic drugs, without evidence of proconvulsant effect and with a very large safety index (Chazot, Current Opinion in Invest. Drugs, 2(6): 809-813, 2001). In rodents, administration of safinamide prevented neostriatal dopamine depletion when given prior to the administration of the Parkinson-genic xenobiotic methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Moreover, in the same model when given 4 h after the toxin administration, at a time when all the conversion of MPTP to MPP+ (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine) has occurred, safinamide is capable of preventing nigral neuronal death. In an animal model of wearing off, safinamide restores the efficacy and duration of the motor effect in response to L-dopa, which had diminished after 28 days continuous treatment. In toxicological studies in primates after 12 week daily administration of safinamide, a significant increase of neostriatal dopamine with increased turnover was seen (Chazot, Current Opinion in Invest. Drugs, 2(6): 809-813, 2001). Phase I clinical studies in 71 healthy volunteers revealed that single doses of 10 mg/kg or 7 days of repeated doses of 5 mg/kg/day did not produce any clinically relevant side effect. Overall, the drug was very well tolerated, without objective signs of toxicity and only minor subjective complaints. A tyramine pressure test was performed in 8 healthy volunteers. To raise BP by 30 mm Hg, an equal or greater amount of i.v. tyramine was required after safinamide 2.0 mg/kg compared to placebo, demonstrating lack of “cheese effect,” a dangerous hypertensive reaction caused by neural uptake of tyramine from tyramine-containing foods like aged cheeses, certain wines, yeast, beans, chicken liver and herring (Chazot P L, Current Opinion in Invest. Drugs, 2(6): 809-813, 2001). Safinamide Phase II A phase II dose finding, double-blind, placebo controlled study to investigate the efficacy and safety of safinamide, a MAO-B inhibitor, in patients affected by idiopathic early Parkinson's disease was performed. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of orally administered safinamide at two different doses (0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) in parkinsonian patients de-novo or treated with one single dopamine agonist at stable dose. This was a dose finding, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multicenter, multinational, 12-week trial, comparing two doses of safinamide (0.50 and 1.00 mg/kg) versus placebo as monotherapy or as adjunct therapy to one single dopamine agonist. Number of patients planned was 150 patients (50 patients per group); number of patients screened was 196 patients; number of patients randomized was: 172 patients; number of patients receiving placebo: 58 patients; number of patients receiving safmamide 0.5 mg/kg: 57 patients; number of patients receiving safinamide 1.0 mg/kg: 57 patients . Analyzed Safety cohort: 168 patients; Placebo: 56 patients; Safinamide 0.5 mg/kg: 56 patients; Safinamide 1.0 mg/kg: 56 patients ; ITT cohort: 167 patients ; Placebo: 56 patients; Safinamide 0.5 mg/kg: 55 patients ; Safinamide 1.0 mg/kg: 56 patients ; PP cohort: 156 patients; Placebo: 51 patients; Safinamide 0.5 mg/kg: 54 patients; Safinamide 1.0 mg/kg: 51 patients; Patients selected were Caucasian male or female outpatients; 30 to 72 years of age; non-smokers; affected by idiopathic Parkinson's disease since at most five years, Hoehn and Yahr stages I-II; de-novo patients responding to L-dopa or apomorphine, defined as patients never treated with any parkinsonian drug or treated with levodopa (+a decarboxylase inhibitor) or one single dopamine agonist for less than four weeks prior to screening visit; patients already treated with one single dopamine agonist at stable doses for at least four weeks prior to the screening visit; written informed consent provided. Mode of administration was oral, once daily; and duration of treatment was 12 weeks. The primary efficacy variable in this study was the proportion of patients considered to have achieved a response defined as an improvement of at least 30% in the unified Parkinson's disease ratings scale (UPDRS) section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination). Secondary criteria included percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and Visit 5 and Visit 7; changes in the UPDRS sections II and III scores between baseline (Visit 2) and Visit 5, Visit 7 and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination); clinical global impression (CGI) by the investigator during the course of the study; change in Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) between screening (Visit 1) and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination). Safety was monitored by adverse events, vital signs, 12-lead ECG and clinical laboratory variables. Statistical Methods Intent-to-Treat Cohort The intent-to-treat (ITT) cohort was defined as all randomized patients who received at least one dose of study medication and for whom at least one UPDRS section III assessment after treatment was available. The analysis based on the ITT Cohort was considered a primary analysis and was performed for all parameters except safety parameters. Per-Protocol Cohort The per-protocol (PP) cohort was defined as all patients who completed the study without major protocol violations. Minor violations not leading to exclusion from the PP cohort were defined during a blind review meeting after data cleaning. Drop-outs due to lack of efficacy and due to adverse events were not excluded from the PP cohort. The PP analysis was performed for the primary efficacy parameter, demographic data and most important baseline characteristics which were defined in the analysis plan. Safety Cohort The safety (S) cohort was defined as all patients who received one dose of study medication and have at least one safety assessment after treatment. Patients were assigned to the study treatment group as randomized. The analyses based on the safety cohort were performed for the safety parameters, demographic data and the most important baseline characteristics which were defined in the analysis plan. Demographic data (age, sex, race, etc.), baseline patient characteristics, past medical history and concomitant illnesses were summarized by treatment groups to assess differences between treatment groups and between study cohorts and to characterize the study population as a whole. The primary efficacy variable was the percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination). Comparison between the treatment groups was performed in the ITT analysis cohort (primary analysis) using a logistic regression model taking into account UPDRS section III score at baseline, the patient's treatment history (de-novo, single dopamine agonist alone, single dopamine agonists with a prior Parkinson's disease treatment) and the country. In case of a statistically significant result (p<0.05), additional pairwise comparisons between treatment groups were performed using the same statistical model. Secondary efficacy variables were the percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and Visit 5 and Visit 7, changes in UPDRS section II and III scores between baseline (Visit 2) and Visit 5, Visit 7 and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination), the CGI during the course of the study and the change in HAMD scores between screening (Visit 1) and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination). The percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score at Visits 5 and 7 was analyzed using the same methods as for the primary efficacy variable. Changes in the UPDRS sections II and III scores between baseline (Visit 2) and further visits as well as the change in HAMD score between baseline (Visit 2) and the final visit (Visit 9 or early study termination) were assessed for between-group differences using the Kruskal-Wallis procedure. The normality of the data distribution for the changes in UPDRS and HAMD scores during the study was assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Treatment differences for the CGI during the conduct of the study were assessed using the Fisher's exact test. Incidences of adverse events were calculated overall, by body system and by preferred term. Vital sign measurements at baseline (Visit 2) were compared to further visits using the Kruskal-Wallis test. All other safety variables were analysed descriptively. Efficacy Results The percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and the end of the study (Visit 9 or early study termination) and results from the statistical analysis of the primary efficacy variable are displayed in Table 1. TABLE 1 Responder1 rate at final visit2 (ITT cohort, N = 167) Safinamide Safinamide Safinamide Safinamide 1.0 mg/kg Placebo 0.5 mg/kg 1.0 mg/kg 0.5 mg/kg 2.0 versus (N = 56) (N = 55) 2.0 (N = 56) versus placebo placebo N % N % N % Overall p-value (logistic regression) Responders1 12 21.4 17 30.9 21 37.5 0.132 0.016 1A responder was defined as a patient with an improvement of at least 30% in UPDRS section III from baseline to the final visit; 2Visit 9 or early study termination At the final visit the responder rate was higher in the safinamide groups than in the placebo group. Within the safinamide groups the higher dose resulted in a higher responder rate than in the lower dose. A statistically significant difference was observed between the safinamide 1.0 mg/kg group and the placebo group for the percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and the final visit (Visit 9 or early study termination). Thus, the superiority of safinamide 1.0 mg/kg to placebo was shown by the analysis of the primary efficacy variable in this study. The observed difference in the primary efficacy variable between safinamide 0.5 mg/kg and placebo was not statistically significant. The results of the PP cohort were consistent with the ITT analysis. For the secondary efficacy variables, a difference (p=0.049, Fisher's exact test) was seen between the three treatment groups with regard to changes in CGI part I between baseline (Visit 2) and Visit 6 due to the better outcome in the safinamide 0.5 mg/kg group. A first three-subgroup analysis by the patient's treatment history (de-novo, single dopamine agonist alone, and single dopamine agonist and a prior Parkinson's disease treatment) showed that there was no difference in the responder rate, defined as an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and the final visit (Visit 9 or early study termination), between the treatment groups within the subgroup of de-novo patients (placebo: 22.7%, 0.5 mg safinamide: 22.7%, 1.0 mg safinamide: 22.7%) at the final visit. Among patients who received a single dopamine agonist alone (placebo: 25.0%, 0.5 mg safinamide: 33.3%, 1.0 mg safinamide: 50.0%) or a dopamine agonist with a prior Parkinson's disease treatment (placebo: 14.3%, 0.5 mg safinamide: 40.0%, 1.0 mg safinamide: 43.8%), the responder rate tended to be higher in the safinamide groups than in the placebo group. In patients treated with a single dopamine agonist the higher safinamide dose resulted in a higher responder rate compared to the lower safinamide dose. At the earlier visits the responder rate tended to be higher in the safinamide groups than in the placebo group. The logistic regression model including all treatment groups did not show a difference in the responder rate between the three treatment groups at the final visit (p≧0.05, logistic regression). However, the study was not powered for this kind of subgroup analysis due to the small number of patients in the study treatment groups in the subgroups. There were no differences between the treatment groups with regard to changes in UPDRS section III scores between baseline (Visit 2) and Visits 5, 7 and the final visit in any of the subgroups (p≧0.05, Kruskal-Wallis test). A further two-subgroup analysis by the patient's treatment history (de-novo versus single dopamine agonist) generally yielded similar results to those of the first subgroup analysis. However, in the second subgroup analysis, the logistic regression model including all treatment groups showed a statistically significant difference between safinamide 1.0 mg/kg and placebo for the responder rates at the final visit in the subgroup of single dopamine agonist patients (p=0.024). There were no relevant differences in the responder rates between safinamide 0.5 mg/kg and placebo in the single dopamine agonist subgroup or between the three treatment groups in the de-novo subgroup. In essence, while in the de novo patients (i.e. patients who were taking either placebo or Safinamide alone) there was no difference in the rate of responders in the 3 study arms; patients under stable dopamine agonist treatment had a rate of responders of 20.6% in the placebo group; of 36.4% in the Safinamide 0.5 mg/kg group and more than double the placebo (47.1%) in the safinamide 1.0 mg/kg. TABLE 2 Safinamide Safinamide Placebo 0.5 mg/kg 1.0 mg/kg (N = 56) (N = 55) (N = 56) N % N % N % De Novo (N = 66) Responders 5 22.7 5 22.7 5 22.7 Non Responders 17 77.3 17 77.3 17 77.3 Single DA (N = 101) Responders 7 20.6 12 36.4 16 47.1 Non Responders 27 79.4 21 63.6 18 52.9 P = 0.024 Safety Results Differences between the treatment groups were seen for the percentage of patients with adverse events, which was higher in the placebo group (50.0% of patients) than in the safinamide 0.5 mg/kg (37.5% of patients) and 1.0 mg/kg (32.1% of patients) groups. Patients most often experienced nervous system disorders in the placebo group (dizziness: 5.4% of patients) and in the safinamide 0.5 mg/kg group (tremor aggravated: 3.6% of patients), whereas in the safinamide 1.0 mg/kg group gastrointestinal system disorders (nausea: 3.6% of patients) were those most frequently reported. Most adverse events were of mild intensity. More related adverse events were reported for the placebo group (25.0% of patients) compared to the safinamide 0.5 mg/kg (12.5% of patients) group and safinamide 1.0 mg/kg (10.7% of patients) group. No deaths were reported in this study. Two patients in the safinamide 0.5 mg/kg group (atrial fibrillation, pregnancy) and one patient in the safinamide 1.0 mg/kg group (myasthenia gravis) experienced serious adverse events. All of these serious adverse events were assessed as unlikely related (atrial fibrillation) or not related (pregnancy, myasthenia gravis) to the study medication. Two patients were withdrawn due to serious adverse events (atrial fibrillation, myasthenia gravis). A further two patients in the placebo group (abdominal pain, dizziness/confusion) and three patients in the safinamide 0.5 g/kg (hallucination/polynocturia, dizziness, tremor aggravated) withdrew from the study due to non-serious adverse events. Differences were seen between the treatment groups with regard to changes in heart rate between baseline (Visit 2) and Visit 6 (p=0.020) as well as between baseline (Visit 2) and the final visit (p=0.037, Kruskal-Wallis test). In the safinamide 1.0 mg/kg group, mean heart rate increased from baseline to the final visit, while a decrease was observed in the other treatment groups. Overall, no pronounced differences were observed between the treatment groups for other vital signs, ECG recordings and laboratory parameters. Thus, no safety concerns were raised during this study. In this study, superiority of safinamide 1.0 mg/kg to placebo was demonstrated for the percentage of patients with an improvement of at least 30% in the UPDRS section III score between baseline (Visit 2) and the final visit (Visit 9 or early study termination), the primary is efficacy parameter. The improvement in responder rates seen in the overall population appeared to be due to an add-on effect of safinamide in the subgroup of patients treated with a single dopamine agonist. The rate of patients with adverse events was lower in the safinamide groups than in the placebo group. There were no safety concerns associated with the results of laboratory parameters, vital signs and ECG recordings measured during the study.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Parkinson's Disease (PD) currently affects about 10 million people world-wide. PD is a highly specific degeneration of dopamine-containing cells of the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Degeneration of the substantia nigra in Parkinson's disease causes a dopamine deficiency in the striatum. Effective management of a patient with PD is possible in the first 5-7 years of treatment, after which time a series of often debilitating complications, together referred to as Late Motor Fluctuations (LMF) occur (Marsden and Parkes, Lancet II: 345-349, 1997). It is believed that treatment with levodopa, or L-dopa, the most effective antiparkinson drug, may facilitate or even promote the appearance of LMF. Dopamine agonists are employed as a treatment alternative, but they do not offer the same degree of symptomatic relief to patients as L-dopa does (Chase, Drugs, 55 (suppl. 1): 1-9, 1998). Symptomatic therapies improve signs and symptoms without affecting the underlying disease state. Levodopa ((−)-L-alpha-amino-beta-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid) increases dopamine concentration in the striatum, especially when its peripheral metabolism is inhibited by a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (PDI). Levodopa/PDI therapy is widely used for symptomatic therapy for Parkinson's disease, such as combinations with Ilevodopa, with carbidopa ((−)-L-alpha-hydrazino-alpha-methyl-beta-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid monohydrate), such as SINEMET®; levodopa and controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa and benserazide (MADOPAR®, Prolopa), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (2-Amino-3-hydroxy-propionic acid N′-(2,3,4-trihydroxy-benzyl)-hydrazide), MADOPAR-HBS. COMT (catechol-O-methyltransferase) inhibitors enhance levodopa treatment as they inhibit levodopa's metabolism, enhancing its bioavailability and thereby making more of the drug available in the synaptic cleft for a longer period of time. Examples of COMT inhibitors include tolcapone (3,4-dihydroxy-4′-methyl-5-nitrobenzophenone) and entacapone ((E)-2-cyano-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrophenyl)-N,N-diethyl-2-propenamide). Dopamine agonists provide symptomatic benefit by directly stimulating post-synaptic striatal dopamine receptors. Examples include bromocriptine ((5α)-2-Bromo-12′-hydroxy-2′-(1-methylethyl)-5′-(2-methylpropyl)ergotaman-3′,6′, 18-trione), pergolide (8B-[(Methylthio)methyl]-6-propylergoline), ropinirole (4-[2-(Dipropylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dihydro-2H-indol-2-one), pramipexole ((S)-4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-N 6 -propyl-2,6-benzothiazolediamine), lisuride (N′-[(8α)-9,10-didehydro-6-methylergolin-8-yl]-N,N-diethylurea), cabergoline ((8β)-N-[3-(Dimethylamino)propyl]-N-[(ethylamino)carbonyl]-6-(2-propenyl)ergoline-8-carboxamide), apomorphine ((6aR)-5,6,6a,7-Tetrahydro-6-methyl-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-10,11-diol), sumanirole (5-(methylanino)-5,6-dihydro-4H-imidazo {4,5,1-ij} quinolin-2(1H)-one), rotigotine ((−)(S)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-6-[propyl [2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]amino]-1-naphthol), talipexole (5,6,7,8-Tetrahydro-6-(2-propenyl)-4H-thiazolo[4,5-d]azepin-2-amine), and dihydroergocriptine (ergotaman-3′,6′,18-trione,9,10-dihydro-12′-hydroxy-2′-methyl-5′-(phenylmethyl) (5′α)). Dopamine agonists are effective as monotherapy early in the course of Parkinson's disease and as an adjunct to levodopa in more advanced stages. Unlike levodopa, dopamine agonists directly stimulate post-synaptic dopamine receptors. They do not undergo oxidative metabolism and are not thought to accelerate the disease process. In fact, animals fed a diet including pergolide were found to experience less age-related loss of dopamine neurons. Amantidine (1-Aminotricyclo (3,3,1,1 3,7 )decane) is an antiviral agent that was 25 discovered by chance to have anti-parkinsonian activity. Its mechanism of action in PD has not been established, but it was originally believed to work by increasing dopamine release (Bailey et al., Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther., 216: 246-262, 1975). Patients who receive amantidine either as monotherapy or in combination with levodopa show improvement in akinesia, rigidity and tremor (Mann et al., Neurology, 21: 958-962, 1971; and Parkes et al., Lancet, 21: 1083-1086, 1971). Other medications used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease include MAO-B inhibitors. Inhibition of L-dopa metabolism through inactivation of the monoamino oxidase type B (MAO-B) is an effective means of enhancing the efficacy of both endogenous residual dopamine and that exogenously derived from its precursor, L-dopa (Youdim and Finberg, Biochem Pharmacol. 41: 155-162,1991). Selegiline (methyl-(1-methyl-2-phenyl-ethyl)-prop-2-ynyl-amine) is a MAO-B inhibitor. There is evidence that treatment with selegiline may slow down disease progression in PD by blocking the formation of free radicals derived from the oxidative metabolism of dopamine (Heikkila et al., Nature 311: 467-469, 1984; Mytilineou et al., J Neurochem., 68: 33-39, 1997). Another MAO-B inhibitor under development is rasagiline (N-propargyl-1-(R)aminoindan, TEVA Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.). Other examples of MAO B inhibitors include lazabemide (N-(2-Aminoethyl)-5-chloro-2-pyridinecarboxamide) and caroxazone (2-Oxo-2H-1,3-benzoxazine-3(4H)-acetamide).

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is based, in part, on the unexpected finding that the combination of safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and other Parkinson's Disease agents provides a more effective treatment for Parkinson's Disease (PD) than either component alone. The invention includes methods of using such compounds to treat Parkinson's Disease and pharmaceutical compositions for treating PD which may be used in such methods. In one embodiment, the invention relates to methods for treating Parkinson's Disease through the administration of safinamide, a safmamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor in combination with other Parkinson's Disease agents or treatments, either alone or in combination, such as levodopa/PDI, COMT inhibitors, amantidine, or dopamine agonists. When safinamide is used in combination with other types of drugs, an unexpected, synergistic effect is achieved. The improvement of symptoms and the delay of disease progression are more evident in patients treated with the combination of drugs than those treated with a single type of drug alone. When safinamide was administered alone, patients improved only by an average 6.9% whereas when safinamide was added to a stabilized dose of a variety of dopamine agonists, the average improvement reached 27.8%. In one embodiment, methods of treating Parkinson's Disease are disclosed, wherein safinamide, a safmamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent are administered to a subject having Parkinson's Disease, such that the Parkinson's Disease is treated or at least partially alleviated. The safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and Parkinson's Disease agent may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical composition, or as part of a combination therapy. The amount of safinamide, safinamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent is typically effective to reduce symptoms and to enable an observation of a reduction in symptoms. Safinamide, or safinamide derivative, may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 0.1 and about 10 mg/kg/day, more preferably from about 0.5 to about 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 mg/kg/day. MAO-B inhibitors may be administered at a dosage of generally between about 0.1 mg/day and about 50 mg/day, more preferably from about 1 mg/day to about 10 mg/day. Safinamide is an anti-PD agent with multiple mechanisms of action. One mechanism of safinamide may be as a MAO-B inhibitor. Other MAO-B inhibitors which may be used in the invention, in place of safinamide, include, but are not limited to, selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, and combinations thereof. Parkinson's Disease agents which may be used with safinamide, a safmamide derivative, or a MAO-B inhibitor in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention include one or more of levodopa/PDIs, dopamine agonists, amantidine and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. Levodopa/PDIs include, but are not limited to, levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), and levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS). Dopamine agonists include, but are not limited to, bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, pramipexole, lisuride, cabergoline, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole and dihydroergocriptine. COMT inhibitors include, but are not limited to, tolcapone and entacapone. Combinations of safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI may also include additional Parkinson's Disease agents such as COMT inhibitors, amantidine and/or dopamine agonists. One combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor and levodopa/PDI. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative, or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, and a dopamine agonist. Another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist. Yet another combination which can be used in the pharmaceutical compositions, methods and combination therapies of the invention includes safinamide, a safinamide derivative or MAO-B inhibitor, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, and amantidine. In one aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide, a safmamide derivative (or a safinamide derivative) and a dopamine agonist. In one embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safmamide (or a safinamide derivative) and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) and levodopa/PDI. In one embodiment a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative) and one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS) for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), levodopa/PDI, and a COMT inhibitor. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS) and one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, and a dopamine agonist for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), levodopa/PDI a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist and amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes safinamide, amantidine, one or more of levodopa/PDIs such as levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), and one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In one aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors and a dopamine agonist. In one embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors and levodopa/PDI. In one embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone and one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS). In another aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa/PDI and a COMT inhibitor. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), and one or more of entacapone and tolcapone for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa/PDI a COMT inhibitor and a dopamine agonist for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an aspect, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more MAO-B inhibitors, levodopa/PDI, a COMT inhibitor, a dopamine agonist, and amantidine for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. In an embodiment, a combination therapy for PD includes one or more of selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, and caroxazone, amantidine, one or more of levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), one or more of entacapone and tolcapone, and one or more of bromocriptine, cabergoline, lisuride, pergolide, ropinirole, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, and pramipexole, for treating a patient in need of PD treatment. Administration of the therapies and combination therapies of the invention may be orally, topically, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or intravenously. The invention further relates to kits for treating patients having Parkinson's Disease. Such kits include a therapeutically effective dose of an agent for treating or at least partially alleviating the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (e.g., levodopa plus carbidopa (SINEMET®), levodopa plus controlled release carbidopa (SINEMET-CR®), levodopa plus benserazide (MADOPAR®), levodopa plus controlled release benserazide (MADOPAR-HBS), bromocriptine, pergolide, ropinirole, pramipexole, lisuride, cabergoline, apomorphine, sumanirole, rotigotine, talipexole, dihydroergocriptine, entacapone, tolcapone, amantidine) and safinamide (or a safinamide derivative), or a MAO-B inhibitor such as selegiline, rasagiline, lazabemide, or caroxazone, either in the same or separate packaging, and instructions for its use. Pharmaceutical compositions including safinamide, a safinamide derivative or a MAO-B inhibitor and a Parkinson's Disease agent, in an effective amount(s) to treat Parkinson's Disease, are also included in the invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060202

20121009

20070426

59501.0

A61K31498

JAVANMARD, SAHAR

METHODS FOR TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Device for supplying casting installations with molten metal

The invention relates to a device for supplying casting installations with molten metal. Said device comprises a crucible into the melt of which a dosing pump dips and supplies a discharge tube (12) communicating therewith with melt. The discharge tube (12) and the pump tube (11) are interlinked via a U-shaped connecting tube (15) to give a one-piece crucible insert. The discharge neck (13) of the discharge tube (12) is mounted so as to be swivelable about the axis (30) of the discharge tube. The inventive design allows for a simple maintenance and production of the dosing device. Moreover, the crucible position no longer has to be adapted to the position of the casting installation.

1. A device for supplying casting installations with molten metal, having a melting crucible (3), a dosing pump (21, 23), which is dipped into a melt (4), and a discharge pump, communicating with the dosing pump, characterized by the fact that the outlet pipe (12) is introduced so that it penetrates through the cover (2) of the crucible in the upward direction and so that it is pivotable in this crucible cover. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the discharge pipe (12) is a part of a crucible insert (1), inserted into the cover of the crucible, which also comprises the dosing pump. 3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the dosing pump is provided with a driving motor (19), which is deployed outside of the crucible cover (2). 4. The device according one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the pressure side of the dosing pump is connected via a U-shaped connection pipe (15) with the lower end of the discharge pump (12). 5. The device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the connecting pipe (15) is attached via a holder (16) to a lid flange (8), which is deployed on the crucible cover (2). 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the lid flange (8) is provided with penetrating openings (31, 32) for the pump pipe (11) and the discharge pump (12). 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the discharge pipe (12) is equipped approximately at a half of the height with a laterally bent discharge neck (13). 8. The device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that above the discharge neck (13) is created a supply opening (28) for a shielding gas in the discharge pipe (12). 9. The device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that the discharge pipe (12) is equipped in the area outside of the crucible cover (2) up to at least the discharge neck (13) with heat insulation (26), and optionally also with a heating device (27). 10. The device according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that the connecting pipe (15) is equipped with heat resistant plug connections (17 or 14) for the pressure side of the dosing pumps (17, 18) and the discharge pipe.

The invention relates to a device for supplying casting installations with molten metal, having a melting crucible, a dosing pump dipped into the melt and a discharge pipe, which is communicating with the dosing pump. An invention of this type is known from DE-OS 2 111 462. This document describes a melting crucible equipped with a dosing container to which a melting crucible is connected. A discharge pipe leads from the dosing container through the wall of the container, so that the pipe is inclined toward the bottom, whose inner edge forms an overflow so that a desired dosing amount of the melts can be output outside when a dosing body having the form of a plunger is dipped inside. From EP 817 691 B1 is known a device, in which the discharge pipe is also led outside through the wall of the melting crucible so that it is inclined at an angle in the downward direction. This discharge pipe is operated with a dosing pump, which is dipped into the extracting part of the melting crucible. With a similar device according to prior art, a special crucible is required, which is equipped with a discharge pipe in its side wall. Because this discharge pipe is connected with the melting crucible in a fixed manner, the pivotable crucible must be manufactured with a corresponding type of a die casting machine so that it would match the filling container. The maintenance of such devices is very complicated. This is true also about the actual dosing pump in which the melting level is changed during the dosing operation. Finally, from DE-PS 1 134 183 is also known a device for supplying casting installations for casting machines according to which the pump is introduced inclined at an angle from the upper part through the cover of the melting crucible into the melt, which itself is also provided at its upper and with a discharge port. Although this pump can be created with a height-adjustable design, the adjustment to the corresponding filling device of pressure casting machines must be carried out also by matching the position of the crucible to the pressure casting machine. A requirement for the necessary cleaning of the pump is that the filling machine must be set in the standstill status. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a construction of the type described above, which enables simple maintenance and a simple adjustment to the casting machine. To achieve this task with the device mentioned in the introduction, the discharge pipe is introduced so that it penetrates through the cover of the crucible in the upward direction, and so that it introduced into the cover of the crucible in a pivotable manner. A similar configuration makes it possible to create a sufficiently long construction of the discharge pipe, enabling a simple adjustment to the associated casting device. There is no need to change the position of the melting crucible. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the discharge pipe part can be inserted in the crucible cover unit, which comprises also the dosing pump. Moreover, the dosing pump can be also equipped with a driving motor that is deployed outside of the cover of the crucible, so that the dosing pump penetrates into the melt only with its pump part, that is to say with the suction part and the pressure part. In an embodiment of the invention, the pressure side of the dosing unit can be connected via a U-shaped connecting pipe with the lower end of the discharge pipe, wherein the connecting pipe attached through a holder to a cover flange, which rests on the cover of the holder. This cover flange can be provided in an embodiment of the invention with a bushing for the through passage of the discharge pipe and for the dosing pump, so that a crucible is created in the form of one structural unit, wherein this unit can be associated with the melting crucible in a relatively simply manner from the upper part through the cover of the crucible. The discharge pipe can be also provided in another embodiment with a discharge neck, which is laterally bent at about half the height, so that a supply pipe opening for shielding gas is provided above the discharge neck in the discharge pipe. This embodiment prevents the risk that removed melt will be subjected to oxidation. The discharge pipe can be equipped in the area above the cover of the crucible at least up to the discharge neck with heat insulation and with a heating device. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the connecting pipe can be equipped with heat-resistant plug connections for the pressure side of the dosing pump and for the discharge pipe. In particular, this embodiment then enables an easy disassembly after the construction of the crucible insert has been completed in order to clean the pump, as well as the discharge pipe and the connecting pipe. The following is a detailed explanation of the invention illustrated in the figures. The figures show the following: FIG. 1 a schematic illustration showing a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of a melting crucible equipped with a dosing unit according to the invention, FIG. 2 an enlarged view of a cross-section of the dosing device in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 a perspective representation of the dosing unit according to FIG. 1, FIG. 4 an exploded view of the parts used to create the construction of the dosing unit, and FIG. 5 an exploded view of the part according to FIG. 4, which, however, is not shown as a perspective representation. The FIGS. 1 through 3 show a dosing unit 1, which is constructed as a crucible insert, and which can be introduced into a metal melt 4 through the upper cover 2 of a melting crucible 3, wherein the level of the melt on the level indicator is maintained by a means that is not shown in the figure. The cover 2 of the crucible is equipped with an opening 7, which is closed by a lid 6 in a known manner, enabling the refilling of the unit with the material to be melted through the opening. The crucible insert 1 comprises, in particular as one can see from FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a lid flange 8, which can be placed upon the crucible cover 2, and which is equipped with penetrating openings 31, 32 for a pump pipe 11, which can be introduced vertically to the lid flange 8, or with a discharge pipe 12, which can be also introduced vertically to the lid flange 8. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the discharge pipe 12 is in this case provided at about half of the height with a discharge neck 13, which is bent and slightly inclined in the downward direction, and which forms at the upper part of its inner edge 13a an overflow edge for the pump pipe 11 from the supplied melt material. The lower end of the discharge pipe 12 is connected by a type of a plug connection 14 to a U-shaped connecting pipe 15, which is in turn connected in a fixed manner by a tubular holder 16 to the lid flange 8. The U-shaped connecting pipe 15 is also equipped on the side of the pump pipe 11 with a plug connection 17, through which it is firmly connected to the lower end of the pump pipe 11. As one can clearly see from the figure, a driving shaft 18 is mounted in the pump pipe 11 in such a way so that it is rotable. The driving shaft 18 is provided at its lower end below a bearing 20 with a pump screw 21 or the like. Several openings 23 are arranged in the pipe on the circumference of the pump pipe 11 above the pump screw so that the melt 4 can enter inside the pipe in the direction indicated by arrow 24. The melt is then supplied through the connecting pipe 15 in the direction of the arrow 25 to the overflow edge 13a and from there through the discharge neck 13 to a casting apparatus, not shown in the figure. It is clear that with the corresponding application of the driving motor 19, a precise dosage amount of the melt can be output through the discharge neck 13. The discharge pipe 12 is in this embodiment provided in the area of the lid flange 8 and up to the height of the discharge neck 13 with a jacket 26, which is made of a heat insulating material, and which can be further also associated with a heating system having the form of electrical heating wires 27 or the like. The temperature of the output melt can thus be maintained at a certain level up until just before it is transferred into the casting machine. As one can further also see from the figures, the discharge pipe 12 is equipped in the area above the discharge neck 13 with a supply connection piece 28 for supplying of the shielding gas, which makes it possible to prevent in this manner the output melt from being subject to the danger of oxidation during its passage through the discharge pipe. It is essential, as one can see in particular from FIG. 3, that the discharge pipe 12 and the discharge neck 13, which is connected in a fixed manner to this pipe, are arranged so as to be pivotable about the axis 30, which is coincident with the axis of the discharge pipe 12 in the direction indicated by arrow 29. This is achieved when the discharge pipe 12, including the heat insulation 26, is held in the opening 31 of the lid flange 8 in a pivotable manner, which occurs in each case thanks to the arrangement of the couplings 9 or rings 10. FIG. 4 and 5 also make it clear that the crucible insert 1, which can be inserted as a complete; structural unit into the crucible 3 and fixed by means of its lid flange 8 to the crucible cover 2, should consist of individual parts which can be relatively easily assembled and then again disassembled. This on the one hand makes it possible to create a simple assembly of a dosing unit, while on the other hand, a simple maintenance and simple cleaning operations are also enabled. A major advantage of this configuration is that it is not necessary to modify the crucible itself, or that a modification is necessary only with respect to its cover. There is no change in the level of the melt during the operation of the pump per se. After the height difference between the level indicator 5 and the overflow edge 13a has been overcome in the discharge pipe, the desired dosing operation can take place. The discharge pimp 12 can be removed for maintenance purposes, as shown in FIG. 4 and 5, and it can be easily disassembled and cleaned. The decisive advantage is that since the discharge neck 13 can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow 29, an adjustment of the position of the crucible itself to the corresponding casting machine is no longer necessary. In conclusion, it should be also mentioned that according to the selected embodiment, there is no danger of an unintended discharge of the melt because the outlet openings are located above the level of the level indicator 5. The configuration using plug connections and the connection of the pump and of the discharge pump with the connection pipe 15 results in a simple construction of the entire crucible insert 1.

20060626

20090721

20070405

65269.0

B22D3500

KASTLER, SCOTT R

DEVICE FOR SUPPLYING CASTING INSTALLATIONS WITH MOLTEN METAL

SMALL

ACCEPTED

B22D

ACCEPTED

Pharmaceutical Uses of Staurosporine Derivatives

This application relates to the use of staurosporines derivatives for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis; and to a method of treatment of warm-blooded animals in which a therapeutically effective dose of a compound of a Staurosporine Derivative is administered to a warm-blooded animal suffering from one of the diseases or conditions mentioned above.

1. Use of staurosporine derivatives of formula, wherein R1 , and R2 are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, etherified or esterified hydroxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, substituted mercapto, carboxy, esterified carboxy, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted carbamoyl, sulfo, substituted sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted am inosulfonyl; n and m are, independently of one another, a number from and including 0 to and including 4; R5 is hydrogen, an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or carbocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 29 carbon atoms in each case, or a heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 20 carbon atoms in each case, and in each case up to 9 heteroatoms, or acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms; X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms; for 1 hydrogen atom and hydroxy; for O; or for hydrogen and lower alkoxy; Q and Q′ are independently a pharmaceutically acceptable organic bone or hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, etherified or esterified hydroxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, substituted mercapto, carboxy, esterified carboxy, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted carbamoyl, sulfa, substituted sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted aminosulfonyl; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present, or hydrogenated derivative thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis. 2. The use of a staurosporin derivative selected from the compounds of formula, wherein R1 and R2, are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, etherified or esterified hydroxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, substituted mercapto, carboxy, esterified carboxy, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted carbamoyl, sulfa, substituted sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted aminosulfonyl; n and m are, independently of one another, a number from and including 0 to and including 4; n′ and m′ are, independently of one another, a number from and including 1 to and including 4; R3, R4, R8 and R10 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or carbocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 29 carbon atoms in each case, a heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 20 carbon atoms in each case, and in each case up to 9 heteroatoms, an acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms, wherein R4 may also be absent; or R3 is acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms and R4 not an acyl; p is 0 if R4 is absent, or is 1 if R3 and R4 are both present and in each case are one of the aforementioned radicals; R5 is hydrogen, an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or carbocyclic- aliphatic radical with up to 29 carbon atoms in each case, or a heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 20 carbon atoms in each case, and in each case up to 9 heteroatoms, or acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms; R7, R6 and R9 are acyl or -(lower alkyl)-acyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, etherified or esterified hydroxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, substituted mercapto, carboxy,carbonyl, carbonyidioxy, esterified carboxy, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted carbamoyl, sulfa, substituted sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted aminosulfonyl; X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms; for 1 hydrogen atom and hydroxy; for 0; or for hydrogen and lower alkoxy; Z stands for hydrogen or lower alkyl; and either the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are absent in ring A and replaced by 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring B each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are absent in ring B and replaced by a total of 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring A each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or both in ring A and in ring B all of the 4 wavy bonds are absent and are replaced by a total of 8 hydrogen atoms; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt- forming group is present for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis. 3. The use of a staurosporin derivative of formula I, wherein m and n are each 0; R3 and R4 are independently of each other hydrogen, lower alkyl unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted, especially monosubstituted, by radicals selected independently of one another from carboxy; lower alkoxycarbonyl; and cyano; or R4 is hydrogen or —CH3, and R3 is acyl of the subformula Ro—CO, wherein Ro is lower alkyl; amino-lower alkyl, wherein the amino group is present in unprotected form or is protected by lower alkoxycarbonyl; tetrahydropyranyloxy-lower alkyl; phenyl; imidazolyl-lower alkoxyphenyl; carboxyphenyl; lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl; halogen-lower alkylphenyl; imidazol-1-ylphenyl; pyrrolidino lower alkylphenyl; piperazino-lower alkylphenyl; (4-lower alkylpiperazinomethylyphenyl; morpholino-lower alkylphenyl; piperazinocarbonylphenyl; or (4-lower alkylpiperazino)phenyl; or is acyl of the subformula Ro—O—CO—, wherein Ro is lower alkyl; or is acyl of the subformula RoHN—C(═W)—, wherein W is oxygen and Ro has the following meanings: morpholino-lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, or lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl; or R3 is lower alkylphenylsulfonyl, typically 4-toluenesulfonyl; R5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms or for O; Z is methyl or hydrogen; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis. 4. Use according to claim 1 for the treatment of mastocytosis. 5. Use according to claim 4, wherein the disease or condition to be treated is resistant to treatment with imatinib. 6. A method for treating mammals suffering for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of staurosporine derivatives as defined in claim 1. 7. A method according to claim 6 for treating mastoctosis with resistance to imatinib. 8. Use of N-[(9S,10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-10-methoxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4j]I1,7]benzodiazonin-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII): or a salt thereof, for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden Infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis. 9. Use according to claim 8 for the treatment of mastocytosis or mastocytosis with resistance to omatinib. 10. Pharmaceutical preparation for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis, comprising an N-[(9S,10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-10-methoxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4j][1,7]benzodiazonon-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII). 11. A method for treating mammals, including man, suffering from allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis, comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of N-[(9S,10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-1 0-methoxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4j][1,7]benzodiazonin-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII) as defined in claim 8. 12. A method according to claim 11 for treating of mastocytosis or mastocytosis with resistance to imatinib. 13. A method according to claims 8, wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula VII is administered to a mammal subject 7 to 4 times a week or about 100% to about 50% of the days in the time period, for a period of from one to six weeks, followed by a period of one to three weeks, wherein the agent is not administered and this cycle being repeated for from 1 to several cycles. 14. Use or method according to claims 8, wherein the daily effective amount of the compound of formula VII, is 100 to 300 mg daily preferably 220 to 230 mg, most preferably 225 mg daily. 15. Use or method according to claim 8, wherein the compound of formula VII, is administered once, two or three times a day, for a total dose of 100 to 300 mg daily preferably of 220 to 230 mg, most preferably 225 mg daily. 16. Use or method according to claim 8, wherein the compound of formula VII, is administered three times a day, for a total dose of 220 to 230 mg, preferably 225 mg daily, and preferably a dose of 70 to 80 mg most preferably 75 mg per administration. 17. An article of manufacture comprising packaging material, and N-[(9S,10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-10-methoxy-9-methyl-1 -oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4j][1,7]benzodiazonin-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII) as defined in claim 8 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, contained within said packaging material, wherein said packaging material comprises label directions which indicate that said compound of formula (VII), or said pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, is to be administered to mammals suffering from allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis in an amount from 100 to 300 mg, preferably 220 to 230 mg, most preferably 225 mg following a specific dosage. 18. An article of manufacture according to claim 17 wherein the compound of formula VII is administered three times a day, for a total dose of 220 to 230 mg preferably 225 mg daily, and preferably a dose of 70 to 80 mg most preferably 75 mg per administration. 19. Use of a staurosporine derivative according to claim 1 in combination with imatinib, wherein each of the active ingredients, independent of each other, may be present in free form or in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis.

The present invention relates to the use of staurosporine derivatives (hereinafter: “STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES”) in free form or in pharmaceutically acceptable salt form in the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the curative, palliative or prophylactic treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis; and to a method of treatment of warm-blooded animals, preferably humans, in which a therapeutically effective dose of a compound of of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE is administered to a warm-blooded animal suffering from one of the diseases or conditions mentioned above. The invention relates in particular to the use of staurosporines derivatives of formula wherein (II) is the partially hydrogenated derivative of compound (I), wherein R1 and R2, are, independently of one another, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, etherified or esterified hydroxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, substituted mercapto, carboxy, esterified carboxy, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted carbamoyl, sulfo, substituted sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted aminosulfonyl; n and m are, independently of one another, a number from and including 0 to and including 4; n′ and m′ are, independently of one another, a number from and including 0 to and including 4; R3, R4, R8 and R10 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, —O—, acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms, an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or carbocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 29 carbon atoms in each case, a heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 20 carbon atoms in each case, and in each case up to 9 heteroatoms, an acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms, wherein R4 may also be absent; or if R3 is acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms, R4 is not an acyl; p is 0 if R4 is absent, or is 1 if R3 and R4 are both present and in each case are one of the aforementioned radicals; R5 is hydrogen, an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or carbocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 29 carbon atoms in each case, or a heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 20 carbon atoms in each case, and in each case up to 9 heteroatoms, or acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms; R7, R8 and R9 are acyl or -(lower alkyl)-acyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, etherified or esterified hydroxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, cyano, nitro, mercapto, substituted mercapto, carboxy,carbonyl, carbonyidioxy, esterified carboxy, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted carbamoyl, sulfo, substituted sulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-di-substituted aminosulfonyl; X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms; for 1 hydrogen atom and hydroxy; for O; or for hydrogen and lower alkoxy; Z stands for hydrogen or lower alkyl; and either the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are absent in ring A and replaced by 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring B each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are absent in ring B and replaced by a total of 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring A each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or both in ring A and in ring B all of the 4 wavy bonds are absent and are replaced by a total of 8 hydrogen atoms; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of FIP1L1-PDGFRα-induced myeloproliferative diseases. The general terms and definitions used hereinbefore and hereinafter preferably have the following meanings: The prefix “lower” indicates that the associated radical preferably has up to and including a maximum of 7 carbon atoms, especially up to and including a maximum of 4 carbon atoms. Lower alkyl is especially methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl, and also pentyl, hexyl, or heptyl. Unsubstituted or substituted alkyl is preferably C1-C20alkyl, especially lower alkyl, typically methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, or tert-butyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted especially by halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, C6-C14aryl, such as phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxy, etherified hydroxy, such as lower alkoxy, phenyl-lower alkoxy or phenyloxy, esterified hydroxy, such as lower alkanoyloxy or benzoyloxy, amino, mono- or disubstituted amino, such as lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, phenyl-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-(phenyl-lower alkyl)amino, cyano, mercapto, substituted mercapto, such as lower alkylthio, carboxy, esterified carboxy, such as lower alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-mono- or N,N-disubstituted carbamoyl, such as N-lower alkylcarbamoyl or N,N-di-lower alkylcarbamoyl, sulfo, substituted sulfo, such as lower alkanesulfonyl or lower alkoxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl or N-mono- or N,N-disubstituted aminosulfonyl, such as N-lower alkylaminosulfonyl or N,N-di-lower alkylaminosulfonyl. Halogen is preferably fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, especially fluorine or chlorine. Etherified hydroxy is especially lower alkoxy, C6-C14aryloxy, such as phenyloxy, or C6-C14aryl-lower alkoxy, such as benzyloxy. Etherified hydroxy is preferably lower alkanoyloxy or C6-C14arylcarbonyloxy, such as benzoyloxy. Mono- or disubstituted amino is especially amino monosubstituted or disubstituted by lower alkyl, C6-C14aryl, C6-C14aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl, or C6-C12arylcarbonyl. Substituted mercapto is especially lower alkylthio, C6-C14arylthio, C6-C14aryl-lower alkylthio, lower alkanoylthio, or C6-C14aryl-lower alkanoylthio. Esterified carboxy is especially lower alkoxycarbonyl, C6-C14aryl-lower alkoxycarbonyl or C6-C14aryloxycarbonyl. N-Mono- or N,N-disubstituted carbamoyl is especially carbamoyl N-monosubstituted or N,N-disubstituted by lower alkyl, C6-C14aryl or C6-C14aryl-lower alkyl. Substituted sulfonyl is especially C6-C14arylsulfonyl, such as toluenesulfonyl, C6-C14aryl-lower alkanesulfonyl or lower alkanesulfonyl. N-Mono- or N,N-disubstituted aminosulfonyl is especially aminosulfonyl N-monosubstituted or N,N-disubstituted by lower alkyl, C6-C14aryl or C6-C14aryl-lower alkyl. C6-C14Aryl is an aryl radical with 6 to 14 carbon atoms in the ring system, such as phenyl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, or indenyl, which is unsubstituted or is substituted especially by halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine, phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, phenyl-lower alkoxy, phenyloxy, lower alkanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, amino, lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, phenyl-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-(phenyl-lower alkyl)amino, cyano, mercapto, lower alkylthio, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-lower alkylcarbamoyl, N,N-di-lower alkylcarbamoyl, sulfo, lower alkanesulfonyl, lower alkoxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, N-lower alkylaminosulfonyl, or N,N-di-lower alkylaminosulfonyl. The indices n and m are in each case preferably 1, 2 or especially 0. In general, compounds of formula I in which n and m are in each case 0 (zero) are especially preferred. An aliphatic carbohydrate radical R3, R4, R8 or R10 with up to 29 carbon atoms, which is substituted by acyclic substituents and preferably has a maximum of 18, especially a maximum of 12, and as a rule not more than 7 carbon atoms, may be saturated or unsaturated and is especially an unsubstituted or a straight-chain or branched lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkadienyl, or lower alkinyl radical substituted by acyclic substituents. Lower alkyl is, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, and also n-pentyl, isopentyl, n-hexyl, isohexyl and n-heptyl; lower alkenyl is, for example, allyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, 2- or 3-methallyl and 2- or 3-butenyl; lower alkadienyl is, for example, 1-penta-2,4-dienyl; lower alkinyl is, for example, propargyl or 2-butinyl. In corresponding unsaturated radicals, the double bond is especially located in a position higher than the α-position in relation to the free valency. Substituents are especially the acyl radicals defined hereinbelow as substituents of Ro, preferably free or esterified carboxy, such as carboxy or lower alkoxycarbonyl, cyano or di-lower alkylamino. A carbocyclic or carbocyclic-aliphatic radical R3, R4, R8 or R10 with up to 29 carbon atoms in each case is especially an aromatic, a cycloaliphatic, a cycloaliphatic-aliphatic, or an aromatic-aliphatic radical which is either present in unsubstituted form or substituted by radicals referred to hereinbelow as substituents of Ro. An aromatic radical (aryl radical) R3 or R4 is most especially a phenyl, also a naphthyl, such as 1- or 2-naphthyl, a biphenylyl, such as especially 4-biphenylyl, and also an anthryl, fluorenyl and azulenyl, as well as their aromatic analogues with one or more saturated rings, which is either present in unsubstituted form or substituted by radicals referred to hereinbelow as substituents of Ro. Preferred aromatic-aliphatic radicals are aryl-lower alkyl- and aryl-lower alkenyl radicals, e.g. phenyl-lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkenyl with a terminal phenyl radical, such as for example benzyl, phenethyl, 1-, 2-, or 3-phenylpropyl, diphenylmethyl(benzhydryl), trityl, and cinnamyl, and also 1- or 2-naphthylmethyl. Of aryl radicals carrying acyclic radicals, such as lower alkyl, special mention is made of o-, m- and p-tolyl and xylyl radicals with variously situated methyl radicals. A cycloaliphatic radical R3, R4, R8 or R10 with up to 29 carbon atoms is especially a substituted or preferably unsubstituted mono-, bi-, or polycyclic cycloalkyl-, cycloalkenyl-, or cycloalkadienyl radical. Preference is for radicals with a maximum of 14, especially 12, ring-carbon atoms and 3- to 8-, preferably 5- to 7-, and most especially 6-member rings which can also carry one or more, for example two, aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals, for example those named above, especially the lower alkyl radicals, or other cycloaliphatic radicals as substituents. Preferred substituents are the acyclic substituents named hereinbelow for Ro. A cycloaliphatic-aliphatic radical R3, R4, R8 or R10 with up to 29 carbon atoms is a radical in which an acyclic radical, especially one with a maximum of 7, preferably a maximum of 4 carbon atoms, such as especially methyl, ethyl, and vinyl, carries one or more cycloaliphatic radicals as defined hereinabove. Special mention is made of cycloalkyl-lower alkylradicals, as well as their analogues which are unsaturated in the ring and/or in the chain, but are non-aromatic, and which carry the ring at the terminal carbon atom of the chain. Preferred substituents are the acyclic substituents named herein below for Ro. Heterocyclic radicals R3, R4, R8 or R10 with up to 20 carbon atoms each and up to 9 heteroatoms each are especially monocyclic, but also bi- or polycyclic, aza-, thia-, oxa-, thiaza-, oxaza-, diaza-, triaza-, or tetrazacyclic radicals of an aromatic character, as well as corresponding heterocyclic radicals of this type which are partly or most especially wholly saturated, these radicals—if need be—possibly carrying further acyclic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic radicals and/or possibly mono-, di-, or polysubstituted by functional groups, preferably those named hereinabove as substituents of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals. Most especially they are unsubstituted or substituted monocyclic radicals with a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, such as 2-aziridinyl, and especially aromatic radicals of this type, such as pyrryl, for example 2-pyrryl or 3-pyrryl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, and also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl; analogous bicyclic radicals with an oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen atom are, for example, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, or benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; preferred monocyclic and bicyclic radicals with several heteroatoms are, for example, imidazolyl, typically 2- or 4-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2-or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, or thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, and benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, or quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl. Appropriate partially or, especially, completely saturated analogous radicals may also be considered, such as 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 2- or 3-pyrrolidinyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, and also 2-or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl and N-mono- or N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl radicals. These radicals may also carry one or more acyclic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic radicals, especially those mentioned hereinabove. The free valency of the heterocyclic radicals R3 or R4 must emanate from one of their carbon atoms. Heterocyclyl may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more, preferably one or two, of the substituents named hereinbelow for Ro. Heterocyclic-aliphatic radicals R3, R4, R8 or R10 especially lower alkyl radicals, especially with a maximum of 7, preferably a maximum of 4 carbon atoms, for example those named hereinabove, which carry one, two, or more heterocyclic radicals, for example those named in the preceding paragraph, the heterocyclic ring possibly being linked to the aliphatic chain also by one of its nitrogen atoms. A preferred heterocyclic-aliphatic radical R1 is, for example, imidazol-1-ylmethyl, 4-methylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl, piperazin-1-ylmethyl, 2-(morpholin-4-yl)ethyl and also pyrid-3-ylmethyl. Heterocyclyl may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more, preferably one or two, of the substituents named hereinbelow for Ro. A heteroaliphatic radical R3, R4, R8 or R10 with up to 20 carbon atoms each and up to 10 heteroatoms each is an aliphatic radical which, instead of one, two, or more carbon atoms, contains identical or different heteroatoms, such as especially oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen. An especially preferred arrangement of a heteroaliphatic radical R1 takes the form of oxa-alkyl radicals in which one or more carbon atoms are replaced in a preferably linear alkyl by oxygen atoms preferably separated from one another by several (especially 2) carbon atoms so that they form a repeating group, if need be multi-repeating group (O—CH2—CH2—)q, wherein q=1 to 7. Especially preferred as R3, R4, R8 or R10, apart from acyl, is lower alkyl, particularly methyl or ethyl; lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl, especially methoxycarbonylmethyl or 2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)ethyl; carboxy-lower alkyl, especially carboxymethyl or 2-carboxyethyl; or cyano-lower alkyl, especially 2-cyanoethyl. An acyl radical R3, R4, R6, R7, R8, R9, or R10 with up to 30 carbon atoms derives from a carboxylic acid, functionally modified if need be, an organic sulfonic acid, or a phosphoric acid, such as pyro- or orthophosphoric acid, esterified if need be. An acyl designated Ac1 and derived from a carboxylic acid, functionally modified if need be, is especially one of the subformula Y—C(=W)—, wherein W is oxygen, sulfur, or imino and Y is hydrogen, hydrocarbyl Ro with up to 29 carbon atoms, hydrocarbyloxy Ro—O—, an amino group or a substituted amino group, especially one of the formula RoHN— or RoRoN— (wherein the Ro radicals may be identical or different from one another). The hydrocarbyl (hydrocarbon radical) Ro is an acyclic(aliphatic), carbocyclic, or carbocyclic-acyclic hydrocarbon radical, with up to 29 carbon atoms each, especially up to 18, and preferably up to 12 carbon atoms, and is saturated or unsaturated, unsubstituted or substituted. Instead of one, two, or more carbon atoms, it may contain identical or different heteroatoms, such as especially oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen in the acyclic and/or cyclic part; in the latter case, it is described as a heterocyclic radical (heterocyclyl radical) or a heterocyclic-acyclic radical. Unsaturated radicals are those, which contain one or more, especially conjugated and/or isolated, multiple bonds (double or triple bonds). The term cyclic radicals includes also aromatic and non-aromatic radicals with conjugated double bonds, for example those wherein at least one 6-member carbocyclic or a 5- to 8-member heterocyclic ring contains the maximum number of non-cumulative double bonds. Carbocyclic radicals, wherein at least one ring is present as a 6-member aromatic ring (i.e. a benzene ring), are defined as aryl radicals. An acyclic unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical Ro is especially a straight-chained or branched lower alkyl-, lower alkenyl-, lower alkadienyl-, or lower alkinyl radical. Lower alkyl Ro is, for example, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl, and also n-pentyl, isopentyl, n-hexyl, isohexyl and n-heptyl; lower alkenyl is, for example, allyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, 2- or 3-methallyl and 2- or 3-butenyl; lower alkadienyl is, for example, 1-penta-2,4-dienyl; lower alkinyl is, for example, propargyl or 2-butinyl. In corresponding unsaturated radicals, the double bond is especially located in a position higher than the α-position in relation to the free valency. A carbocyclic hydrocarbon radical Ro is especially a mono-, bi-, or polycyclic cycloalkyl-, cycloalkenyl-, or cycloalkadienyl radical, or a corresponding aryl radical. Preference is for radicals with a maximum of 14, especially 12, ring-carbon atoms and 3- to 8-, preferably 5- to 7-, and most especially 6-member rings which can also carry one or more, for example two, acyclic radicals, for example those named above, especially the lower alkyl radicals, or other carbocyclic radicals. Carbocyclic-acyclic radicals are those in which an acyclic radical, especially one with a maximum of 7, preferably a maximum of 4 carbon atoms, such as especially methyl, ethyl and vinyl, carries one or more carbocyclic, if need be aromatic radicals of the above definition. Special mention is made of cycloalkyl-lower and aryl-lower alkyl radicals, as well as their analogues which are unsaturated in the ring and/or chain, and which carry the ring at the terminal carbon atom of the chain. Cycloalkyl Ro has most especially from 3 up to and including 10 carbon atoms and is, for example, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, and cyclooctyl, as well as bicyclo[2,2,2]octyl, 2-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptyl, and adamantyl, which may also be substituted by 1, 2, or more, for example lower, alkyl radicals, especially methyl radicals; cycloalkenyl is for example one of the monocyclic cycloalkyl radicals already named which carries a double bond in the 1-, 2-, or 3 position. Cycloalkyl-lower alkyl or -lower alkenyl is for example a -methyl, -1- or -2-ethyl, -1- or -2-vinyl, -1-, -2-, or -3-propyl or -allyl substituted by one of the above-named cycloalkyl radicals, those substituted at the end of the linear chain being preferred. An aryl radical Ro is most especially a phenyl, also a naphthyl, such as 1- or 2-naphthyl, a biphenylyl, such as especially 4-biphenylyl, and also an anthryl, fluorenyl and azulenyl, as well as their aromatic analogues with one or more saturated rings. Preferred aryl-lower alkyl and -lower alkenyl radicals are, for example, phenyl-lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkenyl with a terminal phenyl radical, such as for example benzyl, phenethyl, 1-, 2-, or 3-phenylpropyl, diphenylmethyl(benzhydryl), trityl, and cinnamyl, and also 1- or 2-naphthylmethyl. Aryl may be unsubstituted or substituted. Heterocyclic radicals, including heterocyclic-acyclic radicals, are especially monocyclic, but also bi- or polycyclic, aza-, thia-, oxa-, thiaza-, oxaza-, diaza-, triaza-, or tetrazacyclic radicals of an aromatic character, as well as corresponding heterocyclic radicals of this type which are partly or most especially wholly saturated; if need be, for example as in the case of the above-mentioned carbocyclic or aryl radicals, these radicals may carry further acyclic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic radicals and/or may be mono-, di-, or polysubstituted by functional groups. The acyclic part in heterocyclic-acyclic radicals has for example the meaning indicated for the corresponding carbocyclic-acyclic radicals. Most especially they are unsubstituted or substituted monocyclic radicals with a nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur atom, such as 2-aziridinyl, and especially aromatic radicals of this type, such as pyrrolyl, for example 2-pyrrolyl or 3-pyrrolyl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl, and also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl; analogous bicyclic radicals with an oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen atom are, for example, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, or benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; preferred monocyclic and bicyclic radicals with several heteroatoms are, for example, imidazolyl, typically 2-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2- or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, or thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, and benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, or quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl. Appropriate partially or, especially, completely saturated analogous radicals may also be considered, such as 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydrofuryl, 2- or 3-pyrrolidyl, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, and also 2-or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl, and N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl radicals. These radicals may also carry one or more acyclic, carbocyclic, or heterocyclic radicals, especially those mentioned hereinabove. Heterocyclic-acyclic radicals are especially derived from acyclic radicals with a maximum of 7, preferably a maximum of 4 carbon atoms, for example those named hereinabove, and may carry one, two, or more heterocyclic radicals, for example those named hereinabove, the ring possibly being linked to the aliphatic chain also by one of its nitrogen atoms. As already mentioned, a hydrocarbyl (including a heterocyclyl) may be substituted by one, two, or more identical or different substituents (functional groups); one or more of the following substituents may be considered: lower alkyl; free, etherified and esterified hydroxyl groups; carboxy groups and esterified carboxy groups; mercapto- and lower alkylthio- and, if need be, substituted phenylthio groups; halogen atoms, typically chlorine and fluorine, but also bromine and iodine; halogen-lower alkyl groups; oxo groups which are present in the form of formyl (i.e. aldehydo) and keto groups, also as corresponding acetals or ketals; azido groups; nitro groups; cyano groups; primary, secondary and preferably tertiary amino groups, amino-lower alkyl, mono- or disubstituted amino-lower alkyl, primary or secondary amino groups protected by conventional protecting groups (especially lower alkoxycarbonyl, typically tert-butoxycarbonyl) lower alkylenedloxy, and also free or functionally modified sulfo groups, typically sulfamoyl or sulfo groups present in free form or as salts. The hydrocarbyl radical may also carry carbamoyl, ureido, or guanidino groups, which are free or which carry one or two substituents, and cyano groups. The above use of the word “groups” is taken to imply also an individual group. Halogen-lower alkyl contains preferably 1 to 3 halogen atoms; preferred is trifluoromethyl or chloromethyl. An etherified hydroxyl group present in the hydrocarbyl as substituent is, for example, a lower alkoxy group, typically the methoxy-, ethoxy-, propoxy-, isopropoxy-, butoxy-, and tert-butoxy group, which may also be substituted, especially by (i) heterocyclyl, whereby heterocyclyl can have preferably 4 to 12 ring atoms, may be unsaturated, or partially or wholly saturated, is mono- or bicyclic, and may contain up to three heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and is most especially pyrrolyl, for example 2-pyrrolyl or 3-pyrrolyl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, and also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; imidazolyl, typically 1- or 2-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2-or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl, 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydrofuryl, 2- or 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, 1- 2- or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl or N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl; and also (ii) by halogen atoms, for example mono-, di-, or polysubstituted especially in the 2-position, as in the 2,2,2-trichloroethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, or 2-iodoethoxy radical, or (iii) by hydroxy or (iv) lower alkoxy radicals, each preferably monosubstituted, especially in the 2-position, as in the 2-methoxyethoxy radical. Such etherified hydroxyl groups are also unsubstituted or substituted phenoxy radicals and phenyl-lower alkoxy radicals, such as especially benzyloxy, benzhydryloxy, and triphenylmethoxy(trityloxy), as well as heterocyclyloxy radicals, wherein heterocyclyl can have preferably 4 to 12 ring atoms, may be unsaturated, or partially or wholly saturated, is mono- or bicyclic, and may contain up to three heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and is most especially pyrrolyl, for example 2-pyrrolyl or 3-pyrrolyl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, and also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; imidazolyl, typically 1- or 2-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2- or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl, 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydrofuryl, 2- or 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, 1-, 2-or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl or N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl; such as especially 2- or 4-tetrahydropyranyloxy. Etherified hydroxyl groups in this context are taken to include silylated hydroxyl groups, typically for example tri-lower alkylsilyloxy, typically trimethylsilyloxy and dimethyl-tert-butylsilyloxy, or phenyldl-lower alkylsilyloxy and lower alkyl-diphenyisilyloxy. An esterified hydroxyl group present in the hydrocarbyl as a substituent is, for example, lower alkanoyloxy. A carboxyl group present in the hydrocarbyl as a substituent is one in which the hydrogen atom is replaced by one of the hydrocarbyl radicals characterised hereinabove, preferably a lower alkyl- or phenyl-lower alkyl radical; an example of an esterified carboxyl group is lower alkoxycarbonyl or phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonyl substituted if need be in the phenyl part, especially the methoxy, ethoxy, tert-butoxy, and benzyloxycarbonyl group, as well as a lactonised carboxyl group. A primary amino group —NH2 as substituent of the hydrocarbyls may also be present in a form protected by a conventional protecting group. A secondary amino group carries, instead of one of the two hydrogen atoms, a hydrocarbyl radical, preferably an unsubstituted one, typically one of the above-named, especially lower alkyl, and may also be present in protected form. A tertiary amino group present in the hydrocarbyl as substituent carries 2 different or, preferably, identical hydrocarbyl radicals (including the heterocyclic radicals), such as the unsubstituted hydrocarbyl radicals characterised hereinabove, especially lower alkyl. A preferred amino group is one with the formula R11(R12)N—, wherein R11 and R12 are independently in each case hydrogen, unsubstituted acyclic C1-C7-hydrocarbyl (such as especially C1-C4alkyl or C2-C4alkenyl) or monocyclic aryl, aralkyl, or aralkenyl, substituted if necessary by C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkoxy, halogen, and/or nitro, and having a maximum of 10 carbon atoms, where the carbon-containing radicals may be interlinked through a carbon-carbon bond or an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a nitrogen atom substituted if necessary by hydrocarbyl. In such a case, they form a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring with the nitrogen atom of the amino group. The following are examples of especially preferred disubstituted amino groups: di-lower alkylamino, typically dimethylamino or diethylamino, pyrrolidino, imidazol-1-yl, piperidino, piperazino, 4-lower alkylpiperazino, morpholino, thiomorpholino and piperazino or 4-methylpiperazino, as well as diphenylamino and dibenzylamino substituted if need be, especially in the phenyl part, for example by lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy, halogen, and/or nitro; of the protected groups, especially lower alkoxy-carbonylamino, typically tert-butoxycarbonylamino, phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonylamino, typically 4-methoxybenzyloxycarbonylamino, and 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonylamino. Amino-lower alkyl is most especially substituted in the 1-position of the lower alkyl chain by amino and is especially aminomethyl. Mono- or disubstituted amino-lower alkyl is amino-lower alkyl substituted by one or two radicals, wherein amino-lower alkyl is most especially substituted by amino in the 1-position of the lower alkyl chain and is especially aminomethyl; the amino substituents here are preferably (if 2 substituents are present in the respective amino group independently of one another) from the group comprising lower alkyl, such as especially methyl, ethyl or n-propyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, typically 2-hydroxyethyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, especially cyclohexyl, amino-lower alkyl, typically 3-aminopropyl or 4-aminobutyl, N-mono- or N,N-di(lower alkyl)-amino-lower alkyl, typically 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl, amino, N-mono- or N,N-di-lower alkylamino and N-mono- or N,N-di-(hydroxy-lower alkyl)amino. Disubstituted amino-lower alkyl is also a 5 or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl bonded to lower alkyl via a nitrogen atom (preferably in the 1-position) and having 0 to 2, especially 0 or 1, other heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which is unsubstituted or substituted, especially by one or two radicals from the group comprising lower alkyl, typically methyl, and also oxo. Preferred here is pyrrolidino (1-pyrrolidinyl), piperidino (1-piperidinyl), piperazino (1-piperazinyl), 4-lower alkylpiperazino, typically 4-methylpiperazino, imidazolino (1-imidazolyl), morpholino (4-morpholinyl), or also thiomorpholino, S-oxo-thiomorpholino, or S,S-dioxothiomorpholino. Lower alkylenedioxy is especially methylenedioxy. A carbamoyl group carrying one or two substituents is especially aminocarbonyl(carbamoyl) which is substituted by one or two radicals at the nitrogen; the amino substituents here are preferably (if 2 substituents are present in the respective amino group independently of one another) from the group comprising lower alkyl, such as especially methyl, ethyl or n-propyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, typically 2-hydroxyethyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, especially cyclohexyl, amino-lower alkyl, typically 3-aminopropyl or 4-aminobutyl, N-mono- or N,N-di(lower alkyl)-amino-lower alkyl, typically 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)propyl, amino, N-mono- or N,N-di-lower alkylamino and N-mono- or N,N-di-(hydroxy-lower alkyl)amino; disubstituted amino in aminocarbamoyl is also a 5 or 6-membered, saturated or unsaturated heterocyclyl with a bonding nitrogen atom and 0 to 2, especially 0 or 1, other heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which is unsubstituted or substituted, especially by one or two radicals from the group comprising lower alkyl, typically methyl, and also oxo. Preferred here is pyrrolidino (1-pyrrolidinyl), piperidino (1-piperidinyl), piperazino (1-piperazinyl), 4-lower al-kylpiperazino, typically 4-methylpiperazino, imidazolino (1-imidazolyl), morpholino (4-morpholinyl), or also thiomorpholino, S-oxo-thiomorpholino, or S,S-dioxothiomorpholino. An acyl derived from an organic sulfonic acid, which is designated Ac2, is especially one with the subformula Ro—SO2—, wherein Ro is a hydrocarbyl as defined above in the general and specific meanings, the latter also being generally preferred here. Especially preferred is lower alkylphenylsulfonyl, especially 4-toluenesulfonyl. An acyl derived from a phosphoric acid, esterified if necessary, which is designated Ac3, is especially one with the subformula RoO(RoO)P(═O)—, wherein the radicals Ro are, independently of one another, as defined in the general and specific meanings indicated above. Reduced data on substituents given hereinbefore and hereinafter are considered to be preferences. Preferred compounds according to the invention are, for example, those wherein R0 has the following preferred meanings: lower alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl, amino-lower alkyl, wherein the amino group is unprotected or is protected by a conventional amino protecting group—especially by lower alkoxycarbonyl, typically tert-lower alkoxycarbonyl, for example tert-butoxycarbonyl—e.g. aminomethyl, R,S—, R— or preferably S-1-aminoethyl, tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethyl or R, S—, R—, or preferably S-1-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethyl, carboxy-lower alkyl, typically 2-carboxyethyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl, typically 2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)ethyl, cyano-lower alkyl, typically 2-cyanoethyl, tetrahydropyranyloxy-lower alkyl, typically 4-(tetrahydropyranyl)-oxymethyl, morpholino-lower alkyl, typically 2-(morpholino)ethyl, phenyl, lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-methylphenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-methoxyphenyl, imidazolyl-lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-[2-(imidazol-1-yl)ethyl)oxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, typically 4-carboxyphenyl, lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl, typically 4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl or 4-methoxyphenyl, halogen-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-chloromethylphenyl, pyrrolidinophenyl, typically 4-pyrrolidinophenyl, imidazol-1-ylphenyl, typically 4-(imidazolyl-1-yl)phenyl, piperazinophenyl, typically 4-piperazinophenyl, (4-lower alkylpiperazino)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazino)phenyl, morpholinophenyl, typically 4-morpholinophenyl, pyrrolidino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-pyrrolidinomethylphenyl, imidazol-1-yl-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-(imidazolyl-1-ylmethyl)phenyl, piperazino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinomethylphenyl, (4-lower alkylpiperazinomethyl)-phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazinomethyl)phenyl, morpholino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-morpholinomethylphenyl, piperazinocarbonylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinocarbonylphenyl, or (4-lower alkyl-piperazino)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazino)phenyl. Preferred acyl radicals Ac1 are acyl radicals of a carboxylic acid which are characterised by the subformula Ro—CO—, wherein Ro has one of the above general and preferred meanings of the hydrocarbyl radical Ro. Especially preferred radicals Ro here are lower alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl, amino-lower alkyl, wherein the amino group is unprotected or protected by a conventional amino protecting group, especially by lower alkoxycarbonyl, typically tert-lower alkoxycarbonyl, for example tert-butoxycarbonyl, e.g. aminomethyl, R, S—, R—, or preferably S-1-aminoethyl, tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethyl or R, S—, R—, or preferably S-1-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethyl, carboxy-lower alkyl, typically 2-carboxyethyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl, typically 2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)ethyl, tetrahydropyranyloxy-lower alkyl, typically 4-(tetrahydropyranyl)oxymethyl, phenyl, imidazolyl-lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-[2-(imidazol-1 -yl)ethyl]oyxphenyl, carboxyphenyl, typically 4-carboxyphenyl, lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl, typically 4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl, halogen-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-chloromethylphenyl, imidazol-1-ylphenyl, typically 4-(imidazolyl-1-yl)phenyl, pyrrolidino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-pyrrolidinomethylphenyl, piperazino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinomethylphenyl, (4-lower alkylpiperazinomethyl)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methyl-piperazinomethyl)phenyl, morpholino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-morpholinomethylphenyl, piperazinocarbonylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinocarbonylphenyl, or (4-lower alkylpiperazino)-phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazino)phenyl. A further preferred Acyl Ac1 is derived from monoesters of carbonic acid and is characterised by the subformula Ro—O—CO—. The lower alkyl radicals, especially tert-butyl, are especially preferred hydrocarbyl radicals Ro in these derivatives. Another preferred Acyl Ac1 is derived from amides of carbonic acid (or also thiocarbonic acid) and is characterised by the formula RoHN—C(═W)— or RoRoN—C(═W)—, wherein the radicals Ro are, independently of one another, as defined above and W is sulfur and especially oxygen. In particular, compounds are preferred wherein Ac1 is a radical of formula RoHN—C(═W)—, wherein W is oxygen and Ro has one of the following preferred meanings: morpholino-lower alkyl, typically 2-morpholinoethyl, phenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-methoxyphenyl or 4-ethoxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, typically 4-carboxyphenyl, or lower alkoxy-carbonylphenyl, typically 4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl. A preferred acyl Ac2 of subformula Ro—SO2—, wherein Ro is a hydrocarbyl as defined in the above general and specific meanings, is lower alkylphenylsulfonyl, typically 4-toluenesulfonyl. If p is 0, the nitrogen atom bonding R3 is uncharged. If p is 1, then R4 must also be present, and the nitrogen atom bonding R3 and R4 (quaternary nitrogen) is then positively charged. The definitions for an aliphatic, carbocyclic, or carbocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 29 carbon atoms each, or for a heterocyclic or heterocyclic-aliphatic radical with up to 20 carbon atoms each and up to 9 heteroatoms each, or acyl with up to 30 carbon atoms each, preferably match the definitions given for the corresponding radicals R3 and R4. Especially preferred is R5 lower alkyl, especially methyl, or most especially hydrogen. Z is especially lower alkyl, most especially methyl or hydrogen. If the two bonds indicated by wavy lines are missing in ring A, then no double bonds (tetra-hydrogenated derivatives) are present between the carbon atoms characterised in formula I by the numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4, but only single bonds, whereas ring B is aromatic (double bonds between the carbon atoms characterised in formula I by 8 and 9 and those characterised by 10 and 11). If the two bonds indicated by wavy lines are missing in ring B, then no double bonds (tetra-hydrogenated derivatives) are present between the carbon atoms characterised in formula I by the numbers 8, 9, 10, and 11, but only single bonds, whereas ring A is aromatic (double bonds between the carbon atoms characterised in formula I by 1 and 2 and those characterised by 3 and 4). If the total of four bonds indicated by wavy lines are missing in rings A and B, and are replaced by a total of 8 hydrogen atoms, then no double bonds (octa-hydrogenated derivatives) are present between the carbon atoms numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, and 11 in formula 1, but only single bonds. By their nature, the compounds of the invention may also be present in the form of pharmaceutically, i.e. physiologically, acceptable salts, provided they contain salt-forming groups. For isolation and purification, pharmaceutically unacceptable salts may also be used. For therapeutic use, only pharmaceutically acceptable salts are used, and these salts are preferred. Thus, compounds of formula I having free acid groups, for example a free sulfa, phosphoryl or carboxyl group, may exist as a salt, preferably as a physiologically acceptable salt with a salt-forming basic component. These may be primarily metal or ammonium salts, such as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, for example sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium salts, or ammonium salts with ammonia or suitable organic amines, especially tertiary monoamines and heterocyclic bases, for example triethylamine, tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)-amine, N-ethylpiperidine or N,N′-dimethylpiperazine. Compounds of the invention having a basic character may also exist as addition salts, especially as acid addition salts with inorganic and organic acids, but also as quaternary salts. Thus, for example, compounds which have a basic group, such as an amino group, as a substituent may form acid addition salts with common acids. Suitable acids are, for example, hydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric and hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid or perchloric acid, or aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic or heterocyclic carboxylic or sulfonic acids, such as formic, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric, citric, fumaric, maleic, hydroxymaleic, oxalic, pyruvic, phenylacetic, benzoic, p-aminobenzoic, anthranilic, p-hydroxybenzoic, sallcylic, p-aminosalicylic acid, pamoic acid, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, hydroxyethanesulfonic, ethylenedisulfonic, halobenzenesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, naphthalenesulfonic acids or sulfanilic acid, and also methlonine, tryptophan, lysine or arginine, as well as ascorbic acid. In view of the close relationship between the compounds (especially of formula I) in free form and in the form of their salts, including those salts that can be used as intermediates, for example in the purification or identification of the novel compounds, and of their solvates, any reference hereinbefore and hereinafter to the free compounds is to be understood as referring also to the corresponding salts, and the solvates thereof, for example hydrates, as appropriate and expedient. The compounds of formula A, B, C, D, I, II, III, IV, V or VI especially those wherein R5 is hydrogen, possess valuable pharmacological properties. In the case of the groups of radicals or compounds mentioned hereinbefore and hereinafter, general definitions may, insofar as appropriate and expedient, be replaced by the more specific definitions stated hereinbefore and hereinafter. Preference is given to a compounds of formula I, II, III, IV, V, VI wherein R1 and R2 independently of each other are lower alkyl, lower alkyl substituted by halogen, C6-C14aryl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, phenyl-lower alkoxy, phenyloxy, lower alkanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, amino, lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, phenyl-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-(phenyl-lower alkyl)amino, cyano, mercapto, lower alkylthio, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-lower alkylcarbamoyl, N,N-di-lower alkyl-carbamoyl, sulfo, lower alkanesulfonyl, lower alkoxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, N-lower-alkylaminosulfonyl or N,N-di-lower alkylaminosulfonyl; halogen; lower alkoxy; C6-C14aryloxy; C6-C14aryl-lower alkoxy; lower alkanoyloxy; C6-C14arylcarbonyloxy; amino monosubstituted or disubstituted by lower alkyl, C6-C14aryl, C6-C14aryl-lower alkyl, lower alkanoyl or C6-C12aryl-carbonyl; cyano; nitro; mercapto; lower alkylthio; C6-C14arylthio; C6-C14aryl-lower alkylthio; lower alkanoylthio; C6C14aryl-lower alkanoylthio; carboxy; lower alkoxycarbonyl, C6-C14aryl-lower alkoxycarbonyl; C6-C14aryloxycarbonyl; carbamoyl; carbamoyl N-mono- or N,N-disubstituted by lower alkyl, C6-C14aryl or C6-C14aryl-lower alkyl; sulfo; C6-C14arylsulfonyl; C6-C14aryl-lower alkanesulfonyl; lower alkanesulfonyl; or aminosulfonyl N-mono- or N,N-disubstituted by lower alkyl, C6-C14aryl or C6-C14aryl-lower alkyl, wherein C6-C14aryl is an aryl radical with 6 to 12 carbon atoms in the ring system, which may be unsubstituted or substituted by halogen, phenyl or naphthyl, hydroxy, lower alkoxy, phenyl-lower alkoxy, phenyloxy, lower alkanoyloxy, benzoyloxy, amino, lower alkylamino, lower alkanoylamino, phenyl-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-lower alkylamino, N,N-di-(phenyl-lower alkyl)amino, cyano, mercapto, lower alkylthio, carboxy, lower alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, N-lower alkyl-carbamoyl, N,N-di-lower alkylcarbamoyl, sulfo, lower alkanesulfonyl, lower alkoxysulfonyl, aminosulfonyl, N-lower alkylaminosulfonyl or N,N-di-lower alkylaminosulfonyl; n and m are independently of each other 0 or 1 or 2, preferably 0; R3, R4, R8, R10 are independently of each other hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkenyl or lower alkadienyl, which are each unsubstituted or monosubstituted or polysubstituted, preferably monosubstituted or disubstituted by a substituent independently selected from lower alkyl; hydroxy; lower alkoxy, which may be unsubstituted or mono-, di-, or trisubstituted by (i) heterocyclyl with 4 to 12 ring atoms, which may be unsaturated, wholly saturated, or partly saturated, is monocyclic or bicyclic and may contain up to three heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and is most especially pyrrolyl, for example 2-pyrrolyl or 3-pyrrolyl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, or in a broader sense also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; Imidazolyl, typically 1- or 2-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2- or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl, 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, 1-, 2-or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl or N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl, (ii) by halogen, (iii) by hydroxy or (iv) by lower alkoxy; phenoxy; phenyl-lower alkoxy; heterocyclyloxy, wherein heterocyclyl is pyrrolyl, for example 2-pyrrolyl or 3-pyrrolyl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, or in a broader sense also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; imidazolyl, typically 1- or 2-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2- or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl, 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydrofuryl, 2- or 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, 1-, 2-or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl or N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl, such as especially 2- or 4-tetrahydropyranyloxy; lower alkanoyloxy; carboxy; lower alkoxycarbonyl; phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonyl; mercapto; lower alkylthio; phenylthio; halogen; halogen-lower alkyl; oxo (except in the 1-position, because otherwise acyl); azido; nitro; cyano; amino; mono-lower alkylamino; di-lower alkylamino; pyrrolidino; imidazol-1-yl; piperidino; piperazino; 4-lower alkylpiperazino; morpholino; thiomorpholino; diphenylamino or dibenzylamino unsubstituted or substituted in the phenyl part by lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen and/or nitro; lower alkoxycarbonylamino; phenyl-lower alkoxycarbonylamino unsubstituted or substituted in the phenyl part by lower alkyl or lower alkoxy; fluorenylmethoxycarbonylamino; amino-lower alkyl; monosubstituted or disubstituted amino-lower alkyl, wherein the amino substituent is selected from lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, amino-lower alkyl, N-mono- or N,N-di(-lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl, amino, N-mono- or N,N-di-lower alkylamino and N-mono- or N,N-di-(hydroxy-lower alkyl)amino; pyrrolidino-lower alkyl; piperidino-lower alkyl; piperazino-lower alkyl; 4-lower alkylpiperazino-lower alkyl; imidazol-1-yl-lower alkyl; morpholino-lower alkyl; thiomorpholino-lower alkyl; S-oxo-thiomorpholino-lower alkyl; S,S-dioxothiomorpholino-lower alkyl; lower alkylendioxy; sulfamoyl; sulfo; carbamoyl; ureido; guanidino; cyano; aminocarbonyl (carbamoyl) and aminocarbonyloxy, which are substituted by one or two radicals on the nitrogen, wherein the amino substituents are selected independently of one another from the group comprising lower alkyl, hydroxy-lower alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl, amino-lower alkyl, N-mono- or N,N-di(-lower alkyl)amino-lower alkyl, amino, N-mono- or N,N-di-lower alkylamino and N-mono- or N,N-di-(hydroxy-lower alkyl)amino; pyrrolidinocarbonyl; piperidinocarbonyl; piperazinocarbonyl; 4-lower alkylpiperazinocarbonyl; imidazolinocarbonyl; morpholinocarbonyl; thiomorpholinocarbonyl; S-oxo-thiomorpholinocarbonyl; and S,S-dioxothiomorpholino; phenyl, naphthyl, phenyl-lower alkyl or phenyl-lower alkenyl with a terminal phenyl radical, which is unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by the radicals named above as substituents of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl or lower alkadienyl; or heterocyclyl-lower alkyl, wherein heterocyclyl is pyrrolyl, for example 2-pyrrolyl or 3-pyrrolyl, pyridyl, for example 2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl, or in a broader sense also thienyl, for example 2- or 3-thienyl, or furyl, for example 2-furyl, indolyl, typically 2- or 3-indolyl, quinolyl, typically 2- or 4-quinolyl, isoquinolyl, typically 3- or 5-isoquinolyl, benzofuranyl, typically 2-benzofuranyl, chromenyl, typically 3-chromenyl, benzothienyl, typically 2- or 3-benzothienyl; imidazolyl, typically 1- or 2-imidazolyl, pyrimidinyl, typically 2-or 4-pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, typically 2-oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, typically 3-isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, typically 2-thiazolyl, benzimidazolyl, typically 2-benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, typically 2-benzoxazolyl, quinazolyl, typically 2-quinazolinyl, 2-tetrahydrofuryl, 4-tetrahydrofuryl, 2- or 4-tetrahydropyranyl, 1-, 2- or 3-pyrrolidyl, 1-, 2-, 3-, or 4-piperidyl, 1-, 2-or 3-morpholinyl, 2- or 3-thiomorpholinyl, 2-piperazinyl or N,N′-bis-lower alkyl-2-piperazinyl, which in each case are unsubstituted or monosubstituted or disubstituted by the radicals named above as substituents of lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, or lower alkadienyl; or acyl of the subformula Y—C(═W)—, wherein W is oxygen and Y is hydrogen, Ro, Ro—O—, RoHN—, or RoRoN— (wherein the radicals Ro may be the same or different), or acyl of the subformula R—SO2—, whereby R4 may also be absent for the compound of formula II; or R4 is absent for compounds of formula II, hydrogen or CH3 for compounds of formula I, and R3 is acyl of the subformula Y—C(═W)—, wherein W is oxygen and Y is hydrogen, Ro, Ro—O—, RoHN—, or RoRoN— (wherein the radicals Ro may be the same or different), or is acyl of the subformula Ro—SO2—, wherein R0 in the said radicals has the following meanings: substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl, amino-lower alkyl hydroxy-lower alkyl, wherein the amino group is unprotected or is protected by a conventional amino protecting group—especially by lower alkoxycarbonyl, typically tert-lower alkoxycarbonyl, for example tert-butoxycarbonyl—e.g. aminomethyl, R, S—, R— or preferably S-1-aminoethyl, tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethyl or R, S—, R—, or preferably S-1-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethyl, carboxy-lower alkyl, typically 2-carboxyethyl, lower alkoxycarbonyl-lower alkyl, typically 2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)ethyl, cyano-lower alkyl, typically 2-cyanoethyl, tetrahydropyranyloxy-lower alkyl, typically 4-(tetrahydropyranyl)oxymethyl, morpholino-lower alkyl, typically 2-(morpholino)ethyl, phenyl, lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-methylphenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-methoxyphenyl, imidazolyl-lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-[2-(imidazol-1-yl)ethyl)oxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, typically 4-carboxyphenyl, lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl, typically 4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl or 4-methoxyphenyl, halogen-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-chloromethylphenyl, pyrrolidinophenyl, typically 4-pyrrolidinophenyl, imidazol-1-ylphenyl, typically 4-(imidazolyl-1-yl)phenyl, piperazinophenyl, typically 4-piperazinophenyl, (4-lower alkylpiperazino)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazino)phenyl, morpholinophenyl, typically 4-morpholinophenyl, pyrrolidino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-pyrrolidinomethylphenyl, imidazol-1-yl-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-(imidazolyl-1-ylmethyl)phenyl, piperazino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinomethylphenyl, (4-lower alkylpiperazinomethyl)-phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazinomethyl)phenyl, morpholino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-morpholinomethylphenyl, piperazinocarbonylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinocarbonylphenyl, or (4-lower alkylpiperazino)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazino)phenyl. p is 0 if R4 is absent, or is 1 if R3 and R4 are both present and in each case are one of the aforementioned radicals (for compounds of formula II); R5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, especially hydrogen, X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms, for O, or for 1 hydrogen atom and hydroxy; or for 1 hydrogen atom and lower alkoxy; Z is hydrogen or especially lower alkyl, most especially methyl; and for compounds for formula II, either the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are preferably absent in ring A and replaced by 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring B each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or also the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are absent in ring B and replaced by a total of 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring A each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or both in ring A and in ring B all of the 4 wavy bonds are absent and are replaced by a total of 8 hydrogen atoms; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present. Particular preference is given to a compound of formula I wherein; m and n are each 0; R3 and R4 are independently of each other hydrogen, lower alkyl unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted, especially monosubstituted, by radicals selected independently of one another from carboxy; lower alkoxycarbonyl; and cyano; or R4 is hydrogen or —CH3, and R3 is as defined above or preferably R3 is, acyl of the subformula Ro—CO, wherein Ro is lower alkyl; amino-lower alkyl, wherein the amino group is present in unprotected form or is protected by lower alkoxycarbonyl; tetrahydropyranyloxy-lower alkyl; phenyl; imidazolyl-lower alkoxyphenyl; carboxyphenyl; lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl; halogen-lower alkylphenyl; imidazol-1-ylphenyl; pyrrolidino-lower alkylphenyl; piperazino-lower alkylphenyl; (4-lower alkylpiperazinomethyl)phenyl; morpholino-lower alkylphenyl; piperazinocarbonylphenyl; or (4-tower alkylpiperazino)phenyl; or is acyl of the subformula Ro—O—CO—, wherein Ro is lower alkyl; or is acyl of the subformula RoHN—C(═W)—, wherein W is oxygen and Ro has the following meanings: morpholino-lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, or lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl; or R3 is lower alkylphenylsulfonyl, typically 4-toluenesulfonyl; further specific examples of preferred R3 groups are described below for the preferred compounds of formula II, R5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, especially hydrogen, X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms or for O; Z is methyl or hydrogen; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present. Particular preference is given to a compound of formula II wherein m and n are each 0; R3 and R4 are independently of each other hydrogen, lower alkyl unsubstituted or mono- or disubstituted, especially monosubstituted, by radicals selected independently of one another from carboxy; lower alkoxycarbonyl; and cyano; whereby R4 may also be absent; or R4 is absent, and R3 is acyl from the subformula Ro—CO, wherein Ro is lower alkyl, especially methyl or ethyl; amino-lower alkyl, wherein the amino group is unprotected or protected by lower alkoxy-carbonyl, typically tert-lower alkoxycarbonyl, for example tert-butoxycarbonyl, e.g. aminomethyl, R, S—, R—, or preferably S-1-aminoethyl, tert-butoxycarbonylaminomethyl or R, S—, R—, or preferably S-1-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)ethyl; tetrahydropyranyloxy-lower alkyl, typically 4-(tetrahydropyranyl)oxymethyl; phenyl; imidazolyl-lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-[2-(imidazol-1-yl)ethyl)oyxphenyl; carboxyphenyl, typically 4-carboxyphenyl; lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl, typically 4-methoxy- or 4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl; halogen-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-chloromethylphenyl; imidazol-1-ylphenyl, typically 4-(imidazolyl-1-yl)-phenyl; pyrrolidino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-pyrrolidinomethylphenyl; piperazino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinomethylphenyl; (4-lower alkylpiperazinomethyl)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazinomethyl)phenyl; morpholino-lower alkylphenyl, typically 4-morpholinomethylphenyl; piperazinocarbonylphenyl, typically 4-piperazinocarbonylphenyl; or (4-lower alkylpiperazino)phenyl, typically 4-(4-methylpiperazino)phenyl; or is acyl of the subformula Ro—O—CO—, wherein Ro is lower alkyl; or is acyl of the subformula RoHN—C(═W)—, wherein W is oxygen and Ro has the following preferred meanings: morpholino-lower alkyl, typically 2-morpholinoethyl, phenyl, lower alkoxyphenyl, typically 4-methoxyphenyl or 4-ethoxyphenyl, carboxyphenyl, typically 4-carboxyphenyl, or lower alkoxycarbonylphenyl, typically 4-ethoxycarbonylphenyl; or is lower alkylphenylsulfonyl, typically 4-toluenesulfonyl; p is 0 if R4 is absent, or is 1 if R3 and R4 are both present and in each case are one of the aforementioned radicals; R5 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, especially hydrogen, X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms or for O; Z is methyl or hydrogen; and either the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are preferably absent in ring A and replaced by 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring B each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or also the two bonds characterised by wavy lines are absent in ring B and replaced by a total of 4 hydrogen atoms, and the two wavy lines in ring A each, together with the respective parallel bond, signify a double bond; or both in ring A and in ring B all of the 4 wavy bonds are absent and are replaced by a total of 8 hydrogen atoms; or a salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present. Most especially preferred compounds of formula II are selected from; 8,9,10,11-Tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-[4-(4-methylpiperaziN-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-chloromethylbenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-(pyrrolidin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)benzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)benzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-ethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-tosyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-triflouroacetyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-[4-(2-imidazol-1-yl-ethoxy)benzoyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-methoxycarbonylmethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-carboxymethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-terephthaloylmethyl ester-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-terephthaloyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-ethylpiperazinylcarbonylbenzoyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(2-cyanoethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-benzoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporinium iodide; N-BOC-glycyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-glycyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(3-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)propyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(3-carboxypropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-imidazol-1-yl)benzoyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-[(tetrahydro-2h-pyran-4-yloxy)acetyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-BOC-I-alanyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-I-alanyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine hydrochloride; N-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methylstaurosporine; N-(4-carboxyphenylaminocarbonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(4-ethylphenylaminocarbonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(N-phenylaminocarbonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(N-[2-(1-morpholino)ethyl]aminocarbonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-(N-[4-methoxyphenyl]aminocarbonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methylstaurosporine; N-BOC-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrostaurosporine; N-BOC-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methylstaurosporine; N-BOC-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-methyl-7-oxo-staurosporine; 1,2,3,4,8,9,10,11-octahydrostaurosporine; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, if at least one salt-forming group is present. Most especially preferred is the compound of formula I designated 1,2,3,4tetrahydrostaurosporine, or a (particularly pharmaceutically acceptable) salt thereof (here, m und n in formula I are 0, R3 is hydrogen, R4 is absent, provided no salt is present (p=0), or is hydrogen if a salt is present (p=1), R5 is hydrogen, the two bonds represented by wavy lines are absent in Ring A and are replaced by a total of 4 hydrogen atoms and the two bonds represented by wavy lines in Ring B are in each case a double bond together with the parallel bonds, X stands for 2 hydrogen atoms, and Z is methyl). Most especially preferred are the compounds of formula A wherein; A) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; Q=—(CH2)2—O—CH(CH2)OH—(CH2)2— B) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; Q=—(CH2)2—O—CH(CH2N(CH3)2)—(CH2)2— C) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5═H; Most especially preferred are the compounds of formula I wherein; A) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R3, R5═H; R4═CH3; Z=CH3 (staurosporine) B) X=1 hydrogen and 1 hydroxy atoms in (R) or (S) isomeric form; R1, R2, R3, R5═H; R4═CH3; Z=CH3 (UCN-01 and UCN-02) C) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5═H; R4═CH3; R3,=benzoyl; Z=CH3 (CGP41251 or PKC412 or MIDOSTAURIN) D) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R3,═CH3; R4=ethyloxycarbonyl; Z=CH3 (NA 382; CAS=143086-33-3) E) X=1 hydrogen and 1 hydroxy atom; R1, R2, R5═H; R3═CH3; Z=CH3; and R4 is selected from —(CH2)2OH; —CH2CH(OH)CH2OH; —CO(CH2)2CO2Na; —(CH2)3CO2H; —COCH2N(CH3)2; F) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5═H; R3═CH3; Z=CH3; and R4 is selected from N-[0-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-D-lactoyl]; N-[2-methyl-2-(tetrahydropyran-4-yloxy)-propionyl; N-[0-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-L-lactoyl]; N-[0-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-D-lactoyl]; N-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yloxy)-acetyl)] G) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R3—CH3; Z=CH3; and R4 is selected from N-[0-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-D-lactoyl]; N-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran4-yloxy)-acetyl)] H) X=1 hydrogen and 1 hydroxy atom; R1, R2, R5═H; R3═CH3; Z=CH3; and R4 is selected from N-[0-(tetrahydropyran-4-yl )-D-lactoyl]; N-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-4-yloxy)-acetyl)] The abbreviation “CAS” means the CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS registry number. The most preferred compounds of formula I e.g. MIDOSTAURIN [International Nonproprietary Name] are covered and have been specifically described by the European patent No. 0 296 110 published on Dec. 21, 1988, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,330 published on Mar. 3, 1992, and Japanese Patent No. 2 708 047. Other preferred compounds are covered and described by the patent applications WO 95/32974 and WO 95/32976 both published on Dec. 7, 1995. All the compounds described in these documents are incorporated into the present application by reference. Most especially preferred are the compounds of formula III wherein; A) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5═H; R6═CH3; R7=methyloxycarbonyl; Z=H (2-methyl K252a) B) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5, R6═H; R7=methyloxycarbonyl; Z=H (K-252a) C) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5, R6═H; R7=methyloxycarbonyl; Z=CH3 (KT-5720) Most especially preferred are the compounds of formula IV wherein; A) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R9═CH2—NMe2; R6═CH3; m′=n′=2 B) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R9═CH2—NH2; R8═CH3; m′=2; n′=1 (Ro-31-8425; CAS=151342-35-7) Most especially preferred are the compounds of formula V wherein; A) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R8═CH3; R10═—(CH2)3—NH2; (Ro-31-7549; CAS=138516-31) B) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R8═CH3; R10═—(CH2)3—S—(C═NH)—NH2; (Ro-31-8220; CAS=125314-64-9)) C) X═O; R1, R2, R5═H; R8═CH3; R10═—CH3; Most especially preferred are the compounds of formula VI wherein; A) X=2 hydrogen atoms; R1, R2, R5═H; R4═CH3; Z=CH3; R3 selected from methyl or (C1-C10)alkyl, arylmethyl, C6H2CH2— STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES and their manufacturing process have been specifically described in many prior documents, well known by the man skilled in the art. Compounds of formula A, B, C, D and their manufacturing process have for instance, been described in the European patents No. 0 657 458 published on Jun. 14, 1995, in the European patents No. 0 624 586 published on Nov. 17, 1994, in the European patents No. 0 470 490 published on Feb. 12, 1992, in the European patents No. 0 328 026 published on Aug. 16, 1989, in the European patents No. 0 384 349 published on Aug. 29, 1990, as well as in many publications such as Barry M. Trost* and Weiping Tang Org. Lett., 3(21), 3409-3411. Compounds of formula I and their manufacturing processes have specifically been described in the European patents No. 0 296 110 published on Dec. 21, 1988, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,330 published on Mar. 3, 1992, and Japanese Patent No. 2 708 047. Compounds of formula I having a tetrahydropyran-4-yl)-lactoyl substitution on R4 have been described in the European patent No. 0 624 590 published on Nov. 17, 1994. Other compounds have been described in the European patent No. 0 575 955 published Dec. 29, 1993, European patent No. 0 238 011 published on Sep. 23, 1987 (UCN-O1), International patent application EP98104141 published as WO99/02532 on Jul. 3, 1998. Compounds of formula II and their manufacturing processes have specifically been described in the European patents No. 0 296 110 published on Dec. 21, 1988, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 5;093,330 published on Mar. 3, 1992, and Japanese Patent No. 2 708 047. Compounds of formula III and their manufacturing processes have specifically been described in the patent applications claiming the priority of the US patent application US 920102 filed on Jul. 24, 1992. (i.e. European patents No. 0 768 312 published on Apr. 16, 1997, No.1 002 534 published May 24, 2000, No. 0 651 754 published on May 10, 1995). Compounds of formula IV and their manufacturing processes have specifically been described in the patent applications claiming the priority of the British patent applications GB 9309602 and GB 9403249 respectively filed on May 10, 1993, and on Feb. 21, 1994. (i.e. European patents No. 0 624 586 published on Nov. 17, 1994, No. 1 002 534 published May 24, 2000, No. 0 651 754 published on May 10, 1995). Compounds of formula V and their manufacturing processes have specifically been described in the patent applications claiming the priority of the British patent applications GB 8803048, GB 8827565, GB 8904161 and GB 8928210 respectively filed on Feb. 10, 1988, Nov. 25, 1988, Feb. 23, 1989 and Dec. 13, 1989. (i.e. European patents No. 0 328 026 published on Aug. 16, 1989, and No. 0 384 349 published Aug. 29, 1990). Compounds of formula VI and their manufacturing processes have specifically been described in the patent applications claiming the priority of the U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 07/777,395 (Con), filed on Oct. 10, 1991 (i.e. International patent application WO 93/07153 published on Apr. 15, 1993). In each case where citations of patent applications or scientific publications are given in particular for the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE compounds, the subject-matter of the final products, the pharmaceutical preparations and the claims are hereby incorporated into the present application by reference to these publications. The structure of the active agents identified by code nos., generic or trade names may be taken from the actual edition of the standard compendium “The Merck Index” or from databases, e.g. Patents International (e.g. IMS World Publications). The corresponding content thereof is hereby incorporated by reference. The preferred STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE according to the invention is N-[(9S, 10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-10-methoxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4j][1,7]benzodiazonin-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII): or a salt thereof, (hereinafter: “Compound of formula VII or MIDOSTAURIN”). Compound of formula VII is also known as MIDOSTAURIN [International Nonproprietary Name] or PKC412. MIDOSTAURIN is a derivative of the naturally occurring alkaloid staurosporine, and has been specifically described in the European patent No. 0 296 110 published on Dec. 21, 1988, as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,330 published on Mar. 3, 1992, and Japanese Patent No. 2 708 047. It has now surprisingly been found that MIDOSTAURIN possesses therapeutic properties, which render it particularly useful for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angloedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis. Particularly surprising is that Midostaurin is also effective in the prevention or treatment of the diseases and conditions mentioned hereinbefore that have developed resistance against imatinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES e.g. MIDOSTAURIN were originally identified as inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) (Meyer T, Regenass U, Fabbro D, et al: Int J Cancer 43: 851-856, 1989). The present invention thus concerns the use of STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES for the preparation of a drug for the treatment allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis. Further, the present invention concerns the use of STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES for the preparation of a drug for the treatment allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis with resistance to imatinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In another embodiment, the instant invention provides a method for treating allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angloedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis, all of these diseases and conditions also with resistance to imatinib or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof. Preferably the instant invention provides a method for treating mammals, especially humans, suffering from allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonay aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an therapeutically effective amount of N-[(9S,10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-10-methoxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4-j][1,7]benzodiazonin-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The instant invention also concerns a method wherein the therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula VII is administered to a mammal subject 7 to 4 times a week or about 100% to about 50% of the days in the time period, for a period of from one to six weeks, followed by a period of one to three weeks, wherein the agent is not administered and this cycle being repeated for from 1 to several cycles. In another embodiment, the instant invention relates to the use of STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for use in treating allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis, more particularly for treating allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angloedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis with resistance to imatinib. In vivo, the activity of the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES especially compounds of formula I or II, can be demonstrated, for example, in a single or up to three oral administrations per day to animals at doses in the range of 0.1 to 10 or 1 to 5 mg/kg of body weight per day. Allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis may in some cases be treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib but frequently a relapse occurs and it was surprisingly found that the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES and MIDOSTAURIN in particular are still active in these instances. The precise dosage of STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES to be employed for treating the diseasesand conditions mentioned hereinbefore depends upon several factors including the host, the nature and the severity of the condition being treated, the mode of administration. However, in general, satisfactory results are achieved when the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE is administered parenterally, e.g., intraperitoneally, intravenously, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intratumorally, or rectally, or enterally, e.g., orally, preferably intravenously or, preferably orally, intravenously at a daily dosage of 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight, preferably 1 to 5 mg/kg body weight. In human trials a total dose of 225 mg/day was most presumably the Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD). A preferred intravenous daily dosage is 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight or, for most larger primates, a daily dosage of 200-300 mg. A typical intravenous dosage is 3 to 5 mg/kg, three to five times a week. Most preferably, the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES, especially MIDOSTAURIN, are administered orally, by dosage forms such as microemulsions, soft gels or solid dispersions in dosages up to about 250 mg/day, in particular 225 mg/day, administered once, twice or three times daily. Usually, a small dose is administered initially and the dosage is gradually increased until the optimal dosage for the host under treatment is determined. The upper limit of dosage is that imposed by side effects and can be determined by trial for the host being treated. The STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES may be combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and, optionally, one or more other conventional pharmaceutical adjuvants and administered enterally, e.g. orally, in the form of tablets, capsules, caplets, etc. or parenterally, e.g., intraperitoneally or intravenously, in the form of sterile injectable solutions or suspensions. The enteral and parenteral compositions may be prepared by conventional means. The infusion solutions according to the present invention are preferably sterile. This may be readily accomplished, e.g. by filtration through sterile filtration membranes. Aseptic formation of any composition in liquid form, the aseptic filling of vials and/or combining a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention with a suitable diluent under aseptic conditions are well known to the skilled addressee. The STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES may be formulated into enteral and parenteral pharmaceutical compositions containing an amount of the active substance that is effective for treating the diseases and conditions nemed hereinbefore, such compositions in unit dosage form and such compositions comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES can be used alone or combined with at least one other pharmaceutically active compound for use in these pathologies. These active compounds can be combined in the same pharmaceutical preparation or in the form of combined preparations “kit of parts” in the sense that the combination partners can be dosed independently or by use of different fixed combinations with distinguished amounts of the combination partners, i.e., simultaneously or at different time points. The parts of the kit of parts can then, e.g., be administered simultaneously or chronologically staggered, that is at different time points and with equal or different time intervals for any part of the kit of parts. Non-limiting examples of compounds which can be cited for use in combination with STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES are cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs, such as cytosine arabinoside, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, VP-16, or imatinib etc. Further, STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES could be combined with other inhibitors of signal transduction or other oncogene-targeted drugs with the expectation that significant synergy would result. Examples of useful compositions are described in the European patents No. 0 296 110, No. 0 657 164, No. 0 296 110, No.0 733 372, No.0 711 556, No.0 711 557. The preferred compositions are described in the European patent No. 0 657 164 published on Jun. 14, 1995. The described pharmaceutical compositions comprise a solution or dispersion of compounds of formula I such as MIDOSTAURIN in a saturated polyalkylene glycol glyceride, in which the glycol glyceride is a mixture of glyceryl and polyethylene glycol esters of one or more C8-C18 saturated fatty acids. Two manufacture processes of such compositions are described hereafter. Composition A: Gelucire 44/14 (82 parts) is melted by heating to 60° C. Powdered MIDOSTAURIN (18 parts) is added to the molten material. The resulting mixture is homogenised and the dispersion obtained is introduced into hard gelatin capsules of different size, so that some contain a 25 mg dosage and others a 75 mg dosage of the MIDOSTAURIN. The resulting capsules are suitable for oral administration. Composition B: Gelucire 44/14 (86 parts) is melted by heating to 60° C. Powdered MIDOSTAURIN (14 parts) is added to the molten material. The mixture is homogenised and the dispersion obtained is introduced into hard gelatin capsules of different size, so that some contain a 25 mg dosage and others a 75 mg dosage of the MIDOSTAURIN. The resulting capsules are suitable for oral administration. Gelucire 44/14 available commercially from Gaftefossé; is a mixture of esters of C8-C18 saturated fatty acids with glycerol and a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 1500, the specifications for the composition of the fatty acid component being, by weight, 4-10% caprylic acid, 3-9% capric acid, 40-50% lauric acid, 14-24% myristic acid, 4-14% palmitic acid and 5-15% stearic acid. A preferred example of Gelucire formulation consists of: Gelucire (44/14): 47 g MIDOSTAURIN: 3.0 g filled into a 60 mL Twist off flask A Preferred Example of Soft Gel will Contain the Following Microemulsion: Cornoil glycerides 85.0 mg Polyethylenglykol 400 128.25 mg Cremophor RH 40 213.75 mg MIDOSTAURIN 25.0 mg DL alpha Tocopherol 0.5 mg Ethanol absolute 33.9 mg Total 486.4 mg However, it should be clearly understood that it is for purposes of illustration only. In a preferred embodiment this invention relates to use or method as described herein, wherein the daily effective amount of the compound of formula VII, is 100 to 300 mg, preferably 125 mg to 250 mg most preferably 220 to 230 mg, preferably 225 mg. Most preferably the compound of formula VII, is administered once, twice or three times a day, for a total dose of 100 to 300 mg daily. In a very preferred embodiment the compound of formula VII, is administered three times a day, for a total dose of 220 to 230 preferably 225 mg daily, and preferably at a dose per administration of 70 to 80 mg, preferably 75 mg. In still another embodiment, this invention relates to an article of manufacture comprising packaging material, and N-[(9S,10R,11R,13R)-2,3,10,11,12,13-hexahydro-10-methoxy-9-methyl-1-oxo-9,13-epoxy-1H,9H-diindolo[1,2,3-gh:3′,2′,1′-lm]pyrrolo[3,4j][1,7]benzodiazonin-11-yl]-N-methylbenzamide of the formula (VII) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, contained within said packaging material, wherein said packaging material comprises label directions which indicate that said compound of formula (VII), or said pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, is to be administered to mammals suffering from allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis, in an amount from 50 to 500 mg, preferably 100 to 300 mg, preferably 125 mg to 250 mg, more preferably 220 to 230 mg, most preferably 225 mg following a specific dosage regimen to inhibit the development of the diseases and conditions mentioned hereinbefore. Preferably the invention also relates to an article of manufacture wherein the compound of formula VII, is administered three times a day, for a total dose of 220 to 230 mg, preferably 225 mg daily, and preferably a dose of 70 to 80 mg, most preferably 75 mg, per administration for the treatment of hypereosinophilic syndrome or hypereosinophilic syndrome with resistance to imatinib. A preferred embodiment relates to an article of manufacture comprising softgel capsules containing 25 mg of the compound of formula VII. The invention further pertains the combination of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE as described hereinbefore with imatinib for the treatment of the diseases and conditions described hereinbefore. The administration of such a combination may be affected at the same time, for instance in the form of a fixed, combined pharmaceutical composition or preparation, or sequentially or timely staggered. The administration of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE in a dosage form as described hereinbefore and of imatinib in its marketed form of GLEEVEC® in the US/GLIVEC® in Europe and with the dosages envisaged for these dosage forms is currently preferred. The treatment of allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, drug allergy or food allergy, angioedema, urticaria, sudden infant death syndrome, bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, multiple sclerosis, or mastocytosis with the above combination may be a so-called first line treatment, i.e. the treatment of a freshly diagnosed disease without any preceeding chemotherapy or the like, or it may also be a so-called second line treatment, i.e. the treatment of the disease after a preceeding treatment with imatrinib or a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE, depending on the severity or stage of the disease as well as the over all condition of the patient etc.. The term “allergic rhinitis “as used herein means any allergic reaction of the nasal mucosa. Such allegic reaction may occur, e.g., perennially, e.g. vernal conjunctivitis, or seasonally, e.g., hay fever. The term “allergic dermatitis” as used herein means especially atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and eczematous dermatitis, but comprises, e.g., also seborrhoeic dermatitis, Lichen planus, urticaria and acne. Atopic dermatitis as defined herein is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder seen in individuals with a hereditary predisposition to a lowered cutaneous threshold to pruritus. It is principally characterized by extreme itching, leading to scratching and rubbing that in turns results in the typical lesons of eczema. Allergic contact dermatitis as defined herein is a form of dermatitis that is due to the allergic sensitization to various substances that produce inflammatory reactions in the skin of those who have acquired hypersensitivity to the allergen as a result of previous exposure to it. The term “drug allergy or food allergy” as used herein pertains to an allergic reaction produced by a drug or ingested antigens, such as, for example, strawberries, milk or eggs. The term “bronchopulmonary aspergillosis” relates to an infection of the lungs with Aspergillus. The term “mastocytosis” as used herein, relates to systemic mastocytosis, for example mastocytoma, and also to canine mast cell neoplasms. Mastocytosis is a myeloproliferative disorder with limited treatment options and generally a poor prognosis. The pathogenesis of mastocytosis has been attributed to constitutive activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase KIT. In a large majority of mastocytosis patients, the deregulated tyrosine kinase activity of KIT is due to a mutation within the codon 816 of the protein (D816V) which also confers resistance to imatinib or imafinib mesylate, the latter being marketed as Gleevec® in the United States or Glivec® elsewhere, in vitro and in vivo. Mast cells play an important role as the primary effector cells in the allergic disorders mentioned herein. Antigen-specific IgE-mediated degranulation of mast cells leads to the subsequent release of chemical mediators and multiple cytokines and to leukotriene synthesis. Furthermore, mast cells are involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Mast cell neoplasms occur in both humans and animals. In dogs, mast cell neoplasms are called mastocytomas, and the disease is common, representing 7%-21% of canine tumors. A distinction must be drawn between human mastocytosis, which is usually transient or indolent, and canine mast cell neoplasia, which behaves unpredictably and is often aggressive and metastatic. For instance, human solitary mastocytomas do not often metastasize; in contrast, 50% of canine mastocytomas behave in a malignant fashion, as estimated by Hottendorf & Nielsen (1969) after review of 46 published reports of tumors in 938 dogs. Cancer in the pet population is a spontaneous disease. Pet owners, motivated by prolonging the quality of their animals' life, frequently seek out the specialized care and treatment of veterinary oncologists at private referral veterinary hospitals and veterinary teaching hospitals across the country. Therapeutic modalities of veterinary cancer patients are similar to humans, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biotherapy. It has been estimated that there are 42 million dogs and approximately 20 million cats in the United States. Using crude estimates of cancer incidence, there are roughly 4 million new cancer diagnoses made in dogs and a similar number in cats made each year. Cutaneous mast cell tumors in dogs are a common problem. Most mast cell tumors are benign and are cured with simple resection; however, if recurrent or metastatic to distant sites therapeutic options are limited. Treatment options for recurrent lesions can include external beam radiation therapy. For distant metastases or disseminated disease the use of Lomustine® and vinblastine containing chemotherapy protocols have demonstrated some benefit. Sites for metastases for mast cell tumors include skin, regional lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The KIT receptor's involvement in the pathogenesis of mastocytosis is suggested by the observation that several mutations resulting in constitutive activation of KIT have been detected in a number of mast cell lines. For instance, a point mutation in human c-KIT, causing substitution of Val for Asp816 in the phosphotransferase domain and receptor autoactivation, occurs in a long-term human mast cell leukemia line (HMC-1) and in the corresponding codon in two rodent mast cell lines. Moreover, this activating mutation has been identified in situ in some cases of human mastocytosis. Two other activating mutations have been found in the intracellular juxtamembrane region of KIT, i.e. the Val560Gly substitution in the human HMC-1 mast cell line, and a seven amino acid deletion (Thr573-His579) in a rodent mast cell line called FMA3. It can be shown by established test models and especially those test models described herein that the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES or in each case a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, result in an effective prevention or, preferably, treatment of at least one of the diseases mentioned herein. The person skilled in the pertinent art is fully enabled to select a relevant test model to prove the hereinbefore and hereinafter indicated therapeutic indications and beneficial effects. The pharmacological activity may, for example, be demonstrated in a clinical study or in the test procedure as essentially described hereinafter. EXAMPLE 1 This Example demonstrates the in vitro effects of the STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES on the SCF-dependent development of cultured human mast cell growth generated from CD34+ cord blood cells using the culture system described by Kinoshita T, Sawai N, et al in Blood 1999, 94, 496-508. More than 90% of the isolated cells were CD34-positive according to the flow cytometric analysis. Reagents and Antibodies The STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES are solubilized in DMSO at a concentration of 10−2 M and stored at −80° C. All-trans retinoic acid (Sigma) is dissolved in ethanol at a concentration of 10−2 M, and stored in light-protected vials at −80° C. Purified mAb for tryptase (MAB1222) can be purchased from Chemicon International Inc., CA. For the flow cytometric analysis, the mAbs for CD34 (8G12, FITC) and CD11b (Leu15, PE) are purchased from Becton Dickinson Immunocytometry Systems (Mountain View, Calif.), and the mAb for CD41 (SZ22, FITC) from Immunotech S.A. (Marseilles, France). The mAb for glycophorin A (GPA, JC159, FITC) can be obtained from Dako (Glostrup, Denmark). For western blotting and immunoprecipitation, the mAbs for c-kit (NU-c-kit) and for phosphotyrosine (4G10) can be purchased from Nichirel and Upstate Biotechnology, Inc (Lake Placid, N.Y.), respectively. Suspension Cultures Serum-deprived liquid cultures are carried out in 24-well culture plates (#3047; Becton Dickinson). Twenty thousand CD34+ cells are cultured in each well containing 2 mL of α-medium supplemented with 1% BSA, 300 μg/mL fully iron-saturated human transferrin (approximately 98% pure, Sigma), 16 μg/mL soybean lecithin (Sigma), 9.6 μg/mL cholesterol (Nakalai Chemicals Ltd., Japan) and 20 ng/mL of SCF, 10 ng/mL of GM-CSF, 2 U/mL of EPO, 10 ng/mL of TPO, different concentrations of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE, alone or in combination. In order to examine the effects of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE on the SCF-dependent development of mast cells, 10-wk cultured cells grown with 20 ng/mL of SCF from CD34+ cord blood cells are used as target cells. Five to ten×104 10-wk cultured cells are incubated for 2 wk in 24-well culture plates containing 20 ng/mL of SCF with or without various concentrations of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE. The plates are incubated at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere flushed with a mixture of 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. When the culture continued unUil 4 wk, half of the culture medium is replaced every 2 wk with fresh medium containing the factor(s). The number of viable cells is determined by a trypan-blue exclusion test using a hemocytometer. Clonal Cell Cultures The mast cell colony assay is carried out in 35-mm Lux suspension culture dishes (#171099; Nunc, Ill.). The culture consisted of 10-wk cultured cells (4,000 cells/mL) grown with 10 ng/mL of SCF, α-medium, 0.9% methylcellulose (Shinetsu Chemical, Japan), 1% BSA, 300 μg/mL of fully iron-saturated human transferrin, 16 μg/mL of soybean lecithin, 9.6 μg/mL of cholesterol and 100 ng/mL of SCF with or without 1031 6 M of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE. Dishes are incubated at 37° C. in a humidified atmosphere flushed with a mixture of 5% CO2, 5% O2, and 90% N2. After 4 wk, aggregates consisting of 30 or more cells are scored as mast cell colonies, and those consisting of 10 to 29 cells as mast cell clusters. Thirty individual colonies and clusters are lifted, and stained with the anti-tryptase mAb or mouse IgG1 using the alkaline phosphatase-anti-alkaline phosphatase (APAAP) technique. Almost all of the constituent cells are positive for tryptase. Cytochemical and Immunologic Stainings The cultured cells are spread on glass slides using a Cytospin II. Cytochemical reaction with peroxidase (POX) is performed by the conventional method. Reaction with mAb against tryptase is detected using the APMP method (Dako APAAP Kit System, Dako Corp., CA), as described by F. Ma, K. Kolke, et al. in Br. J. Haematol. 1998, 100, 427-35. Immunoprecipitation and Western Blotting Immunoprecipitation and western blotting are performed, as described by T. Kamijo, K. Koike, et al. in Leuk. Res. 1997, 21, 1097-106. Flow Cytometric Analysis For the analysis of surface markers on the cultured cells, 1-2×105 cells are collected in plastic tubes and incubated with appropriately diluted FITC- or PE-mAb, as described by Kinoshita T, Sawai N, et al in Blood 1999, 94, 496-508. The cells are washed twice, after which their surface markers are analyzed with the FACScan flow cytometer. Viable cells are gated according to their forward light scatter characteristics and side scatter characteristics. The proportion of positive cells is determined by comparison to cells stained with FITC- or PE-conjugated mouse isotype-matched Ig. Detection of Cellular Apoptosis The analysis of cellular apoptosis is carried out by a flow cytometric analysis using propidium iodide (PI, Sigma) according to the procedure described by N. Sawai, K. Koike, et al in Stem Cells. 1999, 17, 45-53. In order to reduce cells undergoing apoptosis, necrosis or already dead, a percoll gradient centrifugation can be utilized. Ten-wk cultured cells are layered on 27% Percoll (Sigma) in α-medium and 54% Percoll in PBS. After centrifugation, the cells are collected from the interface of the two differtent concentrations of Percoll solution, washed with PBS and treated with 1 mL of Ortho PermeaFix™ for 40 min at room temperature. The cells are then incubated with DNase-free RNase (Sigma) for 15 min at 37° C., and stained with PI for 15 min. The DNA content of 2×104 cells is monitored with a flow cytometer. The 10-wk cultured cells (2×106) exposed to SCF or SCF and a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE are lysed for 10 min on ice in 100 μL hypotonic lysis buffer[10 mM Tris (pH 7.5), 10 mM EDTA, pH 8.0, 0.5% Triton X-100]. After centrifugation for 10 min at 14,000 g, the supernatant is transferred to a new tube, and treated with 0.2 mg/mL RNase A (Sigma) and 0.2 mg/mL Proteinase K (Sigma). DNA is precipitated with 120 μL isopropanol and 20 μL 5M NaCl overnight at −20° C. After centrifugation at 14,000 g, the pellets are dried, dissolved in 20 μL Tris-EDTA, and then samples are analyzed by gel electrophoresis in 2% agarose and ethidium bromide staining. Assay of Histamine, Tryptase and Cytokine Levels Histamine concentrations in cell lysates obtained by the treatment of the cultured cells with 0.5% Nonidet P-40 and in supernatant are measured by Histamine Radioimmunoassay (RIA) Kit (Immunotech), as described in Kinoshita T, Sawai N, et al in Blood 1999, 94, 496-508. Statistical Analysis All experiments should be carried out at least three times. To determine the significance of difference between two independent groups, the unpaired t-test can be used, or the Mann-Whitney-U test when the data are not normally distributed. EXAMPLE 2 Methods Reagents: Novartis Pharma; Basel, Switzerland: PKC412 or MIDOSTAURIN for use in these experiments. Fresh 10 mM stock solutions of the inhibitor are made before each experiment by dissolving compound in 1 ml DMSO (dimethyl-sulfoxide). Antibodies: A polyclonal rabbit anti-KIT antibody (c-kit Ab-1) is used at a dilution of 1:500 (c-kit Ab-1; Oncogene, Cambridge, Mass.). An anti-phosphotyrosine antibody (PY20) is used at a dilution of 1:1000 (PY20 Transduction Laboratories; Lexington, Ky.). Peroxidase conjugated goat anti-mouse antibody is used at a dilution of 1:5000 and goat anti-rabbit antibody at a dilution of 1:10,000 (Pierce; Rockford, Ill.). Cell lines: BR and C2 canine mastocytoma cells lines are obtained from Dr. George Caughey (University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.). Both cell lines are maintained in DMEM supplemented with 2% bovine calf, 1 mM L-glutamine, 12.5 mM HEPES (pH 7.5), 0.25 mg/ml Histidine, 1% Penicillin-Streptomycin and 1% fungizone. The BR and C2 cells are derived from canine mast cell tumors and are originally established in long-term culture after initial passaging in immunodeficient mice (DeVinney R et al., Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 1990; 3(5):413-420; Lazarus S C et al., Am J Physiol 1986; 251(6 Pt 1):C935-C944). The BR cell line has a point mutation (T1752C) resulting in a Leucine to Proline substitution at amino acid 575 auxtamembrane domain). The C2 cell line has an internal tandem duplication (ITD) of the KIT juxtamembrane region. The translation of this ITD results in reduplication of amino acid residues at the 3′ end of exon 11 (London C A et al., Exp Hematol 1999; 27(4):689-697; Ma Yet al., J Invest Dermatol 1999; 112(2):165-170). Proliferation Assays: Cells are added to 96 well plates at a density of 40,000 cells/well in normal culture media and varying concentrations of SALT I. Proliferation is measured at 48-72 hours using an XTT-based assay (Roche Molecular Biochemicals; Indianapolis, Ind.).(Heinrich M C et al., Blood 2000; 96(3):925-932). Protein Lysates: BR and C2 cells are washed×2 in PBS and then quiesced in Optimem (Gibco-BRL) at 37° C. for approximately 18 hours. Cells are then incubated for 90 minutes in the presence of various concentrations of PKC412. Following this incubation, the cells are pelleted and lysed using 100-250 μl of protein lysis buffer (50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl, 1% NP-40, 0.25% Deoxycholate, with addition of the inhibitors aprotinin, leupeptin, pepstatin, PMSF, and sodium orthovanadate [Sigma]). Western immunoblot analysis is performed as previously described (Hoatlin M E et al., Blood 1998; 91(4):1418-1425; Heinrich M C et al., Blood 2000; 96(3):925-932). EXAMPLE 3 COMPOUND I Inhibits the Constitutively Activated KIT Kinase Associated with Canine Mast Cell Tumors To test the efficacy of COMPOUND I in inhibiting the kinase activity of mutant forms of canine KIT we use two cells lines (BR and C2) that express two different constitutively activated KIT isoforms. The KIT mutations in these cell lines are both located in the juxtamembrane domain and are homologous to mutations seen in human Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) (Lux M L et al., Am J Pathol 2000; 156(3):791-795; Rubin B P et al., Cancer Res 2001; 61(22):8118-8121). Lysates prepared from BR or C2 cells are probed with an anti-P-Tyr antibody and KIT receptor activation is assessed by measuring autophosphorylation. As reported previously, KIT autophosphorylation in these cells is observed in the absence of SLF (Ma Yet al., J Invest Dermatol 1999; 112(2):165-170; Ma Y et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology 2000; 114(2):392-394). Inhibition of KIT autophosphorylation by PKC412 is dose dependent with complete inhibition observed using 10 and 1.0 μM doses. Near complete inhibition is seen using a dose of 0.1 μM. Limited autophosphorylation of c-kit is seen using 0.001-0.01 μM doses of PKC41 2. Thus, PKC412 not only inhibits the autophosphorylation of the mutated c-kit receptor in these cells, but also is a more potent inhibitor of this mutated receptor than it is of the wild type c-kit receptor (IC50 100-200 nM). To determine if PKC412 modulated expression of KIT protein, the membrane was stripped and reprobed with an anti-c-kit antibody. There was no change in expression of c-kit protein in PKC412 treated cells. Therefore, PKC412 decreases autophosphorylation of mutant canine KIT polypeptide by inhibiting KIT kinase activity rather than by down regulating expression of KIT protein. EXAMPLE 4 COMPOUND I Inhibits the Proliferation of Cell Lines of Canine Mast Cell Tumors To test the biologic effect of inhibiting the kinase activity of a mutant c-kit receptor, BR or C2 cells are cultured for 48-72 hours in the presence of various concentrations of PKC412. At inhibitor concentrations of 0.1-10 μM, proliferation is decreased by 90-95% compared to cells treated with media only. Partial inhibition of proliferation is seen at doses of 0.001-0.01 μM PKC412. Therefore, PKC412 inhibits proliferation of BR and C2 cells with the same dose response range as seen for inhibition of receptor autophosphorylation. Morphologic observations of the inhibitor treated cells revealed changes consistent with apoptosis. EXAMPLE 5 Example of a Prospective Case Series of Pet Dogs with Measurable Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumors The study patients are pet dogs with measurable and histologically confirmed mast cell tumors. Cases are limited to those with measurable lesions amenable to biopsy. Eligibility Criteria Are: histologically confirmed measurable cutaneous mast cell tumors cases will require serial biopsy with 2 mm Keyes punch before and during therapy histological grade (II-intermediate or III-poorly differentiated) performance status 0 or 1 (Modified Karnofsky—Table 1) informed owner consent (a) Exclusion Criteria Are: concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy prednisone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may not be initiated within 30 days of the study; if prednisone or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been administered for greater than 30 days they may be continued abnormal serum bile acid test (liver function) TABLE 1 Performance Status (Modified Karnofsky) Grade Description 0 Normal activity 1 Restricted activity; decreased activity from pro-disease status 2 Compromised; ambulatory only for vital activities; consistently defecates and urinates in acceptable areas 3 Disabled; must be force fed; unable to confine urination and defecation to acceptable areas 4 Dead Pretreatment evaluation of all cases include physical examination, complete blood count, buffy coat, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, serum bile acids (fasting and post-prandial), documentation of regional lymph node size, abdominal radiographs, and abdominal ultrasound. The treatment regimen is 25 mg/kg PO QD×60 days of MIDOSTAURIN. Treatment is continued in all cases for 60 days unless disease progression is noted. In cases experiencing partial response or complete response ongoing therapy for an additional 60 days may be considered. Cases successfully completing therapy are eligible for repeat entry to study. TABLE 2 Treatment and Clinical Evaluation Plan. Day Day Day Day q14 Action 0 7 14 28 days Clinical Staging1 X X X Physical Examination X X X X X Measurement of tumor burden2 X X X X X Start MIDOSTAURIN 25 mg/kg QD X Pharmacokinetics3 X Incisional biopsy4 X X Repeat Staging X 1Initial staging consists of physical examination, CBC, buffy coat, serum biochemistry, liver function tests (serum bile acids), urinalysis, abdominal radiographs, and abdominal ultrasound. Re-evaluation of may consist of physical examination and measurement of tumor burden alone or repeat clinical staging. 2Tumor burden is measured at day 0, 7, 14, 28 and then every 14 days. Treatment response will be defined against measurable cutaneous lesion(s) and other lesions identified at staging (CR, PR, SD, PD - defined below). 3Collection of plasma from the first 5 entered cases is undertaken at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 8, 12, 16, 24 hours following first dose of MIDOSTAURIN. 4Incisional biopsy from defined measurable lesion(s) will be collected on day 0 and 28 from all cases. Additional biopsies are collected at the time of partial response (PR) and after complete objective response (CR). The efficacy of a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE is assessed against measurable cutaneous mast cell tumors, using clinical endpoints. Biological endpoints may be taken from serial biopsies collected from cutaneous tumors and from blood samples available through the treatment course. Clinical endpoints include response rate of measurable tumors, objective response against measurable tumor, and time to progression of measurable tumor. All adverse side effects will be recorded. “Objective Tumors Responses”, as defined below, are observed under treatment with a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE and indicate efficacy of the treatment regimen. In particular, Complete Responses and Partial Responses to treatment with a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE may be observed. Furthermore, it may be observed that more animals obtaining treatment show Stable Disease, while less treated animals show Progressive Disease. Also, it may be observed that less animals obtaining treatment show Relapse of disease as compared to non-treated animals. Time To Progression, Duration of Remission, and Survival may increase in animals under treatment with a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE. “Complete Response (CR)” is defined as disappearance of all clinical evidence of cancer and of any signs related to the cancer. “Partial Response (PR)” is defined as a 50% or greater decrease In the sum of the products of measurements for representative lesions, without an increase in size of any lesions or appearance of any new lesions. “Stable Disease (SD)” is defined as no response or a response of less than that defined for partial response or progressive disease without appearance of any new lesions or worsening of clinical signs. “Progressive Disease (PD)” is defined as an unequivocal increase of at least 50% in the size of any measurable lesion or appearance of new lesions. “Relapse (R)” is defined as appearance of new lesions or reappearance of old lesions in dogs that had had a complete response; in dogs that had had only a partial response, relapse was defined as at least a 50% increase in the sum of the products of measurements of representative lesions, compared with measurements obtained at the time of maximum response. “Time To Progression (TTP)” is reported from day 0 of the protocol. TTP will be defined as the number of days start of therapy (from day 0) to relapse (R). “Duration of Remission” is defined as the number of days from the objective response (PR or CR) to relapse. “Survival” is defined as the number of days from the start of treatment with a STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVE to death. Cause of death will be noted but may include disease progression, toxicity, and other. EXAMPLE 6 A 48-year-old woman presented with fever, purpura, spienomegaly, diarrhea, and transfusion-dependent anemia and thrombocytopenia. The initial white blood cell count was 20,000/mm3 with myeloid immaturity and dysplasia, and 8% blasts. A bone marrow biopsy showed 5-10% blasts, trilineage dysplasia and 30-50% mast cells. Testing of the peripheral blood revealed heterozygosity for the D816V KIT mutation and wild-type FLT-3. She was diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis with an associated mixed myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndrome. Two months after presentation, her disease progressed with 30-40% circulating mast cells. She was supported with red blood cell and platelet transfusions, antihistamine blockade, and cromolyn sodium. She developed progressive liver dysfunction, severe ascites, and portal vein thrombosis. Treatment with PKC412 was Initiated at a dose of 100 mg twice daily orally (28-day cycles). At the start of therapy, serum histamine levels ranged from 6910-7336 ng/dL (normal <100 ng/dL) and the serum tryptase was >200 ug/L (normal <10.9 ug/L). By End of Cycle 1: Partial Response (Critiera of Valent et al, Leuk Res. 2003; 27:635-641) Karnofsky performance status improved from 20% to 70% Improvement In diarrhea and marked reduction in ascites; 1 portal vein thrombosis recanalized Peristent transfusion dependent anemia and thrombocytopenia Total/direct bilirubin decreased from 4.8/2.8 to 2.1/1.1 mg/dL; LDH decreased from 769 to 239 IU/L Serum histamine decreased from 7000 to 1000 ng/dL; serum tryptase remained elevated >200 ug/L Peripheral blood: mast cell numbers decreased from 40-50% to <10%; increasing myeloid maturity Bone marrow: no changes in clusters of mast cells by IPOX; blasts decreased to <5% After 1 month of PKC412 therapy, the patients Karnofsky performance status increased from 20% to 70%, liver function and ascites markedly Improved, and the portal vein recanalized. By day 32 of treatment, the patient exhibited a normal white blood cell count, <5% circulating mast cells and almost complete resolution of myelold immaturity. A bone marrow biopsy at this time showed reduction in blasts to <5% with persistent mast cells and dysplasia. The serum histamine level declined to 1031 ng/dL; however, the serum tryptase remained elevated. By End of Cycle 2: Maintenance of Partial Response Maintenance of improved clinical symptoms and Karnofsky performance status Transient platelet-transfusion independence for 2-3 weeks (platelets to 20,000-25,000/mm3) Further improvement in total/direct bilirubin: decrease from 2.1/1.1 to 1.3/0.7 mg/dL Serum histamine remained in 800-1200 ng/dL range; serum tryptase remained elevated >200 ug/L Bone marrow: no significant change in clusters of mast cell clusters; blasts to 10-15% Peripheral blood: mast cell numbers remain <10%; increasing myeloid immaturity and blasts After 2 months of PKC412 therapy, she remains clinically stable with a decreased platelet transfusion requirement. By End of Cycle 3: Disease Progression Karnofsky performance status began to decline; increasing hepatosplenomegaly, ascites, bilirubin PKC412 dose increased to 75 mg po tid on day #91 PKC412 stopped on day #102, due to progressive disease with worsening organomegaly, bilirubin (total 14 mg/dL), and increasing peripheral blood blasts (likely progression of mast cell leukemia with associated clonal, hematological non-mast cell lineage disease) Serum histamine began increasing again, to 2525 ng/dL; patient expired on day #111. PKC412 was well tolerated without any significant adverse events. The partial response to PKC412 in this advanced case of mast cell leukemia suggests that this compound is active in systemic mastocytosis.

20070323

20131105

20071227

64074.0

A61K31553

JEAN-LOUIS, SAMIRA JM

PHARMACEUTICAL USES OF STAUROSPORINE DERIVATIVES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Method and Device for Clamping of Crushing Shell

A gyratory crusher comprises an outer shell, which should be fastened in a frame included in the crusher, and an inner shell, which is intended to be fastened on a crushing head and to define together with the outer shell a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed. Upon fastening of the outer shell a first abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell is brought in a first step to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame. In a second step a spacer member is pressed in for clamping of the outer shell between a second surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell and the frame. A good abutment is provided both at the first abutment. Surface of the outer shell and at the second abutment surface thereof.

1. A method to fasten an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which comprises the outer shell, which is to be fastened in a frame included in the crusher, and an inner shell, which is intended to be fastened on a crushing head and to define, together with the outer shell, a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed, wherein in a first step a first abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell is brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and in that in a second step a spacer member for clamping of the outer shell is pressed in between a second abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell and the frame. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said first abutment surface is situated at the lower end of the outer shell seen in a material flow direction, said second abutment surface being situated closer to the upper end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein in the second step the spacer member is pressed in between the second abutment surface and the frame in the direction towards the first abutment surface. 4. Method according to claim 1, wherein in the first step the outer shell is secured after the first abutment surface thereof has been brought to abutment against the first contact surface of the frame, in the second step the spacer member being secured after it having been pressed in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the frame. 5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the spacer member has a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface opposite the first sliding surface, the first sliding surface sliding against the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the second sliding surface sliding against a second contact surface on the frame when the spacer member is pressed in. 6. Outer shell for fixing in a gyratory crusher, which comprises a frame, wherein the outer shell should be fastened, and an inner shell, which is securable on a crushing head in order to, together with the outer shell, define a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed, wherein the outer shell has a first abutment surface, which is arranged to, in a first fixing step, be brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and a second abutment surface that is arranged to, in a second fixing step, be brought in engagement with a spacer member that is possible to press between the frame and the second abutment surface. 7. Outer shell according to claim 6, wherein said first abutment surface is situated at the lower end of the outer shell seen in a material flow direction, said second abutment surface being situated closer to the upper end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. 8. Outer shell according to claim 6, wherein the second abutment surface forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-20 degrees and is arranged to slide against a first sliding surface on the spacer member. 9. Outer shell according to claim 6, wherein the second abutment surface is substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the crushing forces that during operation arise in plane with the second abutment surface. 10. Outer shell according to claim 6, wherein the first abutment surface forms an angle to the vertical plane of 10-55 degrees, preferably such an angle that the first abutment surface forms a substantially right angle to the main direction of the crushing forces that during operation arise in plane with the first abutment surface. 11. Outer shell according to claim 6, wherein the second abutment surface is situated substantially on a level with the portions of the periphery of the outer shell that surround the second abutment surface. 12. Gyratory crusher, which has an outer shell, which is securable in a frame included in the crusher, and an inner shell, which is securable on a crushing head in order to, together with the outer shell, define a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed, wherein the outer shell of the crusher has a first abutment surface, which is arranged to, in a first fixing step, be brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and a second abutment surface that is arranged to, in a second fixing step, be brought in engagement with a spacer member that is possible to press in between the frame and the second abutment surface. 13. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein said first abutment surface is situated at the lower end of the outer shell seen in a material flow direction, said second abutment surface being situated closer to the upper end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. 14. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein the spacer member is an intermediate ring, which has a substantially tubular part, which is intended to be pressed in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and a second contact surface on the frame. 15. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein the spacer member is divided into two to eight segments. 16. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein the spacer member has a first sliding surface, which forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-20 degrees and which is arranged to slide against the second abutment surface on the outer shell upon the pressing-in of the spacer member. 17. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein the spacer member has a second sliding surface, which is arranged to slide against a second contact surface on the frame, which second contact surface is terminated by a shoulder protruding from the frame, the lower limitation, in the material flow direction, of the shoulder being situated substantially at the lower limitation, seen in the material flow direction, of the sliding surface. 18. Gyratory crusher according to claim 17, wherein the second contact surface of the frame forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-10 degrees. 19. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein the upper portion, in the material flow direction, of the spacer member is protected by a replaceable protecting plate. 20. Gyratory crusher according to claim 12, wherein the spacer member has a mounting flange, which by means of mounting members is arranged to press the spacer member in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the frame and to secure the spacer member against the frame. 21. Spacer member for use upon fixing of an outer shell in a frame included in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell is intended to, together with an inner shell, which is securable on a crushing head, define a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed in the crusher, the outer shell having a first abutment surface, which in a first fixing step has been brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and the spacer member being arranged to, in a second fixing step, be pressed in between a second abutment surface on the outer shell and the frame.

TECHNICAL AREA The present invention relates to a method to fasten an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which comprises the outer shell, which is to be fastened in a frame included in the crusher, and an inner shell, which is intended to be fastened on a crushing head and together with the outer shell define a crushing gap for receipt of material which is to be crushed. The present invention also relates to an outer shell for fixing in a gyratory crusher. The invention also relates to a gyratory crusher, which is of the above-mentioned kind and in which an outer shell can be fixed. The invention also relates to a spacer member for use in the fixing of an outer shell in a gyratory crusher. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND A gyratory crusher, which is of the above-mentioned kind, can be utilized for crushing hard objects, for instance blocks of stone. During the crushing, the shells of the crusher are worn and these therefore have to be exchanged at regular intervals. Another reason for exchange of shell is that it is desired to alter the geometry of the crushing gap, which is formed between the outer shell and the inner shell. U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,009 discloses a device for the fastening of an outer shell, which has an upper fixing flange, in a gyratory crusher. Special locking devices may be fastened in recesses in an upper part included in the crusher. The locking devices are then put in engagement with the fixing flange of the outer shell and are then clamped in order to press the outer shell against the upper part. The locking devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,009 are, however, mechanically complicated and involve a mechanically seen weak fixing of the outer shell. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method to fix an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which method enables a flexible and robust fixing of the shell. This object is attained by a method to fasten an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which method is characterized in that in a first step a first abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell is brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and that in a second step a spacer member for clamping of the outer shell is pressed in between a second abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell and the frame. This method has the advantage that a very stable fixing of the outer shell is provided. The two abutment surfaces have the advantage that relatively limited portions of the outer shell have to be machined to accurate tolerances. The first and the second abutment surface may be machined to different angles to the vertical plane, which gives a possibility of choosing angles that are optimal for the position in question on the periphery of the outer shell. The fact that the fixing is made in two steps makes it easier to provide a good abutment both at the first and the second abutment surface. In particular, the invention has the advantage that it becomes simple to provide a good metallic abutment at both the first and the second abutment surface. A metallic abutment is mechanically stable and is also preferred from a working environment point of view. Preferably said abutment surface is located at the lower end of the outer shell seen in a material flow direction, said second abutment surface being situated closer to the upper end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. The greatest crushing forces usually arise at the end of the crushing, i.e., in the lower end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. The first abutment surface gets in this way a very stable abutment and can in the best way withstand the crushing forces in the lower portion of the crusher. Preferably in the second step, the spacer member is pressed in between the second abutment surface and the frame in the direction towards the first contact surface. This type of pressing-in is simple upon assembly and gives a clamping of the outer shell, which clamps it inwardly against the inner shell so that the outer shell in a good way can carry crushing forces and transfer these to the frame. According to a preferred embodiment, in the first step the outer shell is secured after the first abutment surface thereof having been brought to abutment against the first contact surface of the frame, in the second step the spacer member being secured after it having been pressed in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the frame. An advantage of this is that the abutment between the first abutment surface and the first contact surface is not influenced when the second step is carried out. Conveniently, the spacer member has a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface opposite the first sliding surface, the first sliding surface sliding against the second contact surface of the outer shell and the second sliding surface sliding against a second contact surface on the frame when the spacer member is pressed in. An advantage of this is that it becomes simple to press in the spacer member to give a good abutment against outer shell and frame and thereby a robust fixing of the outer shell. Another object of the present invention is to provide an outer shell for fixing in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell enables a flexible fixing, which is robust during crushing. This object is attained by an outer shell for fixing in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell is characterized in that it has a first abutment surface, which is arranged to, in a first fixing step, be brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and a second abutment surface that is arranged to, in a second fixing step, be brought in engagement with a spacer member that is possible to press in between the frame and the second abutment surface. An advantage of this outer shell is that it is simple to manufacture since two relatively limited abutment surfaces have to be machined to high accuracy of tolerance. The abutment surfaces may also form different angles to the vertical plane. Thus, the angle for each one of the two abutment surfaces may be adapted to the conditions as regards, for instance, direction of crushing forces that are expected at the abutment surface in question. The outer shell will also well withstand mechanical load during the crushing thanks to the two abutment surfaces, which are brought to abutment in two steps. Preferably, the second abutment surface forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-20 degrees and is arranged to slide against a first sliding surface on the spacer member. Advantages of this angle are that it is simple to produce in casting of the outer shell, that it is convenient in respect of the crushing forces which arise in crushing and that it entails that the spacer member can slide against the second abutment surface upon the pressing-in. A small angle also has the advantage that the upwardly directed load becomes small on the members, for instance a flange and bolts, which hold the spacer member in place. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the second abutment surface is substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the crushing forces that during operation arise in plane with the second abutment surface. An advantage of this is that the crushing forces efficiently are transferred from the outer shell to the spacer member without causing considerable forces in the vertical direction. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the second abutment surface forms an angle of 5-15 degrees to the vertical plane. Such an angle gives a flexible pressing-in of the spacer member and a good clamping of the outer shell since the outer shell is clamped inwardly against the inner shell. Preferably, the first abutment surface forms an angle to the vertical plane of 10-55 degrees, preferably such an angle that the first abutment surface forms substantially a right angle to the main direction of the crushing forces that during operation arise in plane with the first abutment surface. This angle is simple to produce in casting of the outer shell and gives a good transfer of the crushing forces from the outer shell to the frame without any considerable vertical forces arising. According to a preferred embodiment, the second abutment surface is located substantially on a level with the portions of the periphery of the outer shell that surround the second abutment surface. Thus, an outer shell of this type lacks protruding portions, such as, for instance, ribs, and is therefore simple to cast. The raw material that is used for casting the outer shell is efficiently utilized since no raw material is lost on ribs or other protruding portions. A shell the wear surfaces of which has become worn down will thereby not have a high scrap weight, which largely consists of ribs. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a gyratory crusher in which an outer shell can be fixed simply and robustly. This object is attained by a gyratory crusher, which is of the above-mentioned type and which is characterized in that the outer shell of the crusher has a first abutment surface, which is arranged to, in a first fixing step, be brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and a second abutment surface that is arranged to, in a second fixing step, be brought in engagement with a spacer member which is pressed in between the frame and the second abutment surface. An advantage of this gyratory crusher is that the fixing of the outer shell becomes simple and that the outer shell gets a stable and robust fixing. This decreases the risk of damage on the outer shell and the frame during operation of the crusher. It also becomes simple to exchange a worn outer shell for a new. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer member is an inter-mediate ring, which has a substantially tubular part, which is intended to be pressed in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and a second contact surface on the frame. The intermediate ring is easy to manufacture and gives possibility of a good abutment against the second abutment surface of the outer shell around the periphery of the entire outer shell. Preferably, the spacer member is divided into two to eight segments. The division into segments makes the manufacture of the intermediate ring simpler. The intermediate ring also gets better ability to carry the forces that may arise when the circumference of the intermediate ring decreases or increases during the pressing-in between the outer shell and the frame. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer member has a first sliding surface, which forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-20 degrees and which is arranged to slide against the second abutment surface on the outer shell upon the pressing-in of the spacer member. The first sliding surface makes it simple to press the spacer member in between the outer shell and the frame and simultaneously tighten the second abutment surface inwardly against the center of the crusher. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the first sliding surface forms an angle of 5-15 degrees to the vertical plane. Preferably, the spacer member has a second sliding surface, which is arranged to slide against a second contact surface on the frame, which second contact surface is terminated by a shoulder protruding from the frame, the lower limitation, in the material flow direction, of the shoulder being situated substantially at the lower limitation, in the material flow direction, of the sliding surface. The shoulder has the advantage that possible deformation of the second contact surface that may arise during crushing is carried by the shoulder and does therefore not make the pressing-in of the spacer member more difficult when a new outer shell should be assembled. Conveniently, the second contact surface of the frame forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-10 degrees. This angle makes it simple to press the spacer member in between the frame and the outer shell. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the second contact surface is substantially vertical. A vertical second contact surface normally entails that smallest feasible force is required in order to press the spacer member in between the frame and outer shell. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper portion, in the material flow direction, of the spacer member is protected by a replaceable protecting plate. The spacer member may in certain cases be exposed to the material, e.g. stone, which is to be crushed. It is then convenient to protect the exposed portion, normally the upper, with a protective plate. The protective plate is conveniently replaceable and formed from a material which resists wear, for instance gummed steel plate or sheet-metal plate of Hardox® steel. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer member has a mounting flange, which by means of mounting members is arranged to press the spacer member in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the frame and to fix the spacer member against the frame. The mounting flange has the advantage to work as holder for the mounting members, for instance mounting bolts, which are utilized for the pressing-in of the spacer member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer member for use in fixing of an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which spacer member enables a flexible fixing, which is robust during crushing. This object is attained by a spacer member for use in fixing of an outer shell in a frame included in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell is intended to, together with an inner shell, which is securable on a crushing head, define a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed in the crusher, the outer shell having a first abutment surface, which in a first fixing step has been brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and the spacer member being arranged to, in a second fixing step, be pressed in between a second abutment surface on the outer shell and the frame. Additional advantages and features of the invention are seen in the description below and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will henceforth be described by means of embodiment examples and reference being made to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, and shows schematically a gyratory crusher. FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken obliquely from above and shows an upper part in the gyratory crusher shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a section view and shows schematically a first step upon fastening of an outer shell in an upper part. FIG. 4 is section view and shows schematically the beginning of a second step upon fastening of an outer shell in an upper part. FIG. 5 is a section view and shows schematically the final phase of a second step upon fastening of an outer shell in an upper part. FIG. 6 is a partial enlargement in section and shows the area VI shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a perspective view and shows a spacer member in the form of an intermediate ring. FIG. 8 is a section view and shows an intermediate ring as well as an outer shell according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a perspective view and shows the intermediate ring shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a section view and shows a third embodiment of an intermediate ring as well as an outer shell. FIG. 11 is a section view and shows an alternative embodiment of the intermediate ring as well as the outer shell shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is a section view and shows a fourth embodiment of an intermediate ring. FIG. 13 is a section view and shows an alternative embodiment of the outer shell shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 14 is a side view, partly in section, and shows a gyratory crusher having mechanical adjustment of the width of the gap. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1, a gyratory crusher 1 is shown schematically, which has a frame in the form of an upper part 2, which is detachably attached on a bottom part 3. In the upper part 2, a crushing shell in the form of an outer shell 4 is attached. The outer shell 4 is of a type, which is utilized in crushing of relatively rough material. The gyratory crusher 1 has also a shaft 6. At the lower end 8 thereof, the shaft 6 is eccentrically mounted in the bottom part 3. At the upper end thereof, the shaft 6 carries a crushing head 10. A second crushing shell in the form of an inner shell 12 is mounted on the outside of the crushing head 10. The outer shell 4 surrounds the inner shell 12 in such a way that between said shells 4, 12, a crushing gap 14 is formed, which in axial section, such as is shown in FIG. 1, has in direction downwardly decreasing width. The shaft 6, and thereby the crushing head 10 and the inner shell 12, is vertically movable by means of a hydraulic adjusting device, not shown. To the crusher a motor, not shown, is further connected, which is arranged to during the operation bring the shaft 6 and thereby the crushing head 10 to execute a gyratory movement, i.e., a movement during which the two crushing shells 4, 12 approach each other along a rotary generatrix and distance from each other at a diametrically opposite generatrix. In crushing, material will be supplied to the crusher 1 from above and be led downwardly in a material flow direction M while the material is crushed between the outer shell 4 and the inner shell 12. FIG. 2 shows the upper part 2 seen obliquely from above. The upper part 2 has a top mounting holder 16, which is held by two arms 18, 20 and which holds a mounting for the shaft 6. It will be appreciated that FIG. 1 accordingly does not show a straight section but a somewhat angled section through the upper part 2. The outer shell 4 is kept at the lower end thereof, such as is shown in FIG. 1, in place by a clamping ring 24. The clamping ring 24 is clamped against the outer shell 4 and the upper part 2 by means of clamp bolts 26. A spacer member in the form of an intermediate ring 28 is utilized in a way that will be closer described for fastening of the outer shell 4 at the upper end thereof. FIG. 3 shows a first step upon fastening of an outer shell 4 in an upper part 2. At the lower end 30 thereof, the upper part 2 has a first contact surface 32. The contact surface 32 forms an angle to the vertical plane of approx. 27 degrees. The outer shell 4 has at the lower end 33 thereof, seen in the material flow direction M, a first abutment surface 34 which is situated on the outer periphery of the outer shell 4 and which one also forms an angle to the vertical plane of 27 degrees. The shape of the outer shell 4 means that the crushing forces, symbolized by an arrow C1 in FIG. 3, which arise on a level with the first contact surface 32 in crushing of material between the outer shell 4 and the inner shell 12 will form an angle V1 of approx. 60 degrees to the vertical plane and accordingly be substantially perpendicular to the contact surface 32. During the first step in the fixing, the outer shell 4 is placed on the clamping ring 24 with the clamp bolts 26 assembled therein. The upper part 2 is then lowered down over the outer shell 4 and the clamp bolts 26 are brought through the mounting holes 36 in the upper part 2. The clamp bolts 26 are provided with tightening members comprising nuts 38 and tension springs 40. During tightening of the clamp bolts 26, the first abutment surface 34 will accordingly be brought to abutment against the contact surface 32 and to a certain extent slide along with the same when the outer shell 4 is forced upwards by the clamp bolts 26. A well clamped metallic abutment between the first abutment surface 34 of the outer shell 4 and the first contact surface 32 of the upper part 2 is thereby provided. Thanks to the contact surface 32 and the abutment surface 34 being angled, they will form cut off cones that are pressed into each other and give a stable clamping of the outer shell 4. When the clamp bolts 26 have been tightened to desired moment, the first step of the fixing of the outer shell 4 is terminated. FIG. 4 shows the beginning of a second step upon fastening of an outer shell 4 in an upper part 2. The intermediate ring 28 has a web 42 and a flange 44 that is attached on the web 42. In the flange 44 of the intermediate ring 28, a number of disengagement bolts 46 sit. The disengagement bolts 46 are threaded into the flange 44 and support the intermediate ring 28 against a step 48 formed on the upper part 2. The outer shell 4 has a second abutment surface 50, which is situated on the outer periphery thereof, closer to the upper end 51 of the outer shell 4, seen in the material flow direction M, in relation to the first abutment surface 34. As is seen in FIG. 3, the second abutment surface 50 does not protrude from the outer periphery of the outer shell 4 but is situated substantially on a level with the portions on the periphery of the outer shell 4 that surround the second abutment surface 50. The second abutment surface 50 forms an angle of approx. 12 degrees to the vertical plane. The web 42 of the intermediate ring 28 has at the lower end thereof a first sliding surface 52, which one also forms an angle of 12 degrees to the vertical plane and which is arranged to slide against the second abutment surface 50. The web 42 has also a vertical second sliding surface 54 opposite the first sliding surface 52. The second sliding surface 54 is arranged to slide against a second contact surface 56 arranged on the upper part 2, which also is vertical. As is seen in FIG. 4, the web 42 has been brought down between the upper part 2 and the outer shell 4. FIG. 5 shows the final phase of a second step upon fastening of an outer shell 4 in an upper part 2. A number of mounting bolts 58 have been mounted in holes 60 in the flange 44. The mounting bolts 58 may, as alternative, be mounted in a non-tightened state already in the position, which is shown in FIG. 4 with the purpose of guiding the intermediate ring 28 in correct position. The mounting bolts 58 engage threaded holes 62 in the step 48. During this second step, the disengagement bolts 46 are first loosened so that the web 42 freely can be led down between the outer shell 4 and the upper part 2. When the first sliding surface 52 comes into contact with the second abutment surface 50, the mounting bolts 58 are gradually tightened in order to press the web 42 in between the upper part 2 and the outer shell 4, the first sliding surface 52 sliding against the second abutment surface 50 on the outer shell 4 and the second sliding surface 54 sliding against the second contact surface 56 on the upper part 2, as is illustrated in detail in FIG. 6. A well clamped metallic abutment between the second abutment surface 50 of the outer shell 4 and the upper part 2 is thereby provided. When the mounting bolts 58 have been tightened to desired moment, the second step of the fixing of the outer shell 4 is terminated. The outer shell 4 is now secured at the upper part 2 by metallic abutments both at the first and the second abutment surface 34 and 50, respectively. The upper part 2 can now be lifted onto the bottom part 3 and be fastened on the same, wherein crushing can be begun. When the outer shell 4 is to be disassembled, the upper part 2 is detached and lifted away from the bottom part 3. The mounting bolts 58 are loosened and possibly taken out from the holes 60 thereof. The disengagement bolts 46 are turned in such a way that they support against the step 48 and pull the flange 44 and thereby the web 42 upwards. When the intermediate ring 28 is released from the outer shell 4, the clamp bolts 26 and the clamping ring 24 are disassembled, wherein the outer shell 4 can be knocked loose from the upper part 2. It is not necessary to entirely disassemble the intermediate ring 28 before a new outer shell 4 is assembled in the upper part 2, but it is enough that the intermediate ring 28 with the disengagement bolts 46 is lifted to a position where the outer shell 4 in the first step can be clamped inwards towards the first abutment surface 34 thereof without influence from the intermediate ring 28. It may also be an advantage to let the bolts 58 remain in a non-tightened state in order to hold the intermediate ring 28 in position on the upper part 2 at the prospect of the next fastening of an outer shell. In certain cases it is possible, as alternative to the above-described method, to first loosen the clamping ring 24, the outer shell 4 directly loosening from the upper part 2 and the intermediate ring 28, which then is loosened in order to enable assembly of a new outer shell. The shape of the outer shell 4 means that the crushing forces, symbolized by an arrow C2 in FIG. 5, which arise on a level with the second contact surface 50 in crushing of material between the outer shell 4 and the inner shell 12 will form an angle V2 of approx. 80 degrees to the vertical plane and accordingly be substantially perpendicular to the first sliding surface 52. FIG. 6 shows an enlargement of the area VI shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen, the second contact surface 56 is terminated by a shoulder 62 protruding from the upper part 2. During operation, the mechanical impact of the crushing forces may lead to the second sliding surface 54 being pressed into and deforming the second contact surface 56. The deformation may produce a step on the contact surface 56, which step may work as an obstacle next time the intermediate ring 28 is to be pressed in between the upper part 2 and an outer shell 4. As is shown in FIG. 6, a possible deformation of the lower portion of the contact surface 56 will produce a very narrow step precisely at the shoulder 62. Such a step may simply be ground away immediately before the next pressing-in of the intermediate ring 28. It will be appreciated that, depending on the pressing-in position of the intermediate ring 28, the lower portion 64 of the web 42 can end up immediately above the shoulder 62, as is shown in FIG. 6, precisely in line with the shoulder 62 or immediately underneath the shoulder 62. When the lower portion 64 ends up in line with the shoulder 62, no step at all is formed and when the lower portion 64 ends up immediately underneath the shoulder 62 a smaller step, which is easy to grind away, may be formed on the second sliding surface 54. Thus, in all cases the shoulder 62 entails that the deformation that may be caused by the crushing forces does not result in any substantial increase of the downtime in connection with exchange of outer shell. It is also seen from FIG. 6 that a recess 66 has been formed in the web 42 above, seen in the material flow direction, the second sliding surface 54 of the web 42. The purpose of the recess 66 is to decrease the surface on the web 42 that has to be machined to high accuracy of tolerance in order to form the second sliding surface 54. The vertical contact between the second sliding surface 54 and the second contact surface 56 makes that the intermediate ring 28 easily can be adjusted in the vertical direction without any change of diameter. The web 42, the first sliding surface 52 of which forms an angle to the vertical plane, will have the function of a wedge, which is pressed down between the second contact surface 56 of the upper part 2 and the second abutment surface 50 of the outer shell 4 and clamps the abutment surface 50 inwardly against the center of the crusher. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the intermediate ring 28. The intermediate ring 28 has two first segments 68, 70 which are intended to sit below the arms 18, 20 of the upper part 2, and two second segments 72, 74, which are intended to sit between the arms 18, 20. Each segment 68, 70, 72, 74 has a web 42 and a flange 44 as well as holes 76 for the disengagement bolts 46 and holes 60 for the mounting bolts 58. The segments 68, 70, 72, 74 are spaced apart by thin gaps which are sealed with, for instance, sealing compound. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the webs 42 of the segments 68, 70, 72, 74 together form a tubular part in the form of a segmented circular sleeve 43 that is intended to be pressed down between the frame 2 and the outer shell 4 along the periphery thereof. The outer shell 4 is conveniently cast in a hard and wear-resisting material, for instance manganese steel (also called Hadfield steel), which is suitable for crushing. The upper part 2 is conveniently cast in carbon steel or spheroidal graphite iron. The intermediate ring 28 is conveniently formed from a metallic material, which is easy to machine to narrow tolerances and which gives a good support to the outer shell. Convenient materials in the intermediate ring 28 are, for instance, carbon steel or spheroidal graphite iron. FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment in the form of an intermediate ring 128. The intermediate ring 128 is utilized when an outer shell 104, which has shorter extension in the vertical direction and which extends longer inwards towards the center of the crusher 1, should be assembled in the upper part 2. The outer shell 104 is of a type that is utilized in crushing of relatively fine-grained material. The outer shell 104 has a first abutment surface 134, which in a first fixing step is brought to abutment against the first contact surface 32 of the upper part 2 in the same way as has been described above with reference to FIG. 3. The outer shell 4 has also a second abutment surface 150 that forms an angle of approx. 12 degrees to the vertical plane. The intermediate ring 128 has a web 142 and a flange 144. The web 142 has at the lower end thereof a bulging 143 which on the side that faces the outer shell 104 carries a first sliding surface 152, which is arranged to slide against the second abutment surface 150 when the web 142 in a second fixing step is pressed in between the outer shell 104 and the upper part 2. On a side opposite the sliding surface 152, there is a second sliding surface 154 that is arranged to slide against the second contact surface 56 on the upper part 2. Thus, the intermediate ring 128 makes it possible to in the upper part 2 simply and without extensive reconstructions assemble an outer shell 104, which has another geometry and another function in the crushing than the outer shell 4 shown in FIG. 1. In the upper edge of the flange 144 a number of fixing recesses 145 have been formed, which is best seen in FIG. 9. A protective plate 147, which runs along the upper portion 146 of the web 142 and protects the same against hits by stones etc., is by means of fastening ears 149 and bolts 151 attached in the intermediate ring 128. FIG. 9 shows a number of segments 168, 170, 172, 174 that together form the intermediate ring 128. In FIG. 9 is also seen even more clearly the fixing recesses 145 which have been formed in the flange 144 so that the protective plate 147, which conveniently is divided into a number of segments, should be able to be assembled. FIG. 10 shows an additional alternative embodiment in the form of an intermediate ring 228 that is utilized for fixing of an outer shell 204. The outer shell 204 is of substantially the same type as the one shown in FIG. 3, but has a vertical second abutment surface 250. The intermediate ring 228 has a web 242 and a flange 244. The web 242 has at the lower end thereof a first sliding surface 252, which is vertical and arranged to slide against the second abutment surface 250 when the web 242 in a second fixing step is pressed in between the outer shell 204 and an upper part 202. On a side opposite the sliding surface 252, there is a second sliding surface 254, which is arranged to slide against a second contact surface 256 on the upper part 202. The second sliding surface 254 as well as the second contact surface 256 forms an angle of approx. 1-2 degrees to the vertical plane. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 an upper part 202 is utilized having an angled second contact surface 256 along which the second sliding surface 254 of the intermediate ring 228 slides when the intermediate ring 228 is pressed down between the outer shell 204 and the upper part 202. FIG. 11 shows an additional alternative embodiment in the form of an intermediate ring 328 that is utilized for fixing of an outer shell 304. The outer shell 304 is of substantially the same type as the outer shell 104 that is shown in FIG. 8, but has a vertical second abutment surface 350 and is adapted for fixing in the upper part 202 that is shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the intermediate ring 328 has a flange 344 and a web 342, the first sliding surface 352 of which is vertical and arranged to slide against the second abutment surface 350 when the web 342 in a second fixing step is pressed in between the outer shell 304 and the upper part 202. On a side opposite the sliding surface 352, there is a second sliding surface 354 which like the second contact surface 256 forms an angle of approx. 1-2 degrees to the vertical plane. FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of an intermediate ring 428 for fastening of the outer shell 4 shown in FIG. 3 in an upper part 402. The intermediate ring 428 differs from the intermediate ring 28 shown in FIG. 4 in that the intermediate ring 428 has a web 442 but lacks flange. The web 442 has at the lower end thereof a first sliding surface 452, which forms an angle of 12 degrees to the vertical plane and which is intended to upon fixing of the outer shell 4 slide against the second abutment surface 50. On a side opposite the sliding surface 452, there is a vertical second sliding surface 454 that is arranged to slide against a vertical second contact surface 456 on the upper part 402. The upper part 402 has a flange 444 which extends out above the space 445 that is formed between the outer shell 4 and the second contact surface 456. The flange 444 has a number of holes 460 in which mounting bolts 458 are threaded. The mounting bolts 458 support against the upper portion 443 of the web 442 and will when they are tightened press the web 442 in between the upper part 402 and the outer shell 4. The flange 444 has also a number of unthreaded holes in which disengagement bolts 446 are placed, which are threaded in the upper portion 443 of the web 442. When the intermediate ring 428 is to be released, the mounting bolts 458 are first loosened and then the disengagement bolts 446 are turned in order to pull up and release the web 442. The intermediate ring 428 has a very simple construction since it lacks flange. However, the intermediate ring has to be placed in position below the flange 444 of the upper part 402 before the upper part 402 can be lowered down over the outer shell 4. FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment of an outer shell 504 for fixing in an upper part 2. The outer shell 504 has a similar function in the crushing as the outer shells 104 and 304, respectively, shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, and is accordingly intended for crushing of relatively fine-grained material. On the upper, outer periphery thereof, the outer shell 504 is provided with a circumferential rib 505. The outer shell 4 has a second abutment surface 550, which is situated on the outer periphery of the rib 505. Upon fixing of the outer shell 504, the same intermediate ring 28 is in the second step utilized as is described above with reference to FIGS. 3-5. Utilization of a rib 505 on the periphery of the outer shell 504 and the intermediate ring 28 is accordingly an alternative to utilization of an outer shell 104 without rib together with the intermediate ring 128 with the bulging 143. However, for casting-technical reasons it is frequently advantageous to avoid ribs on the outer shell. As is seen in FIG. 13, a material shelf 547 has been formed on top of the rib 505. The material shelf 547 consists of material which during the crushing has been accumulated on the rib and which now forms a protection for the intermediate ring 28. The material shelf 547 may in certain cases, depending on the properties of the material and if it can construct a protective shelf, be an alternative to the protective plate 147 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 14 shows schematically a gyratory crusher 601, which is of another type than the crusher shown in FIG. 1. The gyratory crusher 601 shown in FIG. 14 has a frame in the form of a sleeve 602. The sleeve 602 has a cylindrical outer part 602′, which externally has a thread 605. The thread 605 fits in a corresponding thread 607 in a bottom part 603. The sleeve 602 has also a partly cone-shaped interior part 602″ in which an outer shell 604 is attached. The gyratory crusher 601 also has a shaft 606 that above the lower portion 608 thereof is eccentrically mounted in a mounting 609. At the upper end thereof, the shaft 606 carries a crushing head 610 on which an inner shell 612 is mounted. Between the shells 604, 612, a crushing gap 614 is formed, which in axial section, as is shown in FIG. 14, has in downward direction decreasing width. Furthermore, to the crusher 601 a motor, not shown, is connected, which is arranged to during the operation bring the shaft 606 and thereby the crushing head 610 to execute a gyratory movement. When the sleeve 602 is turned around the symmetry axis thereof, the outer shell 604 will be moved vertically, the width for the gap 614 being changed. That is, on this type of gyratory crusher 601, the sleeve 602 and the threads 605, 607 constitute an adjusting device for adjustment of the width of the gap 614. The outer shell 604 is at the lower end thereof clamped by a clamping ring 624. The clamping ring 624 is clamped against the outer shell 604 and the sleeve 602 by means of clamp bolts 626. A spacer member in the form of an intermediate ring 628 has, after the clamping ring 624 has clamped the outer shell 604 at the lower end thereof, been pressed down between the interior part 602″ of the sleeve 602 and the outer shell 604 at the upper end thereof. The intermediate ring 628 shown in FIG. 14 is of similar type and has substantially the same function as the intermediate ring 28 which is described above with reference to FIGS. 1-6. It will be appreciated that also other types of intermediate rings may be used in crushes of the type which is shown in FIG. 14. It will be appreciated that a variety of modifications of the above-described embodiments are feasible within the scope of the claims. Thus, it is not necessary to divide the intermediate ring 28 into four segments 68, 70, 72, 74. For instance, the intermediate ring may have 2, 6 or 8 segments. It is also possible to manufacture the intermediate ring in one single piece. The latter may, however, be disadvantageous for both manufacturing and mounting-technical reasons. The invention may be utilized also when the first abutment surface and second abutment surface of the outer shell form the same angle to the vertical plane and also when the first and second abutment surface form truncated conical rings on the same conceived right cone. Thus, in such cases, also the first contact surface of the upper part and the first sliding surface of the intermediate ring form the same angle to the vertical plane. The invention is, however, as previously has been mentioned, especially advantageous in the case when the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface form different angles to the vertical plane. It is also possible to instead of an intermediate ring use a spacer member which is in the form of a number of thin segments (similar to wedges), which are located at a certain distance from each other and each one of which may have the same cross-section as the above-described intermediate rings. Said thin segments abut, however, together only against approx. 50% or less of the circumference of the second abutment surface of the outer shell. Thus, 8-12 thin segments may, for instance, be used, each one of which may have the same cross-section as the intermediate ring shown in FIG. 4 and which are evenly distributed around the periphery of the outer shell. However, the intermediate ring has the advantage that it gives a more even support to the outer shell around the periphery thereof since the intermediate ring abuts against more than 95% of the circumference of the second abutment surface of the outer shell. In FIG. 1, a gyratory crusher 1 is shown, which is of a type where the position of the inner shell 12 is vertically adjusted by means of a hydraulic adjusting device. In FIG. 14 a gyratory crusher 601 is shown, which is of a type in which the position of the outer shell 604 is vertically adjusted by means of a sleeve 602, which has an external thread 605. It will be appreciated that the present invention also is 20 applicable to other types of gyratory crushes. One example is gyratory crushes which are of a type where the position of the outer shell is vertically adjusted by means of a hydraulic adjusting device, e.g., a number of hydraulic cylinders, as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,791,383. In this type of crushes, hydraulic cylinders, or the like members, act between the bottom part of the crusher and a frame in the form of a sleeve that carries the outer shell.

<SOH> TECHNICAL BACKGROUND <EOH>A gyratory crusher, which is of the above-mentioned kind, can be utilized for crushing hard objects, for instance blocks of stone. During the crushing, the shells of the crusher are worn and these therefore have to be exchanged at regular intervals. Another reason for exchange of shell is that it is desired to alter the geometry of the crushing gap, which is formed between the outer shell and the inner shell. U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,009 discloses a device for the fastening of an outer shell, which has an upper fixing flange, in a gyratory crusher. Special locking devices may be fastened in recesses in an upper part included in the crusher. The locking devices are then put in engagement with the fixing flange of the outer shell and are then clamped in order to press the outer shell against the upper part. The locking devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,009 are, however, mechanically complicated and involve a mechanically seen weak fixing of the outer shell.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of the present invention is to provide a method to fix an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which method enables a flexible and robust fixing of the shell. This object is attained by a method to fasten an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which method is characterized in that in a first step a first abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell is brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and that in a second step a spacer member for clamping of the outer shell is pressed in between a second abutment surface on the outer periphery of the outer shell and the frame. This method has the advantage that a very stable fixing of the outer shell is provided. The two abutment surfaces have the advantage that relatively limited portions of the outer shell have to be machined to accurate tolerances. The first and the second abutment surface may be machined to different angles to the vertical plane, which gives a possibility of choosing angles that are optimal for the position in question on the periphery of the outer shell. The fact that the fixing is made in two steps makes it easier to provide a good abutment both at the first and the second abutment surface. In particular, the invention has the advantage that it becomes simple to provide a good metallic abutment at both the first and the second abutment surface. A metallic abutment is mechanically stable and is also preferred from a working environment point of view. Preferably said abutment surface is located at the lower end of the outer shell seen in a material flow direction, said second abutment surface being situated closer to the upper end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. The greatest crushing forces usually arise at the end of the crushing, i.e., in the lower end of the outer shell seen in the material flow direction. The first abutment surface gets in this way a very stable abutment and can in the best way withstand the crushing forces in the lower portion of the crusher. Preferably in the second step, the spacer member is pressed in between the second abutment surface and the frame in the direction towards the first contact surface. This type of pressing-in is simple upon assembly and gives a clamping of the outer shell, which clamps it inwardly against the inner shell so that the outer shell in a good way can carry crushing forces and transfer these to the frame. According to a preferred embodiment, in the first step the outer shell is secured after the first abutment surface thereof having been brought to abutment against the first contact surface of the frame, in the second step the spacer member being secured after it having been pressed in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the frame. An advantage of this is that the abutment between the first abutment surface and the first contact surface is not influenced when the second step is carried out. Conveniently, the spacer member has a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface opposite the first sliding surface, the first sliding surface sliding against the second contact surface of the outer shell and the second sliding surface sliding against a second contact surface on the frame when the spacer member is pressed in. An advantage of this is that it becomes simple to press in the spacer member to give a good abutment against outer shell and frame and thereby a robust fixing of the outer shell. Another object of the present invention is to provide an outer shell for fixing in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell enables a flexible fixing, which is robust during crushing. This object is attained by an outer shell for fixing in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell is characterized in that it has a first abutment surface, which is arranged to, in a first fixing step, be brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and a second abutment surface that is arranged to, in a second fixing step, be brought in engagement with a spacer member that is possible to press in between the frame and the second abutment surface. An advantage of this outer shell is that it is simple to manufacture since two relatively limited abutment surfaces have to be machined to high accuracy of tolerance. The abutment surfaces may also form different angles to the vertical plane. Thus, the angle for each one of the two abutment surfaces may be adapted to the conditions as regards, for instance, direction of crushing forces that are expected at the abutment surface in question. The outer shell will also well withstand mechanical load during the crushing thanks to the two abutment surfaces, which are brought to abutment in two steps. Preferably, the second abutment surface forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-20 degrees and is arranged to slide against a first sliding surface on the spacer member. Advantages of this angle are that it is simple to produce in casting of the outer shell, that it is convenient in respect of the crushing forces which arise in crushing and that it entails that the spacer member can slide against the second abutment surface upon the pressing-in. A small angle also has the advantage that the upwardly directed load becomes small on the members, for instance a flange and bolts, which hold the spacer member in place. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the second abutment surface is substantially perpendicular to the main direction of the crushing forces that during operation arise in plane with the second abutment surface. An advantage of this is that the crushing forces efficiently are transferred from the outer shell to the spacer member without causing considerable forces in the vertical direction. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the second abutment surface forms an angle of 5-15 degrees to the vertical plane. Such an angle gives a flexible pressing-in of the spacer member and a good clamping of the outer shell since the outer shell is clamped inwardly against the inner shell. Preferably, the first abutment surface forms an angle to the vertical plane of 10-55 degrees, preferably such an angle that the first abutment surface forms substantially a right angle to the main direction of the crushing forces that during operation arise in plane with the first abutment surface. This angle is simple to produce in casting of the outer shell and gives a good transfer of the crushing forces from the outer shell to the frame without any considerable vertical forces arising. According to a preferred embodiment, the second abutment surface is located substantially on a level with the portions of the periphery of the outer shell that surround the second abutment surface. Thus, an outer shell of this type lacks protruding portions, such as, for instance, ribs, and is therefore simple to cast. The raw material that is used for casting the outer shell is efficiently utilized since no raw material is lost on ribs or other protruding portions. A shell the wear surfaces of which has become worn down will thereby not have a high scrap weight, which largely consists of ribs. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a gyratory crusher in which an outer shell can be fixed simply and robustly. This object is attained by a gyratory crusher, which is of the above-mentioned type and which is characterized in that the outer shell of the crusher has a first abutment surface, which is arranged to, in a first fixing step, be brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and a second abutment surface that is arranged to, in a second fixing step, be brought in engagement with a spacer member which is pressed in between the frame and the second abutment surface. An advantage of this gyratory crusher is that the fixing of the outer shell becomes simple and that the outer shell gets a stable and robust fixing. This decreases the risk of damage on the outer shell and the frame during operation of the crusher. It also becomes simple to exchange a worn outer shell for a new. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer member is an inter-mediate ring, which has a substantially tubular part, which is intended to be pressed in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and a second contact surface on the frame. The intermediate ring is easy to manufacture and gives possibility of a good abutment against the second abutment surface of the outer shell around the periphery of the entire outer shell. Preferably, the spacer member is divided into two to eight segments. The division into segments makes the manufacture of the intermediate ring simpler. The intermediate ring also gets better ability to carry the forces that may arise when the circumference of the intermediate ring decreases or increases during the pressing-in between the outer shell and the frame. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer member has a first sliding surface, which forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-20 degrees and which is arranged to slide against the second abutment surface on the outer shell upon the pressing-in of the spacer member. The first sliding surface makes it simple to press the spacer member in between the outer shell and the frame and simultaneously tighten the second abutment surface inwardly against the center of the crusher. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the first sliding surface forms an angle of 5-15 degrees to the vertical plane. Preferably, the spacer member has a second sliding surface, which is arranged to slide against a second contact surface on the frame, which second contact surface is terminated by a shoulder protruding from the frame, the lower limitation, in the material flow direction, of the shoulder being situated substantially at the lower limitation, in the material flow direction, of the sliding surface. The shoulder has the advantage that possible deformation of the second contact surface that may arise during crushing is carried by the shoulder and does therefore not make the pressing-in of the spacer member more difficult when a new outer shell should be assembled. Conveniently, the second contact surface of the frame forms an angle to the vertical plane of 0-10 degrees. This angle makes it simple to press the spacer member in between the frame and the outer shell. According to an even more preferred embodiment, the second contact surface is substantially vertical. A vertical second contact surface normally entails that smallest feasible force is required in order to press the spacer member in between the frame and outer shell. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper portion, in the material flow direction, of the spacer member is protected by a replaceable protecting plate. The spacer member may in certain cases be exposed to the material, e.g. stone, which is to be crushed. It is then convenient to protect the exposed portion, normally the upper, with a protective plate. The protective plate is conveniently replaceable and formed from a material which resists wear, for instance gummed steel plate or sheet-metal plate of Hardox® steel. According to a preferred embodiment, the spacer member has a mounting flange, which by means of mounting members is arranged to press the spacer member in between the second abutment surface of the outer shell and the frame and to fix the spacer member against the frame. The mounting flange has the advantage to work as holder for the mounting members, for instance mounting bolts, which are utilized for the pressing-in of the spacer member. Another object of the present invention is to provide a spacer member for use in fixing of an outer shell in a gyratory crusher, which spacer member enables a flexible fixing, which is robust during crushing. This object is attained by a spacer member for use in fixing of an outer shell in a frame included in a gyratory crusher, which outer shell is intended to, together with an inner shell, which is securable on a crushing head, define a crushing gap for receipt of material to be crushed in the crusher, the outer shell having a first abutment surface, which in a first fixing step has been brought to abutment against a first contact surface on the frame, and the spacer member being arranged to, in a second fixing step, be pressed in between a second abutment surface on the outer shell and the frame. Additional advantages and features of the invention are seen in the description below and the appended claims.

20070322

20101214

20071129

98021.0

B02C200

FRANCIS, FAYE

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CLAMPING OF CRUSHING SHELL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B02C

ACCEPTED

Connecting terminal

A connecting terminal has a rectangular tube-like connecting portion 11 including a bottom plate 13, a first side plate not shown, a top plate 15 and a second side plate 16. At a rear end of the top plate 15, there is formed a locking portion 19 by folding a rear end of the top plate inwardly. A stabilizer portion 17 provided at one side of the second side plate 16 is bent downwardly into a semicircular shape to extend downwardly with respect to the bottom plate.

1. A connecting terminal including a connecting portion formed in a rectangular tube having a top plate to which a locking lancer provided in a housing is to be engaged, wherein a stabilizer portion for stabilizing a posture of the connecting terminal within the housing is provided on a bottom plate of said connecting portion to extend in a longitudinal direction. 2. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, wherein said connecting terminal is formed by punching, bending and folding a single metal plate. 3. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizer is formed on the bottom plate eccentrically. 4. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion of the connecting terminal is formed in a shape of a rectangular tube surrounded by the bottom plate, a first side plate connected to one side of the bottom plate, a top plate connected to the first side plate, a second side plate connected to the top plate, and the stabilizer portion connected to the second side plate. 5. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizer portion is curved downwardly in a semicircular shape and a free end of the stabilizer portion is brought into contact with the bottom plate. 6. The connecting terminal according to claim 1, wherein said connecting portion includes resilient contact strips formed within the connecting portion, and each of said movable contact strips is formed by a part of the connecting portion from a rear side toward a front side. 7. The connecting terminal according to claim 2, wherein said connecting portion of the connecting terminal is formed in a shape of a rectangular tube surrounded by the bottom plate, a first side plate connected to one side of the bottom plate, a top plate connected to the first side plate, a second side plate connected to the top plate, and the stabilizer portion connected to the second side plate. 8. The connecting terminal according to claim 3, wherein said connecting portion of the connecting terminal is formed in a shape of a rectangular tube surrounded by the bottom plate, a first side plate connected to one side of the bottom plate, a top plate connected to the first side plate, a second side plate connected to the top plate, and the stabilizer portion connected to the second side plate. 9. The connecting terminal according to claim 2, wherein said stabilizer portion is curved downwardly in a semicircular shape and a free end of the stabilizer portion is brought into contact with the bottom plate. 10. The connecting terminal according to claim 3, wherein said stabilizer portion is curved downwardly in a semicircular shape and a free end of the stabilizer portion is brought into contact with the bottom plate. 11. The connecting terminal according to claim 4, wherein said stabilizer portion is curved downwardly in a semicircular shape and a free end of the stabilizer portion is brought into contact with the bottom plate. 12. The connecting terminal according to claim 7, wherein said stabilizer portion is curved downwardly in a semicircular shape and a free end of the stabilizer portion is brought into contact with the bottom plate. 13. The connecting terminal according to claim 8, wherein said stabilizer portion is curved downwardly in a semicircular shape and a free end of the stabilizer portion is brought into contact with the bottom plate.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a female type connecting terminal for receiving a male type connecting terminal, said female type and male type connecting terminal constituting an electrical connector. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND A female type connecting terminal of the kind mentioned above is provided within a housing and is used to establish the electrical connection by receiving a cooperating male type connecting terminal. When the male type connecting terminal is inserted into the female type connecting terminal, the female type connecting terminal is pushed backwardly. In order to prevent the female type connecting terminal from being removed out of the housing, a connecting portion of the connecting terminal is engaged with a resilient locking lance provided in the housing. In order to keep the connecting terminal 1 within the housing, a stabilizer portion 3 extending in a longitudinal direction is provided on an upper wall of a connecting portion 2 as illustrated in FIG. 7, said stabilizer portion 3 serving to prevent a swinging motion of the connecting terminal 1 within the housing. The stabilizer portion 3 also serves to prevent an erroneous insertion of the connecting terminal 1 into the housing, and the connecting terminal could not be inserted in an up side down fashion. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention Recently electrical connectors having small size and a large number of connecting terminals have been required, and accordingly connecting terminals installed within housings have been also required to have small size. In order to insert the connecting terminal 1 into the housing through a locking lance, a width of the locking lancer has to be a width of the connecting portion 2 reduced by a width of the stabilizer portion 3. Therefore, a width of the locking lancer should be very small and could not generate a sufficiently large force for locking the connecting terminal. The present invention has for its object to provide a connecting terminal, which can remove the above mentioned problems and a width of the locking lance is not effected by the stabilizer portion. Means for Solving the Problems According to the invention, a connecting terminal including a connecting portion formed in a rectangular tube having a top plate to which a locking lancer provided in a housing is to be engaged, characterized in that a stabilizer portion for stabilizing a posture of the connecting terminal within the housing is provided on a bottom plate of said connecting portion to extend in a longitudinal direction. Merits of the Invention In the connecting terminal according to the invention, since the stabilizer portion is provided on the bottom wall of the connecting portion, a width of the locking lance provided on the housing for preventing a withdrawal of the connecting terminal backwardly can be set to be substantially identical with a width of the connecting portion without considering a width of the stabilizer portion, and therefore the connecting terminal can be prevented effectively with a rather large force from being removed from the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the connecting terminal according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the connecting terminal. FIG. 3 is a side view of the connecting terminal. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the connecting terminal. FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the connecting terminal before assembling. FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating the connecting terminal installed within the housing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a known connecting terminal. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 11 connecting portion 12 wire clamping portion 13 bottom plate 14, 16 side plate 15 top plate 17 stabilizer portion 19 locking portion 21 movable contact strip 32 housing 33 locking lance Best Mode of the Invention FIG. 1 is a plan view, FIG. 2 is a front view, FIG. 3 is a side view, FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, and FIG. 5 is exploded plan view before assembling showing an embodiment of connecting terminal according to the invention. The connecting terminal is formed by punching a single metal plate into a given shape, and then folding and bending various portions. Generally speaking, the connecting terminal comprises a rectangular tube-like connecting portion 11 provided at a front side and a wire clamping portion 12 provided at a rear side. As usual, the wire clamping portion 12 includes a core conductor clamping portion 12a and a sheath clamping portion 12b, these clamping portions being formed into a U-shape. The connecting portion 11 comprises a bottom plate 13, a first side plate 14 connected to one side of the bottom plate, a top plate 15, a second side plate 16 and a stabilizer portion 17, which are successively coupled with each other in this order. The bottom plate 13, first sided plate 14, top plate 15 and second side plate 16 are folded to constitute a rectangular tube. In the top plate 15 there is formed a recessed portion 18 which extends in a longitudinal direction and is bend inwardly. At a rear end of the top plate 15 there is further formed a locking portion 19, which is bent inwardly to be engaged with a locking lance provided on a housing. The stabilizer portion 17 formed at a side of the second side plate 16 is bent to have a semicircular cross section in such a manner that the stabilizer portion 17 protrudes downward from the bottom plate 13 at a side of the second side plate 16 and a free end of the stabilizer portion 17 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the bottom plate 13. That is to say, the stabilizer portion 17 is provided on the one side of the bottom plate 13 eccentrically to prevent the bottom plate 13 from being pushed downward. There is further provided a closing portion 20 for closing the connecting portion 11. On the other side of the bottom plate 13 there is formed a movable contact strip 21 to extend in parallel with the bottom plate 13. The movable contact strip 21 is secured to the rear portion of the bottom plate 13 at a base portion 21a. Prior to the formation of the connecting portion 11, the movable contact strip 21 is folded at the base portion 21a over the bottom plate 13 and is bent in such a manner that a portion of the movable contact strip 21 between the base portion 21a and a free front end 21b is bent upward into a shape of mountain. On both sides of the movable contact strip 21 there are formed wing portions 21d. These wing portions 21d are inserted movably into holes 14a and 16a formed in the first and second side plates 14 and 16, respectively upon constructing the connecting portion 11. In the bottom plate 13 there is further formed an elongated reinforcing strip 21 by cutting such that a rear end of the reinforcing strip 22 is connected to the bottom plate 13. The reinforcing strip 22 is folded inwardly such that a front end 22a is brought into contact with a lower surface of a contact portion 21c of the movable contact strip 21. At the front end of the connecting portion 11, there is provided a guide strip 23, which is formed by folding a front portion of the bottom plate 13 inwardly. The guide strip 23 covers the free front end 21b of the movable contact strip 21 to prevent a forward movement of the free front end and to guide the insertion of the corresponding male type connecting terminal. In the connecting terminal according to the invention having the above explained structure, the contact portion 21c of the movable contact strip 21 can be provided at a relatively front position within the connecting portion 11, and furthermore since the free end 21b of the movable contact strip 21 is constructed by the front end, a resilient force of the movable contact strip 21 is relatively small and a necessary force for inserting the corresponding male type connecting terminal can be reduced. FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a condition in which an electrical wire 31 is connected to the wire clamping portion 12 and the connecting terminal is inserted into the housing 32. The stabilizer portion 17 is clamped into a recess formed in the housing 32, and therefore a posture of the connecting terminal within the housing 32 can be stabilized. Furthermore, an erroneous insertion of the connecting terminal can be effectively prevented, because the connecting terminal could not be inserted in an up side down fashion. When the connecting portion 11 is inserted into the housing 32, the resilient locking lance 33 is pushed upward and the connecting portion 11 passes under the locking lance 33. In this case, since the stabilizer portion 17 is formed under the connecting terminal, a width of the locking lance 33 can be determined without considering the stabilizer portion 17 and can be set to a large value substantially equal to a width of the connecting portion 11. Therefore, a large locking force due to the engagement of the locking lance 33 with the locking portion 19 can be attained.

<SOH> TECHNICAL BACKGROUND <EOH>A female type connecting terminal of the kind mentioned above is provided within a housing and is used to establish the electrical connection by receiving a cooperating male type connecting terminal. When the male type connecting terminal is inserted into the female type connecting terminal, the female type connecting terminal is pushed backwardly. In order to prevent the female type connecting terminal from being removed out of the housing, a connecting portion of the connecting terminal is engaged with a resilient locking lance provided in the housing. In order to keep the connecting terminal 1 within the housing, a stabilizer portion 3 extending in a longitudinal direction is provided on an upper wall of a connecting portion 2 as illustrated in FIG. 7 , said stabilizer portion 3 serving to prevent a swinging motion of the connecting terminal 1 within the housing. The stabilizer portion 3 also serves to prevent an erroneous insertion of the connecting terminal 1 into the housing, and the connecting terminal could not be inserted in an up side down fashion.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the connecting terminal according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the connecting terminal. FIG. 3 is a side view of the connecting terminal. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the connecting terminal. FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing the connecting terminal before assembling. FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view illustrating the connecting terminal installed within the housing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a known connecting terminal. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20061121

20071225

20070503

58950.0

H01R1311

DINH, PHUONG K

CONNECTING TERMINAL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H01R

ACCEPTED

Moulding device for the production of containers in thermoplastic material

A moulding device for the production of containers in thermoplastic material by blowing or blow-drawing, including a mould with two mould halves mutually mobile and provided with a locking device with first and second lock elements, in the form of catches, extending over the whole height of the respective mould halves and a projecting wing on one mould half, including a rotation surface on which a mobile piece is applied over the whole height thereof which includes the second lock element, such that, on blowing, the forces are taken by said mobile piece over the height of the mould by means of the rotation surface.

1. A molding device for blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding containers from heated thermoplastic preforms, said device comprising at least one mold comprising at least two half-molds that can be moved with respect to each other between an open position in which they are parted from one another and a closed position in which they are firmly pressed against one another via collaborating respective bearing faces defining a parting line, locking means being provided to lock the two half-molds in the closed position, which locking means comprising on at least one side of the mold, a first lock element in the form of a hook secured fixedly to the first half-mold along the edge of the bearing face thereof, a second lock element in the form of a hook inverted with respect to the previous one and mounted such that it can pivot, on a rotation surface, on the second half-mold, and actuating means functionally associated with said second lock element in such a way as to move the latter transversely between a locked position in which it is engaged with the first lock element to lock the two half-molds in the closed position and an unlocked position in which it is disengaged from the first lock element to release the two half-molds that can then be parted from one another, wherein, in addition: the first and second hook-shaped lock elements extend respectively over the entire height of the first and second half-molds, the second half-mold has, along the edge of its bearing face and over at least most of its height, a radially projecting flange shaped, on its face facing away from the bearing face, as an arc of a circle and able to constitute a rotation surface, and said second lock element belongs to one end of a moving part provided with a transverse projecting flange defining a bearing surface in the shape of an arc of a circle facing toward the second hook-shaped lock element and able to bear continuously over the entire height of said rotation surface of the second lock element, whereby, when the mold is closed and locked and subjected to the blowing pressure, the force to which the second half-mold is subjected is reacted, by said moving part, substantially continuously over most of its height via said rotation surface. 2. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, in which the mold is of the hinged type with the two half-molds articulated to one another in terms of rotation on a shaft substantially parallel to one side of the parting line, wherein said locking means are provided on the opposite side of the two half-molds to said shaft. 3. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, in which each half-mold comprises a shell holder to which there is internally fixed a shell equipped with a molding half-cavity the parting line being defined by the two shells pressed together when the mold is in the closed position, wherein the locking means are supported by the two shell-holders. 4. The molding device as claimed in, claim 1, wherein said face of the protruding flange of the second half-mold which faces away from the edge of the bearing face is hollowed out in the shape of an arc of a circle and houses a rotation spindle the free surface of which constitutes said rotation surface. 5. The molding device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rotation spindle of the moving part supporting the second lock element is supported by a small number of hollowed-out devises secured to the second half-mold. 6. The molding device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the devises are two in number, distant from one another and, in particular, situated near the respective ends of the spindle. 7. The molding device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rotation spindle of the moving part supporting the second lock element has a height appreciably greater than that of the second lock element and in that its two ends are engaged in two respective cups, secured to the second mold, whereby the moving part supporting the second lock element bears over substantially the entirety of its height against the rotation spindle. 8. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second hook-shaped lock elements extend continuously over their entire height. 9. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the second hook-shaped lock element extends discontinuously over its entire height and comprises a multiplicity of hooks separated from one another and distributed over its entire height. 10. The molding device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the rotation spindle is arranged in the form of an eccentric spindle and in that pivot control means are associated with it, whereby the spindle is able to occupy two angular positions with respect to the moving part, namely a position at minimum radius for which the moving part bears against the part of the spindle that has a minimum radius and for which the moving part can be made to move toward its locked position or toward its unlocked position and a position at a greater radius for which the moving part bears against a part of the spindle that has a radius greater than the minimum radius and for which the moving part, in the locked position, is immobilized in this position being subjected to traction between the first and second mutually-engaged lock elements and the rotation spindle. 11. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, this device being of the rotary carousel type, wherein the actuating means functionally associated with the second lock element comprise at least one idling cam follower roller supported by part of the moving part situated beyond its bearing surface with respect to the second lock element, said roller being able to collaborate with a fixed guide cam positioned laterally with respect to the rotary carousel. 12. The molding device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the actuating means for actuating the second lock element comprise a return spring able to return the moving part to a position for which the second lock element is in the catching position. 13. The molding device as claimed in claim 10, this device being of the rotary carousel type, wherein the means for controlling the pivoting of the eccentric spindle comprise an idling cam follower roller supported, via a transmission mechanism, by one end of said shaft, said roller being able to collaborate with a fixed guide cam positioned laterally with respect to the rotary carousel. 14. The molding device as claimed in claim 10, this device being of the rotary carousel type, wherein the means for controlling the pivoting of the eccentric spindle comprise an idling cam follower roller supported, via a transmission mechanism, by one end of said shaft, said roller being able to collaborate with a fixed guide cam positioned laterally with respect to the rotary carousel, and in that the means for controlling the pivoting of the eccentric spindle comprise a return spring able to return said spindle to its position of minimum radius. 15. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein that the first hook-shaped lock element is attached and fixed to the first half-mold. 16. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first hook-shaped lock element is formed as an integral part of the first half-mold. 17. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second hook-shaped lock element is attached and fixed to said moving part. 18. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second hook-shaped lock element is formed as an integral part of said moving part. 19. The molding device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pivoting surface in the shape of an arc of a circle for the moving part is supported by a mounting plate attached and fixed to the second half-mold.

The present invention relates in general to the field of molding devices for blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding containers from heated thermoplastic preforms. More specifically, the invention relates to improvements made to those of these devices that comprise at least one mold comprising at least two half-molds that can be moved with respect to each other between an open position in which they are parted from one another and a closed position in which they are firmly pressed against one another via collaborating respective bearing faces defining a parting line, locking means being provided to lock the two half-molds in the closed position, which locking means comprising on at least one side of the mold, a first lock element in the form of a hook secured fixedly to the first half-mold along the edge of the bearing face thereof, a second lock element in the form of a hook inverted with respect to the previous one and mounted such that it can pivot, on a rotation surface, on the second half-mold, and actuating means functionally associated with said second lock element in such a way as to move the latter transversely between a locked position in which it is engaged with the first lock element to lock the two half-molds in the closed position and an unlocked position in which it is disengaged from the first lock element to release the two half-molds that can then be parted from one another. Document FR-A-2 646 802 discloses means for locking two half-molds in the closed position which means comprise a plurality of coupling fingers supported one above the other, coaxially, by a first half-mold and able to be moved parallel to the axis of the mold to engage in a plurality of respective accommodating slots supported by the second half-mold. Such locking means are satisfactory and are currently in commonplace use in molding devices of the “hinged” mold type. However, these locking means do have several significant disadvantages. One disadvantage lies in the fact that the fingers and accommodating slots are supported in cantilever fashion by the first and second half-molds respectively. As the blowing pressure (for example typically of the order of 40×105 Pa) is applied, the supports of these fingers and accommodating slots, which project radially, are subjected to a force substantially tangential to the periphery of the mold. To prevent them from deforming or pulling out, these supports need to be solidly formed, and this increases the weight of the half-molds and also their cost. Another disadvantage lies in the cantilevered structure of each finger, the base of which is set into a radially projecting support secured to one half-mold whereas, in the locked position, the free end of the finger is held in a corresponding accommodating slot of a radially projecting support secured to the other half-mold. Under the blowing force, each finger is subjected to a bending/shear stress which, once again, entails that each finger be solidly formed, making it heavy and expensive. All these requirements lead to locking means that project appreciably from the periphery of the mold whereas, in installations comprising a great many molds and operating at high speed (rotary molding devices of the carousel type), the space available is very restricted. Furthermore, these locking means are heavy and increase the inertia of the half-molds, something which is detrimental to installations operating at high speed. Finally, it must be emphasized that the method of locking/unlocking through the axial movement of a plurality of superposed (“in line”) fingers entails relatively long travels so that the portion of each finger engaged in its corresponding slot is long enough and affords appropriate mechanical strength: it is therefore possible to provide only a restricted number of fingers and slots, spaced axially apart by an appreciable distance. This then finally results in a non-uniform distribution of the forces over the height of the mold. There is therefore a remaining need for molds with a simplified, less bulky, less heavy, simpler and less expensive structure, this need being felt all the more keenly as higher production rates are being sought, entailing mechanisms that work more quickly with lower inertia. For these reasons, the invention proposes a molding device as mentioned in the preamble which, being arranged in accordance with the invention, is characterized by the following combination of arrangements: the first and second hook-shaped lock elements extend respectively over the entire height of the first and second half-molds, the second half-mold has, along the edge of its bearing face and over at least most of its height, a radially projecting flange shaped, on its face facing away from the bearing face, as an arc of a circle and able to constitute a convex rotation surface, and said second lock element belongs to one end of a moving part provided with a transverse projecting flange defining a bearing surface in the shape of an arc of a circle facing toward the second hook-shaped lock element and able to bear continuously over the entire height of said rotation surface of the second lock element. Admittedly, locking means for molding devices that employ hook-shaped lock elements are already known, particularly from document U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,396. However, in that known arrangement, the hook-shaped lock elements are not distributed over the entire height of the mold which means that the top and bottom parts of the mold are not sufficiently firmly held. What is more, the hook-shaped lock element articulated to rotate on one of the two half-molds is supported by a spindle, conventionally passing through devises belonging to the lock element and to the half-mold. Upon blowing, this spindle is subjected to very high shear and possibly bending forces, which means that it needs to be sized accordingly and therefore has a large diameter and a high mass. By contrast, by virtue of the structure proposed according to the invention, when the closed and locked mold is subjected to the blowing pressure, the force exerted on the second half-mold is reacted by said moving part, substantially continuously over most of its height. Furthermore, the rotational travel of the moving part and of the second lock element is very short, which shortens the locking/unlocking time and therefore makes it possible to envisage an evolution in the operating rate. The moving part with the second lock element has reduced dimensions and reduced mass, especially since, in certain exemplary embodiments, it can be manufactured at least partially in light metal (aluminum) which means that the inertia of the moving components is low. Finally, the number of component parts is reduced and the structure of such locking means is simple, which means that the costs of manufacture can be lowered. The devices according to the invention, although their potential applications are generalized, may find a quite particularly preferred application when the mold is of the hinged type with the two half-molds articulated to one another in terms of rotation on a shaft substantially parallel to one side of the parting line, in which case said locking means are provided on the opposite side of the two half-molds to said shaft. In particular, in molding devices in which each half-mold comprises a shell holder to which there is internally fixed a shell equipped with a molding half-cavity the parting line being defined by the two shells pressed together when the mold is in the closed position, provision is then made for the locking means to be supported by the two shell-holders. In one preferred embodiment which simplifies manufacture, said face of the protruding flange of the second half-mold which faces away from the edge of the bearing face is hollowed out in the shape of an arc of a circle and houses a rotation spindle the free surface of which constitutes said rotation surface. As a preference, the rotation spindle of the moving part supporting the second lock element is supported by a small number of hollowed-out devises secured to the second half-mold; as a greater preference, in this case, the devises are two in number, distant from one another and, in particular, situated near the respective ends of the spindle, and bear no closure force because they are there merely to support the moving part on the corresponding half-mold. In another preferred exemplary embodiment, the rotation spindle of the moving part supporting the second lock element has a height appreciably greater than that of the second lock element and its two ends are engaged in two respective cups, secured to the second mold, whereby the moving part supporting the second lock element bears over practically the entirety of its height against the rotation spindle. The first and second hook-shaped lock elements may, depending on the circumstances, be embodied in various ways. It is possible in particular to envisage for the first and second hook-shaped lock elements to extend continuously over their entire height, the two lock elements then being in the form of solid mold parts or portions. However, for example, with the desire to lighten the moving parts and reduce inertia, it is possible to envisage for at least the second hook-shaped lock element to extend discontinuously over its entire height and to comprise a multiplicity of hooks separated from one another and distributed over its entire height, the first hook-shaped lock element also possibly being able to be produced in this form. Furthermore, it is highly advantageous for the rotation spindle to be arranged in the form of an eccentric spindle and for pivot control means to be associated with it, whereby the spindle is able to occupy two angular positions with respect to the moving part, namely a first position for which the moving part bears against the part of the spindle that has a minimum radius and can be made to move toward its locked position or toward its unlocked position and a second position for which the moving part bears against a part of the spindle that has a radius greater than the minimum radius and is immobilized in the locked position being subjected to traction between the first and second mutually-engaged lock elements and the rotation spindle. The provisions according to the invention seem to find a particularly advantageous application, because of the space savings they afford and the increases in operating speed that they allow, in molding devices of the rotary carousel type, particularly those equipped with a multiplicity of molds, in which case the actuating means functionally associated with the second lock element comprise at least one idling cam follower roller supported by part of the moving part situated beyond its bearing surface with respect to the second lock element, said roller being able to collaborate with a fixed guide cam positioned laterally with respect to the rotary carousel. Advantageously then, the actuating means for actuating the second lock element comprise a return spring able to return the moving part to a position for which the second lock element is in the catching position. Still in the case of molding devices of the carousel type, it is advantageous, in the case of said implementation of an eccentric rotation spindle, for the means for controlling the pivoting of the eccentric spindle to comprise an idling cam follower roller supported, via a transmission mechanism, by one end of said shaft, said roller being able to collaborate with a fixed guide cam positioned laterally with respect to the rotary carousel. Advantageously then, the means for controlling the pivoting of the eccentric spindle comprise a return spring able to return said spindle to its said first position. The provisions that have just been set out may give rise to numerous embodiment variants. In particular, it is conceivable for the first hook-shaped lock element to be attached and fixed to the first half-mold, or alternatively, as a variant, for it to be formed as an integral part of the first half-mold. Likewise, it is conceivable for the second hook-shaped lock element to be attached and fixed to said moving part, or alternatively, as a variant, for it to be formed as an integral part of said moving part. Provision may also be made for the devises that support the rotation spindle to be integral with the second half-mold or, as a variant, for said pivoting surface in the shape of an arc of a circle for the moving part to be supported by a mounting plate attached and fixed to the second half-mold. As indicated above, the reaction of the forces, during the blowing operation, is distributed uniformly over the entire height of the half-molds. In addition, since the forces directed tangentially to the mold are reacted directly and since the number of devises supporting the rotation spindle is restricted to a minimum, the structures of each half-mold can be lightened, this option then seeming particularly favorable in the case of molds with a shell/shell-holder structure. The invention will be better understood from reading the detailed description which follows of certain preferred embodiments given purely by way of illustration. In this description, reference is made to the attached drawings in which: FIGS. 1A and 1B are schematic views from above, in section, of part of a mold of the hinged type equipped with locking means in accordance with the invention, shown in the locked position and in the unlocked position respectively; FIG. 2 is a schematic view from above, in section, of part of a mold of the hinged type showing a practical embodiment variant of the locking means of FIG. 1A; FIG. 3 is a view from above of the entirety of a hinged mold equipped with locking means according to the embodiment variant of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a part view, in section and in perspective, of another embodiment variant of the locking means of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a part view in section of an embodiment variant of part of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 4; FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C are schematic views from above, in section, of part of a hinged mold showing yet another embodiment variant of the locking means in three functional positions respectively; FIG. 7 is a schematic view in perspective of the entirety of a mold arranged according to the invention; and FIG. 8 is a schematic view in perspective of an embodiment variant of the mold illustrated in FIG. 7. The arrangements according to, the invention are improvements made to molding devices for the blow-molding or stretch-blow-molding of containers, such as bottles, from heated thermoplastic (for example. PET) preforms. Such a molding device comprises at least one mold comprising at least two half-molds (and possibly a third part that forms an axially movable mold bottom) which can be moved relative to one another between an open position in which they are parted from one another and a closed position in which they are pressed firmly against one another by collaborating respective faces defining a parting line, locking means being provided to lock the two half-molds in the closed position and prevent them from parting or gaping when the blowing fluid is introduced under very high pressure (for example typically of the order of 40×105 Pa). Commonly, such molding devices may comprise a multiplicity of molds and may therefore be arranged in the form of a rotary device or carousel with the molds arranged at the periphery, the various functions of opening/closing, locking/unlocking, etc. the molds possibly being controlled in sequence as the carousel rotates by cam follower rollers borne by the molds and collaborating with guide cams mounted fixedly on the outside of the rotary part. Although the arrangements according to the invention can be applied to any type of mold, they are particularly applicable to molds equipped with two half-molds that rotate one with respect to the other, or to hinged molds, which are currently in very widespread use, and it is therefore in the context of a hinged mold that the arrangements of the invention will be set out in detail, without the protection being restricted to this one type of mold. FIG. 3 illustrates, in simplified form, in a view from above, the general arrangement of a hinged mold, denoted in its entirety by the reference 1, comprising two half-molds 1a and 1b (it also being possible for an axially movable bottom—not visible—to be provided at the base of the mold). The two half-molds respectively have two collaborating faces or bearing faces 2a, 2b which, in the closed position, define a parting line 3. The collaborating faces are hollowed out with, respectively, two half-cavities 4a, 4b which, when put together, define the molding volume 4 that has the external shape of the container that is to be obtained. In the example more particularly illustrated in figure 3, each half-mold 1a, 1b has a composite structure and comprises an external framework or shell-holder 5a, 5b and an interior molding part or shell 6a, 6b which is fixed removably into the respective shell holder and comprises said respective half-cavity 4a, 4b. The half-molds 1a, 1b (in this instance the shell-holders 5a, 5b) comprise, on one side, respective protruding cheeks 7a, 7b which are interleaved with one another in a superposed fashion and have passing through them a shaft 8 arranged in the continuation of the parting line. Furthermore, two projecting lugs 9a, 9b respectively support in rotation, via spindles 10a, 10b distant from one another on each side of the shaft 8, the ends of two actuating link rods 11a, 11b the other two respective ends of which are connected with the ability to rotate freely on a spindle 12 which can be moved in a linear fashion (arrow 13) toward the spindle 8 or in the opposite direction, by drive means (not shown). On the other side of the parting line 3 and on the opposite side to the shaft 8 there are locking means 14 intended to keep the two half-molds 1a, 1b in the closed position as the blowing pressure is applied. Referring now to FIG. 1A, the locking means 14 comprise: a first hook-shaped lock element 15 which is secured fixedly to the first half-mold 1a (the left-hand one in FIG. 1A) which extends substantially along the edge of the bearing face 2a thereof, a second hook-shaped lock element 16, inverted with respect to the previous one and mounted to pivot, on a rotation surface, on the second half-mold 1b (to the right in FIG. 1B), and actuating means functionally associated with the second lock element 16 so as to move the latter transversely to the mold between a position of engagement with the first lock element 15 (locking the mold 1 in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1A) and a position of disengagement from the first lock element 15 (unlocking the mold 1, as illustrated in FIG. 1B). The first lock element 15 extends over the entire height of the first half-mold 1a and the second lock element 16 extends over the entire height of the second half-mold 1b. The second half-mold 1b comprises, along the edge of its bearing face 2b and over at least most of its height, a radially projecting flange 17 shaped, on its face facing away from the bearing face 2b, as an arc of a circle and able to constitute said rotation surface 18 (which is convex in FIGS. 1A and 1B) for the second lock element 16. This being the case, the second lock element 16 belongs to a moving part 19 which extends over the entire height of the second half-mold 1b. One of the edges of this moving part 19 forms the second hook-shaped lock element 16, while its opposite edge is provided with a transverse projecting flange 20 defining a bearing surface in the shape of an arc of a circle 21 (concave in FIGS. 1A and 1B) which faces toward the second lock element 16 and is able to bear over the entire height of said rotation surface 18. By virtue of this arrangement, the two half-molds 1a, 1b are kept: in the closed position by the moving part 19 the two opposite edges (second lock element 16 and flange 20) of which are engaged against complementary parts of the first half-mold 1a (first lock element 15) and of the second half-mold 1b (projecting flange 17). Furthermore, the two half-molds 1a, 1b are held in the closed position over the entire height of the mold substantially continuously, rather than discontinuously as was the case with the locking means involving moving fingers used hitherto. Producing the bearing surface in the shape of an arc of a circle 18 may prove difficult and expensive to achieve, and one concrete exemplary embodiment which is simpler and more economical to manufacture is illustrated in FIG. 2. Here, the projecting flange 17 has its face facing away from the bearing face 2b hollowed out by a groove 22 in the shape of an arc of a circle extending over the entire height thereof and a spindle 23 is engaged in said groove. Said rotation surface 18 here is a convex surface consisting of the surface of the spindle 23. In such a case, in the locked position illustrated in FIG. 2, the forces that tend to part the two half-molds 1a, 1b from one another during blowing are reacted by the moving part 19, via, on the side of the second half-mold 1b, the rotation spindle 23. By giving the grooves 21 of the moving part 19 and 22 of the flange 17 of the second half-mold 1b perfectly matched shapes that complement the external surface of the spindle 23, perfect reaction of the forces over the entire height of the mold is guaranteed, with lower pressures on the contact surfaces. It is then possible to produce parts that are less massive and therefore less heavy, which therefore have lower inertias; what is more, the angular excursion of the moving part 19 between the locked and unlocked positions is small, and the shorter travel of this part, which manifests itself in a shorter transit time, contributes to permitting an increase in operating rates. To control the movement of the moving part 19 it is possible, as illustrated in FIG. 3, to provide at the base of the moving part an extension 24 thereof the end of which supports a cam follower roller 25 that idles freely. Since the mold 1 belongs to a molding device of the carousel type, the roller 25, as the device rotates, may come into contact with a guide cam (not shown) mounted fixedly and laterally with respect to the rotating part. It is thus possible selectively to control the movement of the moving part 19. To simplify the set-up of these control means, it is possible to envisage for them to comprise a spring 26 associated with the extension 24 of the moving part 19 and able to return the latter to a position knocked down toward the mold: thus, the moving part 19 is kept in a position such that, as the two half-molds approach one another, the moving part 19 engages on the first lock element 15 automatically: locking is therefore obtained automatically and ensured. The interaction between the follower roller 25 and the guide cam then occurs only to bring about the disengagement of the moving part 19 from the first lock element 15 with a view to opening the mold. In the examples illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the first lock element 15 is shown as forming an integral part of the first half-mold 1a, particularly as forming an integral part of the first shell-holder 5a. It is of course possible, as a variant, to envisage for the first lock element 15 to belong to the part attached to the first half-mold, for example in the form of a plate 27 bolted to the first half-mold 1a, particularly the first shell-holder 5a, as illustrated in FIG. 4 (which FIG. 4 illustrates, in section, another configuration of hinged mold with semi-rectangular shell-holders 5a, 5b—the shells not being shown in order to make the drawing easier to understand). Likewise, the transverse flange 17 too may belong to a part attached to the second half-mold 1b or the second shell-holder 5b, for example in the form of a plate 28 bolted to the second half-mold 1b or to the second shell-holder 5b, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The arrangements proposed with reference to FIG. 4 allow the structure and therefore the manufacture of the first and/or second half-mold or of the first and/or second shell-holder to be simplified. Furthermore, it is possible to make one and/or the other of the lock elements 15, 16 from different metals from the corresponding half-mold or shell-holder, particularly when these are aluminum castings (it then being possible for the lock elements to be made of steel). To retain the spindle 23, provision may be made for the second half-mold 1b or the second shell-holder 5b, or alternatively still, said plate 28, to comprise a small number of hollowed-out projecting devises 29 through which the spindle 23 passes. Advantageously, just two devises 29 may be provided, these being located near the respective ends of the spindle 23 (the bottom clevis 29 is visible in FIG. 4). Likewise, the lower and upper parts of the moving part 19 are arranged like a devise 30 accommodating the ends of the spindle 23. Because the forces are reacted transversely by the bearing parts on either side of the spindle 23, the devises 29, 30 do not have to transmit any force and their sole function is to retain the spindle outside of the blowing periods: the spindle does not therefore have to be fitted with excessively close tolerances and the clevises can be sized as small as possible in order to leave the spindle clear over a maximum height so as to increase the bearing length. This bearing length can be increased still further by arranging the upper and lower ends of the spindle 23 in cups provided on the moving part 19. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the lower part 30 of the moving part 19 may be positioned under the lower face of the plate 28 so that the clevis 29 lies flush with this lower face. This lower part 30 is hollowed out to form a cup 31 accommodating the lower end of the spindle 23. The upper part 32 of the moving part is bored and the upper end of the spindle 23 passes through it. It may possibly be capped by a cover plate 33 protecting the end of the spindle. FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate an embodiment variant that is highly advantageous because it allows locking to be confirmed. The arrangement is identical to the one illustrated in FIG. 2 except that the spindle 23 is an eccentric pivoting spindle. In the unlocked position illustrated in FIG. 6A, the spindle 23 is oriented angularly with its smallest-radius portion in contact with the groove 21 of the moving part 19. Next, the moving part 19 is pivoted about the spindle 23 to engage in the hook-shaped lock element 15 in order to lock the two half-molds 1a, 1b in the closed position (FIG. 6B). Finally, the spindle 23 is rotated on itself so that the radius of the portion engaged in the groove 21 increases, and this has the effect of pushing the moving part 19 to the right (in FIG. 6C) and therefore of forcing the second lock element 16 against the first lock element 15 of the first half-mold 1a. Simple confirmation of the locking is thus obtained. Upon unlocking, rotating the spindle 23 in the opposite direction releases the second lock element 16 from the first lock element 15 which is fixed and the outward pivoting of the moving part 19 can then be performed. The rotation of the spindle 23 may for example be obtained (FIG. 7) by rigidly associating with it, at one of its ends, an arm 34 supporting, at its free end, an idling cam follower roller 35 which is able to collaborate with a guide cam positioned, fixedly, laterally with respect to the rotary part of a molding device of the carousel type. FIG. 7 schematically illustrates in perspective the essential elements of a mold 1 arranged according to the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the mold 1 here being visible over its entire height. By virtue of the arrangements employed in accordance with the invention, the forces to which the shell-holders 5a, 5b are subjected are lower than in the earlier arrangements, particularly because of a lower mass and a lower inertia. This being the case, it is possible, in conjunction with a shorter angular excursion of the moving part 19 of the locking means, to envisage increasing the production rate of the mold. Still with a view to lightening the moving parts and to reducing inertia in order to allow production rates to be increased, it is also possible to envisage forming the first lock element 15 and/or the second lock element 16 in the form of parts extending discontinuously over the entire height of the half-molds 1a, 1b, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, it has been assumed that the two lock elements 15 and 16 were produced in the form of a multiplicity of hooks 38, 39 respectively, discontinuous, positioned facing each other and able to engage in pairs. If the number of these pairs of hooks 38, 39 is high enough, in other words if the spacings 40 between the hooks are not too great (for example it is possible to anticipate spacings 40 having approximately the same height as the hooks 38, 39), then an appreciably uniform reaction of force is obtained, similar to that afforded by continuous hook-type lock elements as illustrated in FIG. 7. To give a concrete example, the number of these hooks 38, 39 may be of the order of about ten distributed over a height of the order of 35 cm (a mold for a 1.5-liter bottle for example). As a variant, it is possible to envisage associating a continuous hook lock element (for example the first lock element 15 which is fixed) and a multiple-hook lock element (particularly the second lock element 16 which is the moving one).

20051215

20080311

20061207

94880.0

B29C4900

DAVIS, ROBERT B

MOULDING DEVICE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CONTAINERS IN THERMOPLASTIC MATERIAL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B29C

ACCEPTED

Mobile terminal device and hand-off method thereof

A mobile terminal that ensures smooth, continuous communications sessions even when in transit, regardless of base station capabilities and functionalities, in a packet-switched data communications network. With this terminal, each of a plurality of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M, when its associated access mechanism is in an active state, can obtain a connection to packet-switched data communications network 150 using its home-address HoA.1 or its care-of-address CoA.BS1. When lower interface 101-a loses its connection obtained using the care-of-address CoA.BS1, multiple access decision unit 104 instructs mobility support unit 102 to set up a binding of the home-address HoA.1 and either one of the home-address HoA.2 and the care-of-address CoA.BS2 of another lower interface 101-b. Mobility support unit 102 sets up the binding according to the instruction from multiple access decision unit 104.

1. A mobile terminal apparatus comprising: a plurality of interfaces, each interface being capable of, when an associated access mechanism thereof is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using one of a home-address which is assigned to said interface in advance and a care-of-address which is assigned to said interface while said interface is in a domain where the home-address is not available; an instructing section that instructs a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface of said plurality of interfaces, said first interface losing a connection obtained through a care-of-address of said first interface, and one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface, of said plurality of interfaces; and a setup section that sets up the binding. 2. A mobile terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said instructing section comprises: a detecting section that detects the loss of the connection obtained through the care-of-address of said first interface; a searching section that, when the loss of the connection of said first interface is detected, searches for at least one interface whose associated access mechanism is in an active state from among said plurality of interfaces; a selecting section selects, based on a predetermined criterion, said second interface from among said at least one interface that has been searched; a deciding section that decides whether or not the selected second interface is present in a domain where the home-address of said second interface is available; and a determining section that determines the home-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, and that determines the care-of-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is not present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, based on a result of the decision by said deciding section. 3. A mobile terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: each of said plurality of interfaces predicts a loss of a connection obtained through an assigned care-of-address; and said instructing section comprises: a searching section that, when the loss of the connection of said first interface is predicted by said first interface, searches for at least one interface whose associated access mechanism is in an active state from among said plurality of interfaces; a selecting section that selects, based on a predetermined criterion, said second interface from among said at least one interface that has been searched; a deciding section that decides whether or not said selected second interface is present in a domain where the home-address of said second interface is available; and a determining section that determines the home-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, and that determines the care-of-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is not present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, based on a result of the decision by said deciding section. 4. A mobile terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said instructing section comprises: a detecting section that detects the loss of the connection obtained through the care-of-address of said first interface; a searching section that, when the loss of the connection of said first interface is detected, searches for at least one interface associated with an access mechanism of a different type from an access mechanism associated with said first interface from among said plurality of interfaces; a selecting section that selects, based on a predetermined criterion, said second interface from among said at least one interface that has been searched; an activating section that activates an access mechanism associated with said selected second interface; a deciding section that decides whether or not said selected second interface whose associated access mechanism is activated is present in a domain where the home-address of said second interface is available; and a determining section that determines the home-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, and that determines the care-of-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is not present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, based on a result of the decision by said deciding section. 5. A mobile terminal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of interfaces predicts a loss of a connection obtained through an assigned care-of-address; and wherein said instructing section comprises: a searching section that, when the loss of the connection of said first interface is predicted by said first interface, searches for at least one interface associated with an access mechanism of a different type from an access mechanism associated with said first interface from among said plurality of interfaces; a selecting section that selects, based on a predetermined criterion, said second interface from among said at least one interface that has been searched; an activating section that activates an access mechanism associated with the selected second interface; a deciding section that decides whether or not said selected second interface whose access mechanism is activated is present in a domain where the home-address of said second interface is available; and a determining section that determines the home-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, and determines the care-of-address of said second interface is bound to the home-address of said first interface when said second interface is not present in the domain where the home-address of said second interface is available, based on a result of the decision by said deciding section. 6. A handoff method in a mobile terminal apparatus having a plurality of interfaces, each interface being capable of, when an associated access mechanism thereof is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using one of a home-address which is assigned to said interface in advance and a care-of-address which is assigned to said interface while said interface is in a domain where the home-address is not available, the method comprising: an instructing step for instructing a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, said first interface losing a connection obtained through a care-of-address of said first interface, and one of said plurality of interfaces, and one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of said plurality of interfaces; and a setup step for setting up said binding.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mobile terminal apparatus and a handoff method thereof, and in particular to a mobile terminal apparatus which has a plurality of access mechanisms to a packet-switched data communications network and constantly changes its point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. BACKGROUND ART With the emergence and proliferation of wireless technology, the Internet today has evolved to a stage where numerous data communications end-points are made up of mobile terminals, each roaming through different domains and attaching itself to different points of attachment to a packet-switched data communications network (such as, the Internet) at different points in time. Such roaming provisioning is fairly matured in a circuit-switched communications network, such as the phone system. In a packet-switched communications network, however, supporting such roaming capabilities is difficult. This is because mobile terminals in a packet-switched communications network are reached using unique addresses, and such addresses usually contain portions (usually the prefix) that must be valid in a spatial topology. Also, it is desirable for mobile terminals to continue being reached at the same address after a plurality of change of point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. This allows seamless continuation of sessions (such as file transfer) across different points of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. To support such roaming capabilities, the industry has developed solutions for mobility support in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). In mobile IP, each mobile node (i.e. mobile terminal) has a permanent home domain (i.e. a home network). When the mobile node is attached to its home network, it is assigned a permanent global address, known as a home-address. When the mobile node is away (that is, attached to some other foreign networks), it is usually assigned a temporary global address, known as a care-of-address. The idea of mobility support is that the mobile node can be reached at the home-address even when the mobile node is attached to other foreign networks, so that other nodes in the packet-switched data communications network need only identify the mobile node by the mobile node's home-address. Mobile nodes register their care-of-addresses with home agents using messages known as Binding Updates. The home agent is responsible for intercepting messages that are addressed to the mobile node's home-address, and forwarding the packet to the mobile node's care-of-address using IP-in-IP tunneling. IP-in-IP tunneling involves encapsulating an original IP packet in another IP packet. Such a binding between home-addresses and care-of-addresses, made known at the home agent of the mobile node, allows the mobile node to be reached no matter where the mobile node is. However, there exist a time when the mobile node has left a previous point of attachment and yet to set up a new binding between its home-address and new care-of-address (or even have not yet received a new care-of-address). During this time, no packet can be delivered to the mobile node. In a conventional art, a method is disclosed to allow fast handoff between two base stations (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,413 B1 (October 2002)). In the disclosed method, when a mobile node roams to a new network, it issues a reassociation request to a base station A. In response to the reassociation request, the base station A finds the IP address of another base station B via a communications mechanism of mobile IP of IP layer, and then sends a handoff request frame to the base station B. In turn, upon receiving the handoff request, the base station B deletes the record of the mobile node in an association table, and then sends an handoff response frame back to the base station A via the communications mechanism of mobile IP. Then, a unicast handoff response frame will be forwarded to the base station A, and consequently the base station A can complete the handoff procedures. In the above-described conventional method, however, the fast handoff requires base stations to actively participate, adding burden to the base stations' processing loads. Furthermore, the fast handoff procedures depend on the base stations capabilities (or offered functionalities). This makes the deployment of such method more complex, and often more expensive. Existing solutions such as the above-described conventional method for supporting mobility in a packet-switched data communications network is inadequate in ensuring that a mobile terminal has a smooth, continuous communications session when in transit, because, although the method enables fast handoff between base stations, it still requires additions to base station functionalities. Not only does this increase the processing burden of the base station, it also requires special efforts to ensure compatibility between base stations from different vendors and service providers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal apparatus and handoff method thereof which are capable of achieving smooth, continuous communications sessions even when in transit, regardless of base station capabilities and functionalities, in a packet-switched data communications network. A mobile terminal apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has: a plurality of interfaces each of which is capable of, when its associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using either one of its home-address which is assigned in advance and its care-of-address which is assigned during its presence in a domain where its home-address is not available; an instructing section that instructs a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, which loses a connection obtained using a care-of-address of said first interface, of said plurality of interfaces, and either one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of said plurality of interfaces, and a setup section that sets up said binding. A handoff method according to another aspect of the present invention in a mobile terminal apparatus having a plurality of interfaces each of which is capable of, when its associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using either one of its home-address which is assigned in advance and its care-of-address which is assigned during its presence in a domain where its home-address is not available, includes: an instructing step for instructing a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, which loses a connection obtained using a care-of-address of said first interface, of said plurality of interfaces, and either one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of said plurality of interfaces; and a setup step for setting up said binding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an example of operations in the entirety of the packet-switched data communications network to which the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is attached; FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a timeline of a lower interface being handoff between base stations in Embodiment 2; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a timeline of a lower interface being handoff between base stations in Embodiment 4. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The essence of the present invention is to instruct a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, which loses a connection obtained through its care-of-address, of a plurality of interfaces each of which is capable of, when its associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining an access to a network using one of its home-address which is assigned in advance and its care-of-address which is assigned during its presence in a domain where its home-address is not available, and one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of the plurality of interfaces, and to set up the binding. A method for achieving seamless handoff in a mobile terminal roaming in a packet-switched data communications network is disclosed in this document. To help understand the disclosed invention, the following definitions are used: (a) A “packet” is a self-contained unit of data of any possible format that could be delivered on a data network. A “packet” normally consists of two portions: a “header” portion and a “payload” portion. The “payload” portion contains data that are to be delivered, and the “header” portion contains information to aid the delivery of the packet. A “header” must have a source address and a destination address to respectively identify the sender and recipient of the “packet.” (b) A “packet tunneling” refers to a self-contained packet being encapsulated into another packet. The act of “packet tunneling” is also referred to as “encapsulation” of packets. The packet that is being encapsulated is referred to as the “tunneled packet” or “inner packet.” The packet that encapsulates the “inner packet” is referred to as the “tunneling packet” or “outer packet.” Here, the entire “inner packet” forms the payload portion of the “outer packet.” (c) A “mobile node” is a network element that changes its point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. It is used to refer to an end-user communications terminal that can change its point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. In this specification, the terms “mobile node” and “mobile terminal” will be used interchangeably unless explicitly stated otherwise. (d) A “home-address” is a primary global address assigned to a mobile terminal that can be used to reach the mobile terminal regardless of where on the packet-switched data communications network the mobile terminal is currently attached to. (e) A mobile terminal that is attached to the packet-switched data communications network where its home-address is topologically compatible with the addresses used in the vicinity of the point of attachment is referred to as “at home.” The vicinity of this point of attachment that is controlled by a single administrative authority is referred to as the “home domain” of the mobile terminal. (f) A mobile terminal that is attached to the packet-switched data communications network at a point where the home-address of the said mobile terminal is topologically incompatible with the addresses used in the vicinity of that point of attachment is referred to as being “away,” and the vicinity of this point of attachment is referred to as the “foreign domain.” (g) A “care-of-address” is a temporary global address assigned to a mobile terminal that is away such that the assigned “care-of-address” is topologically compatible with the addresses used in the vicinity of the mobile node's point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. (h) A “home agent” is a network entity that resides at the home domain of a mobile terminal that performs registration services of care-of-addresses of the mobile terminal when it is away, and to forward packets addressed to the home-address of the mobile terminal to the care-of-address of the mobile node. (i) A “binding update” is a message sent from a mobile terminal to its home agent, or to some other nodes on the packet-switched data communications network the mobile terminal is communicating to, that informs the recipient the current care-of-address of the sender. This forms a “binding” between the care-of-address and the home-address of the mobile terminal at the recipient. In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific numbers, times, structures, and other parameters are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. EMBODIMENT 1 FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Mobile terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1 has M number (M is an integer greater than or equal to 2) of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M, mobility support unit (MSU) 102, upper layer unit 103, and multiple access decision unit (MADU) 104. When reference is made to any one or more of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M, the lower interface(s) will be hereinafter referred to as “lower interface 101.” The different access mechanisms available in the mobile terminal are abstracted into lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M. Lower interface 101 is a collective block to refer to: physical network interface hardware; software controlling the hardware; and protocols that govern the communications through such hardware. For example, under the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) open systems interconnection (OSI) model, lower interface 101 will include all protocols relating to the physical and data link layers. As is described previously, the present invention targets mobile terminals with multiple access mechanisms. Generally, such mobile terminals normally consist of a plurality of lower interfaces. Note that it may be possible for a single piece of physical hardware to provide two (or more) different access mechanisms. Such configurations will still be depicted as having multiple lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M), where each of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M encapsulates the functionalities required for each access mechanism. Lower interface 101 is said to be active if the associated access mechanism has an active link with a base station. Similarly, the functional block upper layer unit 103 refers to all upper layer protocols and applications that transmit and receive data packets via mobility support unit 102 and lower interfaces 101. Using the ISO's OSI model as an example again, upper layer unit 103 includes the application, presentation, session, and transport layers. MSU 102 is the core of mobile terminal 100 in its packet-switched data communications operations, as it handles the reception of packets, transmission of packets and determining the route of packets. This is equivalent to the Network layer in ISO's OSI model, or in an Internet Protocol (IP) environment, the IP layer. MSU 102 also contains the logic to handle the mobility of mobile terminal 100 with respect to the packet-switched data communications network. Specifically, MSU 102 also handles the generation or attainment of new temporary global address (i.e. care-of-address) when mobile terminal 100 attaches to a new base station, and is responsible to send binding updates to the home agent of mobile terminal 100 to register the binding between the home-address and care-of-address of mobile terminal 100. Note that in this specification, a home-address and a care-of-address are tied to lower interface 101 instead of mobile terminal 100. This is consistent with most packet-switched data communications network, such as the Internet Protocol, where addresses are tied to the network interface instead of the network node. Such a distinction is also general in the sense that it covers cases where all lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M of mobile terminal 100 share the same home-address. Since addresses are tied to lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M, the concept of home domain and foreign domain also relates to lower interface 101. That is, lower interface 101 is at home if its home-address is topologically compatible with its point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network, and lower interface 101 is in a foreign domain if its home-address is topologically incompatible with its point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. MADU 104 is the core of the invention. As will be clear in descriptions later, MADU 104 is responsible to dynamically modify the bindings between care-of-addresses and home-addresses of mobile terminal 100 and to make decision to activate or deactivate any or all of the lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M. Also, MADU 104 knows which lower interface 101 is associated with which type of access mechanism in advance. Each path between lower interface 101 and MSU 102 which is assigned reference numeral 110, and the path between MSU 102 and upper layer unit 103 which is assigned reference numeral 111 are the data paths used to transfer packets from one unit to another. Each signal path used to control lower interface 101 is assigned reference numeral 112. Each signal path used to notify MADU 104 new conditions in lower interface 101 is assigned reference numeral 113. A signal path used to control MSU 102 is assigned reference numeral 114. A signal path used to notify MADU (104) of new conditions in MSU 102 is assigned reference numeral 115. Under normal operations, mobile terminal 100 will have one or more lower interfaces 101 active. For each lower interface 101 that is active, mobile terminal 100 will have a care-of-address bound to a home-address. Such a binding may have already been sent to the home agent of mobile terminal 100, and any other network nodes that is communicating with mobile terminal 100. This is depicted in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an example of operations in the entirety of the packet-switched data communications network to which the mobile terminal according to the present embodiment is attached. In this example, mobile terminal 100 has two points of attachment to packet-switched data communications network 150: one via base station 151 using access mechanism 161 through lower interface 101-a, and the other via base station 152 using access mechanism 162 through lower interface 101-b. The figure assumes that lower interface 101-a has a permanent global address (i.e. home-address) of HoA.1 with associated home agent 171. The care-of-address assigned to lower interface 101-a is CoA.BS1, which is topologically valid in the domain of base station 151. In addition, lower interface 101-b has a permanent home-address of HoA.2 with associated home agent 172. The care-of-address assigned to lower interface 101-b is CoA.BS2, which is topologically valid in the domain of base station 152. With these associations, a packet sent to mobile terminal 100 at the address HoA.1 would be intercepted by the home agent 171. Home agent 171 would then forward this packet to the care-of-address CoA.BS1 using packet tunneling. Since an outer packet is addressed to CoA.BS1, the above packet will be routed to mobile terminal 100 via base station 151. Similarly, a packet sent to mobile terminal 100 at the address HoA.2 would be intercepted by the home agent 172. Home agent 172 would then forward this packet to the care-of-address CoA.BS2 using packet tunneling. Since the outer packet is addressed to CoA.BS2, it will be routed to the mobile terminal 100 via base station 152. Note that in FIG. 2 (and the above descriptions), two home agents are illustrated for generality. It should be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that the concept can be extended to any number of lower interfaces and any number of home agents, where the two numbers are independent. In fact, for the illustrations in FIG. 2, home agent 171 and home agent 172 can be the same entity. It should also be noted that home agents are not the only entities that can receive binding updates. The bindings between home-addresses and care-of-addresses can also be made known to other network nodes that communicate with the mobile terminal. For instance, in mobile IPv6, mobile nodes can perform so-called route optimization with the nodes with which the mobile nodes are communicating (called “corresponding nodes”). In route optimization, the mobile nodes send binding updates to the corresponding nodes so that the corresponding nodes can insert special indications in packets to forward the packets to the care-of-addresses of the mobile nodes (instead of going through the home agents). It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that the disclosed invention applies equally, without any loss of functionality, to cases where the mobile terminal sends binding updates to these correspondent nodes. As mobile terminal 100 moves, one of the access links may get out of range and thus be broken. For illustration purposes, a case will be assumed where the link between lower interface 101-a and base station 151 is broken. Hereinafter, a lower interface that is downed such as lower interface 101-a will be referred to as a downed lower interface. When MADU 104 detects this from one of the signal paths 113, 115, it will attempt to reassociate the home-address HoA.1. If reassociation is not done, packets sent to mobile terminal 100 at the destination address HoA.1 will not be delivered, since the tunneling packet cannot reach mobile terminal 100 at CoA.BS1. To reassociate the home-address of the downed lower interface, that is, HoA.1, MADU 104 follows the algorithm depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operations in MADU 104. As stated above, MADU 104 detects the downed lower interface 101-a, in step 1000, Then in step 2000, MADU 104 first scans through lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M to search for one or more lower interfaces 101 that are active. MADU 104 has control over M number of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M. These lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M obtain and maintain connectivity with the respective access networks independently, and generate Interface_State_Message including: Interface_State (a flag to indicate if lower interface 101 has an association with the access network); Interface_AA (a flag to indicate if the association with the access network requires authentication and/or authorization from lower interface 101 or users information are required); and AA_State (a flag to indicate if the authentication and/or authorization between lower interface 101 and the access network is performed only if authentication and/or authorization are required). An active indicator in the Interface_State field of the Interface_State_Message for lower interface 101 indicates that the interface may have successfully gone through the appropriate lower interface authentication and authorizations as required by the mobile terminal user's profile or as required by the access networks. An implementation of the Interface_State_Message is as follows: Interface_State_Message { Interface_State; /*”1” indicate active, “0” indicate otherwise */ Interface_AA; /*”1” indicate Authentication and/or Authorization required for full lower interface to access network association, “0” indicates Authentication and/or Authorization is not required for full lower interface to access network association. **/ AA_State; /*”1” indicate Authentication and Authorization process completed, “0” indicate otherwise. */ } The message may be generated independently of or in response to a request from MADU. Note that the use of 0s and 1s are by no means limiting. It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that any other values can be used to represent the same meaning. In step 3000, from the list of active lower interfaces 101, MADU 104 selects an active lower interface 101 for use. Assume the active lower interface selected here is lower interface 101-b. This selection can be random, or based on a certain priority. Such a priority may be established based on one of the following evaluation criteria: (i) Cost of the access mechanism (certain access mechanism may be more expensive than others—for example, satellite link versus IEEE 802.11). Lower interface 101 that offers the cheapest access is selected; (ii) Power consumption of the access mechanism (certain access mechanism may consume more power than others—for example, satellite link versus IEEE 802.11). Lower interface 101 that offers the lowest power consumption is selected; (iii) Bandwidth/speed of the access mechanism. Lower interface 101 that offers the highest bit-rate or fastest access is selected; (iv) Availability of the access mechanism. Lower interface 101 that is expected to remain active for the longest amount of time given the current movement patterns of mobile terminal 100 is selected; or (v) Weighted combination (sum) of the above criteria. Weights may be zero, positive or negative, and lower interface 101 that offers the largest sum is selected. Once active lower interface 101-b is selected, MADU 104 next checks if the selected lower interface 101-b is in its home domain or foreign domain, in step 4000. As a result of the check, if the selected lower interface 101-b is at home, MADU 104 instructs MSU 102 to set up a binding of the home-address of the downed lower interface 101-a with the home-address of the selected lower interface 101-b as the care-of-address, in step 5000. On the other hand, if the selected lower interface 101-b is in a foreign domain, MADU 104 instructs MSU 102 to set up a binding of the home-address of the downed lower interface 101-a with the care-of-address of the selected lower interface 101-b as the care-of-address, in step 6000. MADU 104 will need to set some internal state to reflect that the downed lower interface 101-a is in a state where the care-of-address is “borrowed” from another lower interface 101-b. In other words, after the internal state is updated, the downed lower interface is marked as having “borrowed” a care-of-address. In addition, MADU 104 will also need to remember from which lower interface 101 the downed lower interface 101-a “borrowed” the care-of-address. In this case, since lower interface 101-b is in a foreign domain, MADU 104 will instruct MSU 102 to set up a binding between CoA.BS2 and HoA.1. This will cause packets sent to HoA.1 to be tunneled to mobile terminal 100 via access link established by access mechanism 162 between lower interface 101-b and base station 152. The new address bindings will be in effect until such a time when the downed lower interface 101-a reestablishes access link to Base Station 151 or some other new base station. More specifically, in step 7000, the downed lower interface 101-a reestablishes a new access. When this happens, MADU 104 will instruct MSU 102 to use the new care-of-address obtained from the base station (original or new) for the binding of the home-address of the downed lower interface, that is, HoA.1, in step 8000. In addition, MADU 104 will remove any state variable associated with the (previously) downed lower interface 101-a, so that the lower interface 101-a is no longer marked as having “borrowed” a care-of-address. It is possible that before the downed lower interface 101-a can be reassociated to some base station, lower interface 101-b from which it “borrowed” its care-of-address may be downed. Thus when lower interface 101 is down, MADU 104 scans through its internal states (state variables) to see which lower interfaces 101 have “borrowed” their care-of-addresses from the downed lower interface 101. Any lower interfaces 101 that have “borrowed” are treated as going down too, and the algorithm that is described in FIG. 3 must be carried out for every one of them, including the newly downed lower interface 101. Thus, according to the present embodiment, mobile terminal 100 and a method thereof are provided that can recover from link failure to a base station, by having access-losing interface 101-a temporarily borrow an address used by another interface 101-b associated with an active access mechanism. Therefore, mobile terminal 100 with a plurality of access mechanisms can achieve seamless handoff between base stations independently of control by base stations, as mobile terminal 100 changes its point of attachment to a packet-switched data communications network. EMBODIMENT 2 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Mobile terminal 200 shown in FIG. 4 has a basic architecture similar to that of the mobile terminal explained in Embodiment 1, and therefore the elements of mobile terminal 200 that are identical to those of mobile terminal 100 will be given identical reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Mobile terminal 200 has M number of lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M and MADU 202 instead of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M and MADU 104 of mobile terminal 100. Hereinafter, when reference is made to any one or more of lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M, the lower interface(s) will be referred to as “lower interface 201.” As a technical feature explained in the present embodiment, in mobile terminal 200, lower interface 201 uses prediction techniques to indicate to MADU 202 that it may go down in a short period of time. Therefore, there is no need to wait for lower interface 201 to go down before kicking MADU 202 into action, as explained in Embodiment 1. Lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M conduct the above-described prediction, which can be based on the following methods: (i) Measuring the power of the signal from the base station. Weaker signals suggest greater distance between the mobile terminal and the base station; (ii) Measuring the velocity of mobile terminal 200; (iii) Comparing the current location of mobile terminal 200 and known locations of base stations (using, for example, Global Positioning System); or (iv) Combination of the above methods. Then, based on a result of the prediction, lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M generates Interface_Release_Indicator_Message including: Release_Indicator (a flag to indicate if the lower interface is ready to be fully disassociated from the access network); and Release_Time (access network disassociation time measured after the message is generated by the lower interface), as follows: Interface_Release_Indicator_Message{ Release_Indicator; /*”1” to indicate Interface is releasing connectivity with the access network previously associated with.”0” indicate Interface is not releasing connectivity */ Release_Time; /* Unit of time a full dissociation will occur after the message is sent out from the lower interface */ } After a successful disassociation, lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M are responsible for updating parameter/s necessary for generating the Interface_State field of the Interface_State_Message. The Interface_State field needs to reset to “0” in response to subsequent generation of the Interface_State_Message. Note that this message may be generated independently of or in response to a request from MADU 202, and that the use of 0s and 1s is by no means limiting. It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that any other values can be used to represent the same meaning. The other features of lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M are the same as those of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M explained in Embodiment 1. When MADU 202 receives such Interface_Release_Indicator_Message via signal path 113 generated by lower interface 201, which indicates that lower interface 201 is about to be disconnected, then MADU 202 takes steps to reassociate the home-address of lower interface 201 that is sending the Interface_Release_Indicator_Message (hereafter referred to as the “hinting lower interface”) in advance. The other features of MADU 202 are the same as those of MADU 104 explained in Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the steps taken by MADU 202 are similar to those depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operations in MADU 202. In step 1500, MADU 202 receives Interface_Release_Indicator_Message as a hint of handoff from the hinting lower interface, for example, lower interface 201-a (equivalent to lower interface 101-a). Then, MADU 202 proceeds to step 2000, and the operations of steps 2000 to 4000 will be performed as explained in Embodiment 1. As a result of the check in step 4000, if the selected lower interface, for example, lower interface 201-b (equivalent to lower interface 101-b) is at home, MADU 202 instructs MSU 102 to set up a binding of the home-address of the hinting lower interface 201-a with the home-address of the selected lower interface 201-b as the care-of-address, in step 5500. On the other hand, if the selected lower interface 201-b is in a foreign domain, MADU 202 instructs MSU 102 to set up a binding of the home-address of the hinting lower interface 201-a with the care-of-address of the selected lower interface 201-b as the care-of-address, in step 6500. Similar to the case in Embodiment 1 for a downed lower interface, MADU 202 will need to set some internal state to reflect that the hinting lower interface 201-a is in a state where the care-of-address is “borrowed” from another lower interface 201-b. In addition, MADU 202 will also need to remember from which lower interface 201 the hinting lower interface 201-a “borrowed” the care-of-address. Doing so allows MADU 202 to take appropriate actions when one lower interface 201 having its address borrowed by another lower interface 201 goes down or gives notifications of a predicted loss of connectivity. When this happens, MADU 202 scans through its internal states to see which lower interfaces 201 have “borrowed” their care-of-addresses from lower interface 201 that has gone down (or given notification on a predicted loss of connectivity). Any lower interfaces 201 that have “borrowed” are treated as going down too, and the algorithm that is described in FIG. 4 must be carried out for every one of them. The new address binding will be in effect until such a time when the hinting lower interface 201-a reestablishes a new access link, in step 7500. In the present embodiment, the hinting lower interface 201-a may reestablish a new access link after going down or without going down. Then, MADU 202 will instruct MSU 102 to use the new care-of-address obtained from the base station (original or new) for the binding of the home-address of the hinting lower interface, that is, HoA.1, in step 8500. In addition, MADU 202 will remove any state variable associated with the hinting lower interface 201-a, so that the lower interface 201-a is no longer marked as having “borrowed” a care-of-address. According to the present embodiment, handoff prediction is performed. Performing such handoff prediction is advantageous because although a new address binding is established, the actual physical link between lower interface 201 and the base station is still up. Thus any packet that is already in transit can still reach mobile terminal 200 at the previous care-of-address. This allows for seamless handoff between two base stations. As an illustration, FIG. 6 shows the timeline of lower interface 201-a being handed off from an old base station, for example, base station (BS) 151, to a new base station, for example, base station (BS) 152. In time period 210, the link between lower interface 201-a and BS151 is active, and the home-address of lower interface 201-a, HoA.1, is bound to the care-of-address, CoA.BS1, which is topologically compatible to the domain of BS151. At time 211, lower interface 201-a detects that it is moving away from BS151, and alerts MADU 202. MADU 202 then follows the algorithm as above-explained with FIG. 5, and selects the care-of-address, CoA.2, of alternative lower interface 201. This address is then bound to the home-address HoA.1 by sending to other nodes (for example, the home-agent of mobile terminal 200) binding update messages conveying this new binding. Thus in time period 212, lower interface 201-a will start using the new (temporary) care-of-address of CoA.2. Note that in this time period 212, lower interface 201-a can still be reached by BS151, and thus any packets sent to mobile terminal 200 addressed to CoA.BS1 will still be able to be delivered to mobile terminal 200. At time 213, mobile terminal 200 has moved so far away from BS151 such that the link between BS151 and lower interface 201-a is down. Hence, in time period 214, lower interface 201-a can no longer receive packets that are still addressed to CoA.BS1. Finally, at the time 215, lower interface 201-a is associated with a new base station, that is, BS152. Lower interface 201-a is then assigned a new care-of-address CoA.BS2, that is topologically compatible within the domain of BS152. Hence in time period 216, the home-address HoA.1 is bound to the care-of-address CoA.BS2. Note that as long as lower interface 201 from which CoA.2 is “borrowed” is active, packets addressed to CoA.2 can still be received by mobile terminal 200. As is evident from the above description, the present embodiment allows mobile terminal 200 to be reached at all times by its home-address(es), provided that at least one lower interface is active at any given time. The present embodiment also solves the problem that packets that are forwarded to a previous care-of-address after a handoff cannot be received, without requiring special operations of the base station. On careful inspection of the timeline illustrated in FIG. 6, there is a slight possibility that a packet forwarded to mobile terminal 200 at the care-of-address CoA.BS1 may not reach mobile terminal 200. This will happen if the packet arrives at BS151 after lower interface 201-a is disconnected from BS151 (i.e. after time 213). To avoid this, the length of time period 212 (i.e. the time length t_pred) must be long enough so that the packet sent by all other nodes, which still think the home-address HoA.1 is bound to the care-of-address CoA.BS1, have been delivered before time 213. Note that this has two parts to it: first, the sending node may in fact know the binding of HoA.1 and CoA.BS1; and second, the sending node sends the packet to HoA.1, and the home agent for lower interface 201-a tunnels the packet to CoA.BS1. Hence, the time length t_pred must be long enough so that the binding update message containing the new binding of HoA.1 and CoA.2 has sufficient time to reach all nodes that know the binding of HoA.1 and CoA.BS1, plus the additional transit time for any packets sent by these nodes to reach BS151. Mathematically, to ensure a truly seamless handoff, the time length t_pred meets the conditions of the following equation (Eq 1): t—pred>=t—bu+t—pkt (Eq 1) where: t_pred is the time after lower interface 201-a predicts a break in connection and the time when the break in connection really occurs; t_bu is the mean time binding update messages sent by mobile terminal 200 take to reach their intended recipients; and t_pkt is the mean time packets sent by any other nodes take to reach mobile terminal 200. Note that doing so can only minimize loss of packets due to handoff, since in a typical packet-switched data communications network (such as IP or IPv6) the transit time of a packet is unbounded. Normally, t_bu and t_pkt are difficult to estimate. Thus often practiced in the field is to estimate their sum, also known as the round trip time, t_rtt, which gives the mean time packets take to travel from mobile terminal 200 to another node and return. Thus the above (Eq 1) becomes the following equation (Eq 2): t—pred>=t—rtt (Eq 2) Accordingly, such apparatus as mobile terminal 200 that employs handoff prediction can borrow a temporary address in advance, thus achieving a truly seamless handoff, without requiring special considerations on the operations of the base stations. EMBODIMENT 3 FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Mobile terminal 300 shown in FIG. 7 has a basic architecture similar to that of mobile terminal explained in Embodiment 1, and therefore the elements of mobile terminal 300 that are identical to those of mobile terminal 100 will be given identical reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Mobile terminal 300 has M number of lower interfaces 301-1 to 301-M and MADU 302 instead of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M and MADU 104 of mobile terminal 100. Hereinafter, when reference is made to one or more of lower interfaces 301-1 to 301-M, the lower interface(s) will be referred to as “lower interface 301.” The above-described embodiments disclosed methods whereby mobile terminals 100 and 200 can achieve seamless hand off with a plurality of active access links. In addition, in the present embodiment, it can be extended so that mobile terminal 300 needs only to have one access mechanism active at any given time under normal circumstances. Only when the active access mechanism loses its connection to the base station, then MADU 302 is kicked in to activate an alternative access mechanism. This kind of “on-demand” activation is especially useful when a mobile terminal has two different types of access mechanisms: one that is cheap (or fast) but provides only short range access (e.g. IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth) and one that is expensive (or slow) but provides long range access (for example, GPRS or satellite link). Under normal situation, mobile terminal 300 will want to use the cheaper (or faster) access mechanism as the primary access method. However, when mobile terminal 300 goes out of range, it can then fire up the more expensive (or slower) access mechanism to maintain connectivity, until mobile terminal 300 reaches a new operation area of the primary access mechanism. Accordingly, lower interfaces 301-1 to 301-M are associated with different types of access mechanisms. Any other features of lower interfaces 301-1 to 301-M are the same as lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M of mobile terminal 100. Also, as stated above, MADU 302 activates and deactivates an alternative access mechanism when it learns that an access mechanism loses its connection to the base station. Any other features of MADU 302 are the same as MADU 104 of mobile terminal 100. Next, the operations in MADU 302 of mobile terminal 300 having the above architecture will be explained using FIG. 8. MADU 302 follows the algorithm depicted in FIG. 8. After detecting in step 1000 a downed lower interface, for example lower interface 301-a (equivalent to lower interface 110-a), MADU 302 scans through lower interfaces 301-1 to 301-M to search for one or more lower interfaces 301 associated with an alternative access mechanism of a different type from the access mechanism associated with the downed lower interface 301-a, in step 2500. Such lower interfaces will be referred to as “alternative lower interfaces” hereinafter. Then, in step 3500, MADU 302 selects one of alternative lower interfaces 301, for example, lower interface 301-b (equivalent to lower interface 101-b), based on the same selecting method as explained in Embodiment 1. It then activates the selected alternative lower interface 301-b (i.e. the access mechanism of the selected alternative lower interface 301-b), in step 3600. This includes waiting for the selected alternative lower interface 301-b to power up, associate with a base station, and set up a care-of-address, if necessary. Once the selected alternative lower interface 301-b becomes active, MADU 302 proceeds to step 4000. Then, the operations in steps 4000 to 8000 will be performed. These steps are identical to those found in FIG. 3 and are explained in Embodiment 1. Thus, according to the present embodiment, mobile terminal 300 and a method thereof are provided that can activate an alternative access mechanism on demand to ensure that a temporary address can be used. Deployment of the technology described in the present embodiment can typically be found in an internet protocol (IP) environment. Here a mobile terminal, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), may have two different access interfaces: one that is slower but has longer range using GPRS (General Packet Radio Service); and the other one that is faster but has shorter range using the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11b standard. The mobile terminal can subscribe to a single internet service provider (ISP) and use both mechanisms. In this case, the ISP is most likely to provide a single home agent to manage both access interfaces. Alternatively, the mobile terminal can subscribe to separate ISP's for different access interfaces. In this case, each ISP will provide one home agent to manage each access interface. Using the method described in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal can use 802.11b to access the Internet while in the operating range of an 802.11b access point, which can be found in hotspots that are gaining popularity. When the mobile terminal moves out of the range, the longer range GPRS can be used to provide temporary access to the Internet, until the mobile terminal moves within the range of another 802.11b access point. Note that it is immaterial to the present invention if a single ISP (therefore a single home agent) or multiple ISP's (thus a plurality of home agents) are involved. Thus, the technology disclosed in the present embodiment will work seamlessly. Also, the mobile terminal can employ route optimization techniques to send binding updates to nodes other than its home agent(s). The method of the present embodiment will allow the mobile terminal to maintain session continuity across successive handoffs as long as the mobile terminal made known the bindings of addresses to every node that is necessary. EMBODIMENT 4 FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Mobile terminal 400 shown in FIG. 9 has a basic architecture similar to that of mobile terminal explained in Embodiment 1, and therefore the elements of mobile terminal 400 that are identical to those of mobile terminal 100 will be given identical reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Mobile terminal 400 has M number of lower interfaces 401-1 to 401-M and MADU 402, instead of lower interfaces 101-1 to 101-M and MADU 104 of mobile terminal 100. Hereinafter, when reference is made to one or more of lower interfaces 401-1 to 401-M, the lower interface(s) will be referred to as “lower interface 401.” For better understanding of the present embodiment, the technical feature in the present embodiment is a combination of the prediction techniques explained in Embodiment 2 and the “on-demand” activation techniques explained in Embodiment 3. It is possible to further enhance the effects provided by the apparatus and method explained in Embodiment 3 with the prediction techniques described earlier. Accordingly, lower interfaces 401-1 to 401-M, like lower interfaces 301-1 to 301-M, are associated with different types of access mechanisms. Also, lower interfaces 401-1 to 401-M, like lower interfaces 201-1 to 201-M, conduct handoff prediction. The other features of lower interfaces 401-1 to 401-M are the same as interfaces 101-1 to 101-M explained in Embodiment 1. Like MADU 302, MADU 402 activates and deactivates an alternative access mechanism when it learns that an access mechanism loses its connection to the base station. Also, when MADU 402, like MADU 202, receives Interface_Release_Indicator_Message via signal path 113 generated by lower interface 401, which indicates that lower interface 401 is about to be disconnected, then MADU 402 takes steps to reassociate the home-address of lower interface 401 that is sending the Interface_Release_Indicator_Message (i.e. the hinting lower interface 401) in advance. The other features of MADU 402 are the same as MADU 104 explained in Embodiment 1. Next, the operations in MADU 402 of mobile terminal 400 having the above architecture will be explained using FIG. 10. MADU 402 follows the algorithm depicted in FIG. 10. After step 1500 explained in Embodiment 2, MADU 402 proceeds to step 2500, step 3500, and step 3600 explained in Embodiment 3, then to step 4000 explained in Embodiment 1. Then, step 5500 or step 6500 explained in Embodiment 2 follows, based on the result of the check in step 4000, and then proceeds to step 7500 and step 8500 explained in Embodiment 2. Combining such on-demand activation with handoff prediction brings additional benefits: not only can mobile terminal 400 achieve seamless handoff for its primary lower interface 401, it can also keep its operating cost low (cost is measured in terms of monetary value, delay in transmission or power consumption, depending on the criterion used when the primary access mechanism was selected) by having alternative lower interface 401 in an off mode until it is needed. As an example, the timeline of a lower interface, for example lower interface 401-a (equivalent to lower interface 101-a) being handed off from an old base station, for example BS151, to a new base station, for example BS152, is shown in FIG. 11. In time period 411, the link between lower interface 401-a and BS151 is active, and the home-address of lower interface 401-a, HoA.1, is bound to the care-of-address, CoA.BS1, which is topologically compatible to the domain of BS151. At time 412, lower interface 401-a detects that it is moving away from BS151, and alerts MADU 402. MADU 402 then follows the algorithm depicted in FIG. 10, and selects alternative lower interface 401 to activate. This alternative lower interface 401 is activated at time 413, and is assigned a care-of-address CoA.2. MADU 402 then instructs MSU 102 to set up a binding between HoA.1 and CoA.2 by sending to other nodes (such as the home-agent of mobile terminal 400) binding update messages conveying this new binding. Thus in the time period 414, lower interface 401-a will start using the new (temporary) care-of-address CoA.2. Note that in time period 414, lower interface 401-a can still be reached by BS151, thus any packets sent to mobile terminal 400 addressed to CoA.BS1 will still be able to be delivered to mobile terminal 400. At the time 415, mobile terminal 400 has moved so far away from BS151 that the link between BS151 and lower interface 401-a is down. Hence, in the time period 416, lower interface 401-a can no longer receive packets that are still addressed to CoA.BS1. Subsequently, mobile terminal 400 moves within range of BS152 at the time 417. Lower interface 401-a is then assigned a new care-of-address CoA.BS2, that is topologically compatible within the domain of BS152. Hence in the time period 418, the home-address HoA.1 is bound to the care-of-address CoA.BS2. Note that as long as the alternative lower interface 401, from which CoA.2 is “borrowed,” is active, packets addressed to CoA.2 can be received by mobile terminal 400. Thus, the alternative lower interface 401 is only shut off after some delay, t_delay, at time 419, to allow the delivery of all remaining packets that are forwarded to CoA.2. There are two time lengths that are important to ensure truly seamless handoff, t_pred and t_delay, shown in FIG. 11. The time length t_pred is the time after lower interface 401-a predicts a break in connection until the time when the break in connection really occurs. To minimize loss of packets due to handoff, the time length t_pred must be greater than or equal to the sum of: (i) Time it takes to activate alternative lower interface 401; (ii) Time alternative lower interface 401 takes to set up an address binding if it is in a foreign domain; (iii) Mean time binding update messages take to reach their intended recipients; and (iv) Mean time packets sent by other nodes take to reach mobile terminal 400. Mathematically, this implies the following equation (Eq 3): t—pred>=t_activate+t—bu+t—pkt (Eq 3) where: t_pred is the time after lower interface 401-a predicts a break in connection until the time when the break in connection really occurs; t_activate is the time it takes to activate alternative lower interface 401, including the time alternative lower interface 401 takes to set up an address binding if it is in a foreign domain; t_bu is the mean time binding update messages sent by mobile terminal 400 take to reach their intended recipients; and t_pkt is the mean time packet sent by any other nodes take to reach mobile terminal 400. If the round trip time, t_rtt, is estimated instead of t_bu and t_pkt, the above equation (Eq 2) becomes the following equation (Eq 4): t—pred >=t_activate+t—rtt (Eq 4) The time length t_delay is the delay after the downed lower interface 401-a associates with BS152 before shutting down the alternative lower interface 401. To minimize loss of packets due to handoff, the time length t_delay must be greater than or equal to the sum of the mean time binding update messages take to reach their intended recipients and the mean time packets sent by other nodes take to reach mobile terminal 400. Mathematically, this means the following equation (Eq 5): t_delay>=t—bu+t—pkt (Eq 5) Alternatively, if the round trip time, t_rtt, is used, the above equation (Eq 5) becomes the following equation (Eq 6): t_delay>=t—rtt (Eq 6) Accordingly, such apparatus as mobile terminal 400 that employs handoff prediction can borrow a temporary address in advance, thus achieving a truly seamless handoff, without requiring special considerations on the operations of the base stations. As described above, a mobile terminal apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has: a plurality of interfaces, each interface being capable of, when an associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using one of a home-address which is assigned to the interface in advance and a care-of-address which is assigned to the interface while the interface is in a domain where the home-address is not available; an instructing section that instructs a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface of the plurality of interfaces, the first interface losing a connection obtained through a care-of-address of the first interface, and one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface, of the plurality of interfaces; and a setup section that sets up the binding. With this configuration, an instruction is provided to set up a binding between a home address of a first interface among a plurality of interfaces, the first interface losing a connection obtained through a care-of-address assigned to the first interface, and one of a home address and a care-of-address of a second interface among the same plurality of interfaces, and the binging is thus set up. Even if a mobile terminal moves and its point of attachment to a packet-switched data communications network changes, the mobile terminal is still able to execute high speed handoff procedures using its own resources alone, thereby enabling smooth, continuous communications sessions in the packet-switched data communications network even when in transit, regardless of base station capabilities and functionalities. By changing the access mechanism (for example, access technique), the mobile terminal is able to perform a smooth handoff in high speed handoff procedures, without actively involving base stations. By this means, the mobile terminal is able to completely control the handoff procedures and reduce the amount of processing in the base stations. In addition, since the handoff procedures are performed by the mobile terminal alone and do not depend on base stations' capabilities. In addition, a handoff method according to another aspect of the present invention is for use in a mobile terminal apparatus having a plurality of interfaces, each interface being capable of, when an associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using one of a home-address which is assigned to the interface in advance and a care-of-address which is assigned to the interface while the interface is in a domain where the home-address is not available, includes: an instructing step for instructing a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, the first interface losing a connection obtained through a care-of-address of the first interface, and one of the plurality of interfaces, and one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of the plurality of interfaces; and a setup step for setting up the binding. With this method, an instruction is provided to set up a binding between a home address of a first interface among a plurality of interfaces, the first interface losing a connection obtained through a care-of-address assigned to the first interface, and one of a home address and a care-of-address of a second interface among the same plurality of interfaces, and the binging is thus set up. Even if a mobile terminal moves and its point of attachment to a packet-switched data communications network changes, the mobile terminal is still able to execute high speed handoff procedures using its own resources alone, thereby enabling smooth, continuous communications sessions in the packet-switched data communications network even when in transit, regardless of base station capabilities and functionalities. By changing the access mechanism (for example, access technique), the mobile terminal is able to perform a smooth handoff in high speed handoff procedures, without actively involving base stations. By this means, the mobile terminal is able to completely control the handoff procedures and reduce the amount of processing in the base stations. In addition, since the handoff procedures are performed by the mobile terminal alone and do not depend on base stations' capabilities. The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application No.2003-171295, filed on Jun. 16, 2003, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The mobile terminal apparatus and the handoff method of the present invention have an advantage of enabling smooth, continuous communications sessions even when in transit, regardless of base station capabilities and functionalities, and are useful for constantly changing points of attachment to a packet-switched data communications network.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>With the emergence and proliferation of wireless technology, the Internet today has evolved to a stage where numerous data communications end-points are made up of mobile terminals, each roaming through different domains and attaching itself to different points of attachment to a packet-switched data communications network (such as, the Internet) at different points in time. Such roaming provisioning is fairly matured in a circuit-switched communications network, such as the phone system. In a packet-switched communications network, however, supporting such roaming capabilities is difficult. This is because mobile terminals in a packet-switched communications network are reached using unique addresses, and such addresses usually contain portions (usually the prefix) that must be valid in a spatial topology. Also, it is desirable for mobile terminals to continue being reached at the same address after a plurality of change of point of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. This allows seamless continuation of sessions (such as file transfer) across different points of attachment to the packet-switched data communications network. To support such roaming capabilities, the industry has developed solutions for mobility support in Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). In mobile IP, each mobile node (i.e. mobile terminal) has a permanent home domain (i.e. a home network). When the mobile node is attached to its home network, it is assigned a permanent global address, known as a home-address. When the mobile node is away (that is, attached to some other foreign networks), it is usually assigned a temporary global address, known as a care-of-address. The idea of mobility support is that the mobile node can be reached at the home-address even when the mobile node is attached to other foreign networks, so that other nodes in the packet-switched data communications network need only identify the mobile node by the mobile node's home-address. Mobile nodes register their care-of-addresses with home agents using messages known as Binding Updates. The home agent is responsible for intercepting messages that are addressed to the mobile node's home-address, and forwarding the packet to the mobile node's care-of-address using IP-in-IP tunneling. IP-in-IP tunneling involves encapsulating an original IP packet in another IP packet. Such a binding between home-addresses and care-of-addresses, made known at the home agent of the mobile node, allows the mobile node to be reached no matter where the mobile node is. However, there exist a time when the mobile node has left a previous point of attachment and yet to set up a new binding between its home-address and new care-of-address (or even have not yet received a new care-of-address). During this time, no packet can be delivered to the mobile node. In a conventional art, a method is disclosed to allow fast handoff between two base stations (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,413 B1 (October 2002)). In the disclosed method, when a mobile node roams to a new network, it issues a reassociation request to a base station A. In response to the reassociation request, the base station A finds the IP address of another base station B via a communications mechanism of mobile IP of IP layer, and then sends a handoff request frame to the base station B. In turn, upon receiving the handoff request, the base station B deletes the record of the mobile node in an association table, and then sends an handoff response frame back to the base station A via the communications mechanism of mobile IP. Then, a unicast handoff response frame will be forwarded to the base station A, and consequently the base station A can complete the handoff procedures. In the above-described conventional method, however, the fast handoff requires base stations to actively participate, adding burden to the base stations' processing loads. Furthermore, the fast handoff procedures depend on the base stations capabilities (or offered functionalities). This makes the deployment of such method more complex, and often more expensive. Existing solutions such as the above-described conventional method for supporting mobility in a packet-switched data communications network is inadequate in ensuring that a mobile terminal has a smooth, continuous communications session when in transit, because, although the method enables fast handoff between base stations, it still requires additions to base station functionalities. Not only does this increase the processing burden of the base station, it also requires special efforts to ensure compatibility between base stations from different vendors and service providers. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile terminal apparatus and handoff method thereof which are capable of achieving smooth, continuous communications sessions even when in transit, regardless of base station capabilities and functionalities, in a packet-switched data communications network. A mobile terminal apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention has: a plurality of interfaces each of which is capable of, when its associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using either one of its home-address which is assigned in advance and its care-of-address which is assigned during its presence in a domain where its home-address is not available; an instructing section that instructs a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, which loses a connection obtained using a care-of-address of said first interface, of said plurality of interfaces, and either one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of said plurality of interfaces, and a setup section that sets up said binding. A handoff method according to another aspect of the present invention in a mobile terminal apparatus having a plurality of interfaces each of which is capable of, when its associated access mechanism is in an active state, obtaining a connection to a network using either one of its home-address which is assigned in advance and its care-of-address which is assigned during its presence in a domain where its home-address is not available, includes: an instructing step for instructing a setup of a binding of a home-address of a first interface, which loses a connection obtained using a care-of-address of said first interface, of said plurality of interfaces, and either one of a home-address and a care-of-address of a second interface of said plurality of interfaces; and a setup step for setting up said binding.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an example of operations in the entirety of the packet-switched data communications network to which the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is attached; FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a timeline of a lower interface being handoff between base stations in Embodiment 2; FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a mobile terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a flow chart for explaining operations of multiple access decision unit in the mobile terminal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; and FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a timeline of a lower interface being handoff between base stations in Embodiment 4. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051216

20101130

20060706

63914.0

H04Q700

CHAMBERS, TANGELA T

MOBILE TERMINAL DEVICE AND HAND-OFF METHOD THEREOF

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04Q

ACCEPTED

Depletion-Less Photodiode with Supressed Dark Current and Method for Producing the Same

The invention relates to a photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, which comprises a sequence of a p-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an n-type photon absorbing layer, wherein the middle barrier layer has an energy bandgap significantly greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there is no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer.

1. A photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, comprising a sequence of a p-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an n-type photon absorbing layer, said middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap significantly greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there being no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer. 2. A photo-detector according to claim 1, wherein the following band alignments exist when all the bands are flat: the valence band edge of the barrier layer lies below the conduction band edge of the photon absorbing layer, the valence band edge of the contact layer lies below its own conduction band edge or the conduction band edge of the barrier layer by more than the bandgap energy of the photon absorbing layer; 3. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein the middle barrier layer is a p-type material. 4. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein the middle barrier layer is an n-type material. 5. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein when biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and when flat, the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies below that of the barrier layer which in turn lies below that of the contact layer. 6. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein when biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and the valence band edge of the flat part of the photon absorbing layer lies below the valence band edge of the contact layer and an energy of not more than 10kTop above the valence band edge in any part of the barrier layer, where k is the Boltzman constant and Top is the operating temperature. 7. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the photon absorbing layer has a typical thickness of 1-10μ and doping of n<1016 cm−3. 8. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein the photon absorbing layer is an InAs1-xSbx alloy. 9. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the photon absorbing layer is a type II superlattice material which comprises alternating sub-layers of InAs1-wSbw and Ga1-x-yInxAlySb1-zAsz with 0≦w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1 and wherein the sub-layers each have a thickness in the range of 0.6-10 nm. 10. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein the photon absorbing layer is InSb or an In1-xAlxSb alloy. 11. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the contact layer is p-type GaSb. 12. A photo-detector according to claim 2, wherein the contact layer is a p-type, type II superlattice comprising alternating sub-layers of InAs1-wSbw and Ga1-x-yInxAlySb1-zAsz with 0≦w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1 and wherein the sub-layers have a thickness in the range of 0.6-10 nm. 13. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the contact layer is InSb or an In1-xAlxSb alloy. 14. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the middle barrier layer is a Ga1-xAlxSb1-yAsy alloy with 0≦x≦1 and 0≦y≦1. 15. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the middle barrier layer is an In1-xAlxSb alloy. 16. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the middle barrier layer has a thickness of between 0.05 and 1 μm. 17. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the barrier layer is low-doped p-type, typically p<1015 cm−3, and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer (12) and the n-type photon absorbing layer. 18. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the barrier layer is doped p-type, p<5×1016 cm−3 and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and an n-type δ-doping layer formed at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. 19. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein the barrier layer is doped n-type, n<5×1016 cm−3, and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a p-type, p<5×1018 cm−3, contact layer. 20. A photo-detector according to claim 2 wherein an n-type δ-doping layer, typically with 5×1010<n<1012 donors cm−2, is included at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. 21. A photo-detector according to claim 2 in which the n-type photon absorbing layer is terminated by a highly n-doped, n<3×1018 cm−3, terminating layer of thickness 0.5-4μ, so that the valence band edge of said highly n-doped terminating layer lies below that of the n-type photon absorbing layer. 22. A photo-detector according to claim 2, grown on substrate selected from GaSb, InSb, InAs, GaAs, Ge, Si, InP or other substrate related material. 23. A photo-detector according to claim 2, grown on a compliant substrate 24. A photo-detector according to claim 2, grown by Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE). 25. A photo-detector according to claim 2, grown by vapour phase epitaxy, such as Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) or Metal-Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy MOVPE) or one of their derivatives. 26. A photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, comprising a sequence of a n-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an p-type photon absorbing layer, said middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there being no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer. 27. A photo-detector according to claim 26, wherein the following band alignments exist when all the bands are flat: the conduction band edge of the barrier layer lies above the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer, the conduction band edge of the contact layer lies above its own valence band edge or the valence band edge of the barrier layer by more than the bandgap energy of the photon absorbing layer. 28. A photo-detector according to claim 27, wherein the middle barrier layer is a p-type material. 29. A photo-detector according to claim 27, wherein the middle barrier layer is an n-type material. 30. A photo-detector according to claim 27, wherein when biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and when flat, the conduction band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies above that of the barrier layer which in turn lies above that of the contact layer. 31. A photo-detector according to claim 27, wherein when biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and the conduction band edge of the flat part of the photon absorbing layer lies above the conduction band edge of the contact layer, and an energy of not more than 10kTop below the conduction band edge in any part of the barrier layer, where k is the Boltzman constant and Top is the operating temperature. 32. A photo-detector according to claim 27 wherein the photon absorbing layer has a typical thickness of 1-10μ and doping of p<1016 cm−3 33. A photo-detector according to claim 27 wherein the barrier layer is a low-doped n-type material and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and the p-type photon absorbing layer. 34. A photo-detector according to claim 27 wherein the barrier layer is doped n-type, n<5×1016 cm−3 and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a p-type δ-doping layer formed at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. 35. A photo-detector according to claim 27 wherein the barrier layer is doped p-type, p<5×1016 cm−3, and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a n-type, n<5×1018 cm−3, contact layer. 36. A photo-detector according to claim 27 wherein a p-type δ-doping layer is included at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. 37. A photo-detector according to claim 27 in which the p-type photon absorbing layer is terminated by a highly p-doped, p<3×1018 cm−3, terminating layer of thickness 0.5-4μ, so that the conduction band edge of the highly p-doped terminating layer lies above that of the p-type photon absorbing layer. 38. A photo-detector sensitive to more than one wavelength band, comprising stacked detector units as in claim 1, claim 26, or a combination thereof, in which each detector unit has a different cut-off wavelength. 39. An array of identical detectors in which each detector is as in claim 1 or as in claim 26, connected to a silicon readout circuit by indium bumps. 40. An array of identical detectors in which each detector is sensitive to more than one wavelength band as in claim 38, and in which each detector is connected to a silicon readout circuit using one indium bump or using one indium bump per wavelength band.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to photodiodes for sensing light radiation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a photodiode structure, in which the level of the dark current is significantly reduced, therefore improving the signal-to noise ratio. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such photodiode. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Photodiodes are widely used for sensing light radiation. There are many applications in which the level of the light which is required to be sensed is very low, and therefore the sensitivity of said photodiodes is a critical requirement. It is well known in the art that the signal-to-noise ratio which can be obtained from photodiodes (and from many other electronic components) is limited by the level of the “thermal noise”, which in turn is related to the temperature of the component. The term “dark current” is commonly used in the art to define the current flowing in a photodiode during a total dark condition. The signal-to-noise ratio in photodiodes is conventionally improved by cooling the component, in many cases down to very low temperatures close to 0°K. The means for cooling and maintaining such a low temperature in photodiodes, however, are cumbersome and expensive, and in any case can reduce the noise down to a limited value. The dark current is generally composed of two main components. The first component, hereinafter referred to as “the diffusion dark current” is due to the thermal excitation of carriers across the complete energy bandgap of the photodiode material. As said, the level of this current can be reduced by means of cooling the component. The second component affecting the level of the dark current is known as the “Generation-Recombination” current hereinafter “G-R dark current”). The level of the G-R dark current can also be reduced by cooling, but at a slower rate of reduction with temperature. At low temperatures, where the level of the diffusion dark current is reduced sufficiently, the G-R dark current generally becomes the most dominant component of the dark current. There have been made many efforts in trying to reduce the level of the thermal noise. However, there are not known many of such efforts for reducing the G-R current. FIG. 1 is a band diagram showing the principle of operation of a photodiode according to the prior art. In a semiconductor p-n junction 1-2, a depletion region 3 is formed around the metallurgical junction due to the transfer of electrons from donors in the n-side 2 of the depletion region to acceptors in the p-side 1. The conduction band (EC) and valence band (EV) are bent in the depletion region. This bending is associated with an electric field that drives electrons 7 towards the n-side and holes 8 towards the p-side of the junction. When a bias is applied to the junction, quasi Fermi levels can be defined in each of the two “flat-band” regions. The quasi Fermi level lies near the valence band on the p-side (EF(p)) and near the conduction band on the n-side (EF(n)). At zero bias, the energies of the two quasi Fermi levels are equal. The energy separation of the two quasi Fermi levels in electron-volts is equal to the applied bias in volts. If a reverse bias Vrev is applied to the diode, the following relationship holds: Vrev=EF(p)−EF(n). The energy gap is given by EG=EC−EV. Although EC and EV change with position due to the band bending in the depletion region, their energy separation is constant everywhere for a “homo-junction” diode (“homo-junction” means that the same material is used on each side of the p-n junction). Light 9 can be absorbed by promoting an electron 119 from the valence band to the conduction band. The missing electron in the valence band is called a hole, and is indicated by numeral 118. The longest wavelength for this process is called the cut off wavelength and is given by: λC=hc/EG, wherein h is Planck's constant and c is the velocity of light. The “photo-created” hole 118 in process 9 exists in the n-type material 2 and so is a minority carrier. It can diffuse, as indicated by numeral 10 to the depletion region where it is accelerated 8 into the p-side 1 by the electric field in the depletion region 3. An analogous process can occur in the p-type material 1 where a minority electron is created by the absorption of light. It can diffuse to the depletion region where it is accelerated 7 into the n-side 2 by the electric field in the depletion region 3. Generation-Recombination (G-R) centers 4, also known as Shockley-Read traps or Shockley-Hall-Read traps, are energy levels that lie close to the middle of the band gap. They are related to imperfections or impurities inside the crystal. The probability of process 9 to occur due to heat (in the absence of an external photon flux) is essentially proportional to exp(−EG/kT) where k is Boltzman's constant and T is the absolute temperature. This process (and the equivalent process on the p-side) gives rise to the “dark current” in a perfect diode with no G-R centers. In this case the dark current is all due to diffusion dark current, and the device is said to be at “the diffusion limit”. In an asymmetric p+-n homo-junction, where the p-doping is several orders of magnitude greater than the n-doping, it can easily be shown that, in the diffusion limit, the higher of the two minority carrier concentrations, in said p+-n case the minority holes on the n-side, makes the dominant contribution to the dark current. Since free electrons 7 and holes 8 are removed efficiently by the electric field in the depletion region 3, especially when a reverse bias is applied, an electron that undergoes excitation 5 from the valence band EV to the G-R center 4 cannot return to the valence band. It can only be further excited 6 to the conduction band. Processes 5, 6, 7, and 8 thus give rise to the G-R dark current. The rate of electron generation by traps, in unit volume of the reverse biased depletion region 3 due to a process, 5, 6, 7, and 8, is approximately described by the formula G = n 1 2 τ n ⁢ ⁢ 0 ⁢ p ′ + τ p ⁢ ⁢ 0 ⁢ n ′ ( 1 ) where ni is the so called intrinsic carrier concentration (the carrier concentration in the perfectly pure material) and τn0, τp0 are the electron and hole minority carrier lifetimes. This formula may be found, for example, as equation (8.9.2) in chapter 8 of the book by Shyh Wang, entitled “Fundamentals of Semiconductor Theory and Device Physics” (published by Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-344425-2). Here n′=n.e(Et−EF)/kT and p′=p.e(EF−Et)/kT where n, p, and EF are the electron concentration, the hole concentration and the Fermi level respectively in a given sample of the semiconductor material, Et is the energy of the trap, and T is the absolute temperature. It can be demonstrated that G in equation (1) is largest when the trap lies near the middle of the energy bandgap. In this case it is easy to show using the above formulae, that G ≈ n 1 ( τ n ⁢ ⁢ 0 + τ p ⁢ ⁢ 0 ) ( 2 ) Hence it follows that G is proportional to the intrinsic carrier concentration, the formula for which contains an exponential factor: exp(−EG/2kT). The dark current due to generation-recombination centers is itself proportional to G and so will also vary essentially as: exp(−EG/2kT). It is the weaker temperature dependence of the G-R contribution to the dark current (exp(−EG/2kT)) compared with the diffusion contribution (exp(−EG/kT)) that causes the G-R contribution to dominate at low temperatures. The ratio of the G-R dark current to the diffusion dark current in a p+-n diode is given by equation (8.9.6) in chapter 8 of the earlier mentioned book by Shyh Wang, as: J G - R J diff = L dep L p × N D n ′ ( 3 ) where Ldep is the thickness of the depletion region, and ND and Lp are the doping and minority carrier diffusion length on the n-side of the junction. Typical values of Ldep and Lp are ˜0.5μ and 20μ respectively. Typical narrow gap homo-junction photo-diodes based on e.g. InSb, InAsSb, HgCdTe, etc., are in many cases operated at reduced temperatures, in order to limit the dark current. For such devices operated at 77K, G-R centers typically increase the dark current above the diffusion limit by at least 3-4 orders of magnitude in the MWIR (3-5μ) and 1-2 orders of magnitude in the LWIR (8-12μ) cut-off wavelength regions, behaviour that in each case is consistent with equation (3). This effect may easily be seen in J Bajaj, SPIE proceedings no. 3948 page 45 (FIG. 3 of this article), San Jose, January 2000, or in P. C. Klipstein et al., SPIE proceedings number 4820, page 653 (FIG. 2 of this article), Seattle, July 2002. The prior art has failed to specifically address the issue of suppressing the G-R contribution to the current by a suitable hetero-junction design. A design published by J. L. Johnson et al., Journal of Applied Physics, volume 80, pages 1116-1127 (FIG. 3) shows a diode made between an n-type narrow bandgap semiconductor with a relatively low doping level and formed from a type II InAs/Ga1-xInxSb superlattice, and a p-type wide bandgap semiconductor with a relatively high doping level, formed from GaSb. This asymmetric doping ensures that most of the depletion region, with its associated electric field, exists in the narrow bandgap photon absorbing layer made from the type II superlattice. There is no discussion in the article about the importance of removing the electric field from this narrow bandgap region. It appears that the main reason for using a heterojunction p-contact instead of a homojunction p-contact in this article is one of convenience, since the p-type heterojunction contact is easier to grow than a p-type type II superlattice. FIG. 2 of the article by C. T. Elliott “Advanced Heterostructures for In1-xAlxSb and Hg1-xCdxTe detectors and emitters”, SPIE proceedings vol. 2744, page 452, discloses photodiode devices in which the dark current is reduced by means of the suppression of Auger-related generation processes. Hereinafter, these devices will be referred to shortly as “Elliott devices”. In contrast to the present invention, whose essential part, as will be shown hereinafter, has a wide bandgap semiconductor sandwiched between n-type and p-type semiconductors with similar or narrower bandgaps, the essential part of said Elliott devices has a narrow bandgap semiconductor, clad on each side by an n-type and a p-type semiconductor respectively, each with a larger effective bandgap. As will be further shown hereinafter, the Elliott devices are based on a different principle than that of the present invention. They are aimed for operating essentially at higher temperatures than for the devices of the present invention, typically room temperature or slightly cooler, in which thermal generation across the bandgap is significant. Under this condition, Auger processes are known to limit drastically the carrier lifetime. By applying a sufficiently large reverse bias to an Elliott device, the free carrier concentration may be reduced to a level characteristic of a lower temperature, so that the Auger processes are suppressed, and the reverse bias dark current or “saturation current” is reduced. In the article “Advanced Heterostructures for In1-xAlxSb and Hg1-xCdxTe detectors and emitters” by C. T. Elliott, SPIE proceedings vol. 2744, pages 452-462, it is stated (page 453): “Minority carrier exclusion and extraction occur at the pπ and πn junctions respectively and the densities of both carrier types in the active π region decrease . . . as a consequence the thermal generation rates involving Auger processes fall, so that the saturation leakage current is less than would be expected from the zero bias resistance and a region of negative conductance is predicted to occur”. The article then goes on to point out that, in contrast to the object of the present invention, G-R currents are not suppressed. It states: “In InSb devices with a π active region, however, the density and energy of Shockley-Read traps is such that an increase in thermal generation through traps occurs as the diodes are reverse biased, so that negative conductance is only observed above room temperature”. From this statement it may be learned that even at room temperature, an Elliott device based on InSb, exhibits large G-R currents in reverse bias. This is to be expected because there is a significant depletion layer, with an associated electric field, in the low doped π-region of the device, which is also the region with the narrowest bandgap. There are several other embodiments of the Elliott device based on other materials. For example in the article by A. Rakovska, V. Berger, X. Marcadet, B. Vinter, G. Glastre, in Applied Physics Letters, volume 77, page 397(2000), a device is described with a photon absorbing layer of InAs0.91Sb0.09. In this case, diffusion limited behaviour was observed down to 200K, as expected at high operating temperatures. At lower temperatures, where the G-R dark current might be expected to dominate, leakage currents dominated instead due to the lack of a suitable surface passivation treatment. The authors speculate in their conclusion that by increasing the bandgap of one of the cladding layers they might be able to further reduce the diffusion dark current above 200K to the point where the G-R dark current is dominant. The clear implication is that since the diffusion dark current reduces faster with temperature, the G-R dark current is expected to dominate below 200K and no special steps are taken to avoid this. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photodiode in which the dark current is significantly reduced, particularly at low temperatures, generally in the range of about 77 to 200°K, depending on the material and wavelength of operation. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a photodiode in which the level of the G-R current is significantly suppressed in a given temperature. It is still an object of the present invention to reduce the need for cooling, by providing a photodiode structure having a level of dark current that would alternatively exist in a much lower temperature. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a method and process for manufacturing the photodiode of the present invention. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first alternative, the present invention relates to a photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, comprising a sequence of a p-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an n-type photon absorbing layer, said middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap significantly greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there being no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer. Preferably, the following band alignments exist when all the bands are flat: the valence band edge of the barrier layer lies below the conduction band edge of the photon absorbing layer, the valence band edge of the contact layer lies below its own conduction band edge or the conduction band edge of the barrier layer by more than the bandgap energy of the photon absorbing layer; Preferably, the middle barrier layer is a p-type material. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is an n-type material. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and when flat, the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies below that of the barrier layer which in turn lies below that of the contact layer. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and the valence band edge of the flat part of the photon absorbing layer lies below the valence band edge of the contact layer and an energy of not more than 10kTop above the valence band edge in any part of the barrier layer, where k is the Boltzman constant and Top is the operating temperature. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer has a typical thickness of 1-10μ and doping of n<1016 cm−3. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer is an InAs1-xSbx alloy. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer is a type II superlattice material which comprises alternating sub-layers of InAs1-wSbw and Ga1-x-yInxAlySb1-zAsz with 0≦w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1 and wherein the sub-layers each have a thickness in the range of 0.6-10 nm. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer is InSb or an In1-xAlxSb alloy. Preferably, the contact layer is p-type GaSb. Preferably, the contact layer is a p-type, type II superlattice comprising alternating sub-layers of InAs1-wSbw and Ga1-x-yInxAlySb1-zAsz with 0≦w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1 and wherein the sub-layers have a thickness in the range of 0.6-10 nm. Preferably, the contact layer is InSb or an In1-xAlxSb alloy. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is a Ga1-xAlxSb1-yAsy alloy with 0≦x≦1 and 0≦y≦1. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is an In1-xAlxSb alloy. Preferably, the middle barrier layer has a thickness of between 0.05 and 1 μm. Preferably, the barrier layer is low-doped p-type, typically p<1015 cm−3, and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer (12) and the n-type photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped p-type, p<5×1016 cm−3 and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and an n-type δ-doping layer formed at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped n-type, n<5×1016 cm−3, and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a p-type, p<5×1018 cm−3, contact layer. Preferably, an n-type δ-doping layer, typically with 5×1010<n<1012 donors cm−2, is included at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the n-type photon absorbing layer is terminated by a highly n-doped, n<3×1018 cm−3, terminating layer of thickness 0.5-4μ, so that the valence band edge of said highly n-doped terminating layer lies below that of the n-type photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown on substrate selected from GaSb, InSb, InAs, GaAs, Ge, Si, InP or other substrate related material. Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown on a compliant substrate. Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown by Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE). Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown is grown by vapour phase epitaxy, such as Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) or Metal-Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) or one of their derivatives. In another alternative, the invention relates to a photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, which comprises a sequence of a n-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an p-type photon absorbing layer, said middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there being no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer. Preferably, the following band alignments exist when all the bands are flat: the conduction band edge of the barrier layer lies above the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer, the conduction band edge of the contact layer lies above its own valence band edge or the valence band edge of the barrier layer by more than the bandgap energy of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is a p-type material. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is an n-type material. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and when flat, the conduction band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies above that of the barrier layer which in turn lies above that of the contact layer. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and the conduction band edge of the flat part of the photon absorbing layer lies above the conduction band edge of the contact layer, and an energy of not more than 10kTop below the conduction band edge in any part of the barrier layer, where k is the Boltzman constant and Top is the operating temperature. Preferably, the photo-detector the photon absorbing layer has a typical thickness of 1-10μ and doping of p<1016 cm−3. Preferably, the barrier layer is a low-doped n-type material and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and the p-type photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped n-type, n<5×1016 cm−3 and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a p-type δ-doping layer formed at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped p-type, p<5×1016 cm−3, and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a n-type, n<5×1018 cm−3, contact layer. Preferably, a p-type δ-doping layer is included at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the p-type photon absorbing layer is terminated by a highly p-doped, p<3×1018 cm−3, terminating layer of thickness 0.5-4μ, so that the conduction band edge of the highly p-doped terminating layer lies above that of the p-type photon absorbing layer. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a photo-detector sensitive to more than one wavelength band, which comprises stacked detector units as described in one of the alternatives above, or a combination thereof, in which each detector unit has a different cut-off wavelength. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to an array of identical detectors according to one of the alternatives above, in which each detector is connected to a silicon readout circuit by indium bumps. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to an array of identical detectors in which each detector is sensitive to more than one wavelength band, in which each detector is connected to a silicon readout circuit using one indium bump or using one indium bump per wavelength band. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an exemplary energy band diagram of a standard p-n homo-junction photo-detector, and demonstrates the mechanisms of thermal generation of carriers due to G-R centers and optical generation of carriers by means of absorption of a photon; FIG. 2a shows an exemplary energy band diagram of a reduced dark current photodetector corresponding to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the depletion region is removed from the narrow bandgap, n-type, photon absorbing material. The thermal generation and recombination of electrons by a near mid-gap G-R center is demonstrated in the narrow bandgap photon absorbing material; FIG. 2b shows the same energy band diagram as FIG. 2a. The thermal generation of electrons by a G-R center in the bandgap of the wide bandgap barrier material is demonstrated. The wide bandgap barrier material also contains part of the depletion region; FIG. 2c shows the same energy band diagram as FIG. 2a. The thermal generation of electrons by a near mid-gap G-R center is demonstrated in the p-type contact material, which also contains part of the depletion region. The drift of a thermally generated hole is also shown as is the recombination of a thermally generated electron with a majority hole; FIG. 2d shows the same energy band diagram as FIG. 2a, except that the bandgap of the p-type contact material is increased so that its conduction band lies above, rather than below, the conduction band of the barrier material. The thermal generation of electrons by a near mid-gap G-R center is demonstrated in the p-type contact material, which also contains part of the depletion region; FIG. 3 exemplifies the band diagram of an essential part of one possible embodiment of the hetero-junction photo-detector of the present invention, in which the doping polarities of the photon absorbing, barrier, and contact layers have been reversed compared with the embodiment in FIGS. 2a-2d; FIG. 4a shows the band diagram of a first embodiment of the hetero-junction photo-detector of the present invention, having an InAsSb photon absorbing layer; FIG. 4b illustrates in a schematic, cross-section form, the structure of a first embodiment of the heterojunction photo-detector with a photon absorbing layer based on InAsSb; FIG. 5a shows the band diagram of a second embodiment of the hetero-junction photo-detector of the present invention, having an InAsSb photon absorbing layer; FIG. 5b illustrates in a schematic, cross-section form, the structure of a second embodiment of the heterojunction photo-detector with a photon absorbing layer based on InAsSb; FIG. 6a shows the band diagram of a third embodiment of the hetero-junction photo-detector of the present invention, having an InAsSb photon absorbing layer; FIG. 6b illustrates in a schematic, cross-section form, the structure of a third embodiment of the heterojunction photo-detector with a photon absorbing layer based on InAsSb; FIG. 7a shows the band diagram of a fourth embodiment of the hetero-junction photo-detector of the present invention, having a type II superlattice photon absorbing layer; FIG. 7b illustrates in a schematic, cross-section form, the structure of a fourth embodiment of the heterojunction photo-detector with a photon absorbing layer based on a type II superlattice; FIG. 8a shows the band diagram of a fifth embodiment of the hetero-junction photo-detector of the present invention, having a InAlSb photon absorbing layer; and FIG. 8b illustrates in a schematic, cross-section form, the structure of a fifth embodiment of the heterojunction photo-detector with a photon absorbing layer based on InAlSb; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As said, the present invention provides a structure for a photodiode in which the dark level of the G-R current, and therefore the level of the total dark current is significantly reduced. This is of most importance in photodiodes that are cooled to low temperatures, typically in the range of 77°K to 200°K, in which the G-R current can provide the most dominant contribution to the dark current. Referring now to FIGS. 2a-2d and FIGS. 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a and 8a, the present invention is characterized by the following features (for the sake of simplicity, these features will be referred herein as “the characterizing features”): 1. A 3-layer, or two hetero-junction, light detector (a hetero-junction is a junction between different materials), of the form of p-p-n or p-n-n is used, wherein the last n-layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 has a narrow gap chosen for its cut-off wavelength and the middle-layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 has a wider band-gap. The last n-type layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 absorbs the light impinged on the detector. Hereinafter, the last, n-type layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 (depending on the specific embodiment used), is also referred to as “the active photon absorbing layer”. The middle layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 (again, depending on the specific embodiment used) prevents inter-band tunneling of electrons from the valence band of the p-type layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 to the conduction band of the photon-absorbing layer. Hereinafter, the said middle layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34, is also referred to as “the barrier layer”. The first layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 (depending on the specific embodiment used) acts as a contact for biasing the device. Hereinafter, the first layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 is also referred to as “the contact layer”. 2. The materials forming the photo-detector of the invention are chosen such that in a flat band condition either the photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 or the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 has the lowest valence band energy, and the valence band of the photon absorbing layer is never more than about 10kTop above the valence band of the barrier layer, where Top is the absolute operating temperature. Also in the same condition, the valence band energy of the contact-layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 is equal to or higher than that of the photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 and above that of the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 which is below the conduction band of the photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33. These conditions can be expressed mathematically as EGα−Δ≧0 and ξ≧0 if Δ is positive or ξ+Δ≧0 and Δ+10kTop≧0 if Δ is negative. EGα indicates the band-gap of the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33. Δ indicates the valence band offset between the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 and the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 (positive when the valence band of the barrier layer is highest in energy). Finally, ξ is the valence band offset between the contact-layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 and the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 (positive when the valence band of the contact layer is highest in energy). 3. When the photo-detector of the invention is biased to its maximum operating bias with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 are flat right up to the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34, and the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies below that of the contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39. The photo-detector will also work at slightly lower bias values, when the edge of the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer can become accumulated. 4. During operation at maximum bias, an electric field and associated depletion region is allowed only in the contact-layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 and in the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 but not in the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33. This is shown schematically for a p-n-n device in FIG. 2a where the contact layer 35 is doped p-type 36 and the barrier layer 34 and the active photon absorbing layer 33 are doped n-type 37. In FIG. 2a the device is biased so that a depletion region 38 exists only in the barrier 34 and contact 35 layers but not in the active photon absorbing layer 33. Hence, as shown schematically in FIG. 2a, the rate of generation 5A, 6A due to a G-R center 4A in the active photon absorbing layer 33 is very similar to the rate of recombination 60A, 50A. It is also strongly suppressed due to the presence of majority carriers in the photon absorbing layer 33. In this case, equation (1) roughly describes the Generation rate, but with n′ replaced by the donor concentration, ND. The G-R contribution to the dark current from the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 is in fact comparable to the diffusion dark current from this layer. The current flowing from this layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 into the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 is therefore essentially diffusion limited. 5. The band-gap of the barrier-layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 is larger than that of the photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33. Ideally, it is at least twice that of the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33, in which case the following equation will hold: exp(−EGBarrier/2kT)≦exp(−EGα/kT) (4) wherein EGBarrier indicates the band-gap of the barrier-layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34. As shown schematically in FIG. 2b for a barrier layer 34, G-R processes like 5B or 6B due to a G-R center 4B are activated respectively by energies αEGbarrier and (1−α)EGbarrier. Since the theory presented earlier teaches that the G-R dark current in the barrier material is significant only when the G-R center is near the middle of the gap of the barrier material (α≈½ in FIG. 2b), the G-R dark current will then vary as: exp(−EGBarrier/2kT). Hence, the inequality in equation (4) means that the G-R dark current contribution from the barrier-layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 should be comparable with, or less than the total contribution to the dark current due to the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33, which is diffusion limited as explained in the fourth item above, and varies as exp(−EGα/kT). 6. For the p-type contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 the doping is quite high (p ˜1-10×1017 cm−3), both to minimize the amount of band bending in the contact layer and also to reduce the concentration of minority electrons 119 in this layer. 7. For the p-type contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 its valence band either lies below its own conduction band OR lies below the conduction band of the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 by more than the bandgap energy, EGα, of the photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33. Ideally, the valence band of the p-type contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 should lie at least 2EGα below its own conduction band OR below the conduction band of the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34. Mathematically, this is expressed as: EGContact+EB>2EGα if EB>>0 OR EGContact>2EGα if EB≦0, where EGContact is the bandgap of the contact material 35 and EB is the barrier height for electrons going from the contact layer 35 into the barrier layer 34 (EB is also the conduction band offset between the barrier 34 and contact 35 materials and is positive when the conduction band of the barrier layer 34 lies above the conduction band of the contact layer 35). In general, the activation energy for electrons passing from the contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 into the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 will then be greater than EGα, even when G-R centers are present in the contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39. Under these circumstances, the current due to this process will be less than the diffusion current from the photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 which also has an activation energy of EGα. Two configurations of the contact layer are shown schematically in FIGS. 2c and 2d. In FIG. 2c the conduction band of the contact layer 35 lies below the conduction band in the barrier layer 34 by more than about 10kTop. Any minority electrons generated in processes 5C or 6C by G-R centers 4C in the contact layer 35 are blocked by the barrier 34. They will either be thermally excited over the barrier, although this has a low probability, or they will eventually recombine 120C by various mechanisms with majority holes in the contact layer 35. FIG. 2d shows an alternative scenario when the blocking mechanism exemplified in FIG. 2c is absent. In this scenario, the conduction band of the contact layer 39 either lies above the conduction band in the barrier layer 34 (EB<0), or just a few times kTop below it (EB≈0). In this case the bandgap of the contact layer 39 is greater than that of the photon absorbing layer 33, EGContact>EGα, so that generation of electrons 5D, 6D by G-R centers 4D in the contact layer 39 will be suppressed due to its large bandgap. The generation current from the contact will roughly vary as: exp(−EGContact/2kT). This is smaller than the diffusion dark current from the photon absorbing layer 33 if, as is often the case: EGContact>2EGα. This mechanism is the same as that which suppresses electron and hole generation in the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 as already explained in the fifth item above. Furthermore, the thickness of the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 is made to be sufficiently thick to suppress any tunnel current of electrons from the valence band of the p-type contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 to the conduction band of the active photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33. Any such tunnel current must be less than the dark current in the diode due to other processes. The doping of the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34 and p-type contact layer 11, 21, 35 or 39 is chosen according to the present invention to adjust the operating bias to a desirable value. A n-type δ-doping layer 15, 15A or 25 may also be included between the photon absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 and the barrier layer 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34. This can sometimes increase the range of bias over which the bands of the active photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, 23 or 33 remain flat, even close to the junction with the barrier layer 12A, 16, 16A, 26 or 34. The principles of the present invention described above also apply to inverted polarity structures of the form n-n-p or n-p-p in which all the doping polarities and band alignments described above are reversed. An example is shown in FIG. 3 of an n-p-p structure that is the reversed form of the p-n-n structure depicted in FIGS. 2a-2d. The photon absorbing layer 43 is p-type 47 while the contact layer 45 is n-type and barrier layer 44 is p-type. Characterizing item 2 above, applies to all inverted polarity structures if the following words are interchanged: “highest” with “lowest”, “higher” with “lower”, “valence” with “conduction” and “above” with “below”. The mathematical expression in the characterizing item 2 above is then replaced by EGα′−Δ′≧0 and ξ′≧0 if Δ′ is positive or ξ′+Δ′≧0 and Δ′+10kTop≧0 if Δ′ is negative. EGα′ indicates the band-gap of the active photon-absorbing layer, such as 43. Δ′ indicates the conduction band offset between the barrier layer, such as 44, and the active photon-absorbing layer, such as 43 (positive when the conduction band of the barrier layer is lowest in energy). ξ′ is the conduction band offset between the contact-layer, such as 45, and the barrier layer, such as 44 (positive when the conduction band of the contact layer is lowest in energy). During operation at maximum applied bias, an electric field and associated depletion layer is not allowed in the active photon absorbing layer, such as 43. The photo-detector will also work at slightly lower bias values, when the edge of the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer can become accumulated. The bandgap of the barrier layer, such as 44, is more than, and ideally twice, that of the active photon absorbing layer, such as 43. For the n-type contact layer, such as 45, either its conduction band lies above the valence band of the barrier layer, such as 44, by more than, and ideally twice, the band-gap energy, EGα′, of the photon absorbing layer, such as 43 (this is depicted schematically in FIG. 3), or its bandgap is more than, and ideally twice, the bandgap of the photon absorbing layer, such as 43. Embodiment 1 A band diagram of a photo-detector according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4a. The structure of the photo-detector is shown in FIG. 4b. The n-type photon-absorbing layer 13 is made of InAsSb alloy. The doping is typically in the range of n<1016 cm−3 and the thickness is typically in the range of 1-10 μm. The use of InAsSb enables operation in the MWIR atmospheric transmission window (3-5μ). The contact layer 11 is made of p-type GaSb with typical values of doping in the range of 5×1016<p<5×1018 cm−3 and thickness>0.5 μm. The barrier layer 12 is made of GaAlSbAs alloy with thickness values typically in the range 0.05-1 μm. As shown in FIG. 4a, the bands, during operation, are essentially flat in all the three layers of the heterostructure. This requires a very low p-type doping (typical values: p<1015 cm−3) in the middle barrier layer 12. Embodiment 2 A band diagram of a second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5a. The structure of the second embodiment is shown in FIG. 5b. Unlike in embodiment 1, band bending is allowed in the barrier layer 12A. The n-type photon-absorbing layer 13 is made of InAsSb alloy. The doping is typically in the range, n<1016 cm−3 and the thickness of the photon-absorbing layer 13 is typically in the range 1-10μ. The use of InAsSb enables operation in the MWIR atmospheric transmission window (3-5μ). The contact layer 11 is made of p-type GaSb with typical values of doping in the range 5×1016<p<5×1018 cm−3 and thickness>0.5μ. The barrier layer 12A is made of GaAlSbAs alloy with thickness values typically in the range 0.05-1 μm. The barrier layer 12A is a p-type material, with a typical doping range of 1×1015≦p<5×1016 cm−3. A depletion region exists in the barrier layer 12A but not in the photon absorbing layer 13. The depletion region is usually confined to the barrier layer 12A but is allowed to extend a short distance into the p-type contact layer 11. The boundary of the n-type photon absorbing layer 13 nearest the p-type barrier layer 12A is doped over one or two atomic monolayers with donor atoms such as, silicon, to form a δ-doping layer 15 having a typical doping of: 5×1010<n<1012 cm−2). Embodiment 3 A band diagram of a third embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 6a. The structure of the third embodiment is shown in FIG. 6b. In the third embodiment, band bending is allowed in the barrier layer 16 and a short distance into the contact layer 11. The n-type photon-absorbing layer 13 is made of InAsSb alloy. The doping is typically in the range of n<1016 cm−3 and the thickness is typically in the range 1-10μ. The use of InAsSb enables operation in the MWIR atmospheric transmission window (3-5μ). The contact layer 11 is made of p-type GaSb with typical values of doping in the range 1017<p<5×1018 cm−3 and thickness>0.5μ. The barrier layer 16 is made of GaAlSbAs alloy, with thickness typically in the range of 0.05-1 μm. The barrier layer 16 is n-type with a typical doping range of 1×1015<n<5×1016 cm−3. A n-type δ-doping layer 15, having a typical doping of 5×1010<n<1012 cm−2, may be included between the photon absorbing layer 13 and the barrier layer 16, as an option. A depletion region exists in the barrier 16 and also a short distance into the p-type GaSb contact layer 11. Embodiment 4 A band diagram of a fourth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 7a. The structure of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 7b. The n-type photon-absorbing layer 13A is made of a type II superlattice that comprises alternating sub-layers of InAs and Ga1-xInxSb (or alternating sub-layers of closely related semiconductor alloys, e.g. InAs1-wSbw, Ga1-x-yInxAlySb1-zAsz, etc. with 0w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1) and wherein the sub-layers each have a thickness typically in the range of 0.6-10 nm. The average doping over many sub-layers of the superlattice is typically in the range, n<1016 cm−3 and thickness of the whole superlattice region is typically in the range 1-10μ. The use of a type II InAs/InGaSb (or closely related) superlattice 13A enables operation in both the Mid-Wave Infra-Red (MWIR: 3-5μ) and in the Long-Wave Infra-Red (LWIR: 8-12μ) terrestrial atmospheric transmission windows, and also in the Very Long-Wave Infra-Red (VLWIR: 12-20μ) range. The contact layer 11 is made of p-type GaSb, with typical values of doping in the range 1017<p<5×1018 cm−3 and thickness>0.5μ. The barrier layer 16A is made of GaAlSbAs alloy with typical thickness values in the range 0.05-1 μm. The barrier layer 16A is n-type with a typical doping range of 1×1015≦n<5×1016 cm−3. A n-type δ-doping layer 15A, having a typical doping of 5×1010<n<1012 cm−2, may be included between the photon absorbing layer 13A and the barrier layer 16A, as an option. As shown in FIG. 7a, depletion regions exist in both the n-type barrier 16A and the p-type GaSb contact layer 11. Although the valence band offset (Δ in FIG. 2a) between the barrier layer 16A and the photon absorbing layer 13A is shown positive in FIG. 7a, it may be made negative up to a most negative value of about −10kTop by changing the amount of Aluminium and arsenic in the barrier. Embodiment 5 A band diagram of a fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 8a. The structure of the fifth embodiment is shown in FIG. 8b. The n-type photon-absorbing layer 23 is made of InSb or InAlSb alloy. The doping is typically in the range, n<1016 cm−3 and thickness is typically in the range 1-10μ. The use of InSb or InAlSb alloy 23 enables operation in the MWIR atmospheric transmission window (3-5μ). The contact layer 21 is made of p-type InSb or InAlSb alloy, with typical values of doping in the range 1017<p<5×1018 cm−3 and thickness>0.5μ. The barrier layer 26 is made of InAlSb alloy with typical thickness values in the range 0.05-0.3 μm. The InAlSb barrier layer 26A is n-type with a typical doping range of 1×1015≦n<5×1016 cm−3. A n-type δ-doping layer 25, having a typical doping of 5×1010<n<1012 cm−2, may be included between the photon absorbing layer 23 and the barrier layer 26, as an option. A depletion region exists in the n-type InAlSb alloy barrier 26 and also a short distance into the p-type InSb or InAlSb alloy contact layer 21. The valence band offset (Δ in FIG. 8a) between the InAlSb barrier layer 26 and the photon absorbing layer 23 is negative, and should be designed by changing the amount of Aluminium in the barrier to have a value of between −3kTop and −10kTop. For growth of an InSb photon absorbing layer on an InSb substrate, and taking into account the strain splitting of the valence band in the barrier, which will make the valence band edge of the barrier layer 26 “light-hole” like in character, the typical Aluminium concentration in the barrier layer 26 will be about 10%-25% (e.g. for 10% the alloy composition is In0.9Al0.1Sb). The height of the barrier 26 in the conduction band may be less than the ideal value specified in characterizing features 5 and 7, but it still satisfies the basic requirements and provides strong suppression of the G-R dark current contribution from the contact layer 21. Further Embodiments In all embodiments, it is advantageous to join the boundary of the photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, or 23 furthest from the barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A, or 26 to a material 14, 14A or 24 of nearly the same composition as the photon absorbing layer material but with much higher n-doping (typical values: n<3×1018 cm−3), so that the valence band of the highly doped layer lies below the valence band of the photon absorbing layer by significantly more than 3kTop. This can improve efficiency and electrical contact quality. However, it should be noted that layers 14, 14A or 24 are optional. Embodiment 4 has a photon-absorbing layer based on a type II superlattice, and is closely analogous to embodiment 3, which has a photon-absorbing layer based on InAsSb alloy. Both of these embodiments have an n-type GaAlSbAs barrier layer and a p-type GaSb contact layer. It is clear that other variations can be devised with a photon-absorbing layer based on a type II superlattice, which have a p-type GaAlSbAs barrier and a p-type GaSb contact layer, analogous to embodiments 1 and 2. In embodiment 4, the p-type GaSb contact layer could be replaced with a p-type type II superlattice layer with a similar bandgap energy to that of the photon absorbing layer. Embodiment 5 has an n-type InSb or InAlSb alloy photon absorbing layer, together with an n-type InAlSb alloy barrier layer and a p-type InSb or InAlSb alloy contact layer. It is clear that other variations can be devised with a photon-absorbing layer based on n-type InSb or InAlSb alloy, which have a p-type InAlSb alloy barrier and a p-type InSb or InAlSb alloy contact layer, analogous to embodiment 2. The following Table 1 provides some approximate band offset ranges for materials when grown on GaSb substrates: TABLE 1 Approx. Valence band offset (meV), Δ Δ = Ev (1) − Ev (2) Material 1 Material 2 Min Max AlSb InAs0.91Sb0.09 30 200 GaSb InAs0.91Sb0.09 390 560 GaSb InAs/InGaSb 30 100 superlattice Table 2 provides approximate bandgaps and cut-off wavelengths of Semiconducting materials at 77K that can be grown on GaSb substrates: TABLE 2 Approx. Composition Approx. Cut-off Layer range Bandgap wavelength number Material (x) (meV) (μm) 11, 17 GaSb — 800 1.55 12, 12A, 16 Ga0.5Al0.5Sb — 1560 0.80 12, 12A, 16 AlSb — 1660 (indirect gap) 12, 12A, 16 Ga1-xAlxSb 0-1 800-1660 1.55-0.74 13, 14, 15 InAs0.91Sb0.09 — 310 4.0 13, 14, 15 InAs1-xSbx 0-0.2 410-260 3.0-4.8 13, 14, 15 InAs/InGaSb — 60-400 3-20 superlattice The Following Table 3 provides approximate band offset range information for materials when grown on InSb substrates: TABLE 3 Approx. Valence band offset (including strain effects) (meV), Δ Δ = Ev (1) − Ev (2) Material 1 Material 2 Min Max InSb In0.9Al0.1Sb 20 40 Table 4 provides approximate bandgap and cut-off wavelength information of Semiconducting material at 77K that can be grown on InSb substrates: TABLE 4 Approx. Approx. Bandgap Cut-off (including wavelength strain (including strain Layer Composition effects) effects) number Material range (x) (meV) (μm) 21, 23, In1-xAlxSb 0-0.3 225-565 5.5-2.2 24, 26 With reference to FIGS. 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, and 8b, the semiconductor layers are usually grown by modern semiconductor epitaxy methods such as Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE), Molecular Beam Epitaxy (ABE), Metal-Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE), or any of their derivatives, onto a semiconductor substrate (17, 18, or 28) [e.g. see “Growth and Characterization of Semiconductors”, edited by R A Stradling and P C Klipstein, published by Adam Hilger (1990), ISBN 0-85274-131-6]. For embodiments 1-4, a good choice of substrate is GaSb doped either p-type 17 (e.g. p ˜1-100×1016 cm−3) or n-type 18 (e.g. n ˜1-100×1016 cm−3). An n-type GaSb substrate 18 is usually preferred for MWIR applications due to its lower free carrier absorption of the IR radiation. In this case a p-type GaSb buffer layer 17, which conveniently forms an Ohmic contact with n-type InAsSb [e.g. see P C Klipstein et al, in Semiconductor Hetero-Epitaxy, published by World Scientific, Singapore, page 515, ISBN 981 02 2479 6], may be grown ontop of the n-type GaSb substrate. GaSb is closely lattice matched to the materials used for the other layers (11, 12, 12A, 13, 13A, 14, 14A, 15, 16 and 16A). Other choices of substrate 18 include InAs, GaAs, Si, Ge, and compliant substrates. For embodiment 5, a good choice of substrate is n-type InSb 28 (e.g. n ˜1-3000×1015 cm−3). InSb is closely lattice matched to the materials used for the other layers (21, 23, 24, 26). An n+InSb buffer layer 27 should usually be grown (e.g. n ˜5-30×1017 cm−3). The high doping can be chosen to make the layer nearly transparent to MWIR radiation by exploiting the Moss Burstein effect, as reported by T Ashley et al., in “Large Format MWIR Focal Plane Arrays”, in SPIE proceedings vol. 4820, page 400. Other choices of substrate 28 include InAs, GaAs, Si, Ge, and compliant substrates. After growth, the wafer is etched into a mesa structure, after which the sides are passivated with a suitable chemical treatment and/or with the application of a suitable dielectric layer (for example, silicon nitride) and electrical contacts are then applied. The substrate is usually thinned to allow light 19 to pass without significant losses due to free carrier absorption. Schematic arrangements are shown in FIGS. 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and 8b. It is a common practice, when producing focal plane array detectors, to make the top contact with an Indium Bump and to connect it to a pixel on a Silicon Read-Out Integrated Circuit (Si-ROIC). Note that in all embodiments of the structures shown in FIGS. 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b and 8b, the p-type region is grown after the n-type region of the diode and forms the top part of the mesa. The diode is then termed p-on-n and is designed to operate with the top of the mesa biased negative. The opposite polarity can be achieved by growing the structure appropriately so that the diode is n-on-p rather than p-on-n. In order to make a “multi-color detector” that is sensitive to at least two different wavelength ranges, two or more detector units, each comprising a contact layer 11 or 21, a barrier layer 12, 12A, 16, 16A or 26, a photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A, or 23, a highly doped layer 14, 14A or 24 and possibly a delta-doping layer 15, 15A or 25 as described above can be stacked where each photon-absorbing layer 13, 13A or 23 has a different cut-off wavelength. The light 19 should enter the detector unit with the shortest cut-off wavelength first. Stacking is particularly easy when a single detector unit is terminated with GaSb on both sides, as in embodiments 1-4. With a stack of detector units, separate contacts are made to the boundary of each detector unit, noting that only one contact is needed at each junction of two detector units, since it can be shared by both units. It should be noted that although there are known publications referring, e.g. to HgCdTe material used to make stacked conventional p-n detectors (e.g. p-n-p or p-n-p-n), the contacts, however, are never all to layers of the same doping type, as is possible in the present invention as one of the options. If two units are stacked back to back, and no external contact is made at the common boundary between the two units, a two-color detector is achieved in which sequential operation is possible. The selection of the detection wavelength is according to the bias, since only the detector that is reverse biased should respond. It should be noted that the suppression of the dark current (or noise) in the photo-detector, as achieved by the present invention reduces the Johnson and Schott noise in the detector at a given operating temperature, to a level significantly below the level of that which exists in a homo-junction detector made from the same photon absorbing material. An important consequence of the noise reduction is allowing the operating temperature of the photo-detector, Top, to be raised in comparison with that of a homo-junction detector made from the same photon absorbing material and operating with the same level of Johnson or Schott noise. While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Photodiodes are widely used for sensing light radiation. There are many applications in which the level of the light which is required to be sensed is very low, and therefore the sensitivity of said photodiodes is a critical requirement. It is well known in the art that the signal-to-noise ratio which can be obtained from photodiodes (and from many other electronic components) is limited by the level of the “thermal noise”, which in turn is related to the temperature of the component. The term “dark current” is commonly used in the art to define the current flowing in a photodiode during a total dark condition. The signal-to-noise ratio in photodiodes is conventionally improved by cooling the component, in many cases down to very low temperatures close to 0°K. The means for cooling and maintaining such a low temperature in photodiodes, however, are cumbersome and expensive, and in any case can reduce the noise down to a limited value. The dark current is generally composed of two main components. The first component, hereinafter referred to as “the diffusion dark current” is due to the thermal excitation of carriers across the complete energy bandgap of the photodiode material. As said, the level of this current can be reduced by means of cooling the component. The second component affecting the level of the dark current is known as the “Generation-Recombination” current hereinafter “G-R dark current”). The level of the G-R dark current can also be reduced by cooling, but at a slower rate of reduction with temperature. At low temperatures, where the level of the diffusion dark current is reduced sufficiently, the G-R dark current generally becomes the most dominant component of the dark current. There have been made many efforts in trying to reduce the level of the thermal noise. However, there are not known many of such efforts for reducing the G-R current. FIG. 1 is a band diagram showing the principle of operation of a photodiode according to the prior art. In a semiconductor p-n junction 1 - 2 , a depletion region 3 is formed around the metallurgical junction due to the transfer of electrons from donors in the n-side 2 of the depletion region to acceptors in the p-side 1 . The conduction band (E C ) and valence band (E V ) are bent in the depletion region. This bending is associated with an electric field that drives electrons 7 towards the n-side and holes 8 towards the p-side of the junction. When a bias is applied to the junction, quasi Fermi levels can be defined in each of the two “flat-band” regions. The quasi Fermi level lies near the valence band on the p-side (E F (p)) and near the conduction band on the n-side (E F (n)). At zero bias, the energies of the two quasi Fermi levels are equal. The energy separation of the two quasi Fermi levels in electron-volts is equal to the applied bias in volts. If a reverse bias V rev is applied to the diode, the following relationship holds: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? V rev =E F ( p )− E F ( n ). in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? The energy gap is given by E G =E C −E V . Although E C and E V change with position due to the band bending in the depletion region, their energy separation is constant everywhere for a “homo-junction” diode (“homo-junction” means that the same material is used on each side of the p-n junction). Light 9 can be absorbed by promoting an electron 119 from the valence band to the conduction band. The missing electron in the valence band is called a hole, and is indicated by numeral 118 . The longest wavelength for this process is called the cut off wavelength and is given by: λ C =hc/E G , wherein h is Planck's constant and c is the velocity of light. The “photo-created” hole 118 in process 9 exists in the n-type material 2 and so is a minority carrier. It can diffuse, as indicated by numeral 10 to the depletion region where it is accelerated 8 into the p-side 1 by the electric field in the depletion region 3 . An analogous process can occur in the p-type material 1 where a minority electron is created by the absorption of light. It can diffuse to the depletion region where it is accelerated 7 into the n-side 2 by the electric field in the depletion region 3 . Generation-Recombination (G-R) centers 4 , also known as Shockley-Read traps or Shockley-Hall-Read traps, are energy levels that lie close to the middle of the band gap. They are related to imperfections or impurities inside the crystal. The probability of process 9 to occur due to heat (in the absence of an external photon flux) is essentially proportional to exp(−E G /kT) where k is Boltzman's constant and T is the absolute temperature. This process (and the equivalent process on the p-side) gives rise to the “dark current” in a perfect diode with no G-R centers. In this case the dark current is all due to diffusion dark current, and the device is said to be at “the diffusion limit”. In an asymmetric p + -n homo-junction, where the p-doping is several orders of magnitude greater than the n-doping, it can easily be shown that, in the diffusion limit, the higher of the two minority carrier concentrations, in said p + -n case the minority holes on the n-side, makes the dominant contribution to the dark current. Since free electrons 7 and holes 8 are removed efficiently by the electric field in the depletion region 3 , especially when a reverse bias is applied, an electron that undergoes excitation 5 from the valence band E V to the G-R center 4 cannot return to the valence band. It can only be further excited 6 to the conduction band. Processes 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 thus give rise to the G-R dark current. The rate of electron generation by traps, in unit volume of the reverse biased depletion region 3 due to a process, 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 , is approximately described by the formula G = n 1 2 τ n ⁢ ⁢ 0 ⁢ p ′ + τ p ⁢ ⁢ 0 ⁢ n ′ ( 1 ) where n i is the so called intrinsic carrier concentration (the carrier concentration in the perfectly pure material) and τ n0 , τ p0 are the electron and hole minority carrier lifetimes. This formula may be found, for example, as equation (8.9.2) in chapter 8 of the book by Shyh Wang, entitled “Fundamentals of Semiconductor Theory and Device Physics” (published by Prentice Hall, ISBN 0-13-344425-2). Here n′=n.e (E t −E F )/kT and p′=p.e (E F −E t )/kT where n, p, and E F are the electron concentration, the hole concentration and the Fermi level respectively in a given sample of the semiconductor material, E t is the energy of the trap, and T is the absolute temperature. It can be demonstrated that G in equation (1) is largest when the trap lies near the middle of the energy bandgap. In this case it is easy to show using the above formulae, that G ≈ n 1 ( τ n ⁢ ⁢ 0 + τ p ⁢ ⁢ 0 ) ( 2 ) Hence it follows that G is proportional to the intrinsic carrier concentration, the formula for which contains an exponential factor: exp(−E G /2kT). The dark current due to generation-recombination centers is itself proportional to G and so will also vary essentially as: exp(−E G /2kT). It is the weaker temperature dependence of the G-R contribution to the dark current (exp(−E G /2kT)) compared with the diffusion contribution (exp(−E G /kT)) that causes the G-R contribution to dominate at low temperatures. The ratio of the G-R dark current to the diffusion dark current in a p + -n diode is given by equation (8.9.6) in chapter 8 of the earlier mentioned book by Shyh Wang, as: J G - R J diff = L dep L p × N D n ′ ( 3 ) where L dep is the thickness of the depletion region, and N D and L p are the doping and minority carrier diffusion length on the n-side of the junction. Typical values of L dep and L p are ˜0.5μ and 20μ respectively. Typical narrow gap homo-junction photo-diodes based on e.g. InSb, InAsSb, HgCdTe, etc., are in many cases operated at reduced temperatures, in order to limit the dark current. For such devices operated at 77K, G-R centers typically increase the dark current above the diffusion limit by at least 3-4 orders of magnitude in the MWIR (3-5μ) and 1-2 orders of magnitude in the LWIR (8-12μ) cut-off wavelength regions, behaviour that in each case is consistent with equation (3). This effect may easily be seen in J Bajaj, SPIE proceedings no. 3948 page 45 ( FIG. 3 of this article), San Jose, January 2000, or in P. C. Klipstein et al., SPIE proceedings number 4820, page 653 ( FIG. 2 of this article), Seattle, July 2002. The prior art has failed to specifically address the issue of suppressing the G-R contribution to the current by a suitable hetero-junction design. A design published by J. L. Johnson et al., Journal of Applied Physics, volume 80, pages 1116-1127 ( FIG. 3 ) shows a diode made between an n-type narrow bandgap semiconductor with a relatively low doping level and formed from a type II InAs/Ga 1-x In x Sb superlattice, and a p-type wide bandgap semiconductor with a relatively high doping level, formed from GaSb. This asymmetric doping ensures that most of the depletion region, with its associated electric field, exists in the narrow bandgap photon absorbing layer made from the type II superlattice. There is no discussion in the article about the importance of removing the electric field from this narrow bandgap region. It appears that the main reason for using a heterojunction p-contact instead of a homojunction p-contact in this article is one of convenience, since the p-type heterojunction contact is easier to grow than a p-type type II superlattice. FIG. 2 of the article by C. T. Elliott “Advanced Heterostructures for In 1-x Al x Sb and Hg 1-x Cd x Te detectors and emitters”, SPIE proceedings vol. 2744, page 452, discloses photodiode devices in which the dark current is reduced by means of the suppression of Auger-related generation processes. Hereinafter, these devices will be referred to shortly as “Elliott devices”. In contrast to the present invention, whose essential part, as will be shown hereinafter, has a wide bandgap semiconductor sandwiched between n-type and p-type semiconductors with similar or narrower bandgaps, the essential part of said Elliott devices has a narrow bandgap semiconductor, clad on each side by an n-type and a p-type semiconductor respectively, each with a larger effective bandgap. As will be further shown hereinafter, the Elliott devices are based on a different principle than that of the present invention. They are aimed for operating essentially at higher temperatures than for the devices of the present invention, typically room temperature or slightly cooler, in which thermal generation across the bandgap is significant. Under this condition, Auger processes are known to limit drastically the carrier lifetime. By applying a sufficiently large reverse bias to an Elliott device, the free carrier concentration may be reduced to a level characteristic of a lower temperature, so that the Auger processes are suppressed, and the reverse bias dark current or “saturation current” is reduced. In the article “Advanced Heterostructures for In 1-x Al x Sb and Hg 1-x Cd x Te detectors and emitters” by C. T. Elliott, SPIE proceedings vol. 2744, pages 452-462, it is stated (page 453): “Minority carrier exclusion and extraction occur at the pπ and πn junctions respectively and the densities of both carrier types in the active π region decrease . . . as a consequence the thermal generation rates involving Auger processes fall, so that the saturation leakage current is less than would be expected from the zero bias resistance and a region of negative conductance is predicted to occur”. The article then goes on to point out that, in contrast to the object of the present invention, G-R currents are not suppressed. It states: “In InSb devices with a π active region, however, the density and energy of Shockley-Read traps is such that an increase in thermal generation through traps occurs as the diodes are reverse biased, so that negative conductance is only observed above room temperature”. From this statement it may be learned that even at room temperature, an Elliott device based on InSb, exhibits large G-R currents in reverse bias. This is to be expected because there is a significant depletion layer, with an associated electric field, in the low doped π-region of the device, which is also the region with the narrowest bandgap. There are several other embodiments of the Elliott device based on other materials. For example in the article by A. Rakovska, V. Berger, X. Marcadet, B. Vinter, G. Glastre, in Applied Physics Letters, volume 77, page 397(2000), a device is described with a photon absorbing layer of InAs 0.91 Sb 0.09 . In this case, diffusion limited behaviour was observed down to 200K, as expected at high operating temperatures. At lower temperatures, where the G-R dark current might be expected to dominate, leakage currents dominated instead due to the lack of a suitable surface passivation treatment. The authors speculate in their conclusion that by increasing the bandgap of one of the cladding layers they might be able to further reduce the diffusion dark current above 200K to the point where the G-R dark current is dominant. The clear implication is that since the diffusion dark current reduces faster with temperature, the G-R dark current is expected to dominate below 200K and no special steps are taken to avoid this. It is an object of the present invention to provide a photodiode in which the dark current is significantly reduced, particularly at low temperatures, generally in the range of about 77 to 200°K, depending on the material and wavelength of operation. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a photodiode in which the level of the G-R current is significantly suppressed in a given temperature. It is still an object of the present invention to reduce the need for cooling, by providing a photodiode structure having a level of dark current that would alternatively exist in a much lower temperature. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a method and process for manufacturing the photodiode of the present invention. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In a first alternative, the present invention relates to a photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, comprising a sequence of a p-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an n-type photon absorbing layer, said middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap significantly greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there being no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer. Preferably, the following band alignments exist when all the bands are flat: the valence band edge of the barrier layer lies below the conduction band edge of the photon absorbing layer, the valence band edge of the contact layer lies below its own conduction band edge or the conduction band edge of the barrier layer by more than the bandgap energy of the photon absorbing layer; Preferably, the middle barrier layer is a p-type material. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is an n-type material. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and when flat, the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies below that of the barrier layer which in turn lies below that of the contact layer. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and the valence band edge of the flat part of the photon absorbing layer lies below the valence band edge of the contact layer and an energy of not more than 10kT op above the valence band edge in any part of the barrier layer, where k is the Boltzman constant and T op is the operating temperature. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer has a typical thickness of 1-10μ and doping of n<10 16 cm −3 . Preferably, the photon absorbing layer is an InAs 1-x Sb x alloy. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer is a type II superlattice material which comprises alternating sub-layers of InAs 1-w Sb w and Ga 1-x-y In x Al y Sb 1-z As z with 0≦w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1 and wherein the sub-layers each have a thickness in the range of 0.6-10 nm. Preferably, the photon absorbing layer is InSb or an In 1-x Al x Sb alloy. Preferably, the contact layer is p-type GaSb. Preferably, the contact layer is a p-type, type II superlattice comprising alternating sub-layers of InAs 1-w Sb w and Ga 1-x-y In x Al y Sb 1-z As z with 0≦w≦1, 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦z≦1 and x+y<1 and wherein the sub-layers have a thickness in the range of 0.6-10 nm. Preferably, the contact layer is InSb or an In 1-x Al x Sb alloy. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is a Ga 1-x Al x Sb 1-y As y alloy with 0≦x≦1 and 0≦y≦1. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is an In 1-x Al x Sb alloy. Preferably, the middle barrier layer has a thickness of between 0.05 and 1 μm. Preferably, the barrier layer is low-doped p-type, typically p<10 15 cm −3 , and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer ( 12 ) and the n-type photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped p-type, p<5×10 16 cm −3 and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and an n-type δ-doping layer formed at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped n-type, n<5×10 16 cm −3 , and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a p-type, p<5×10 18 cm −3 , contact layer. Preferably, an n-type δ-doping layer, typically with 5×10 10 <n<10 12 donors cm −2 , is included at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the n-type photon absorbing layer is terminated by a highly n-doped, n<3×10 18 cm −3 , terminating layer of thickness 0.5-4μ, so that the valence band edge of said highly n-doped terminating layer lies below that of the n-type photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown on substrate selected from GaSb, InSb, InAs, GaAs, Ge, Si, InP or other substrate related material. Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown on a compliant substrate. Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown by Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE). Preferably, the photo-detector of the invention is grown is grown by vapour phase epitaxy, such as Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) or Metal-Organic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) or one of their derivatives. In another alternative, the invention relates to a photo-detector with a reduced G-R noise, which comprises a sequence of a n-type contact layer, a middle barrier layer and an p-type photon absorbing layer, said middle barrier layer having an energy bandgap greater than that of the photon absorbing layer, and there being no layer with a narrower energy bandgap than that in the photon-absorbing layer. Preferably, the following band alignments exist when all the bands are flat: the conduction band edge of the barrier layer lies above the valence band edge of the photon absorbing layer, the conduction band edge of the contact layer lies above its own valence band edge or the valence band edge of the barrier layer by more than the bandgap energy of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is a p-type material. Preferably, the middle barrier layer is an n-type material. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and when flat, the conduction band edge of the photon absorbing layer lies above that of the barrier layer which in turn lies above that of the contact layer. Preferably, when the photo-detector is biased with an externally applied voltage, the bands in the photon absorbing layer next to the barrier layer are flat or accumulated, and the conduction band edge of the flat part of the photon absorbing layer lies above the conduction band edge of the contact layer, and an energy of not more than 10kT op below the conduction band edge in any part of the barrier layer, where k is the Boltzman constant and T op is the operating temperature. Preferably, the photo-detector the photon absorbing layer has a typical thickness of 1-10μ and doping of p<10 16 cm −3 . Preferably, the barrier layer is a low-doped n-type material and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and the p-type photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped n-type, n<5×10 16 cm −3 and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a p-type δ-doping layer formed at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the barrier layer is doped p-type, p<5×10 16 cm −3 , and a p-n junction is formed between said barrier layer and a n-type, n<5×10 18 cm −3 , contact layer. Preferably, a p-type δ-doping layer is included at the edge of the photon absorbing layer. Preferably, the p-type photon absorbing layer is terminated by a highly p-doped, p<3×10 18 cm −3 , terminating layer of thickness 0.5-4μ, so that the conduction band edge of the highly p-doped terminating layer lies above that of the p-type photon absorbing layer. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a photo-detector sensitive to more than one wavelength band, which comprises stacked detector units as described in one of the alternatives above, or a combination thereof, in which each detector unit has a different cut-off wavelength. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to an array of identical detectors according to one of the alternatives above, in which each detector is connected to a silicon readout circuit by indium bumps. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to an array of identical detectors in which each detector is sensitive to more than one wavelength band, in which each detector is connected to a silicon readout circuit using one indium bump or using one indium bump per wavelength band.

20070212

20100914

20071011

62431.0

H01L31072

INGHAM, JOHN C

DEPLETION-LESS PHOTODIODE WITH SUPRESSED DARK CURRENT AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H01L

ACCEPTED

Method and apparatus for performing position determination with a short circuit call flow

For a call flow to perform position determination, a network (100) sends to a user equipment (UE) (120) an indication (e.g., a request for permission) to perform a position fix for the UE (120). The UE (120) responds by sending to the network an acknowledgment (e.g., a grant of permission) to perform the position fix. The UE (120) selectively sends a position estimate for itself to the network (100), typically along with the acknowledgment. The network (100) may initiate location processing if (1) a position estimate is not received from the UE (120) or (2) a position estimate is received from the UE (120) but the network (100) decides not to use this position estimate. In this case, the network (100) and the UE (120) perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE (120). However, if a position estimate is received from the UE (120) and the network (100) decides to use the position estimate, then the location processing is bypassed or short circuited.

1. A method of performing position determination in a network, comprising: receiving from the network an indication to perform a position fix for a user equipment (UE); sending to the network an acknowledgment to perform the position fix; selectively sending to the network a position estimate for the UE; performing location processing with the network to obtain the position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network; and bypassing the location processing with the network if the position estimate is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving from the network the indication to perform the position fix for the UE comprises receiving from the network a request for permission to perform the position fix for the UE. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending the position estimate for the UE to the network without the position estimate being requested by the network. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending the position estimate for the UE to the network if the position estimate is available at the UE. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending the position estimate for the UE to the network if a UE-based positioning mode is allowed. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending the position estimate for the UE to the network if the position estimate is derived without interaction with the network. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending the position estimate for the UE to the network if an indication to perform an immediate position fix for the UE is received from the network. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing location processing with the network comprises performing the location processing in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing location processing with the network comprises performing the location processing in accordance with a UE-assisted positioning mode. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the position estimate for the UE comprises latitude and longitude information for the UE. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the position estimate for the UE further comprises an uncertainty for the latitude and longitude information. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the position estimate for the UE further comprises a confidence in the latitude and longitude information being within the uncertainty. 13. An apparatus comprising: a receiver operative to receive from a network an indication to perform a position fix for a user equipment (UE); a transmitter operative to send to the network an acknowledgment to perform the position fix and to selectively send to the network a position estimate for the UE; and a processor operative to perform location processing with the network to obtain the position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network and to bypass the location processing with the network if the position estimate is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is operative to perform the location processing in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode or a UE-assisted positioning mode. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the processor is operative to send the position estimate for the UE to the network if the position estimate is available at the UE. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the position estimate for the UE comprises latitude and longitude information for the UE and an uncertainty for the latitude and longitude information. 17. An apparatus comprising: means for receiving from a network an indication to perform a position fix for a user equipment (UE); means for sending to the network an acknowledgment to perform the position fix; means for selectively sending to the network a position estimate for the UE; means for performing location processing with the network to obtain the position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network; and means for bypassing the location processing with the network if the position estimate is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for performing location processing with the network comprises means for performing the location processing in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode or a UE-assisted positioning mode. 19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: means for sending the position estimate for the UE to the network if the position estimate is available at the UE. 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the position estimate for the UE comprises latitude and longitude information for the UE and an uncertainty for the latitude and longitude information. 21. A method of performing position determination in a network, comprising: sending to the network a request for transfer of a position estimate for a user equipment (UE) to a client entity; selectively sending to the network a position estimate for the UE; performing location processing with the network to obtain a position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network; and bypassing the location processing with the network if the position estimate is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending the position estimate for the UE to the network if the position estimate is available at the UE and without the position estimate being requested by the network. 23. A method of performing position determination in a network, comprising: exchanging signaling with the network to initiate periodic location service for a user equipment (UE), the signaling including a schedule of location reporting events; and for each location reporting event in the schedule, selectively sending to the network a position estimate for the UE, performing location processing with the network to obtain a position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network, and bypassing the location processing with the network if the position estimate is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network. 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: performing location processing with the network to refresh location assistance data, as necessary. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the exchanging signaling with the network to initiate periodic location service for the UE comprises receiving from the network an indication to start periodic location service for the UE. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the exchanging signaling with the network to initiate periodic location service for the UE comprises sending to the network an indication to start periodic location service for the UE. 27. The method of claim 23, further comprising: for each location reporting event in the schedule, sending to the network a request for a location service, and wherein the position estimate for the UE is selectively sent along with the request for the location service. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the selectively sending to the network the position estimate for the UE comprises sending to the network the position estimate for the UE if the position estimate is available at the UE. 29. A method of performing position determination in a network, comprising: sending to a user equipment (UE) an indication to perform a position fix for the UE; receiving from the UE an acknowledgment to perform the position fix; receiving a position estimate for the UE if sent by the UE; performing location processing with the UE to obtain the position fix for the UE if the position estimate for the UE is not received; and using the position estimate for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the position estimate for the UE is received. 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising: receiving from a client entity a request for the position fix for the UE; and providing the position estimate for the UE to the client entity. 31. The method of claim 29, wherein the performing location processing with the UE comprises initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and UE perform the position fix for the UE, and receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE. 32. The method of claim 29, wherein the using the position estimate for the UE comprises determining whether the position estimate received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the position estimate if the at least one criterion is met. 33. The method of claim 29, wherein the using the position estimate for the UE comprises determining whether the position estimate received from the UE meets quality of service (QoS) requirements, and using the position estimate if the quality of service requirements are met. 34. An apparatus comprising: a communication unit operative to send to a user equipment (UE) an indication to perform a position fix for the UE, to receive from the UE an acknowledgment to perform the position fix, and to receive a position estimate for the UE if sent by the UE; and a processor operative to perform location processing with the UE to obtain the position fix for the UE if the position estimate for the UE is not received and to use the position estimate for the UE and bypass the location processing if the position estimate for the UE is received. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the communication unit is further operative to receive from a client entity a request for the position fix for the UE and to send the position estimate for the UE to the client entity. 36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processor is operative to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE, and wherein the communication unit is operative to receive from the network entity the position fix for the UE. 37. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the processor is operative to determine whether the position estimate received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the position estimate if the at least one criterion is met. 38. An apparatus comprising: means for sending to a user equipment (UE) an indication to perform a position fix for the UE; means for receiving from the UE an acknowledgment to perform the position fix; means for receiving a position estimate for the UE if sent by the UE; means for performing location processing with the UE to obtain the position fix for the UE if the position estimate for the UE is not received; and means for using the position estimate for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the position estimate for the UE is received. 39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising: means for receiving from a client entity a request for the position fix for the UE; and means for providing the position estimate for the UE to the client entity. 40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the means for performing location processing with the UE comprises means for initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE, and means for receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE. 41. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the means for using the position estimate for the UE comprises means for determining whether the position estimate received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and means for using the position estimate if the at least one criterion is met.

This application claims priority from provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/542,496, entitled Pre-Supl llp Protocol Specification, filed Feb. 5, 2004. BACKGROUND I. Field The present invention relates generally to communication, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for performing position determination. II. Background It is often desirable, and sometimes necessary, to know the position of a wireless device in a network. For example, a wireless user may utilize the wireless device to browse through a website and may click on location sensitive content. The web server would then query the network for the position of the wireless device. The network would initiate location processing with the wireless device in order to perform a position fix and ascertain the position of the wireless device. The network would then return a position estimate for the wireless device to the web server, which uses this position estimate to provide appropriate content to the wireless user. There are many other scenarios in which location information is useful or necessary. In the following description, the terms “location” and “position” are synonymous and are used interchangeably. The network typically implements a specific call flow (or procedure) for network-initiated position determination. For the call flow, the network may send a message to ask the wireless user for permission to perform the position fix. The wireless user may respond by either granting or denying the request. If the request is granted, then the network and the wireless device perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the wireless device. This location processing may entail (1) invoking a network entity (e.g., a positioning server) designated to handle position determination for the wireless device and (2) exchanging messages between this network entity and the wireless device to perform a position fix for the wireless device. The call flow for the network-initiated position determination is typically performed in its entirety each time the position of the wireless device is queried. For example, if the wireless user clicks on different location sensitive contents, then the position of the wireless device may be queried and the location processing may be performed each time that the location sensitive content is clicked. This may result in inefficient use of system resources. There is therefore a need in the art for a method and apparatus for efficiently performing position determination. SUMMARY A method and apparatus for efficiently performing position determination for a wireless device, which is also called a user equipment (UE), is described herein. In one embodiment of the method and apparatus, a network sends to the UE an indication (e.g., a request for permission) to perform a position fix for the UE. The network may send this indication in response to receiving a request from a client entity for the position of the UE. The UE responds by sending to the network an acknowledgment (e.g., a grant of permission) to perform the position fix. The UE selectively (or optionally) sends to the network a position estimate for itself, typically along with the acknowledgment, if this position estimate is available and even if the network did not request for the position estimate. The network may initiate location processing if (1) a position estimate is not received from the UE or (2) a position estimate is received from the UE but the network decides not to use this position estimate. In this case, the network and the UE perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE. The location processing includes appropriate signaling exchanges and processing to obtain location information for the target UE. However, if a position estimate is received from the UE and the network decides to use the position estimate, then the location processing is bypassed or short circuited. This short circuit saves system resources and results in a faster response to the request for the position of the UE, both of which are highly desirable. Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and nature of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout. FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a network capable of performing position determination. FIG. 2A shows a call flow for network-initiated position determination in a network with a user plane. FIG. 2B shows the call flow in FIG. 2A with a short circuit for the location processing. FIG. 3A shows a call flow for network-initiated position determination in a network with a control plane. FIG. 3B shows the call flow in FIG. 3A with a short circuit for the location processing. FIG. 4A shows a call flow for UE-initiated position determination in a network with a control plane. FIG. 4B shows the call flow in FIG. 4A with a short circuit for the location processing. FIG. 5 shows a call flow for the network-initiated periodic location service. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of various entities in the network in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a network 100 that can efficiently perform position determination. Network 100 includes a wireless network 110 that provides wireless communication for wireless devices located throughout the coverage area of the wireless network. For simplicity, only one wireless device 120 is shown in FIG. 1. A wireless device may be fixed or mobile and may also be called a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a terminal, a subscriber unit, or some other terminology. Wireless network 110 may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) network, a Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) network, or some other multiple access network. A CDMA network may implement one or more CDMA radio access technologies (RATs) such as Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and cdma2000. cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-856, and IS-95 standards. A TDMA network may implement one or more TDMA RATs such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). These various RATs and standards are well known in the art. W-CDMA and GSM are described in documents from a consortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP) and are parts of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). cdma2000 is described in documents from a consortium named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). 3GPP and 3GPP2 documents are publicly available. For clarity, certain aspects are specifically described below for UMTS. Wireless device 120 is called UE 120 (3GPP terminology) in the following description. In network 100, a location services (LCS) client 130 is a function or an entity that requests location information for LCS targets. An LCS target is a UE whose position is being sought. In general, an LCS client may reside in a network entity or a UE. An LCS manager 140 communicates with wireless network 110, LCS client 130, and a positioning server 150. LCS manager 140 provides various services such as subscriber privacy, authorization, authentication, billing, and so on. Positioning server 150 provides position determination services and supports UE-based and UE-assisted positioning modes. In the UE-based positioning mode, the position of a UE is determined by the UE, possibly with assistance data from positioning server 150. In the UE-assisted positioning mode, the position of a UE is determined by positioning server 150 with assistance (e.g., measurements) from the UE. For simplicity, FIG. 1 mainly shows network entities that are pertinent for position determination. These network entities may also be referred to by other names. For example, LCS manager 140 may also be called an LCS server, a location server, a mobile positioning center (MPC), a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), and so on. Positioning server 150 may also be called a position determination entity (PDE), a serving mobile location center (SMLC), and so on. In general, a network may include any collection of network entities that can provide any range of services. FIG. 1 shows a specific architecture for network 100. In this architecture, UE 120 and positioning server 150 exchange messages via LCS manager 140, which acts as a proxy for these two entities. Positioning server 150 may communicate with LCS manager 140 using one interface (e.g., an Lip interface) and may communicate with UE 120 via LCS manager 140 using another interface (e.g., an Lup interface). Other architectures with other interfaces between the various network entities may also be used for network 100. Network 100 may utilize a user plane or a control plane to support position determination. A user plane is a mechanism for carrying data for higher-layer applications and employs a user-plane bearer, which is typically implemented with various protocols such as User Datagram Protocol (UDP), Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and Internet Protocol (IP), all of which are well known in the art. A control plane (which is also commonly called a signaling plane) is another mechanism for carrying data for higher-layer applications and may be implemented with network-specific protocols and signaling messages. UE 120 may also receive signal from various satellites, such as satellites 160 in a Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a constellation of 24 active and some spare satellites that circle the earth in well-spaced orbits. UE 120 may measure signals from GPS satellites and obtain pseudo-range measurements for these satellites. These measurements may be used to compute a precise position estimate for the UE. The position of UE 120 may be requested by (1) applications (Apps) running at the UE, which results in UE-initiated position determination, and (2) applications running at LCS client 130, which results in network-initiated position determination. In general, network-initiated and UE-initiated position determination may be triggered by various entities, applications, and events. For clarity, some exemplary call flows for network-initiated and UE-initiated position determination are described below. FIG. 2A shows an exemplary call flow 200 for network-initiated position determination in network 100 with a user plane. For call flow 200, UE 120 is a target UE whose position is being sought. Positioning server 150 serves the geographic area associated with the target UE 120. A wireless user at UE 120 executes a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) application (or some other browser application), browses a website, and requests location sensitive content by sending a WAP Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Request to LCS client 130 via wireless network 110 (step A). Step A may or may not be present for network-initiated position determination. In general, position determination may be initiated on the network side by various entities and/or in response to various events. LCS client 130 receives the WAP HTTP Request and determines that the position of UE 120 is needed in order to provide the appropriate content. LCS client 130 then sends a Mobile Location Protocol (MLP) Location Immediate Request (SLIR) message to LCS manager 140 to request for an immediate position fix for UE 120 (step B). MLP is one signaling protocol that may be used for the communication between LCS client 130 and LCS manager 140, and other signaling protocols may also be used for this interface. An immediate position fix is a position fix that is obtained as soon as possible and in response to a request. In contrast, a periodic position fix is a position fix that is obtained periodically, e.g., based on a predetermined schedule. The MLP SLIR message may contain, for example, an identifier for UE 120 (msid), an identifier for LCS client 130 (lcs-client-id), a location quality of service (qos), and so on. The qos indicates the required accuracy for the position fix for the target UE. LCS manager 140 receives the MLP SLIR message, authenticates LCS client 130 based on the lcs-client-id, and determines if LCS client 130 is authorized for the requested service (also step B). LCS manager 140 may perform a subscriber privacy check to determine whether a position fix is permitted for the UE (also step B). This check may be performed based on (1) the lcs-client-id, msid, qos, and so on, included in the received MLP SLIR message and (2) a profile or a subscription for a subscriber, which is typically the wireless user at the UE. A wireless user or subscriber typically needs to be provisioned in order to obtain communication and location services, and the information for the subscriber is typically stored in a profile or subscription. If the subscriber privacy check passes, then the remaining steps for call flow 200 continue as described below. Otherwise, if the subscriber privacy check fails, then LCS manager 140 does not authorize LCS client 130 for the requested service, call flow 200 terminates early and jumps to step M, and LCS manager 140 returns an applicable MLP return code. If all of the applicable checks pass in step B, then LCS manager 140 initiates location processing with UE 120 by sending an LCSINIT message to the UE (step C). The LCSINIT message may contain, for example, a session identifier (sessionid), a notification, a positioning mode (posmode), an address for LCS manager 140 (lcs manager address), and so on. The session identifier is used to unambiguously identify the communication between the network and the UE for the location request. The notification is a two-part parameter that indicates (1) whether to perform notification to inform the wireless user of the location request and (2) whether to perform verification to obtain consent from the wireless user for the location request. The notification parameter typically includes some pertinent text for notification. The positioning mode indicates which mode to use for position determination, e.g., UE-based or UE-assisted positioning mode. The LCSINIT message is implemented as a WAP PUSH trigger to start the location processing. LCS manager 140 starts a timer LT1 upon sending the LCSINIT message (also step C). The LT1 timer is used to timeout the location processing if a response is not received from UE 120 prior to expiration of the timer. UE 120 receives the LCSINIT message from LCS manager 140. If notification or verification is required, as indicated by the notification parameter in the LCSINIT message, then UE 120 provides popup text or some other display to notify the wireless user of the entity requesting location information for the UE. The popup text may be generated based on the lcs-client-id and text included in the received LCSINIT message. If verification is required, then the wireless user is queried to either grant or deny the location request. If the wireless user grants the location request, then UE 120 prepares for location processing by retrieving various types of information that are pertinent for position determination such as, for example, the current cell information (cellinfo) and the UE capabilities (UEcap). The cell information may be used to provide appropriate assistance data for the UE. The UE capabilities may be used to determine which positioning mode to use to perform a position fix for the UE. UE 120 then sends a Start Location Request (SLREQ) message to LCS manager 140 to initiate a location session with the LCS manager (step D). This SLREQ message may contain, for example, the sessionid, cell information, selected positioning mode, UE capabilities, and so on. If the wireless user denies the location request, then UE 120 sends a Start Location Reject (SLREJ) message to LCS manager 140 (not shown in FIG. 2A). The SLREJ message may contain a denial indication and/or other parameters. The SLREJ message ends the communication between UE 120 and LCS manager 140 for this location request. The description below assumes that UE 120 sends an SLREQ message. The LCSINIT message essentially asks UE 120 for permission to perform a position fix for the UE and wakes up the UE for location processing. UE 120 normally responds by returning (1) either a grant or a denial of the location request and (2) if the location request is granted, pertinent information used to perform the position fix for the UE. For network-initiated position determination, LCS manager 140 does not expect UE 120 to have location information for itself. Conventionally, location processing is performed for each granted location request. In many instances, UE 120 may already have a position estimate for itself. This position estimate may be a cached position estimate that was obtained, for example, by performing a position fix for a prior location request, which may have been initiated by the network or the UE. This cached position estimate may have been obtained using either the UE-based or UE-assisted positioning mode and may be an accurate or a coarse estimate. UE 120 may also be able to derive a new position estimate for itself using the UE-based positioning mode. The available position estimate at UE 120 may thus be a cached position estimate or a new position estimate. In an embodiment, UE 120 selectively (or optionally) includes its position estimate in the SLREQ message sent to LCS manager 140 if this position estimate is available. For this embodiment, UE 120 has the discretion to include or omit the position estimate. In another embodiment, UE 120 may include its position estimate in the SLREQ message only if certain criteria imposed by the network and/or the UE are satisfied. For example, UE 120 may include its position estimate only if (1) an immediate position fix is being requested, (2) the UE is allowed to use the UE-based positioning mode, and (3) the position estimate can be obtained without any interaction with the network. Other criteria or combinations of criteria may also be imposed. In any case, subject to satisfaction of all required criteria, if any, UE 120 may include its position estimate in the SLREQ message even if LCS manager 140 did not request for this position estimate. UE 120 starts a timer UT1 upon sending the SLREQ message (also step D). This timer is used to timeout the location processing if a response is not received from LCS manager 140 prior to expiration of the timer. LCS manager 140 receives the SLREQ message from UE 120 and stops the LT1 timer upon receiving this message (also step D). LCS manager 140 extracts the parameters included in the received SLREQ message. If the position estimate for UE 120 is included in the SLREQ message, then LCS manager 140 may or may not use this position estimate. LCS manager 140 may make this determination based on various factors such as, for example, the accuracy (or uncertainty) of the position estimate, the qos required by LCS client 130, the age of the location information, the subscriber profile, and so on. If LCS manager 140 decides to use the position estimate provided by UE 120, then call flow 200 performs step G and then proceeds to step M, as described below. LCS manager 140 initiates location processing for UE 120 if (1) a position estimate is not included in the SLREQ message sent by the UE or (2) a position estimate is included in the SLREQ message but the LCS manager decides not to use this position estimate. LCS manager 140 initiates the location processing by sending a Position Request (PREQ) message to positioning server 150 (step E). This PREQ message may contain, for example, the sessionid, the posmode, the cellinfo, and so on. LCS manager 140 starts a timer LT2 upon sending the PREQ message (also step E). The LT2 timer is used to timeout the communication with positioning server 150 if a response is not received from the positioning server prior to expiration of the timer. Positioning server 150 receives the PREQ message from LCS manager 140 and sends back a Position Response (PRESP) message (step F). The PRESP message may contain, for example, the sessionid. The PRESP message confirms to LCS manager 140 that positioning server 150 is ready to process the location request identified by the sessionid. Positioning server 150 starts a timer PT1 upon sending the PRESP message (also step F). The PT1 timer is used to timeout the position determination for this sessionid if a message is not received from target UE 120 prior to expiration of the timer. LCS manager 140 receives the PRESP message from positioning server 150 and stops the LT2 timer (also step F). LCS manager 140 then sends a Start Location Response (SLRESP) message to UE 120 to initiate a positioning procedure (step G). The positioning procedure includes appropriate signaling exchanges and pertinent processing to obtain a position estimate for the target UE. The SLRESP message may contain, for example, the sessionid and possibly other information. The SLRESP message informs UE 120 that positioning server 150 is ready to perform a position fix for the UE. LCS manager 140 starts a timer LT3 upon sending the SLRESP message (also step G). The LT3 timer is used to timeout the communication with positioning server 150 if a response is not received from the positioning server prior to expiration of this timer. UE 120 receives the SLRESP message from LCS manager 140 and stops the UT1 timer (also step G). UE 120 then starts the positioning procedure by sending a Position Determination Initiation (PDINIH) message to LCS manager 140, which forwards the message to positioning server 150 (step H). This PDINIT message may contain, for example, the sessionid, the cellinfo (e.g., the identifier of the cell in which UE 120 is located), request for assistance data (ad), a coarse position estimate for the UE, and so on. UE 120 starts a timer UT2 upon sending the PDINIT message (also step H). The UT2 timer is used to timeout the communication with positioning server 150 if a response is not received from the positioning server prior to expiration of this timer. Positioning server 150 receives the PDINIT message from UE 120 and stops the PT1 timer (also step H). Positioning server 150 may then start a precise position determination procedure by sending a Position Determination Messaging (PDMESS) message that contains a Radio Resource LCS Protocol (RRLP) Measure Position Request message (step I). RRLP is one of multiple assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) protocols that are available to perform a position fix with measurements for GPS satellites. The RRLP Measure Position Request message may contain, for example, a request for a position fix, assistance data, and so on. UE 120 receives the PDMESS message from positioning server 150 and stops the UT2 timer (also step I). UE 120 then performs measurements appropriate for the selected positioning mode. For example, UE 120 may obtain (1) pseudo-range and/or time measurements for GPS satellites for an A-GPS position fix, (2) pseudo-range and/or time measurements for base stations for a terrestrial position fix, (3) measurements for both satellites and base stations for a hybrid position fix, (4) cell identifiers for a cell-ID based position fix, and so on. For the UE-based positioning mode, UE 120 further computes a position estimate based on the measurements. UE 120 then sends a PDMESS message that contains an RRLP Measure Position Response message to LCS manager 140, which forwards the message to positioning server 150 (step J). The RRLP Measure Position Response message may contain the measurements made by the UE, a position estimate for the UE, and/or request for more assistance data. For the UE-assisted positioning mode, UE 120 starts a timer UT3 upon sending the PDMESS message (also step J). The UT3 timer is used to timeout the communication with positioning server 150 if a response is not received from the positioning server prior to expiration of this timer. Positioning server 150 receives the PDMESS message from UE 120 (also step J). For the UE-based positioning mode, positioning server 150 uses the position estimate included in the received RRLP Measure Position Response message. For the UE-assisted positioning mode, positioning server 150 computes a position estimate for UE 120 based on the measurements included in the received message. For the UE-assisted positioning mode, positioning server 150 completes the positioning procedure by sending a Position Determination Report (PDRPT) message to UE 120 (step K). Positioning server 150 does not send a PDRPT message to UE 120 for the UE-based positioning mode. Positioning server 150 also sends a Position Report (PRPT) message to LCS manager 140 (step L). This PRPT message may contain, for example, the sessionid, location information for UE 120, an error code (if applicable), and so on. LCS manager 140 receives the PRPT message from positioning server 150 and stops the LT3 timer (also step L). LCS manager 140 extracts the location information for UE 120 from the received PRPT message and sends an MLP Location Immediate Acknowledgment (SLIA) message to LCS client 130 (step M). This MLP SLIA message contains the requested position estimate for UE 120 (posresult) and possibly other pertinent information. LCS client 130 receives the MLP SLIA message and uses the position estimate for UE 120 to retrieve the location sensitive content requested by the wireless user. LCS client 130 then sends to UE 120 a WAP HTTP Response message containing this location sensitive content (step N). Steps A and N are present for a WAP call (e.g., to download location sensitive content) and may not be present for other instances of network-initiated position determination. FIG. 2B shows a call flow 202 for network-initiated position determination with a short circuit for the location processing. Call flow 202 includes a subset of the steps in call flow 200 shown in FIG. 2A. Steps A through D in call flow 202 are the same as steps A through D in call flow 200. In step D, UE 120 sends an SLREQ message that contains a position estimate for the UE. LCS manager 140 receives the SLREQ message, decides to use the position estimate provided by the UE, and skips steps E and F. LCS manager 140 sends an SLRESP message to direct UE 120 not to initiate the positioning procedure (step G). Call flow 202 bypasses or short circuits the location processing in steps E and F and steps H through L. LCS manager 140 then sends to LCS client 130 an MLP SLIA message containing the position estimate provided by UE 120 (step M). As shown in FIG. 2B, system resources may be conserved and a faster response for the location request may be achieved by allowing UE 120 to include its position estimate in the SLREQ message. FIG. 3A shows another exemplary call flow 300 for network-initiated position determination in a UMTS or GSM network with a control plane. Network-initiated position determination is called Mobile Terminating Location Request (MT-LR) in UMTS/GSM. The UMTS/GSM network includes an LCS client 330 that is similar to LCS client 130 in network 100, a GMLC 340 that performs the functions of LCS manager 140, a serving radio network controller (SRNC) 350 that performs the functions of positioning server 150, a target UE 320 that is similar to UE 120, a home location register (HLR) 360 that stores registration information for UEs (including UE 320) that have registered with the wireless network covered by the HLR, and a third generation visitor mobile services switching centre (3G-VMSC) 370 that performs switching functions (e.g., routing of circuit-switch messages and data) for UEs within its coverage area. For call flow 300, LCS client 330 requests the current position of target UE 320 from GMLC 340 (step 1). GMLC 340 verifies the identity of LCS client 330, authenticates the LCS client, and determines whether the LCS client is authorized for the requested LCS service. If LCS client 330 is authorized, then GMLC 340 derives an identifier of target UE 320 and determines the LCS QoS from either subscription data for the subscriber of UE 320 or data supplied by LCS client 330. The UE identifier may be a Mobile Subscriber ISDN (MSISDN), which is a dialable number, or an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), which is a non-dialable number. GMLC 340 then sends to HLR 360 a Mobile Application Part (MAP) Send Routing Info for LCS message that contains the identifier of UE 320 (step 2). HLR 360 verifies that GMLC 340 is authorized to request location information for UE 320. HLR 360 then returns to GMLC 340 a MAP Send Routing Info for LCS Ack message that contains the address of 3G-VMSC 370 and the identifier of UE 320 (step 3). If GMLC 340 already knows both the 3G-VMSC address and the UE identifier (e.g. from a previous location request), then steps 2 and 3 may be skipped. GMLC 340 then sends a MAP Provide Subscriber Location message to 3G-VMSC 370 using the address provided by HLR 360 (step 4). This message contains the type of location information requested (e.g., the current position), the UE identifier, the LCS QoS (e.g., required accuracy and response time), an indication of whether LCS client 330 has override capability, and possibly other information. 3G-VMSC 370 may authenticate GMLC 340 and verify that the location request is allowed (also step 4). If the location request is allowed, then 3G-VMSC 370 may invoke the wireless network to perform paging, authentication and ciphering of UE 320 (step 5). UE 320 may provide its capabilities, e.g., the UE-based and/or UE-assisted positioning modes supported by the UE (also step 5). 3G-VMSC 370 may send an LCS Location Notification Invoke message to UE 320 (step 6). This message indicates the type of location request (e.g., the current position), the identity of LCS client 330, and whether privacy verification is required (step 6). UE 320 notifies the wireless user of the location request. If privacy verification was requested, then UE 320 queries the wireless user regarding the location request and waits for the user to grant or deny permission. UE 320 then sends an LCS Location Notification Return Result message to 3G-VMSC 370 (step 7). This message indicates whether permission is granted or denied and optionally includes a position estimate for UE 320. UE 320 may provide its position estimate, if available, even if 3G-VMSC 370 did not request for this information. The position estimate may be used to short circuit the subsequent location processing, as described below. 3G-VMSC 370 sends a Radio Access Network Application Part (RANAP) Reporting Control message to SRNC 350 (step 8). This message contains the type of location information requested, the UE capabilities, and the LCS QoS. SRNC 350 selects an appropriate positioning mode to use based on the location request, the required accuracy, and the UE capabilities. SRNC 350 then initiates an appropriate message sequence for the selected positioning mode (step 9). For example, the message sequence may include steps H through K in FIG. 2A for an A-GPS positioning procedure. UE 320 performs the required measurements and reports either the measurements obtained by the UE or a position estimate computed by the UE based on the measurements. SRNC 350 receives the report from UE 320 and, for the UE-assisted positioning mode, computes a position estimate for the UE based on the received measurements. SRNC 350 then sends to 3G-VMSC 370 an RANAP Location Report message that contains the position estimate for UE 320 (step 10). 3G-VMSC 370 then sends to GMLC 340 a MAP Provide Subscriber Location Ack message that contains the position estimate for UE 320 and possibly other pertinent information (step 11). GMLC 340 then sends to LCS client 330 an LCS Service Response message that contains the position estimate for UE 320 (step 12). Most of call flow 300 is described in documents 3GPP TS 23.171 version 3.11 (March 2004) and 3GPP TS 23.271 version 6.10 (December 2004), both of which are publicly available. However, these versions of the 3GPP standards do not allow the target UE to provide its position estimate in step 7. These versions of the 3GPP standards require the entire call flow 300 to be performed for each location request, even if the target UE already has a suitable position estimate. FIG. 3B shows another call flow 302 for network-initiated position determination with a short circuit for the location processing. Call flow 302 includes a subset of the steps in call flow 300 shown in FIG. 3A. Steps 1 through 7 in call flow 302 are the same as steps 1 through 7 in call flow 300. In step 7, UE 320 sends an LCS Location Notification Return Result message that contains a position estimate for the UE. 3G-VMSC 370 receives this message and decides to use the position estimate provided by UE 320. By allowing the target UE to provide its position estimate along with the consent/verification within the notification response in step 7, the UMTS network can bypass steps 8 through 10 in call flow 300 and provide this position estimate to LCS client 330 in steps 11 and 12. This can save system resources and provide a faster response for the location request by the LCS client. FIG. 4A shows an exemplary call flow 400 for UE-initiated position determination in a UMTS or GSM network with a control plane. UE-initiated position determination is called Mobile Originating Location Request (MO-LR) in UMTS/GSM. The entities in FIG. 4A are described above for FIG. 3A. UE 320 may use call flow 400 to (1) request its own location for basic self location, (2) request location assistance data for autonomous self location, (3) request a transfer of its own location to another LCS client for a transfer to a third party, and (4) achieve other results. For call flow 400, UE 320 sends to 3G-VMSC 370 via SRNC 350 a Connection Management (CM) Service Request message that indicates a request for a call independent supplementary service (steps 1 and 2). 3G-VMSC 370 instigates authentication and ciphering if UE 320 was in an idle mode or returns a Direct Transfer CM Service Accept message if UE 320 was in a dedicated mode (step 3). UE 320 may provide its capabilities, e.g., the UE-based and/or UE-assisted positioning modes supported by the UE (also step 3). UE 320 then sends to 3G-VMSC 370 an LCS MO-LR Location Services Invoke message to request a desired location service (e.g., to request the location of the UE, location assistance data, transfer of the UE location to another LCS client, and so on) (step 4). The LCS Services Invoke message contains parameters pertinent for the desired location service such as, for example, the LCS QoS (e.g., accuracy and response time), the identify of the other LCS client, the type of assistance data desired, and so on. UE 320 may also provide its position estimate, if available, in the LCS Services Invoke message. This position estimate may be used to short circuit the subsequent location processing, as described below. 3G-VMSC 370 verifies that UE 320 is authorized for the requested location service based on a subscription profile for the UE (also step 4). If the location request is authorized, then 3G-VMSC 370 sends to SRNC 350 an RANAP Reporting Control message that contains the type of location information requested, the UE capabilities, and the LCS QoS (step 5). SRNC 350 selects an appropriate positioning mode to use based on the location request, the required accuracy, and the UE capabilities. SRNC 350 then initiates an appropriate message sequence for the selected positioning mode (step 6). Step 6 in call flow 400 is analogous to step 9 in call flow 300 in FIG. 3A. SRNC 350 receives a report with measurements or a position estimate for the UE, computes a position estimate for the UE if needed, and sends to 3G-VMSC 370 an RANAP Location Report message that contains the position estimate for the UE (step 7). If UE 320 requests a transfer of its position estimate to another LCS client 330, then 3G-VMSC 370 sends to GMLC 340 a MAP Subscriber Location Report message that contains the position estimate for the UE and possibly other pertinent information (step 8). GMLC 340 then sends a MAP Subscriber Location Report Ack message to 3G-VMSC 370 to acknowledge receipt of the position estimate (step 9). GMLC 340 also sends the location information to LCS client 330 (step 10). Steps 8 through 10 may be omitted, or some other steps may be performed, for other types of location services requested by UE 320. 3G-VMSC 370 sends to UE 320 an LCS MO-LR Return Result message that contains a position estimate (if requested by the UE) and possibly other pertinent information (step 11). 3G-VMSC 370 may release the CM, (Mobility Management) MM, and Radio Resource Control (RRC) connections to UE 320, if the UE was previously idle (step 12). Most of call flow 400 is also described in documents 3GPP TS 23.171 version 3.11 and 3GPP TS 23.271 version 6.10. However, these versions of the 3GPP standards do not allow the target UE to provide its position estimate in step 4. FIG. 4B shows a call flow 402 for UE-initiated position determination with a short circuit for the location processing. Call flow 402 includes a subset of the steps in call flow 400 shown in FIG. 4A. Steps 1 through 4 in call flow 402 are the same as steps 1 through 4 in call flow 400. In step 4, UE 320 sends an LCS Services Invoke message that contains a position estimate for the UE. 3G-VMSC 370 receives this message, decides to use the position estimate provided by UE 320, bypasses the location processing in steps 5 through 7 of call flow 400, and provides this position estimate to LCS client 330 via GMLC 340 in steps 8 through 10. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary call flow 500 for network-initiated periodic location service in UMTS/GSM. Periodic location service provides a position fix for a target UE periodically based on a schedule. For call flow 500, LCS client 330 sends to GMLC 340 an LCS Service Request message to request periodic location reporting for target UE 320 from (step 1). The LCS Service Request message contains a schedule for location reporting. The schedule may be given by, for example, (1) a start time and a stop time for the location reporting and a time interval between reporting events or position fixes, (2) a particular number of reporting events and a time interval between events, where the first reporting event can occur at the present time (now) or at a predetermined time in the future, or (3) some other format. For clarity, option (1) is used in the following description. GMLC 340 verifies, authenticates, and authorizes LCS client 330 for the requested LCS service (also step 1). If LCS client 330 is authorized, then GMLC 340 and HLR 360 exchanges signaling in steps 2 and 3, as described above for call flow 300 shown in FIG. 3A. GMLC 340 then sends to 3G-VMSC 370 a MAP Provide Subscriber Location message that contains pertinent information such as, for example, the location information requested, the UE identifier, the LCS QoS, the start time, stop time, and interval for periodic location reporting, and so on (step 4). 3G-VMSC 370 may authenticate GMLC 340 and verify that the location request is allowed (also step 4). If the location request is allowed, then 3G-VMSC 370 may invoke the wireless network to perform paging, authentication and ciphering of UE 320 (step 5). 3G-VMSC 370 may send to UE 320 an LCS Location Notification Invoke message that contains pertinent information such as, for example, type of location request, the identity of LCS client 330, the start time, stop time, and interval for periodic location reporting, and so on (step 6). UE 320 performs notification and/or verification if required. UE 320 then sends to 3G-VMSC 370 an LCS Location Notification Return Result message that indicates whether permission is granted or denied (step 7). 3G-VMSC 370 then sends to GMLC 340 a MAP Provide Subscriber Location Ack message that acknowledges the request sent by the GMLC in step 4 (step 8). GMLC 340 then sends to LCS client 330 an LCS Service Response message that acknowledges the request sent by the LCS client in step 1 (step 9). In one embodiment, based on the schedule sent by LCS client 330 in step 1, UE 320 periodically initiates MO-LR call flow 402 shown in FIG. 4B and provides its position estimate to the LCS client (steps 10a through 10n). Call flow 402 may be performed with much less signaling and in a shorter time than call flow 300 in FIG. 3A. UE 320 may perform MO-LR call flow 400 shown in FIG. 4A whenever needed in order to obtain updated assistance data and/or a new position estimate for itself. In another embodiment, the network periodically initiates MT-LR call flow 300 shown in FIG. 3A. For this embodiment, UE 320 can provide its position estimate (if available) in step 7 of call flow 300, and the network can short circuit the location processing if a suitable position estimate is received from the UE. A call flow may also be defined for UE-initiated periodic location service. This call flow may include, for example, steps 1 through 4 in call flow 400 in FIG. 4A and steps 10a through 10n in call flow 500 in FIG. 5. The UE may include a schedule (e.g., for periodically reporting the position of the UE to another LCS client) in the LCS Services Invoke message sent to the network in step 4 of call flow 400. For clarity, specific call flows with specific steps and messages have been described above in FIGS. 2A through 5. In general, a call flow for network-initiated position determination may include any number of steps, which may be different from the steps shown in FIGS. 2A through 5. Furthermore, a call flow may use any messages, which may be different from the messages shown in FIGS. 2A through 5. In general, the target UE may provide its position estimate in any message and at any time in the call flow, even though this position estimate may not be requested by the network. The network may elect to use the position estimate provided by the UE and bypass the location processing with the UE. The position estimate for the target UE (e.g., sent in the SLREQ message, the LCS Location Notification Return Result message, and the LCS Services Invoke message) may be given in various formats. In an embodiment, a 2-dimensional (2D) position estimate includes a latitude and a longitude for the estimated position of the target UE. The latitude may be expressed with (1) a sign bit that indicates whether the estimated position is in the northern or southern hemisphere and (2) an encoded value Nlat for the latitude Xlat of the target UE, where Xlat ranges from 0° to 90°. If 24 bits are available to represent latitude, then one bit may be used for the sign bit and 23 bits may be used for Nlat, which may be expressed as: Nlat≦(223·Xlat/90)<(Nlat+1). The longitude may be expressed with an encoded value Nlong for the longitude Xlong of the target UE, where Xlong ranges from −180° to +180°. If 24 bits are available to represent longitude, then Nlong may be expressed as: Nlong≦(224·Xlong/360)<(Nlong+1). A 3-D position estimate includes a latitude, a longitude, and an altitude for the estimated position of the target UE. The altitude may be expressed with (1) a sign bit that indicates whether the estimated altitude is above or below a WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) ellipsoid and (2) the actual altitude (in meters) relative to the WGS84 ellipsoid. A 2-D or 3-D position estimate also typically includes an uncertainty ellipse/ellipsoid and a confidence. The uncertainty ellipse indicates the uncertainty in the estimated 2-D position of the target UE. The uncertainty ellipse may be given by a latitude/longitude uncertainty code associated with the major axis of the ellipse, a latitude/longitude uncertainty code associated with the minor axis of the ellipse, and the orientation in degree of the major axis with respect to North. The uncertainty code may be given by a formula that maps each uncertainty code value to a corresponding uncertainty in meters. The uncertainty ellipsoid indicates the uncertainty in the estimated 3-D position of the target UE. The confidence indicates the likelihood of the estimated position being within the uncertainty ellipse (for the 2-D estimated position) or the uncertainty ellipsoid (for the 3-D estimated position). The confidence may be expressed in percentage from 0 to 100. The various fields of the position estimate are described in further detail in a document 3GPP TS 23.032, which is publicly available. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of various entities in network 100 in FIG. 1. UE 120 may be a cellular telephone, a user terminal, a computer with a wireless modem, a stand-alone position determination unit, or some other device. A base station 112 provides wireless communication for wireless network 110. For simplicity, only one network entity 142 is shown in FIG. 6. Network entity 142 may be any of the network entities shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., LCS client 130, LCS manager 140, or positioning server 150). On the forward link, base station 112 transmits data, signaling, and pilot to the UEs within its coverage area. These various types of data are processed (e.g., encoded, modulated, filtered, amplified, quadrature modulated, and upconverted) by a modulator/transmitter (Mod/TMTR) 616 to generate a forward link modulated signal, which is transmitted via an antenna 618. At UE 120, an antenna 622 receives the forward link modulated signals from base station 112 and possibly other base stations and provides a receiver input signal to a receiver/demodulator (RCVR/Demod) 624. The receiver input signal may include received signals for base stations and possibly satellites. RCVR/Demod 624 processes the receiver input signal in a manner complementary to the processing performed by the transmitter(s) and provides various types of information that may be used for position determination. For example, RCVR/Demod 624 may provide the time of arrival of received signals (which may be used for position determination), decoded messages used for the call flows described above, and so on. A processor 630 performs processing for UE 120. A memory unit 632 stores program codes and data for processor 630. On the reverse link, UE 120 may transmit data, signaling, and pilot to base station 112. These various types of data are processed by a modulator/transmitter (Mod/TMTR) 634 to generate a reverse link modulated signal, which is transmitted via antenna 622. At base station 112, antenna 618 receives the reverse link modulated signal from UE 120 and provides a receiver input signal to a receiver/demodulator (RCVR/Demod) 620. RCVR/Demod 620 processes the receiver input signal in a manner complementary to the processing performed by the UEs and provides various types of information to a processor 610. Processor 610 performs processing for base station 112. A memory unit 612 stores program codes and data for processor 610. A communication (Comm) unit 614 allows base station 112 to exchange data with other network entities. Within network entity 142, a communication unit 644 allows network entity 142 to communicate with other network entities. A processor 640 performs processing for network entity 142. A memory unit 642 stores program codes and data for processor 640. A database 646 stores information pertinent for network entity 142 (e.g., subscriber information, location information, GPS assistance data, and so on). The method and apparatus described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, the method and apparatus may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For a hardware implementation, the units used to perform the processing described above may be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. For a software implementation, the method may be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit (e.g., memory unit 632 or 642 in FIG. 6) and executed by a processor (e.g., processor 630 or 640). The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor. The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>I. Field The present invention relates generally to communication, and more specifically to a method and apparatus for performing position determination. II. Background It is often desirable, and sometimes necessary, to know the position of a wireless device in a network. For example, a wireless user may utilize the wireless device to browse through a website and may click on location sensitive content. The web server would then query the network for the position of the wireless device. The network would initiate location processing with the wireless device in order to perform a position fix and ascertain the position of the wireless device. The network would then return a position estimate for the wireless device to the web server, which uses this position estimate to provide appropriate content to the wireless user. There are many other scenarios in which location information is useful or necessary. In the following description, the terms “location” and “position” are synonymous and are used interchangeably. The network typically implements a specific call flow (or procedure) for network-initiated position determination. For the call flow, the network may send a message to ask the wireless user for permission to perform the position fix. The wireless user may respond by either granting or denying the request. If the request is granted, then the network and the wireless device perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the wireless device. This location processing may entail (1) invoking a network entity (e.g., a positioning server) designated to handle position determination for the wireless device and (2) exchanging messages between this network entity and the wireless device to perform a position fix for the wireless device. The call flow for the network-initiated position determination is typically performed in its entirety each time the position of the wireless device is queried. For example, if the wireless user clicks on different location sensitive contents, then the position of the wireless device may be queried and the location processing may be performed each time that the location sensitive content is clicked. This may result in inefficient use of system resources. There is therefore a need in the art for a method and apparatus for efficiently performing position determination.